Four times the joy for Greg and Venessa Woods, parents of two sets of twins

NASHVILLE − Raising twins would seem to be twice as hard as raising one child. Imagine raising two sets of twins.

That has been the blessing for Greg and Vanessa Woods, longtime teachers and coaches in West Holmes Local Schools, making Mother's Day twice as special.

"Well I can't say I know the exact percentage, however, we were told the first time we went to the doctor we had a 6% chance of having twins," Vanessa said. "When we decided to try to have another baby they said the percentage should be cut in half so a 3% chance of multiples ... and well you know how that ended up."

The Woodses eventually found out that "way down the line" on Greg's side of the family there was a set of twins, but we didn't give it any thought because we assumed it wouldn't happen," she said.

But it did happen ... twice.

First time was a big of a roller coaster ride

"When we first found out we were having twins we were ecstatic," Vanessa said. "But Cael and Maddie's pregnancy wasn't the easiest. We were literally on a roller coaster ride of highs and lows."

She said they were so happy to find out they were having twins, but at the next doctor's appointment they were told one of the babies wasn't thriving and most likely would be lost, while the other one seemed to be doing wonderfully.

"We had time to process it and when we headed back for the next doctor's appointment they informed us that, 'Oh, the one we thought would have been lost is catching up nicely.' So we were back on the highest of highs," Vanessa said.

And that is how the entire pregnancy went, she recalled.

"And, of course Cael had a mind of his own and was ready to come five weeks early, whereas Maddie was perfectly content to stay in and bake a little longer," she said.

Intense delivery of one at 3 pounds, 10 ounces; other at 5 pounds, 8 ounces

They ended up in Cleveland Clinic for an emergency C-section where Woods experienced a very intense delivery.

"Cael was my little peanut weighing in at 3 pounds, 10 ounces, and only 16-3/4 inches long," she said. "Maddie was 5 pounds, 8 ounces, 18-inches long. She was doing very well, but Cael had to go to NICU and I didn't even get to hold him.

"He has always been a fighter and he was in the hospital for an extra 10 days to get his sugar up and weight," she added. "He was meant to be a wrestler watching his weight."

A truly supportive husband and father

Vanessa said she never could've done what she has done without the incredible support and help of her husband, Greg.

"I would have to stay home and take care of Maddie while Greg drove back and forth to Cleveland Clinic to be with Cael," she said.

Greg Woods adds Vanessa has been a rock star through it all.

"I feel very fortunate to have her as a wife and the mother of my children," Greg said. "She is the unsung hero behind the curtain. I feel very lucky to have someone who supports our children and me.

"For 27 years she has supported me while I was coaching, many times making late dinners and offering words of encouragement," he continued. "We are not perfect, but she has given her best effort every day. Doing it all with four kids is amazing."

Greg added that many years they may have only had a weekend or two off of tournaments the kids were competing in.

"This would not have been possible without a very strong woman that many times had to go to tournaments on her own," Greg said. "With four kids, everything is twice as hard, from laundry, cooking food, homework, practices, etc. She has been the rock of our family, as well as helping many other children in her class, or that she coached. I have been blessed to have a woman who puts her children first before her own interests."

Slightly easier the second time around

Vanessa said the second pregnancy went a little easier than the first one, although Kenzie and Kali came five weeks early as well.

"However, we were able to deliver in Wooster and we all were released at the same time, so we went home to four children under the age of 4," she said. "Cael and Maddie had to 'grow up' a little quicker due to newborns around, but they always were very helpful with the girls and really bonded with them quickly."

Many successes academically and athletically

"Our kiddos have had many successes in their athletic and academic careers," the proud mother said. "We are so proud of all they have accomplished. Now, that is not to say they haven't struggled at times, but we stuck together as a family and made sure to let each one know they will come out of whatever situation on a positive and that we were there for them."

Maddie Woods has killed it in the classroom and on the ballfield. She is graduating from Tiffin University with a 3.87 grade point average. She also was the starting second baseman for the Tiffin University softball team all four years. She was GMAC 2nd team her freshman year and 1st team GMAC her sophomore year.

Twin brother Cael is back in college after taking a year to figure out what he really wanted to do with his life. He is also back on the wrestling mat. He is attending Tiffin University and the three-time All-Ohioan from West Holmes is on the wrestling team.

"Cael has just been accepted into their Education program," his mother said. "He will be taking after dad with his love of history. He was an Academic All-American in wrestling which is something he was striving for. We are so proud of his comeback."

Kenzie and Kali are getting ready to graduate from West Holmes this year. Kenzie will be playing softball at Findlay University and Kali will be playing soccer at Lake Erie College. Kali has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout schooling and is planning to become a teacher as well. Kenzie has been on honor roll in high school and she is planning on going into sports management/marketing at Findlay.

"They have both had success in their athletic careers; very successful soccer career for Kali especially her senior year," Vanessa said. "Kenzie had an amazing career in high school golf where she was a varsity member of the boys golf team. They are currently in their last season of softball that they will be playing together, and the team is doing very well and so are they."

Greg believes the kids will some day look back in wonder at their mother.

"Hopefully they will learn from her example, and do the same for their children," he said.

Hardest part is finding time for all their events

The Woodses say the hardest part of having the two sets of twins and the age difference is having to split time to get to all their events.

"There were many times when I would have to be with one set while Greg was coaching or with the other kids," Vanessa said. "Thank goodness for technology because we were able to catch games on gamechanger or flow wrestling."

A natural maternal instinct

"Being an elementary teacher for 27 years, I consider my students 'my own kids' while they are in my classroom," Vanessa said. "Just like at home, I try to make sure that they know I love them, I'm there for them, but I am also going to come down on them if they aren't following the rules or not working to their potential.

"I feel over the teaching years that I have had students who might have thought I was tough on them during that time, but as they grew up they realized I was doing it because I cared and I wanted them to succeed," she said. "I think I approach my classroom and my motherhood the way I do because of my mother and father. They were both teachers and had expectations for us. They were so supportive and loving through the good times and bad."

Vanessa said she is having a tough time accepting her kids are all going to be away next year.

Empty nest: 'My babies are leaving'

"Empty nest syndrome has been hitting me very hard lately," she said. "Don't get me wrong, we will still be following them in everything they do, but knowing all my 'babies' are leaving... I am so full of pride and sadness all at the same time. But I know the bond we have made with our children will last and we raised them to be independent but always know we are there for them."

She adds people often assume Kenzie and Maddie are a set of twins and Cael and Kali are the other set, because Kenzie and Maddie are both blondes and Cael and Kali are brunettes.

"Maddie sometimes gets miffed that everyone on the Woods side has the 'C' sound starting their name except her," Vanessa said. "I tried to name her and Cael with matching names but Greg wanted the name Cael so I gave in."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Four times Mother's Day joy for Holmes mom, dad, two sets of twins