According to recent data presented by the Children’s Bureau, the number of children in foster care nationwide is approximately 424,000. In Tennessee only, there are slightly less than 8,000 children who are waiting to be reunited with their families or find a forever home with people who would love them unconditionally. The sad reality is that the number of foster families in this state is less than 4,000.
Up until recently, one of those kids who found themselves in the system was 12-year-old Andrew from Nashville. This lovely boy spent half his life going from one family to another. However, that changed when he was welcomed in by a special foster family; the Gills.
Kevin and Dominique Gill have a son on their own, Joc, who made very good friends with Andrew the moment they first met. The boys just love hanging out together. They spend their time playing games, taking walks, and doing a bunch of fun stuff. Realizing how close the boys became, Kevin and Dominique decided to let them be best friends forever by filing adoption papers.
Andrew had no idea he was about to become an official member of the Gill family. One day, as he was taking a walk at the park with Molly Parker, an employee at the Youth Villages, he was met with the news that his foster parents are adopting him.
“I just turned around the corner and saw everybody,” Andrew said. “They asked ‘will you?’ and I said ‘yeah!’”
Besides being best friends, these boys now became brothers. Isn’t that the most beautiful thing ever?
The Miracle of Nature: The Story of Genetically Identical Triplets
When Becki-Jo Allen learned she was expecting triplets, her life was completely turned upside down. The young mother from England, already caring for her daughter Indiana, was stunned by the news that she would soon have three more children. However, what happened next was even more unexpected.
Becki-Jo’s journey began when she started feeling unwell and suspected she might be pregnant again. Her excitement grew when a scan confirmed she was expecting triplets. Though the news came as a surprise, Becki-Jo was thrilled by the prospect of expanding her family.
However, there were complications with the pregnancy. At 31 weeks, Becki-Jo was rushed to the hospital and underwent a Caesarean section to deliver her triplets. The babies were born prematurely and were very small, with the lightest weighing just 3.3 pounds. They needed to spend six weeks in special care, fighting for their lives.
Against the odds, the triplets survived and thrived. As they grew, Becki-Jo noticed that people often had trouble telling them apart. Strangers would stop her on the street, asking if they were identical. While Becki-Jo was sure they were not, she decided to get a DNA test to be certain. The results revealed that the triplets were genetically identical—a rare occurrence, happening only one in 200 million times.
Raising triplets is no easy feat, and Becki-Jo’s family requires a lot of help. The household is always busy, with the washing machine running nearly constantly. Despite the chaos, Becki-Jo is incredibly grateful for her miracle children.
As the triplets grow, each one is developing their own unique personality, but Becki-Jo is amazed by the deep bond they share. “It’s incredible to see how close they are,” she said. “They’re always together and have their own little language.”
Becki-Jo’s story is a testament to the power of nature and the unpredictability of life. Though the birth of her genetically identical triplets came as a surprise, they have brought her immense joy and love. Despite the challenges of raising triplets, Becki-Jo feels blessed by the miracle of her children and the special connection they share.
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