Stillwells

2011-07-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

We recently had a wonderfull time in Pagosa Springs Colorado with Annika's family. The weather was great, and the company was even better. follow the link bellow to see some of the family pictures in our Picasa album.

https://picasaweb.google.com/102150351047560061929/PagosaFamilyVacation?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCL_I-Z6l16_5GA&feat=directlink

Christmas Pictures

2010-12-18T19:13:00.000-08:00

After several tries at putting the camera on timer and having friends spend the evening taking our pictures we finally bit the bullet and had our first professional pictures taken. Ofcoarse we ended up spending a whole lot more than we intended and getting way more prints than we need, but the pictures turned out great and it was a lot less stress.

Sylas is such a ham, it was easy to get pictures full of smiles.

Tell me which ones you like the best, Annika and I have a little side bet going on.

Whishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

God Bless!

2010-12-10T09:49:00.000-08:00

here are some more pictures for grandma. The first is our family picture from Easter, it was after lunch and Sylas is way past nap time. The next two are at Daytona beach, we had lots of fun in the sun this summer. The next two are just some random pictures before church, it is rare that we are ready early enough to take pictures and have some fun before heading to church in the morning. Following those is a picture of Sylas and his favorite food, Cheerios, spread all over the floor so he can share with the doggies. The pool was a big hit this summer, even mommy and daddy got in to splash around. The last two are just some big smiles and lots of fun, especially on the airplane from Grandma.

2010-12-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures just for grandma, seeing as how she is probably the only person who reads this blog. The first one is just a couple days old, we were trying to make our own Christmas pictures for a Christmas card, this is the best we could come up with so far which means we will probably be trying again this weekend. The others are from our church's family camping retreat at salt springs national park. The water was freezing so Sylas never wanted to let go of mommy. Our little man is quite the camper, he is so easy going, as long as he has a sippy cup and a stroller to push around he is as happy as a hound dog at a coon hunt.

Gouhls Ghosts and One Happy Horse (or Cow)

2009-11-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was a very happy Halloween, even though it was almost missed because someone was too excited and didn't want to take a nap until it was too late. Eventually, Sylas awoke and we dressed up in our new horse costume and headed out to trick or treat. Sylas sat in the stroller still as a mouse as mommy took him from door to door and he soaked everything in. And since he only has two front teeth and can't eat candy, Sylas totally hooked mommy and daddy up with a sugar high that will last at least till thanksgiving. All tuckered out, we headed home at the late hour of 8:30 and nestled in under a full moon.

On another note, we are considering why we buy toys for Sylas. Of all the things people have given us for him to play with, he chooses to play with the dogs food bowl (see exhibit A in the video bellow). Actually Sylas plays with anything and everything he can get his hands on, he is pretty good at entertaining himself, so everything real important has been moved at least 4 feet off the floor.

Now at nine months we are learning to use sign language to communicate, trying to stand on our own, and trying to put sounds together. Our little sponge is absorbing everything around him and developing his own personality. We just love this little man.

October Brings More "Firsts"

2009-10-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

October is coming to an end and so is our first eight months with the best blessing god could ever give us. Sylas will turn nine months old on the twentieth and we are still watching and loving many new things happen for the first time. Sylas had two front teeth come in at the beginning of the month so we have had fun experimenting with new foods and even self feeding; we'll just say meal times have become longer and messier with a whole lot of smiles and laughter. Everything around makes an impression on our little exploreer and dicoverer, even watching the dogs has taught him to krinkle his nose and sniff as he does in the video bellow. He has also become a cruising pro, Annika and I are starting to realize we have a daredevil on our hands. Sylas is quick to let go of things while standing up even though he can't stand on his own yet, which has led to many bumps on the head and even his first black eye, but our champ just gets right back up and tries again.
Last weekend was our first family camping trip which was also a record setting hottest weekend in October, luckily we opted for a cabin over our tent. We had a great time none-the -less thanks to our great church family. We spent a lot of time playing in the cabin and games with the others, but our favorite was with mommy in the pool even if he did try to lap-up all the water.
Today, we visited our first pumpkin patch and climbed pumpkins that were just about as big as Sylas. We just can't wait for all the holidays that are aproaching and the magic they will hold for our little man.

