topic Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18 in Community Chat

The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

lolakimono — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 23:35:32 GMT

The world's first surviving septuplets are planning to go on their own for the first time.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/news/a35592/mccaughey-septuplets-turn-18/

On November 19, 1997, Bobbi McCaughey and her husband, Kenny, made headlines when she safely delivered the world's first surviving set of septuplets in Des Moines, Iowa. The arrival of Kenny Jr., Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon, and Joel — born at 2.5 pounds to 3.4 pounds — was heralded as a medical miracle.

Now, the McCaughey septuplets are turning 18 and preparing to head out on their own for the first time. The seven seniors at Carlisle High School are all busy making plans for life after graduation. Brandon has enlisted in the Army, starting June 1, while the other six have college plans. (They also have an older sister, 19-year-old Mikayla, who got married last summer and lives nearby.)

"It will be pretty drastic," their mom, Bobbi, told the Des Moines Register. "Everyone gone all at once."

Bobbi and Kenny had pursued in vitro fertilization after the birth of their daughter Mikayla. But when they learned that she was carrying seven embryos, the religious couple chose to keep them all — which thrust them into a controversial spotlight.

But after the babies' safe delivery, it's been a relatively normal road to adulthood, except for the media requests the family fields each year around the kids' birthday. Or the fact that they live in a seven-bedroom house that was donated when the kids were born. Or the free vacations and food and college tuition they've been given. Or the time they met President George W. Bush.

"My fear has always been that they see our jobs and think that's all they need for nice stuff," Kenny, who works at a metal-coating company, told the newspaper. "I've given them the cold, hard truth slowly. No way could I afford this home on my salary. If you want something, you have to work for it."

Bobbi is employed as a para-educator for special-needs children — in addition to the work of raising eight children. Both she and Kenny have tried to instill that work ethic into their kids.

The children have all held jobs (they have to buy their own cell phones!) and saved money for college. But they won't necessarily need it: at birth, several universities offered them free college education. At least three of the kids — Natalie, Nathan, and Joel — plan to attend Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri, one of the schools to offer tuition. Natalie intends to study elementary education, while Joel and Nathan will both pursue computer science.

Nathan and Alexis were born with cerebral palsy and each underwent childhood surgeries to help them walk. Nathan battled day after day to finally learn to walk on his own. Alexis still uses a walker, but this year, she was the school cheerleading squad's co-captain.

"Me and Lexi are completely done with surgeries and checkups and unless we need something, we're completely done with it," Nathan told local news station KCCI, adding with a laugh. "I just feel like I'm the king of the school like I'm a senior now. I can rule over anybody."

Alexis intends to pursue preschool education at Des Moines Area Community College, where Kenny Jr. will be pursuing construction studies. Kelsey is in all state choir and wants to pursue a career in music, though she's not sure which school she will attend.

"We consider us as best friends, not as brothers and sisters," Alexis told WICC. "And I'm really blessed that we've gotten to that point."

For Bobbi and Kenny, facing an empty nest feels surreal after years packed with the activities and the joy of eight children at home.

"Everything is the last," Bobbi told theDes Moines Register. "The last marching band performance. The last cross country meet. The last choir concert. It's sad to see things end, but there will be a lot of firsts coming. You have to get to the lasts to get to the firsts.

"You always think, 'What could I have done differently?' But I think they are all ready for the next step. They all turned out pretty well."

Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

Margo Channing — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 23:46:13 GMT

Thanks for posting this! I have to admit to getting a bit teary while reading it.

Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

MaggieMack — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 23:54:12 GMT

Eighteen years! Impossible. I loved this story when it happened, and it is still so refreshing, such a beautiful family. Seems like there was some exceptional parenting through the years. Thanks for sharing!

Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

CatsyCline — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 00:11:06 GMT

thank you for posting ! they are a sweet family and i'm so happy all the kids made it. i remember Diane Sawyer doing stories about them . i wonder if she will do a Special story as tney turn 18!

Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

madcity411 — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 00:58:21 GMT

@ashleigh dupray wrote:
thank you for posting ! they are a sweet family and i'm so happy all the kids made it. i remember Diane Sawyer doing stories about them . i wonder if she will do a Special story as tney turn 18!

