Kaiya's Baptism and Mother's Day

Kaiya turned 8 this year, which means that she is old enough to get baptized. Due to scheduling conflicts, the first day after her birthday that would work for everyone was May 8th, which also happened to be Mother's Day! Kaiya was so excited.

Kaiya was being such a turkey when I tried to take her picture before the baptism---She did not want to cooperate. I kind of liked this more candid shot of her, though.

I threw this picture in to show the back of the dress. Her dress was absolutely beautiful---it was made by a very dear friend who does not want to be named (Here is a hint...if my family was "The Brady Bunch" she would be "Alice")

Outside the church before the baptism: Riley, Kaiya, Rachelle, Jayson, Kassidy, Ryder, Kaydence, Kyndall and Rustin

The whole fam with both sets of grandparents and my brother Ryan who all came for the baptism. It was awesome to have family come to support Kaiya on this special day!!

Kaiya in the dress she was actually baptized in. This was MY baptism dress when I was 8!

Kaiya with Jayson, who baptized her

The actual baptism was very nice. Jayson's mom gave a short talk on Baptism, and then Jayson led Kaiya into the font. I stood on the side by the entrance to the bathroom to help Kaiya when she came back out of the water. As I stood there, I saw all the quints with their faces pressed up against the plexi-glass looking down into the font---it was very cute, I wish I could have taken a picture. Kaiya was beaming as she came out of the water. After the baptism, Andrea Woods, a family friend sang a beautiful solo of "I Think When I Read That Sweet Story" and then Kaiya was confirmed by Jayson.

After the baptism: Kaiya with Mimi and Papa

Kaiya with Troy, Cassaundra and Ellis

I spent so much time behind the camera that I never got a picture of ME with Kaiya--Bummer!

After the baptism, we had everyone over to our house for refreshments---this was the refreshment table.

Kaiya with a baptism gift from Mimi

It was great that Kaiya's baptism fell on Mother's Day----that means we got to spend Mother's Day with both my mom and Jayson's mom---something that has never happened before! We invited a few more of our favorite moms (GG and Cassaundra) and their families over for Mother's Day dinner before the baptism. For anyone familiar with Cafe Rio, I made a copy-cat version of their Barbacoa Pork Salad----it was SO good---tasted just like the real thing! (I used the pork and dressing recipes from HERE and the cilantro-lime rice recipe from HERE, if anyone is interested.)

I was too busy running around and didn't get any pictures of a salad all made up, but this was the buffet line.

The quint table at dinner (the only parts of the "salad" they would eat were the tortilla, cheese and chips)

My brother Ryan, who lives in McAllen (about 5 hours from here) came up for the day. He is still a swinging bachelor, so he isn't quite used to the noise and chaos at my house, but the kids LOVE him :-)

Riley and I (He gave me the frying pan for Mother's Day)

Me and my mom

Kaiya and Riley with Grandma Wilkinson (Jayson's Mom)

Kaiya's Baptism and Mother's Day

A Tribute to Mothers that Inspire Me

Throughout my life, and especially during the last three years, I have been inspired by the examples of many women. In honor of Mother's Day, I would like to pay tribute to just a few of the women who have touched my life.

First and foremost is my mother (aka "Mimi"). My mom has always been my #1 fan. She has been a huge support to me throughout my life, and especially these past three years. She is a great mother and a wonderful example to me, and I only hope that I can be the kind of mother to my children that she has been to me.

Next is my mother-in-law, Sylvia. She is the epitome of a fun grandma. She tells great stories and is always coming up with creative games to play or activities to do with her grandkids. We share a love of cooking and she has taught me a lot!

My list of inspiring women would not be complete without Virginia (aka "GG"). She is one of the most amazing women I know. Although I hardly knew her when the babies were born, she has become a dear friend and we consider her part of our family. She continues to help out nearly every weekday morning and other times as well. It is because of her that I get a shower every day, I get my errands run, and most importantly, that I keep my sanity! She is truly an angel.

My Grandma Rappleye has always been an inspiration to me. I am the oldest of her 53 grandchildren and because of that we have always had a special relationship. She is such a kind and generous person. She is constantly serving others, and always has a smile on her face.