2009-09-19T04:43:00.000-07:00

I thought you might enjoy these videos of our little man, he's just growing like a weed. He is crawling like a pro, although I don't think it will last long, he is already pulling himself up on the couch and scooting actoss the front of it to get to the dogs. Sylas turns 8 month Tomorrow, Sept. 20th. I even heard him change from mamamama to dadaadadda when I told him to say daddy. Now if we could just get him to learn about Saturdays and sleeping in.

6 Months and Growing

2009-08-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hope you enjoy these new pictures of Sylas, Annika turned his room into a photo studio on his six month birthday.

Sylas has been growing like a weed, he just keeps going and there is no stopping him. Last visit to the doctor he weighed 17lbs and was 26 inches tall. He is getting very active, always jumping and playing. He is working on crawling, right now he gets up on all fours and starts to rock back and forth then his arms bush harder and his legs slip and he goes backwards, right now reverse is all we got but it is getting better.

This summer has been interesting. School is starting for Annika tomorrow and the past 4 weeks I have been away at camp or on mission trip so it has just been Sylas and mommy. We are definitely looking forward to everyone being home for a while.

On the horizon is Volleyball season for Annika and Sylas and daddy will get more time together; However, we are trying a babysitter two days a week this year so we will see how that goes.

Hope the summer has treated all of you well and that God's glory and blessings have been seen. May God be with you till we meet again.

5 Months and Growing

2009-06-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

Well it is a sweltering Sunday night in Florida, and I finally have time to catch up on blogging. It has been a very busy 2 months for our little family. It all started the week of Memorial day when we traveled to Colorado to see family. It was Sylas' first flight, and our first with a child. Now I know you may be saying, "been there done that" or even, "Just wait it gets worse", but you were probably nervous your first time too. It ended up not being too bad, but bad enough to say we wish there was an easier way. The time with family definitely outweighed the time on the plane though. Sylas loved playing with his cousins in grandma's backyard, and the cooler weather was a big bonus. Monday Annika and I celebrated our seventh anniversary, for the first time with family. Sadly we had to leave Colorado and returned to Florida and had to hit the ground running.

When we got back to Florida it was the last week of school and the first week of Summer. Annika was wrapping things up at school and I was frantically trying to get things ready for the summer with the youth group, it seemed as if we were just passing and handing Sylas off in a rush of changing schedules; this made for a horrible week. Thankfully school ended seniors graduated and we shifted into a better summer schedule.

The next week we had visitors. Annika's brother Matthew and his family came from Lubbock to spend a week. Tuesday was Disney's Animal Kingdom, Wednesday was magic kingdom, and Thursday through Sunday was relaxing at the beach. Again Sylas loved having cousins to play with and new family to hold him. The beach was our favorite, Sylas was a little young yet for Disney but he was a little trooper; however it was great to see Brady and Kinley light up at the magic of Disney. Saturday more family came to the beach. Annika's aunt Pam and cousin Kendra and family happened to be a Disney at the same time, so we all got to spend some long lost time together, I cant believe it has been so long. Again, it was hard to say goodbye, and we can't wait to see them again when the kids can really play together.

Now Sylas is continuing to grow and experience new firsts. He turned 5 months old yesterday and is really beginning to become a little man. Besides learning to rollover, which was a scare at first, he has also taken too talking all the time (however no one can understand him but he has things to say). He is getting his first taste of baby food, even though he seems to wear more than he eats he seems to like it. This week is sweet patatoes, so we will see how it goes. He continiues to grow like a weed, the last doctors visit weighed him in at 15lb 3oz and was 24 inches tall. We will probably go out this week and look for a new car seat since he is kicking the seat when facing backwards which we are told is the time to turn around and face forward like everyone else.

Well it is now 10pm and has taken me 2 hours to write this little post, you see why it is hard to fit regular update in often. Sylas is finally asleep, and I am fadin quickly and still have things to do before I can turn in so I better go. Good night and God bless, may He be with you and your family this summer.

Growing Like A Weed

2009-03-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of our precious Sylas. He is now over 2 months old and is 12 pounds. He is getting real good at holding his head up and looking around and is starting to giggle and smile a lot, especially when mom comes home in the afternoons. We are looking forward to this summer when we will get to visit lots of family and have a lot of firsts together.

