PARSONS ? Standing wide-eyed and shocked in their own home, Kevin and Sara Myers eventually managed to break the silence.

“It’s beautiful,” Sara offered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The Myerses’ weather-worn home was chosen for the town’s “Making Spirits Bright” makeover contest.

A committee unanimously picked the Myerses as the winner after four nomination letters told their story.

Already the parents of two young children, the Myerses discovered 16 months ago they would have triplets. But a difficult pregnancy forced Sara to remain in bed and quit her job.

Struggling by only on Kevin’s income as a pharmacy technician, the Myerses were handed tragedy. One of the triplets died.

“We had just had a bad year,” Kevin said.

A limousine picked the family up Dec. 6 to transport them to a hotel, where they stayed until they got their first glimpse at their home Friday after a week of work involving contributions from more than 100 businesses and the time and labor of more than 200 people.

The result was startling.

“I never imagined it would be this dramatic,” Kevin said.

Outside, the siding is new and so are the driveway, sidewalks and landscaping. In the back, there’s new fencing, a deck, a swing set and a grill.

Inside, there is new furniture, hardwood floors and appliances. An extended living room was transformed into a kitchen; the former kitchen became another bedroom; a new bathroom was created off the nursery.

There also is a new computer system, cabinets filled with gifts from local retailers, even a Christmas tree.

“I’m so overwhelmed,” Sara said. “It’s a wish come true. We’ve had a hard time in the past year, but I feel this is a new beginning for me and my family.”