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!}

Celebrating Independence

I love July 4th. I love it for the sheer fact that we are celebrating America's independence, but I also like to take time to appreciate my personal independence. God has given me a lot to be thankful for this year, but all of those thanksgivings have come through some serious trial & error {not something I'm USUALLY thankful for}. I mean, getting married in and of itself is a seriously TRYING time, people {phew!}. I finally feel at peace with areas of my life that used to bother me so greatly, however, and for that, I am extremely thankful. I can only control myself. I can only control myself. As a teacher, this is a hard mantra to admit. I dropped one of my former players off at college on Sunday {I coach a varsity girls' basketball team}, and I was flooded with a plethora of memories. One, I realized that I had probably never thanked my mom enough for actually putting up with me while moving into my dorm. Two, time flies, and it only means something if you're learning through the process. I'm thankful for learning, and I'm thankful for the freedom to learn in such an amazing country.

Plus, I LOVE red, white & blue {no matter the day and no matter the occasion}.

Boat Attire // 5th Culture bow tank {old}, Urban Outfitters shorts {old, but loving these}, Rebecca Minkoff mini Mac in navy, Vans satin boat shoes & J. Crew anchor bracelet {old, but check eBay}

Churchill Downs Night Racing Attire // Corilynn striped skirt, Cynthia Rowley blouse {TJMaxx}, Jessica Simpson Calie Pumps, & Michael Kors Hamilton Bag + Jet Set Watch

Hope everyone had an amazing 4th of July weekend. Go America!