We Love and Miss Grandma!

2009-03-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

One Month Out

2009-02-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

Time is flying by as Sylas is now 1 month old and Annika only has one more week before going back to school. Sylas has figured out the difference between night and day as we have figured out some "tricks" to parenthood (or at least what works for him). We have also had many firsts this month. Each of us had our first nap with Sylas on our chests, and Sylas had his first full bath after he lost the umbilical cord. We also switched to formula milk since production was not keeping up with our little piggy. The switch was not the easiest but it has been a lot easier on Annika since I can help out a little more.
Sylas is continuing to gain weight and grow into a strong and healthy boy; He is even growing out of the newborn outfits...some that we never got to wear. We are looking forward to much more growth and a developing personality laughs and smiles. But most of all we are just thanking God for our little miricle and all his uniqueness and greatnesss.

Pictures of Sylas

2009-01-21T18:55:00.000-08:00

Sylas Daniel Stillwell Arrives

2009-01-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

After much anticipation and a long 20 hour night Sylas was born at 8:28 am on January 20th 2009 wighing in at 7 poundes 13 ounes and 20 inches long.
We went to our schedule doctors visit Monday the 19th knowing that we were 5 days over due and that we would schedule an induction Tuesday or Wednesday. However when Annika's blood pressure was high (149/91) he decided to go ahead and induce immediatly. We went to the hospital and started a pitosin drip at 11:30 am. Contractions began around 3pm with hard labor coming in around 6pm. Annika was allowed to have oral pain medication which took the edge off for a while; however contractions were getting worse. Labor was going slow, at this point we were only dialated to 2 and barely 30% effaced and sylas was still back and up. The pain medication began to ware off but the contractions were still getting stronger and closer together which made resting hard and sleeping impossible. We asked the nurses for for more medication the nurses wouldn't give any because Sylas hadn't awaken from the first batch yet. At 2am We were still barely dialated to 3 and couldn't get an epideral until a 4. At 3:30 Annika was begging for more pain relief and when the nurse helped her sit up her water broke, and after being checked she had finallly reached 4 so an epideral was called however the anastigiologist was in OR and would be an hour. Sylas was still back and up and 40% effaced, and contractions continued and were hard. Just at the point Annika said she couldn'tcontinue the epi arrived at 4:30 am. It was smoothe sailing here as far as pain goes, we would have even been able to get some sleep but the nurses kept barging in. Sylas was not responding well to the pitosin, his heart rate would jump to 211 and fall to 88 speratickly, so the drip was stoped and so did contratctions and labor. at 6 am labor had not pregressed ut sylas was doing better but not great. at 7 the docot came was worried about the lack of progress and problems and carefully monitored us. At 7:50 the decision was made to go for a C-section. After 20 minutes of prep and a quick 18 minute precedure Sylas came into the world and we cried at hearing his first cries.
Since birth, everything has been preogressing quickly and greatly. Tuesday night was rough. trying to rest but being awoken every 30 minutes for vital checks or a feeding made for a long night. Finally at five am Sylas had a good feeding and fell asleep with us until 8am. Hopefully tonight will be better, and we will just look forward to going home friday.
I will get some pictures up quickly so you can see our beautiful baby boy with a lot of dark brown hair, 10 tiny little fingers and toes, and the best temper ever.
Thanks again for all of the prayers and thoughts and help throughout the last nine months, we love you all.

Counting Down the Last Days

2009-01-08T04:44:00.000-08:00

I guess it is time for another update. Not much has changed lately, were just waiting on Sylas. The last four weeks seem to have been the longest, and these last days are getting even longer. Annika said she is past ready! School started back this week and it has been a hard thing to get use too again; however, we have been told that all the walking and exercising she does with her PE classes will pay off in the end.

We are constantly asked if we are ready and think, "are you ever really ready?", and then respond with, "ready or not here he comes!" We do however think that we are ready. The nursery has been painted and stocked with diapers, books, toys, cloths and clothes, and furniture. Baby monitors are in place, the car seat has been installed and checked, and even two hospital bags are packed and ready to go. I have been given a list of people to call, in order, when we leave for the hospital and a second list for when he arrives; don't worry, if you are one fo the few who reads this you are probably on the top of the list.

