It's Great To Be 8! Rylie Turned 8!!!!

Rylie Anne McGinnis was baptized on April 30, 2016, by her Dad, Michael C. McGinnis.  She was also confirmed by her Dad. 

The sign that Mike & Rylie are making with their hands, in the picture on the left, is the baptismal sign we used in our mission.

This towel was made and given to Rylie by her Grandma, Linda McGinnis

Those standing in the circle, to confirm her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were: Mike McGinnis (Dad), Larry Jeppesen (Grandpa), Mac McGinnis (Grandpa), Ken Jeppesen (Uncle), Greg Jeppesen (Uncle), Matt Jeppesen (Uncle), and Shawn McGinnis (Uncle).  

Family in attendance were: Mike, Laura, Connor, Corie McGinnis (Parent's and siblings), Mac & Linda McGinnis (Grandparents), Larry & Chris Jeppesen (Grandparents), Shannon McGinnis (Aunt), Shawn & Stacey McGinnis (Uncle & Aunt), Ken, Kyle, and Anna Jeppesen (Uncle & cousins), Greg, Samantha, Garrett, Emma, Brooklyn, Wyatt, and Ashley Jeppesen (Uncle, Aunt, and cousins), Matt & Devery Jeppesen (Aunt & Uncle).  

Friend's in attendance were: Alisha & Evelyn Emblazon, Brian & Deanne Lohrke (Primary President), Kathy Tolleson (Primary Teacher), George & Mary Mecham (Primary counselor), Taylee Twiggs,  Heather Jemmett, Zoey Jemmett, Esmee Emmett, Darron & Carla Kroll (Bishopric & Primary counselor), and Holly, Robby, Bree, and Ty Douberley.

The back of Rylie's dress & her fun hair!

 The front of Rylie's dress, including the beautiful necklace & bracelet given to her by her Grandpa & Grandma Jeppesen

 When I was baptized, I was baptized in a dress that had been passed around my Mom's side of the family.  Well, somewhere amid the shuffle, the dress got lost.  I loved the idea of Rylie getting baptized in a dress, rather than the jumpsuits.  So, I had my brother ask is Mother-in-Law (she's an amazing seamstress) if she could create one for her.  It turned out perfect!  I could tell Rylie felt so pretty and special in it!!!  It was simple but beautiful!  Now I will put it away for when Corie gets baptized, as well as any of the other cousins who would like to borrow it for their baptisms.

Rylie asked if a friend of mine, that decorates cakes, could make cupcakes for her baptism.  The main request she had was pretty, yummy, white frosting.  So, I passed this information along to my friend, Trudi, and left her to the creativity part.  I was BLOWN AWAY when I went to pick up the cupcakes!  She did an amazingly, BEAUTIFUL job!  Not to mention the cupcakes were from heaven!

The day went beautifully!  I expected the morning to be insane craziness but, it wasn't.  I woke up early enough so I would have time to get all the kids ready to go.  The girls didn't even fight me to do their hair!  We arrived at the Stake Center and waited for family & friend's to arrive!  The program was really good and Rylie was 3rd, out of 8 children, to get baptized.  Mike was able to get her all the way under the first time, with Grandpa Jeppesen & McGinnis as the witnesses.  I took Rylie back to the dressing room to get her all dried off and dressed.  It actually didn't take us long to get her dressed and ready!  Everyone was surprised by how fast we were.  Mike, on the other hand, took longer.  He accidentally grabbed a garment pair that had 2 garment tops in it, rather than a top and a bottom.  Since I do his laundry, he wasn't too happy!  Ha ha, whoops!  We then went into the program for our ward.  Since Rylie was the only child from our ward getting baptized, everyone participating was there for her alone.  After the confirmation, her Grandma Jeppesen (my Mom) gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.  Brother Kroll (counselor in the Bishopric) gave some closing remarks.  Then Connor, Rylie & Corie McGinnis and Robby, Bree, & Ty Douberley sang and did sign language to the song, "I Know That My Savior Loves Me".  They did absolutely PERFECT and sang SO BEAUTIFULLY!  It melted my heart and really brought the Spirit into the room!!!  I felt so proud of them.  My sister-in-law, Samantha, played the piano so that I could enjoy the baptism stress-free.  The baptism was so neat and really helped to reaffirm my testimony! It took me back to when I was baptized!  The thought came to me that what I felt, experienced, and people that were there that day MUST be what heaven is like!!!  If so, it will be a joyful experience!

Following the baptism, we had plans to meet at this awesome park and having a cookout!  I always tease my parents that they bring down cold weather when they come to visit (they live in Cache Valley, UT).  Well, this time was no different.  It was windy, rainy, cloudy, and even cold.  I wanted to stay at the park but, some people were pretty cold, table cloths were blowing everywhere, and it was hard to cook the hamburgers & hot dogs. So, I swallowed my pride and we took it to the church.  So, we had hamburgers & hot dogs.  My parents helped purchase the plates, cups, utensils, and the condiments.  Mike's parents brought a potato and macaroni salad (mmmmm!!!), Greg & his family brought drinks, Matt & Devery brought chips, and I also "made" some baked beans.  It was so much fun and yummy too!

I'm so grateful to all of those that made it to the baptism.  Some people had to drive 4-6 hours to get here.  I know it was a sacrifice but, it meant the world to me, and ESPECIALLY Rylie, that they were all there.  Side note:  Our neighbor and friend, Caleb (3 years old), didn't want to come because there wouldn't be sharkies in the water! :)  This day was wonderful and I hope that Rylie will always remember how special she is, how good she felt, and happy she is!  I know this will be a blessing in her life and can't wait to see how she grows and gains a stronger testimony!