People often speak about the "miracle of childbirth." But these days, with everything made simple, fast and compact, is there much we're still in awe of? Perhaps the word miracle has lost its meaning to many, but thanks to Mady Gordon, for families like the Kidwells, life is one miraculous wonder after another.

Life didn't always seem so awe-inspiring to Fred and Kristi Kidwell, however. After marrying in 1995, the two waited a year or so before thinking about starting a family. Like most couples wanting children, Fred and Kristi assumed they would be able to fulfill their lifelong dream of being parents. Unfortunately, after months of trying to conceive, this did not turn out to be the case.

The Kidwells were evaluated by their physician who recommended that they start fertility medication. Finally in 1998, Kristi became pregnant but sadly, had a miscarriage one month later. Although devastated, they refused to give up and Kristi began taking fertility medication again without success.

"The stress that infertility puts on a marriage is huge. There were constant battles. It was a very devastating time," Kristi said.

Through all of the emotional highs and lows, doctor's appointments and days off, Kristi found nothing but support from her co-workers, and plenty of shoulders to cry upon.

"My boss and my co-workers have been there for me through the whole thing. Despite all my doctor's appointments, they never made an issue about me taking off. They're like a second family to me," Kristi said.

Kristi and Fred talked about adopting, but Kristi was heartbroken at the thought of never being able to carry a child, feeling it grow inside her. This led them to the Center for Reproductive Health, where they were couple was evaluated and treated with everything short of in vitro fertilization (IVF). During this time, Kristi also had surgery and found out that she had endometriosis. Fred and Kristi overcame every hurdle they faced, determined not to lose hope. The doctor told the couple that in vitro fertilization was their last chance. But much like adoption, this alternative, while viable, was not really within their financial realm of possibility. Fortunately, a friend of Kristi's mother had seen a television story about the Mady Gordon's Gift of Life Foundation, a fund set up specifically for couples like the Kidwells that would help pay for infertile couples with a financial need. At her wits end and completely consumed with not being able to have the dream she wanted most in the world, Kristi wrote a letter to Mady and poured her heart out. After their application was reviewed, that same year Kristi and Fred were one of the couples chosen to be treated through the Gordon Gift of Life Program.

"I think what Mady did was the most courageous thing she could have done knowing that she couldn't have kids. She gives other people hope; so that they can have what she couldn't," Kristi said.

They weren't in the clear yet, though, as the first try did not work. It was then that Kristi did not believe she would ever get her wish, but decided to go ahead with the second try. And thank goodness she did because that year, in 2000, after all those years of trying, she found out she was pregnant, just three days before Christmas. That moment, Kristi and Fred did not need any ghosts of Christmas past or present to tell them what was in their future - at long last they could see it happening before their eyes. Kristi was pregnant with twins! Very early on, she lost one of them, but was able to carry the other to term and in July 2001, she gave birth to Nathan, their Christmas miracle.

"Looking back on those years of trying, once we had Nathan, it was like all of that was nothing. We were so lucky to have Mady's help; she's a wonderful woman," Kristi said.

As if that weren't enough, it was only a year and a half later that Fred and Kristi found out they were pregnant again, this time all on their own. A second beautiful boy named Colton was added to the Kidwell family just last year.

"We wouldn't have either of them if it weren't for Mady and the physicians at the Center for Reproductive Health… having children makes your life complete. Now we have very busy days, but it's well worth it! I look at them everyday and see what they do; I just don't want to take them for granted," Kristi said.

"People take getting pregnant for granted," she added. "After going through all those tests, I think it's just a miracle anybody can get pregnant."

It seems that in life it is the most trying of tests that give us the most insight and understanding for those around us. Kristi's experience was no exception and she takes the opportunity to tell other couples going through the same thing, about Mady's amazing gift.

"It's such a cliché statement, but don't give up … there's help out there and miracles do happen," Kristi said.

So far, thanks to the Gordon Gift of Life, 20 couples know this same truth.