We plan on taking some pictures Sunday so you can see how beautiful and round Annika has become. It is funny, well maybe just to me, how the maternity outfits we baught a few weeks ago are already running a little tight. I better stop before I get in big trouble and have to sleep with the dogs (although that wouldn't be bad since they sleep in our bed).

Please continue to pray for baby Sylas and us new parents, we need all the help we can get. Hope to see you all soon with baby in hand.

6 Weeks and Counting

2008-12-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

The countdown is shrinking, and we are very excited. Annika returned back to school this week after thanksgiving break with so many people telling her how great she looked, and how she truly looked pregnant now (I don't think she grew that much in a week, they were just being nice and hadn't seen her in a while). One person even told here that she could be having Sylas in 3 weeks! Now, even though that is possible, lets not rush things. He may be ready but mom and dad are not! I guess you never truly ready though....so bring it on.

We did a lot of work on the nusery over thanksgiving break. It is all painted, all the furniture is assembled, and even the diaper bag is packed. The mural is my favorite, it is of a jeep driving out of the mountains and the liscence plate is a Colorado tag with the name Sylas on it. Annika and cleta did a great job on it and the whole room. Ofcoarse I knew they would, they have been doing murrals as a side job for over a year now.

Thanksgiving day was a great mixture of activities. We slept in (a feat we know will be disapearing soon) and spent the morning putting up Christmas decorations starting with the tree; this is a tradition we started a few years ago since we had no family and nothing to do our first thanksgiving here. Then we went and had thanksgiving lunch with some friends who had invited us to join their family. And that evening we went to the Ice Exhibit at Gaylord Palms. Only in florida would you put on a parka to go inside. There were 9 million pounds of ice in the exhibit wonderland with slides, giang santa, and other christmas things. The exhibit itself was kept at a freezing 9 degrees inside.

We had a great thanksgiving, and are now un-patiently awaiting the Christmas holidays and our great gift of Sylas Daniel Stillwell.

We've Made Out Like Bandits!

2008-11-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

This past week has been a whirlwind of showers. It all started Sunday as our church held a shower for us. There were about 50 ladies in attendants, and lots of gifts to unwrap. Clothes and blankets certainly were the majority; however some of the big ticket items made an appearance too. Items such as a diaper genie, infant swing, and baby monitors brought some of the biggest smiles and ooohs and ahhhs of the night. Especially meaningful gifts were those that were home made by some of the talented ladies in the congregation. these gifts included a poem framed and signed by everyone, a painting of a precious lamb, and a couple of knitted blankets and coats. It was definatly a great way to start the week.

Every Tuesday I have the privelage and honor of speaking in elemtary chapel at the bible school. This Tuesday would not be a normal chapel. I had prepared what I thought was a good veterans day lesson about the war hero Hur from Exodus 17 and arrived at chapel as usually at 2pm. When chapel began Annika and I were both brought up on stage and were given a package of diapers from each family in the elemtary school. I havn't counted yet but there must be around 500 diapers (OK maybe that is a little exageration). It was definatly a chapel that I will never forget.

The very next day the faculty and staff of CH&BS threw a party for Sylas and we recieved many more great gifts and cards. Topping the list was our crib, and we know have all the essentials for the nursery.

Thank you everyone who has been so generouse and caring. You truly are our family away from home.

Baby Update

2008-11-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened this month, the most exciting thing was Sylas' first Halloween costume. Annika painted a jack-o-lantern face on her orange t-shirt and wore it out to the Friday night football game and track-or-treat at Christian Home and Bible School and to cosmic bowling afterwords with the youth group. It was a great night...good times had by all!

Annika's volleyball team played its last game and she resigned as the head coach so that she can spend time with Sylas instead of volleyball next season. The team finished 7-5 for the season and was 3rd place in the district tournament. We have mixed emotions about her final season, however the extra time home and resting has already been well received.

We also baught a new car, well new to us anyway, this past week. Some great friends of our got a new car and gave us a great deal on their 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. We have had a great time driving it around and feel much better about bringing Sylas into the world with two cars we can trust. We still have the old Grand-was, and will probably be trying to sell it in the near future.

