Laynee and Rylee’s Story

Tairen and Kevin Landen’s twin girls were born on February 26, 2007, Laynee weighing 1 pound 1 ounce and Rylee, 1 pound 2 ounces.  The couple who were originally expecting triplets lost one during the delivery.  After the births, Tairen spent the next four days recovering in the hospital, while the twins remained under watch in the neonatal intensive care unit at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital.

The family chose the Ronald McDonald House as their home away from home.  “ The compassion that is here is amazing.  It’s more than the hospitality that is offered by staff and volunteers.  It’s also the families that are here who know what you’re going through, that’s what gives me hope,” said Tairen Landen, mother of twin girls and House guest

Tairen and Kevin Landen, high school sweethearts who live in Dalton Georgia, just about 1 hour away from Chattanooga, have spent over three months at “The House That Love Built.”

“3 ½ months later they (Laynee and Rylee) have defied the odds and they’re still here,” she said

Tairen took a leave of absence from her position as a Kindergarten teacher for the Whitfield County Schools due to early labor signs during her 24th week of pregnancy.   Kevin who works for Precision Products continues to spend his days at work and his nights with his family. 

Laynee now weighs a little over 4 pounds and her twin sister Rylee is 5 pounds 2 ounces. The family looks forward to completing remodeling plans on their home and are thankful the Ronald McDonald House was available for them during a very uncertain and difficult time.