
DATE: Sunday, May 11, 1997                  TAG: 9705090225

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD                        LENGTH:  148 lines

LIFE WITH FIVE ANGELA JONES HAD A DAUGHTER WHEN SHE BECAME PREGNANT FOR A SECOND TIME. ONFEB. 14, 1996, SHE DELIVERED FOUR BOYS. OVER A YEAR LATER, LIFE IS STILL GOOD.

``Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen today that you and I together can't handle.''

IN A PROMINENT place in the kitchen of her new home on Kendal Haven, in a small subdivision in a small town, Angela Jones has a plaque that reminds her where she gets her strength.

Her belief in God, Jones says, guided her through a difficult pregnancy. It kept her sane through the birth of quadruplets on St. Valentine's Day in 1996. It gave her faith that she and her husband, Darin, would be able to take care of the children and continue to care for and nurture the small daughter they already had.

And, in more than a year since the babies were born, her faith has never faltered.

``My philosophy has always been to trust in God,'' Jones said, as she watched her four little boys play. ``We've been tremendously blessed. I don't see God leaving us now.''

The Joneses first discovered that they were about to be the parents of four children when in September 1995, Angela Jones went to the doctor suspecting she may be pregnant. She was 26; her husband 25. Their daughter, Shakeeta, was 4.

The pregnancy was unplanned. Although the young couple knew they wanted more children, both were busy trying to start their own cleaning business.

The doctor originally predicted twins. That was no surprise. Angela is a twin; Darin has twin brothers.

An ultrasound instead showed four hearts, four heads, eight lungs.

The quadruplets, conceived without the use of fertility drugs, were a surprise.

And doctors, early on, tried to convince the Joneses to abort at least two of the fetuses.

The idea, to the Joneses, was unacceptable.

The four boys - Kameron, Karon, Kahlil and Karlyle - were born on Valentine's Day.

``We had a little luck, good care, healthy genes, a positive attitude and a lot of prayer,'' said Dr. Dr. Sue K. Sayegh, who guided the infants into life.

The babies, robust and healthy at birth - especially for quadruplets - went home to Carrollton in early March. Almost immediately, the parents say, the walls of the two-bedroom mobile home they lived in began to close in around them.

As the needs appeared, they were answered.

``We have been so blessed,'' Angela said. ``People have continued to help out. A lot of people who don't ever really get to see us just want to help.''

The blessings have included a roomy van to replace their compact car, food, clothing, and diapers. In March, they moved into their new home in a Smithfield subdivision. Contributions made the down payment; the builder provided the home at cost. Contractors and suppliers helped out.

And, in the first year of mothering five children, Angela continues to be optimistic.

``At first, there was so much stress,'' she said. ``But now - well, it's justa lot of joy. We are blessed to have them. They fill our hearts with joy.''

The babies celebrated their first birthday in February at Chuckie Cheese's in Newport News. They basked in an atmosphere of other children playing around them and the typical attention they get wherever they go.

Over the first year, Karlyle - the last to be born - has emerged as the leader, the most determined, the first to try everything.

``He does a lot of climbing,'' Angela said, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. ``He's always venturing out to find something that interests him, getting into everything. He started when he climbed up onto the changing table.''

Kahlil, third in birth order, was the first to walk. Kameron, the oldest, was the last to get his bearings. All of the babies were walking by the time they were 11 months old. By the time they were a year, they had given up their bottles and were drinking from cups.

Like most toddlers, they enjoy eating things like Spaghettios, apple sauce, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Jell-o, and macaroni and cheese.

It's time consuming to get everything together to take them on outings, but they are really little problem, Angela said. They keep each other occupied and play together for hours.

``They're used to waiting their turn,'' she said, smiling. ``We don't mind taking them like - to restaurants. They're really good. We enjoy them. If I could have four more - well. . . ''

Mother laughed and rolled her eyes again.

Keeping each other company was impossible on a recent trip to California for the family to appear on the ``Leeza'' television talk show.

Three babies had to make the trip with their parents. Karlyle, the adventurer, stayed in Surry County with Angela's mother after Shakeeta brought chicken pox home from school to her baby brothers.

It was 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, Angela said, as the quads broke out.

Karlyle was too sick to make the trip. ``And he knew he was alone,'' Darin said. ``Angela's mother told us that he was really quiet and kept looking around for his brothers.''

Still, the trip was a pleasant reprieve from the routine.

``Los Angeles was beautiful,'' Angela said, smiling. ``The palm trees, the sunshine. I wouldn't mind living there. With money - of course.''

But for now, home is the four-bedroom, two-story house where the five children, their parents and the family dog, Lady, are quite comfortable.

The boys are beginning to say a few words. They laugh and clamor for attention whenever their daddy comes home or their older sister walks into the room.

``They're very intelligent, very quick,'' their mother said.

Their personalities change daily.

``At first, Kameron was so peaceful,'' she said. ``Now, he's beginning to have tantrums, throw things. We're working on changing that. I feel like I'm constantly counting heads to make sure I know where everybody is.''

As they have since birth - in appearance and personality - the quads seem to be two sets of twins. They look more alike, however, with each passing day.

Kameron and Karon, who now weigh about 17 pounds each, stick together. Kahlil and Karlyle, both weighing about 19 pounds now, are more individuals.

``I put Kameron and Karon in separate beds, and they scoot together,'' babysitter Tiffany Wilson said. ``They have to be touching each other.''

Angela Jones works with her husband in the family business about four hours each day.

Things are going well for them, she said. They seem to make enough by being self employed to handle expenses.

Sometimes, she said, her husband worries about the future, about continuing to feed and cloth five children, about educating them. Angela tries to reassure him.

``I try to be understanding,'' she said. ``I know he feels like he's the bread winner, and the burden's on him. I try to tell him that we can handle it.''

And the blessings continue to flow.

The children are healthy. Caring people continue to be interested in their welfare. There is love in the house on Kendal Haven.

``I take one day at a time,'' Angela said. ``I try not to worry about the next day because nothing is promised. My philosophy is to trust in God.''

And she turned her head - counting again - and smiled at her sons.

``These babies have brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. It's wonderful. Just wonderful!'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos including color cover by JOHN H. SHEALLY

Watching television can be all but impossible Angela Jones tries

quieting, from left, Karon, Karlyle, Kameron and Khalil.

Mom has a little helper, the boys' big sister Shakeeta. This

certificate is a thank you for the role she plays.

Tiffany Wilson, billed as a ``permanent volunteer,'' helps out with

the massive diaper changes, like this one for Kameron.

Big sister Shakeeta Jones was in school the day this family picture

was taken and could explain why her brothers don't wear their best

smiles. The Joneses, clockwise from top, father Darin, Karon,

Karlyle, Kahlil, mom Angela, and Kameron. KEYWORDS: QUADRUPLETS SMITHFIELD