Other than that things are going along very well, thanks to God and all of you for your prayers. We begin bi-weekly visits to the doctor next week and we will also be starting child birth classes at the hospital in two weeks. We are very excited about our upcoming showers on the 9th from the church and latter on from the faculty at school, maybe even more excited for these than for Christmas. Only about ten weeks till our expected son arrives, we are so excited!

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers and words of encouragment and knowledge, it is all verry helpful. We hope and pray that you and yours are finding God's blessings as winter rolls in.

Prego Pic

2008-10-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Well, many have been asking, "do you have any pregnant pictures of Annika?" And the answer has been, well no we don't. I'm not sure why we don't other than we hardly ever take pictures and it has not crossed our minds. So this weekend we made sure to get some pics. Here is one above and maybe we can get some more for you and our memories soon.

7 Month Update

2008-10-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Well, we are into our 7th month and everything is going pear-shaped. Annika is laughing because she is beginning to lose her belly-button and thinks she is loosing her feet too.

The youth came over last Saturday and helped Eddie get the nursery started. We are going with a jeep theme; the bottom half of the walls are a dark mud brown and the top half are a light blue and in the middle is a tan chair rail. That is all that we have done now, I'll try to get pictures soon. We plan on painting pictures of jeeps riding on the chair rail like a dirt road, and on one wall have a mural of a jeep in the Colorado mountains and use those white push lights as the head lights and a night light. Again, I try to get some pictures soon.

We also registered a couple weeks ago at target. I'm not sure why that is so much fun, but it is. And why has no one designed something like that for birthdays, that would make it so much easier.

Things are still real busy around our house, but we are taking use of those moments that we have to rest or sleep in since those days are numbered.

We hope that the fall is wonderfull for all of you, thanks again for your prayers and thoughts.

WOW What Crazyness

2008-09-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

This has been a crazy month. First, two hurricanes threats delayed that beginning of school even though they never really impacted our area. Now school is truly underway, and so is volleyball, and this past weekend was our last big youth ralley...SonQuest. All of this has completly worn Annika out, I even had to pick her up and take her home on day because she had a migrain and completly fell apart at school.

However, today was an awesome day! We had our first ultrasound and the sights and sounds of our baby makes everything else seem to not exist.

We found out that we are having a boy for sure: Sylas Daniel Stillwell.
Sylas is a name we have loved for a long time, straight from the bible meaning Stand Firm as in relation to large forest trees. Daniel is from my father and means God is my judge.

Enjoy the pictures bellow, the first Photos of Sylas.

Proof He is a boy in the center left odf pic 1, head is on the right.

Pic 2 has an arrow that points to the family jewels.

Two shots of his face. I love the second one, you can see so much detail.

Great shot of arm and little hand.

Profile Poses for the Camera.

End of Summer Baby Update

2008-08-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

Summer is about over and I am slowing down from all of our youth activities, only one big retreat left before we get into the full school routine. However, Annika is starting to get busier and busier. Teachers went back to school this week and it has taken a toll on our mommy to be. Not only is school starting, but so is volleyball which Annika is the head Varsity coach of. Adding to the exaution is the fact that she is not sleeping good right now, tossing and turning all night. She is trying to sleep on her left side like all the experts say, but she is a stubborn back sleeper. The good thing is that other than being tired and exhausted, Annika is feeling really good. She is also looking more and more pregnant every day.

Today marks the end of the 4th month, and we have an ultrasound appt. in 3 weeks to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. Either way we are excited and have names picked out:

Sylas Daniel if it is a boy
Avery Rain if it is a girl

Once again, thak you for your prayers and comments. And Thank God that everything is going so well.

2008-08-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

We heard the heart beat today...it was awesome....sounds like a little train chuggin' away. Everything was great in the ckeck up, the babies heart rate was 148. Everyone is telling us that it must be a boy since the the heart rate is low, some are even starting to buy baby boy clothes. Were not sold on that yet.. but we will find out in 5 weeks.

Annika is starting to show a little now. She has gained 11lb since before we found out and her belly no measures 44 inches.

