St. Charles triplet 'supermom' surprised by NBC 'Today' show

Editor's note: Watch Brandy's "Today" show appearance here.

At this point, Brandy Murphy may want to give the state lottery a try, or visit one of the area casinos for the heck of it. To do that on Mother's Day might not be the best idea, but it would certainly be fitting.

She's been defying significant odds lately, most notably giving birth to natural identical triplets in late 2014.

She and her husband James got all sorts of media attention at that time for what physicians were calling a one-in-a-million chance of conceiving identical triplets, all boys, without any type of fertility drugs.

That mini-miracle brought her family total to four boys — 3-year-old Tommy, and the now 16-month-old triplets, Jimmy, Johnny and Timmy.

Such a feat has turned Brandy, a 2005 graduate of St. Charles East High School and nearly a lifelong resident of St. Charles, into somewhat of a Super Mom.

She fit that category in the eyes of her cousin, Laura Gruber, who nominated Brandy for an NBC-TV “Today” show promotion titled “A Mother Who Deserves a Day Off.”

And she beat the odds again and won the prize.

“I follow the Kathie Lee and Hoda Show on Facebook and I submitted Brandy's name and picture for the contest,” Gruber said. “It was unbelievable; there were over 800 entries, I never thought they would pick her, but it was so cool that they did.”

Gruber, also of St. Charles, thinks the NBC show was simply seeking a “good, happy story” that people could relate to. The segment aired May 6 in the lead up to Mother's Day.

It might not have been as shocking as having triplets, but the odds of winning the NBC contest for her “day off” in late April were not lost on Brandy.

“I was very shocked when I won,” Brandy said. “Laura and I went to the Waldorf in Chicago, had a massage and makeup and lunch.”

In the meantime, NBC "Today" Show style editor Bobbie Thomas came to Brandy's home to watch the kids — for as long as possible — while Brandy and her friend were treated to a day of pampering.

“She didn't make it too long before one of her producers had to help her,” Brandy said.

But that's pretty normal. “It usually takes two people to really watch them,” she added.

Brandy gets some of that help from family and friends, considering James, a firefighter and paramedic, created his own handyman business on the side to bring in extra money for what is now a sizable Murphy clan. That means he is never home during the day and some nights.

Brandy's aunt, Mary Arnold, comes once a week and can spend a whole day making baby food and putting it in the freezer, Brandy said.

“She does a lot for me, along with other friends,” Brandy added. “They are my saviors.”

For now, the kids have been great, eating at the same time, taking naps at the same time, all sleeping through the night — things that are critical for a stay-at-home mom to keep some semblance of sanity.

But Brandy can't help thinking about what's ahead.

“The crazy thing is the triplets will be in the same grade all of the time, and when I start thinking about college, it's like, oh my God,” she said. “We will have four kids in college at the same time.”

That means saving dollars, starting right now. So, even though she's had some good fortune against high odds, maybe it would be best to stay away from a casino and risk losing those important dollars.

A new venue

The PechaKucha Night presentation in Batavia has grown into a bigger venue, moving to Island View Banquets for the 7 p.m. Thursday event.

Island View Banquets is owned and operated by Batavia VFW Post 1197 on Route 25, with the building to the south of the Post, set back from the road but using the same parking lot.

The popular night, which features speakers giving presentations of 20 slides in 20 seconds each, covers a vast array of topics. Cost is $5 per person, cash only, with food and drink for an additional charge.

The event was previously held at Riverview Banquets in Batavia, so you don't want to show up there by mistake.

Sweet success

Was it luck or simply fate that my first visit to the Smallcakes cupcake shop at 117 W. Main St. in St. Charles had this cupcake front and center as its feature of the day?

Banana Snicker Doodle.

Yes, it took all of 10 seconds to decide I wanted that. To make the visit even more memorable, I asked the young fellow behind the counter to also throw a Chocolate Cream cupcake in the box.

No need for me to carry on about how good these cupcakes were. You can use your own imagination.

What was the occasion? I was in the neighborhood.

Need an instrument?

When your son or daughter decides they want to play a musical instrument, it surely means one thing: You have to buy that instrument.

The PTO of JB Nelson Elementary School in Batavia is hoping to make that an easier process by hosting its eighth annual Used Instrument Sale from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the school.

The event features gently used instruments from local owners as well as from The Instrument Exchange of Batavia, and Gregory Sapp Violins of Montgomery.

dheun@sbcglobal.net