Now that I have one red-head, I think my Grandma Curtis deserves a medal for raising THREE red-heads! (Everything they say about red-heads is true :-) )Something else that amazes me about my Grandma Curtis is that she never forgets a birthday or anniversary. With 5 children, 21 grandchildren and lots of great-grandchildren, that is not an easy task!

Another inspiring woman in my life is Cassaundra. She is one of those people who is constantly giving of herself, her time and her talents. It is partly because of her that Jayson and I have been able to maintain a strong relationship, despite all the chaos these past three years---she watches the kids every few weeks so that Jayson and I can get a much-needed date night!

My good friend, Natalie, has also been an inspiration to me. She has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I have been impressed by the way she has been able to instill strong moral values in her children. She has also been great at helping me to step outside my comfort zone every once in a while and let the kids do things like play in the dirt!

Barbara has been a devoted friend from the very beginning. She continues to help on a regular basis and is always willing to come over whenever I need her. She and Virginia watch the babies for several hours one day a week so that I can run errands. I am so grateful to them for giving me a weekly "day off". Barbara has a great sense of humor and always makes me smile when she is around.

Tammy is one of those people for which the glass is always "half full" instead of "half empty". No matter what challenges she is facing in her life, she always has such a positive outlook. Early on, she developed a special relationship with Ryder. Every Sunday she takes Ryder during chuch and she often comes to get Ryder to take him on little outings and give him some individual attention. It is wonderful to have people who truly love your children!

Being a mother is the hardest thing I ever done, but it is also the most rewarding. I am so grateful for all of these women and many more who inspire me every day and help me to be a better mother!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

A Tribute to Mothers that Inspire Me

7 Reasons Why I Love Being a Mom

#1 Riley

#2 Kaiya

#3 Kassidy

#4 Kaydence

#5 Rustin

#6 Kyndall

#7 Ryder

7 Reasons Why I Love Being a Mom

A Tribute to My Mom

Betty Ann Curtis aka "World's Greatest Mom"

Top Ten Reasons Why My Mom is the BEST!!!

10. She is super-organized. I have learned a lot from her, and being organized is the only thing that has kept me sane with all these babies!

"Mimi" with Kaydence, Kassidy, Rustin, Ryder and Kyndall

9. She is the ultimate multi-tasker

Mimi with Kassidy, Kaydence and Rustin

8. Growing up, she drove me (and my 5 other siblings) to all of our extra-curricular activities. She was our biggest cheerleader and almost never missed a performance, game, meet, etc. that any of us was in.

Rachelle, Mom, Tiare (my sister) Other siblings not pictured: McKay, Colby, Ryan and Shane

7. When it comes to finding bargains, my mom is amazing.

Mimi and Papa with Ryder, Kassidy, Kyndall, Kaydence and Rustin. (The outfits the babies are wearing were only $5.)

6. She makes magnificent meals in the microwave. Until I went to college, I didn’t even know that “normal” people brown ground beef on the stove

5. Family always came first with my mom. She made sure that we read scriptures and had prayer together as a family every day. We also had “Family Home Evening” every week.

The Curtis Family (minus Colby) in Summer 2006

4. Any moment can become a Kodak moment when my mom is around.

Our first trip to Rudy's BBQ with my mom and brother Ryan.

3. She is a good friend—she listens and gives good advice.

2. She is a terrific “Mimi” (what the grandkids call her)

Kaiya, Mimi and Riley at Ed Debevic's in Chicago.

1. She has been incredibly supportive. From the moment that I told her that we were expecting quintuplets, my mom has been there for me. She provided emotional support during the ups and downs of the pregnancy and she spent a large chunk of her summer taking care of Riley and Kaiya while I was on bedrest (in the middle of trying to sell her house and put on a huge family reunion).

My mom and I the day before delivery.

Since the babies were born, she has come nearly every month for 10-14 days at a time to help take care of the babies. She has sacrificed a lot in her own life to be there for me, and I am so grateful for her. I could not have asked for a better mother---she is the BEST!!!

Back: Mom, Rachelle Middle: Kaydence, Kassidy, Rustin, Kyndall Front: Ryder

A Tribute to My Mom