Thanks again for all of your prayers for our growing family.

Update on Baby Factory

2008-07-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

Today marks day 98 and we are well into the forth month and second trimester. Annika is feeling a lot better now, although there is some lower back pain that we know is here to stay and only get worse. She only had morning sickness (actually night sickness) twice, and now all the nausia is gone and her apetite is back.

We had a little scare about 3 weeks ago. While I was at camp, Annika called me and told me that she had an EKG done and before she got home the doctors had called and asked if she could come in right away. When she went back the waiting room was full, but when she checked in they took her right back immediatly to do another EKG by the lead doctors in the office. So we were pretty scared at this point (she was at the time, I was in the phone call which she didn't do until afterit was all over). It turns out that the first EKG showed a tear in her artery that goes from the heart to the brain. If this is the case it is immediate surgery to save Annika at the risk of loosing our child. On the second EKG at different angles they saw that it was just another artery, but thanks for making our hearts race. Thank God that it was nothing!

Everything is going good now, we are right on track. We have another appointment tommorrow and should get to hear the heart beat. In about five weeks we should get to find out if we are having a little Annika or a little Eddie. We are so anxious to find out, but don't really care either way. Annika would like a boy first because she had older brothers, but we will love it just as much no matter what it is.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers, thank you.

Baby Update

2008-05-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

Today marks the beginning of the 5th week, actually 34 days to be exact. Annika is feeling pretty good, although there are days when that is not the case. however there has only been one time when she has gotten sick (on day 28). Annika has been getting tired very easily lately and does not have much of an appetite at all; however we are being sure to eat what we can and get good nutrition and plenty of excersize.

Sunday we celebrated our 6th anniversary. It is hard to believe that many years have gone by. We are excited about where life is taking us, and so happy that we get to go together.

Thanks for all of your prayer and all your kind thoughts and comments, it is great to have so many friends that care about us and take care of us when we are away from our families.

We Are Pregnant

2008-05-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess it is about time we updated this thing.
On Sunday May 4th 2008, after several home tests, we believe we are pregnant. YEA!
However, being the calm cool collected people we are, we don't get our hopes up until it is confirmed by the doctor. So on Tuesday the 6th our doctor confirms that we are pregnant and have been for the last 12 days.

We are so excited we can hardly contain ourselves. Annika is having so much fun telling everyone, she is wearing a smile that runs from cheek to cheek.

Please be in prayer for us and our new growing addition.

I've Been Tagged

2007-01-30T07:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my good friend David, I have been taged and must share some random thougths about myself......so here it goes:

1. Like David I have worked many jobs in my life. My first job was a clerk in a video store where I worked all through highschool (it was the best job). I have also worked as a Heating and air apprentice (with my brother in law) as a roof loader, as a walmart assosciate in the garden center and harware, as a server for aaramark catering, at a equipment rental store, and now as a children-youth-college-family minister.

2. The kids in the youth group call me Paco because on a mission trip 5 years ago as we were cruising through the country in our bus someone said I drove like a race driver and calleed me Paco the mexican race bus driver....and it stuck. What makes me laugh though is that all the students in the youth group now who call me that have no clue why or where it came from.

3. My faith journey really started with the death of my dad and a girl from school asking me to go to a lock-in and from there the ball began to roll.

4. Like david, I don't think I have what it takes to be a minister... but it is in my weakness that God shines through; and all I need to do is be a road sign that points to God so they can follow christ not me. Thanks to everyone who had more confidence in me than I did as you have paved my way.

Well, there is four things for ya anyway. And on with the game, remember if you are tagged you gotta play. So you are tagged Dave Brannan, and Aaron Sides.

Finaly Some Pics

2006-12-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

The first three pics are from our cruise to the Bahamas. We spent a day snorkeling at Coco Kay and it was the best day.

We had a family camping trip in Oct. at the Manatee Springs State Park and had a blast. I hate this picture though...it makes my hair look so gray.

