“Being chosen was a total shock,” said Jaine. “While my members always send me notes telling me about how the group has touched their lives (which is validation enough), it felt really nice to be spoiled a little in recognition for all my hard work.”

Jaine started the group in May 2006, anxious to find support from other moms adjusting to their lives as caretakers for fragile newborns. Today, Moms and Tots has 675 members on Big Tent, connecting 24/7 to chat and share advice. In fact, Moms and Tots members generated over 5000 discussion messages in June alone!

Accompanied by her husband, Brad, and their toddler daughter, Alexis, Jaine jetted off to L.A. for a weekend of pampering and fun. Somewhere between photo shoots, a private screening of Phoebe in Wonderland, and dancing a conga line with two nuns (who also won the contest), Jaine also managed to squeeze in some fine dining. According to her, “The chocolate dipped strawberries with cheesecake filling were to die for!”

Jaine is now back in San Diego, single-handedly (wo-)manning MTSD and helping BigTent launch new groups in her role as a Community Coach. Reflecting on her weekend, Jaine says, “I was truly humbled and proud to be in the presence of so many great women.”

Look for Jaine and her 99 extraordinary cohorts in an upcoming edition of People magazine.

Jaine and Alexis, watching Daddy guest star as a dinner show pirate

Jaine with Bill Pullman, who’s starring in Phoebe in Wonderland

Jaine on YouTube, selling the benefits of Moms and Tots (and a very vintage version of BigTent!)

“Actually, I felt a little bit embarassed,” says Kat. “I’ve never been ‘good’ at receiving compliments, and this has been about the biggest compliment I could ever be given.” Kat is a mother of two sets of twins (yes, you read that right) and describes her parenting role as “the most important job I’ve ever had.”

Kat, Dave, and their two sets of twins

Since EMOMS has been active on Big Tent since August 2007, we’ve been fortunate enough to ask our resident Mother of the Year to share some parenting advice with us. Kat, in her usual down-to-earth manner, assures that “you do what you have to do.” In her words:

So much of the time we worry about doing the exact “right” thing. But when you are in the thick of things, living one day at a time, and sometimes one hour at a time, you have to just do what is appropriate in the moment. Maybe that means turning on the TV for half an hour so you can have a quiet moment to regroup. Getting through each day and being true to yourself will let you be the best mom you can be for your kids.

Throughout her busy days of parenting, Kat finds time to roll up her sleeves and get to work in the community. When EMOMS jobs for an email and website administrator went unfilled, Kat stepped up. Scanning the group discussion forums for members’ questions with zero responses, Kat chimes in — researching outside resources as needed — and makes sure everyone feels supported. In addition, Kat serves as Publicity and Web Site Manager for her church group, Northshore Baptist MOPS.

What keeps Kat going? “I know what is possible using technology, and I am anxious for groups to reap the benefits,” she says. “The other major force that fuels my continued passion for volunteering is my faith, and the belief that I can make a better world by doing what I can, one mom at a time.”

Kudos to Kat, another wonder woman walking in our midst! And when she’s not wrapped up with her seven-year-old boys and five-year-old girls, look for her to whizz by, riding a dirt bike — one of her favorite hobbies.

Vroom, vroom, there goes Kat