Wouldn't that be wonderful! I remember the story well.

Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

madcity411 — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 01:02:27 GMT

@lolakimono wrote:
The world's first surviving septuplets are planning to go on their own for the first time.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/news/a35592/mccaughey-septuplets-turn-18/

On November 19, 1997, Bobbi McCaughey and her husband, Kenny, made headlines when she safely delivered the world's first surviving set of septuplets in Des Moines, Iowa. The arrival of Kenny Jr., Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon, and Joel — born at 2.5 pounds to 3.4 pounds — was heralded as a medical miracle.

Now, the McCaughey septuplets are turning 18 and preparing to head out on their own for the first time. The seven seniors at Carlisle High School are all busy making plans for life after graduation. Brandon has enlisted in the Army, starting June 1, while the other six have college plans. (They also have an older sister, 19-year-old Mikayla, who got married last summer and lives nearby.)

"It will be pretty drastic," their mom, Bobbi, told the Des Moines Register. "Everyone gone all at once."

Bobbi and Kenny had pursued in vitro fertilization after the birth of their daughter Mikayla. But when they learned that she was carrying seven embryos, the religious couple chose to keep them all — which thrust them into a controversial spotlight.

But after the babies' safe delivery, it's been a relatively normal road to adulthood, except for the media requests the family fields each year around the kids' birthday. Or the fact that they live in a seven-bedroom house that was donated when the kids were born. Or the free vacations and food and college tuition they've been given. Or the time they met President George W. Bush.

"My fear has always been that they see our jobs and think that's all they need for nice stuff," Kenny, who works at a metal-coating company, told the newspaper. "I've given them the cold, hard truth slowly. No way could I afford this home on my salary. If you want something, you have to work for it."

Bobbi is employed as a para-educator for special-needs children — in addition to the work of raising eight children. Both she and Kenny have tried to instill that work ethic into their kids.

The children have all held jobs (they have to buy their own cell phones!) and saved money for college. But they won't necessarily need it: at birth, several universities offered them free college education. At least three of the kids — Natalie, Nathan, and Joel — plan to attend Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri, one of the schools to offer tuition. Natalie intends to study elementary education, while Joel and Nathan will both pursue computer science.

Nathan and Alexis were born with cerebral palsy and each underwent childhood surgeries to help them walk. Nathan battled day after day to finally learn to walk on his own. Alexis still uses a walker, but this year, she was the school cheerleading squad's co-captain.

"Me and Lexi are completely done with surgeries and checkups and unless we need something, we're completely done with it," Nathan told local news station KCCI, adding with a laugh. "I just feel like I'm the king of the school like I'm a senior now. I can rule over anybody."

Alexis intends to pursue preschool education at Des Moines Area Community College, where Kenny Jr. will be pursuing construction studies. Kelsey is in all state choir and wants to pursue a career in music, though she's not sure which school she will attend.

"We consider us as best friends, not as brothers and sisters," Alexis told WICC. "And I'm really blessed that we've gotten to that point."
For Bobbi and Kenny, facing an empty nest feels surreal after years packed with the activities and the joy of eight children at home.

"Everything is the last," Bobbi told theDes Moines Register. "The last marching band performance. The last cross country meet. The last choir concert. It's sad to see things end, but there will be a lot of firsts coming. You have to get to the lasts to get to the firsts.

"You always think, 'What could I have done differently?' But I think they are all ready for the next step. They all turned out pretty well."

Thank you for posting this amazing family story.

Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

brii — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 01:02:35 GMT

Wow - they all sound like amazing kids.

Their home is sure going to be quiet - LOL

Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

Plaid Pants2 — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 01:03:05 GMT

And to think that the parents did it all without doing a reality tv show!

Re: The McCaughey Septuplets Turn 18

lilac lover — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 05:19:20 GMT

Such a heartwarming story. I remember reading about them and watching Diane Sawyer catching up with the family. It was so nice that they could grow up without being in the limelight and have a normal childhood. Their parents had a plan and stuck to it.