Hunter and I after a "Mighty Mite" football game...Go Canes

Yearly Update

2006-12-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

It has been another long and busy year that has flown by in the blink of an eye. It is hard to believe that we have been married for over four years, and living in Florida for as long; however in those four years not much has changed...and that is not always a bad thing. Eddie is still working for the mount dora church of Christ as the children and youth minister (along with a host of other titles). When he is not with the kids at a youth group event he also volunteers his time at the Bible school teaching in chapel and driving the buses on field trips or away games for the sports teams. After all that if there is any extra time and money Eddie can be found playing golf with some of our church members (or at least trying to play...he almost has is score under 100 now). Eddie is not the only one who plays during the week, I do my fare share of it as well as a elementary and girls junior high P.E. teacher. Besides my duties at school I also coach varsity volleyball, assist with varsity basketball, and junior high softball (although I don’t think I will do that again this year.) In my spare time (what is spare time?) I like to scrapbook and play bunko with the ladies from church.

There are a few highlights that made this year special for us. Our spring break trip to Branson will beunforgetable to say the least; we thank God that after a blown front tire, a drive by shooting, no AC, and a couple tornadoes we finally made it home after having a great time. We also had a great time when Eddie’s family (his mother, step-father, and nephews Scott and Brody) went on a mission trip to do hurricane relief in Bayou La Batre AL. It was great to serve the Lord with them with out the headache of being incharge of a whole youth group of kids. This was quality time with our family that we greatly enjoyed. We also experienced a first for us both. In November we went on our first cruise. We went on a 3 night 4 day cruise aboard Royal Carribean’s Saveriegn of the Seas to Nassau and CocoKay Bahamas and had “the time of our life”.

After all is said and done, this was a pretty good year. We thank and praise God that we family has been in good health and very little worries. We thank him for you each and every day, you may never truly know what you mean to us. Hopefully this year we will be able to spend more time with our families and loved ones, as that is what truly matters in life.

Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a very happy new year; until we meet again, may God bless you in ways that only He can do.

Because He Lives,

Eddie & Annika Stillwell

Pictures comeing soon.... I promise.

Two Weeks Down

2006-06-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, summer is in full swing now and time is starting to get scarce. One Camp is down; last week was middle school week at cfbc and we had a great time. Our theme was back stage pass where we drew messages from different movies. It was fun and messy, i'm just sorry I forgot to take pictures, just ask the kids I always forget. Anyway, Annika is at volleyball camp this week at the University of north Florida, next week is Bible camp then we leave on mission trip for two weeks after that, so it is still going to get even busyier. hopefully I'll remember to get some pics...at least I remembered to wright. Well God bless and Godspeed in all you do.

Back Again (Who knows for how long)

2006-05-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am ashamed at how long it has taken to write, I should be ashamed of myself, but thems the brakes. Actually I have been trying to wait for things to calm down before I wrote again, then it finally dawned on me, yes I'm slow....I'm speacial ed, things will never slow down, someone allways has an idea to use your time if you do not protect it.

I regress; I commit to writting once a week until I forget or get too busy then I will make it up somewhere some how (sure am glad I know how to make a commitment). At least for know keep watch for the next couple of days, I allready have a couple of ideas in my head.

So, as school ends and summer starts I head off to camp Sunday, will have one week at home with the wife, then it is volleyball camp followed by bible camp followed by mission trip followed by Bible camp followed by spiritual growth workshop followed by leadership camp followed by Evangelism retreat and ending with sonquest on labor day weekend.

And I'm off, hopefully I will keep you up to date each step of the way. Until I see you again, I wish you god speed for you and yours this summer vacation!?

2005-10-14T13:35:00.001-07:00

Brady playing at the park

2005-10-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

Brady being a big boy

2005-10-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

Kinly's newborn picture

Nephews & Neices

2005-10-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have been wondering, we do not have children of our own even though we like to claim the ones in our youth group; however, we do have quite a few nieces and nephews whom we adore and miss. On Eddies side there are 3 boys (Scott, Brody, and Sawyer) and one girl (Makenna). On Annika's side there are 1 boy (Brady) and 2 girls (Brianna, and Kinly) and one second cousin. We thought we would share their pictures with you, aren't they adorable!

