Twenty-four weeks. Basically, six months. To some, that can seem like a really long time, but when it’s the duration of a pregnancy, it’s perilously short. And that’s exactly the situation that Sam Eddins faced just over a year ago.

Her pregnancy was threatened when an infection that she just couldn’t fight off kept her from keeping her babies in gestation. Despite doctors’ best efforts to sustain her pregnancy as long as possible, medical miracles Lucas and Genevieve entered the world just 24 weeks into Sam’s pregnancy. Doctors at the hospital fought with everything they had to keep the twins alive, overcoming challenges like collapsed lungs, brain bleeds, brain surgeries, g-buttons, tracheotomies, vents — you name it, these tiny, tenacious twins endured it.

Such grand neighbors

Now just over a year old, the two preemies are thriving and developing their own personalities, but still require a great deal of around-the-clock medical care. Living next door to their grandparents, Gloria and Robert, certainly helps to relieve some of Samantha’s load in keeping all her kids cared for and growing. It also gives Colton the perfect safe place to land when the EMTs have to rush one of the babies off to the hospital, which happens quite regularly.

An active, energetic 7-year-old, Colton has a blood disorder called ITP that limits the activities he can partake in. Since his life has been rearranged by the twins’ ongoing health issues, the family is always looking for a safe outlet for his excess energy, and one that won’t affect his blood disorder.

The Mom-ination

With ongoing medical bills and Sam being a full-time caregiver for her twins while also giving Colton the time and energy he deserves, it became very clear to a special someone that this family could use a Magic Moment. After all, she lives right next door and sees Sam working tirelessly to care for her family. That’s right, the nominator is her mother, Gloria! She loves her daughter and family very much and felt they could really use a Magic Moment. It didn’t take our committee long to green-light that notion!

This family has been described as “having a great deal of love to go around,” and UBT set out to make sure there’s even more this year.

We wanted to spoil Sam a bit since she spends so much time taking care of others, so a nice, luxurious massage is in order. Gift cards for gas and food will help with the day-to-day duties, and we’ve set the family up with a complete photo session, something they can cherish forever!

Thanks to our partners in the community, Colton will have all kinds of activities to keep him busy, including swimming lessons. A new Xbox will provide plenty of fun during the cold of winter and beyond.

The twins will no doubt continue growing and getting stronger, and they’ll enjoy their new play yard, complete with an assortment of toys to spark their playful imaginations.

It’s an honor to bring a Magic Moment to this loving family with a refreshing sense of humor and bright hope for the future. We wish you all the very best this holiday season, and for many, many years to come!