My Beautiful Miracle Baby

Faith, Family, miracles 2 Minutes

Once a child bride, I married a man child. During the first year or so of holy matrimony, we partied like it was 1999. But it was 1989. Then suddenly, we had a toddler. Somebody had to grow up. With the help of my mother, I packed my things, loaded Drew into his car seat, and left the Rocky Mountains and my husband in my rearview mirror.

During the 700-mile, cross-country trek from Denver to Tulsa, I prayed to God. I wanted to do the right thing, and I said, “Send me a sign. Amen.”

In the weeks that followed, I found an apartment and a church. I enrolled in community college and started summer classes. Meanwhile, Kody called. He missed me and Drew. He asked if he could visit.

I said, “Yes.”

All it took was one visit, watching Bambi as a family, a failed spermicidal sponge, and I had my sign. I called Kody long distance when I missed my period. “I’m pregnant,” I said.

From there, we committed to a new beginning. Kody moved in and found a job. Together we enrolled in eighteen hours each that fall. In December, we moved back to Norman to continue school at the university. By then I was almost seven months pregnant. I had just turned twenty-two.

I suppose I lifted one box too many. Mother’s guilt.

I was taking a bath one day in our new home. 134 1/2 S. Reed. A bungalow with a dirt driveway on the half acre behind another bungalow. As I toweled off, water continued to drip down the insides of my thighs.

My water. Broken. Seven-and-a-half weeks early. At the hospital, I learned my baby was breach. They transported me by ambulance to the university hospital in Oklahoma City with the neo-natal unit. The surgeon performing the emergency C-section was Dr. Payne.

And that’s how Lauren Elizabeth entered the world. January 11, 1992, at 12:22 am, 4 lbs. 11 ½ oz. Too little to cry. It’s not a pretty story, but she was a gorgeous tiny bundle of love despite the tubes in her nose. She had ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes. And she fought for life from her first breath. She was destined to be just fine and come home just one week later.  

And today my beautiful miracle baby celebrates 30 years and other miracles along the way, God’s presence and new beginnings of her own. Destined for her best decade yet.

Published by Crystal Byers

When I was young, my dad would always say, "Crystal, you can choose your attitude." One day I chose to believe him.

Published

75 thoughts on “My Beautiful Miracle Baby”

  3. Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter. As you said may this be her best decade yet. Beautiful pics Crystal and thank you for sharing this part of your story.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Beautiful, Crystal, in many senses. Not just Lauren, either, but even more so, your spellbinding lyricism.

    Your eloquent (and elegant) recollection is the best birthday gift you could give her. Seriously. When Lauren’s 96, she’ll take out this story and will read it for, like, the 10,000th time. She’ll wipe away a tear. Even more than that, she’ll feel warm, loved and happy And hopeful. Guaranteed.

    Lauren’s life speaks movingly of life’s woven tapestry. Despite occasional trifles and diversions, the continuous story is one of potential…and of joy. I agree, Lauren’s greatest triumphs are yet to be. Though none, perhaps tops her drawing you as a Mom.

    Oh, and at this particular moment in the story, best wishes to the birthday girl!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You know how to give a girl a compliment, Keith! Thank you. I used to think parenting was about having kids at home. I’ve learned it stretches into an entire life time. Sending those wishes along!

      Liked by 2 people

  20. Good for you and your husband for doing the work that makes a marriage work. My husband and I were married at 17, talk about immature. Our first 12 -13 years were a struggle, too much for me at times so I let him three times, went back when he promised to quit drinking. He had a massive heart attack at 26, spent a month in hospital. He said he knew laying in the bed God was trying to get his attention. He was saved at age 13 but did not mature at all. Our life took a slow turn, after 15 years of marriage we had our first child, then a second one a few years later. by then I was saved and God begin to mature in the knowledge of Him and His love for us. We became missionaries and ministered in two countries and now are Member Care reps for our missions in the states. I am so glad we did not give up every day. Again, bless you and your husband.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Back in 1958 I was the miracle baby. Born much to soon I weighed only 3.4 ounces and long after my mom went home I stayed at the small town hospital and spinster nurses cared for me. When I left weeks later and finally went home I went home with a blanket of prayers over me I am sure.

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  24. Beautiful Mom, Beautiful daughter. The ups and downs of your story kept me wondering how it would end. The pics of happy smiles say it all. Praise God for proving Romans 8:28 once again!

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  25. 💕😭😢You’re such an amazing mom!! Happy Birthday Lauren!! 🙂 Love your dedication to your children and thank you so much for sharing your marriage struggles and so glad things worked out! 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. It’s a story my best friends know, and it deserved to be written. The part I left out was how my parents helped as we finished school. My dad had Kody sign a contract to complete 18 hours a semester with a 3.0 average and work 20 hours per week.

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  27. This is beyond beautiful! God is amazing and so faithful! Your testimony is so heartwarming. Anything is possible. That just because it looks one way doesn’t me that will be the end result. I rejoice in your miracle and all the wonderful things she has accomplished as of today. Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter. May God continue to use you, to show others how great is our God really is! Blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Thank you for sharing!!.. a belated Happy Birthday for your daughter!.. glad your story had a happy ending in spite of the challenges.. as Marilyn Monroe once said; “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together”… 🙂

    Until we meet again…

    May love and laughter light your days,
    and warm your heart and home.
    May good and faithful friends be yours,
    wherever you may roam.
    May peace and plenty bless your world
    with joy that long endures.
    May all life’s passing seasons
    bring the best to you and yours!
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Inspiring and heartfelt memories! It sounds like we are at similar places in life. Our son just turned 29 and is recently engaged. Yay! I am so excited to have a daughter-in-law and possibly a grandchild or two down the road (no pressure 🤣). We’re in California, and he’s living in Montana, (more than 1,000 miles away 😥) coaching college football. He’s doing what he loves, but I also see a great change in him since he’s been with his fiancee. What more can you ask for as a parent but see your kid happy?

    Congratulations to your daughter and you for surviving those 30 years. Here’s to an excellent decade ahead!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Congrats to your son and your growing family! Sounds like he’s doing amazing things with more of the same ahead. Lauren is just 400 miles away, but it’s about 397 too far. You’re right though—all I want is a happy kid. Today we FaceTimed, and she’s good!

      Liked by 1 person

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