I Believe in Miracles.

My sister- and brother-in-law are {for lack of a better term} baby-making champions. Just a few years ago, they told us they were pregnant with their first little one, and now, almost three years later, they are the mother and father to three beautiful girls. Maebyn Noelle celebrated her 1st Birthday on August 11th, 2013. On August 12th, my sister-in-law walked into the hospital to give birth {yet again} to identical twins. While I have come to appreciate any birth as miraculous, it is the birth of these two little twins that has made me relish the power of prayer and the possibility of miracles.

About five months into MaKenzie's second pregnancy, she and Ross found out that the twins were suffering from TTTS, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Because the girls were identical and sharing the same placenta, one of the twins was stealing nutrients from her sister. The risks were high for both babies, and the prognosis was far from ideal. The percentage of twins who both survived the disease was very small, and those who did usually arrived very prematurely.

So, they prayed.

They prayed for peace. They prayed for safety. They prayed for Truette Lynn and Larkyn Ellen to make it to 33 weeks without any complications. And, while they prayed, a miracle happened. The babies' amniotic fluid levels evened out. The TTTS became non-threatening, and at 37 weeks, these two beauties were introduced into a world that at one point seemed so far away {almost too far}. Truette was a mere 45 grams from not having to go to the NICU, but both girls were healthy, strong and alive.

Ross and MaKenzine's faith in the face of improbable odds touched my heart in such a way that I only hope I exude the same conviction in even the most mundane tasks of my daily walk of life. As a newlywed, I find such inspiration in witnessing couples go through pregnancy and parenting successfully, and I would be remiss to ever forget their strength in these moments. I would also be remiss to ever forget God's goodness. I look forward to a life of more miracles as the Aunt to such an amazing group of little girls.

Read more about TTTS here. Read more about Ross & MaKenzie's story here & here.

Maebyn's 1st Birthday Threads

Yum & Fun

Larkyn Ellen & Truette Lyn: Born August 12, 2013

Uncle Jordan & Aunt Steph

Leaving the Hospital {woohoo!}