2005-08-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

Tristen splashin in the watter during leadership retreat in NC

2005-08-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Sissy walking Kaida through the watter during leadership retreat in NC

2005-08-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Some of our youth pose for a picture during Wed. night Peak of the Week bible class

2005-08-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

Annika and I trying to out run the kids on the beach

Does the Business Ever End

2005-08-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

I recently read a post from a friend of mine who is teaching in Ark. that His favorite words are June July and August, teacher vacation. He talkedofhaving time for himself and family and such. I on the other hand dream of when school starts. Not that I don't love my job and being with the kids on trips, but my summers can be so hectic (yet wonderfull) that it is nice to slow down as school starts. However, I am married to a teacher. Can someone please explain to us what vacation is? I love that we are so involved in eachothers lives and work, but we never get to rest. Now that school has started so has volleyball and bus driving and many other things. I'm not complaining mind you, I am just sharing the cost of being in ministry, which some of you may know to well. Or maybe I am just giving a long excuse and saying sorry for not updating this blog enough, or often, or at all. I promise I will try and do better, maybe even pictures, but those are harder than just words. Anyway, pray for us please, as we pray for all of you. Our lives are to busy not to pray. (I think that is stated right).

Busy Summer

2005-07-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone it has been a busy summer, Annika and I have been going non stop for the past four weeks between bible camp, mission trip, and volleyball camp we barely ahve time to sit and breathe. Any way just wanted to let you know that we have not forgotten about you and that we will be sending pictures and more personal stories very soon. i'm off again, take care everyone and God Bless.

2005-05-23T12:10:00.001-07:00

Annika and her first sand castle ever

2005-05-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

Annika Lookin' Cheesy

2005-05-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

Helicopter photo of Stillwell Manor

2005-05-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

Daytona Beach May 2005

3rd Anniversary Celebration

2005-05-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Celebrating our third anniversary early, we went to our time share in Daytona for the weekend. (see pictures above) We had an awesomely relaxing time on the beach with no cell phones or to-do lists, man was it great! We also spluge on dinner and went to see the movie....Star Wars III. Summer is now here, and I know that there will be more trips to the beach, but nothing will beat this weekend. Annika built her first sand castle ever (even though we have been living in FL for three years now.) Now our summer will get realy busy with Volleyball camps, soccer camps, Bible camp, mission trip, and other various activities......I can't wait to do each thing, I know they will be great.....however I can't wait for them to be over either. Well off I go, enjoy the pictures, and come say Hi this summer we always have time for our friends and family.

2005-05-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

trying to get profile picture, sorry

2005-05-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

Just me acting silly

The Harding Family

2005-05-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

We recently, ok a month ago, returned to harding with some of our youth for spring sing weekend. I thought I might know a couple of people and see some professors, but I had no idea what God had instore. It was such an uplifting experience. It was great to see so many people again. I wish I would have taken more pictures. I saw people I havn't seen in years, and we were able to pick right back up. Then I realized how appropriate it is that every year at the end of spring sing everyone sings United We Stand. It is great to know that the harding family truly is a family who cares and is always there. Thanks guys!

2005-03-31T11:53:00.000-08:00

crowded at the back of the bus

2005-03-31T11:49:00.000-08:00

mission trip 2004

2005-03-31T11:45:00.000-08:00

Sissy and I at camp

2005-03-31T11:42:00.000-08:00

summer camp 2005

Living Child Free

2005-03-31T11:13:00.000-08:00

Yes! To many of you who are wondering we are still child free, at least our own anyway. Working as a youth minister has helped us build relationships with many of the kids in the youth group in such a way that they feel as if they are our own. We love them and care about them, and it hurts us to see things that hurt them, and we want to discipline them so that they will make changes in their life that will protect their future. We go to thier games and chorus performances. We sit down and have personal Bible studies with them. And we even take the older ones to colleges and help them plan for the future. I guess you would say we get to do all the fun stuff w/o any of the tough stuff. We love what we do, we love the families we work with, and we thank God for blessing our lives with them. i will try to upload some pictures so you can see what I am talking about.

Welcome to our home

2005-03-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

Truly inspired by many other Bloggers, we have decided to go global and modern by creating this blogg to publish all the many hapenings of the stillwell family and beyond. Thanks for checking the page out, and please leave a note so we can keep up that contact that we have always been trying to do (yes we have been trying even though we fail.) And please be patient, it may take a while for us to completly develope this site.