Happy 8th Birthday, Brandon & Devin

Hello friends,

Eight years ago today I was 32 weeks pregnant with my triplet boys. I was big as a barn and so uncomfortable. I had been on bedrest for 14 long weeks after having a cerclage because I was showing signs of pre-term labor at 18 weeks. Thankfully the cerclage held my sweet babies in for a while longer and things were going well. My goal was to make it to 34 weeks and I was scheduled to deliver on June 9th. But I didn't quite make it!

On May 27, I woke up around midnight because I wasn't feeling well. I got up to go to the bathroom and immediately started bleeding - which caused both Donnie & I to panic. After a frantic call to the doctor, we were on our way to the hospital. Donnie broke the speed limit the whole way there - while we prayed that our babies would just stay put a little while longer! During this time I had one contraction that did not quit - and was in such terrible pain. When we arrived at the hospital at around 12:45am - I couldn't even walk and the nurses had to come and get me in a wheelchair. The doctors weren't there yet and the nurses were starting to panic themselves because they realized that Baby A (Brandon) was coming quickly and they didn't want to deliver triplets by themselves! The nurse gave me medication to stop the contraction - but it didn't work - and the pain was so severe. Apparently my body went into hard labor immediately and was doing all it could to get those babies out! The pain was overwhelming and Donnie told me later that my screams could be heard all over the maternity ward.

I was prepped for an emergency c-section - but my pain was so severe that I wasn't really even coherent! Finally, my sweet boys were born May 27, 2000 . . . Brandon at 1:41am, Jacob at 1:42am and Devin at 1:43am. Unfortunately, I don't remember anything . . . In fact, I have no recollection of their birth or even seeing them for the first time or the whole next day after they were born. I was completely out of it - heavily drugged up from the pain and emergency c-section and I was wiped out from pure exhaustion. Finally, on the second day, I was well enough to travel to the NICU to see my sweet boys for the first time - that I remember! I will never forget that moment - seeing those tiny, red, wrinkled babies and falling so madly in love with each of them. Donnie & I were just in awe that we created these 3 beautiful boys! Brandon, Jacob & Devin all did remarkably well for 8 weeks early and were all home in less than 3 weeks!



It is hard to believe that was 8 years ago! Time goes by way too fast . . . where did my sweet babies go? Looking back, I often wonder how Donnie and I survived with 3 babies and a 2 year old! :) But I realize more than ever now that having triplets was all part of God's plan for our life. God knew that Jacob would need his brothers to help him through his cancer treatment. Many times Jacob would cry for his brothers and they were the only ones who could make him smile. Brandon and Devin cared for Jacob with such concern, gentleness and kindness and they would literally do ANYTHING to make him happy. They were a huge source of comfort for Jacob and a large part of why Jacob had a constant smile on his face despite all the hardships he faced.



And God knew that Brandon & Devin would continue to bring comfort and joy to our family when Jacob passed away. He knew that we would need them to show us that life goes on . . . and they have been such a bright light shining in our dark days of grief. And not a day goes by that I don't fall to my knees and thank God for trusting me with 5 of His most precious gifts - my children. And I thank Him for blessing me with triplets - what an honor it is to be their mother!


And although Brandon, Jacob and Devin are triplets, the boys are as different as they can be . . .


Brandon is Type-B - laid back and easy-going. He will talk non-stop and ask a million questions. He is polite, happy and compassionate. He loves bugs and catching frogs, fishing and riding his bike. He doesn't like to write or read and his room is always messy. He is silly and such a ham - always ready to tell a joke. He often talks about Jacob and he is absolutely the best big brother to Allie! He cares about others and is friendly and kind. Brandon always has a twinkle in his eyes and his smile is so contagious! Everybody just loves Brandon. He can find the positives in every situation. When he grows up he wants to be an entomologist.


Devin is Type-A - He is a hard-worker and a perfectionist. He always gives 110 percent and tries his best. He is a good student. Devin is intense - he is quiet till he gets to know you and then he can be quite loud! He has a temper that will often land him in time-out. He is my athlete and excels at every sport - but his favorite is baseball. He is neat and likes his room clean and is the best helper around the house. He is very competitive and driven and never gives up. He was the first to walk - the first to ride his bike - the first to tie his shoes and the first to read. He is a worrier - and the most demanding for attention - yet he is always affectionate and loving - a momma's boy at heart. When he grows up, he wants to be a baseball player!


Yes, Brandon and Devin are complete opposites - the true odd couple! ;) But we love that they are different - as it certainly makes life interesting.


And Jacob - well, he was a nice balance between Brandon and Devin! Jacob was the peacemaker. He loved everyone and cared so much about others. He spread joy and love everywhere he went. He was friendly and silly and could always make you smile. We miss the balance that Jacob brought to our family and we definitely always feel that something is missing - our family puzzle will not be complete till we are reunited in Heaven. We miss the sparkle in his eye and the love he shared with everyone. We miss his dancing and singing and laughter in our house. We miss him every minute of every day. But I know that Jacob is having the best birthday ever in Heaven - celebrating with Jesus. And I know that I have a forever 6 year old, blue-eyed angel waiting for me when it is my time to join him in Heaven. I look forward to the joy I will feel at that moment when I can wrap my arms around my son again! What excitement and HOPE that thought puts in my heart. I can only imagine . . . being in the presence of the Lord with Jacob by my side.

Happy 8th Birthday,
Brandon & Devin

May you always know how deeply you are loved . . . and how very special you are. May you always remember Jacob . . . he is a part of both of you and I know he loved both of you more than anything. May you reach for the stars and celebrate each day. May you know God and trust Him in all things. May you sing and dance and laugh and love. May you know that Daddy and I love you completely, totally, always and forever!


I invite you to take a stroll down memory lane with me and watch my guys grow up over the past 8 years in the slideshow below. Each picture represents such a sweet memory and I thank God for each one. And as I look through these pictures with tears in my eyes - I see the joy my boys have for life and the love they have for each other and I know that I am humbled and blessed to be their mother. And I know without a doubt that although my grief is overwhelming at times - my LOVE for Jacob and ALL of my children is stronger . . . stronger than my grief! Oh, how I love all 5 of my children - and I thank God for blessing my life with each of them.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We plan to celebrate Brandon & Devin's birthday this Saturday with friends and family. It should be a very fun, but bittersweet day . . . a day of celebrating and a day of mourning. Our hearts are filled with JOY that we still get to celebrate this day with Brandon & Devin - we are so thankful for them! Yet, our hearts will be missing Jacob so very much . . .

Ending with a scripture . . .

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!"
Psalm 127:3-5

Thanking God for my children . . .
for their birth,
for their life,
for their love,
for the memories
and for the JOY they bring to our life everyday,