A video to brighten your day! The beautiful and talented Jordan crawling!!!

Jordan's first trip to the pool! She had a great time splashing around even though the water was a little cold! We're looking forward to a fun summer!!!

Jordan getting her feet wet with daddy

Is that the face of joy or what?
"It's cold... but I like it!"
"Look Mom! No hands!!!"
"Hmm... what does that taste like?"
"I LOVE THIS THING YOU CALL POOL!!!"

Today's Gospel Reading

John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.

He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,

and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.

You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.

Remain in me, as I remain in you.

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own

unless it remains on the vine,

so neither can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches.

Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,

because without me you can do nothing.

Anyone who does not remain in me

will be thrown out like a branch and wither;

people will gather them and throw them into a fire

and they will be burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you,

ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.

By this is my Father glorified,

that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

This reading seems to speak to me on two levels. First, on a practical level. Sean and I are in the process of learning to garden, picking out plants that we won't kill to easily and trying to plant and remember to water them! It makes me think a lot about my faith too. There is SO much to learn! I studied Theology in College, did missionary work, youth ministry and various other things and I still feel like I have barely scratched the surface of the depth of our faith. But beyond learning you have to plant the good stuff in your life and weed out the bad and remember to water your garden or it all dies! I have killed a number of plants in my days.

I guess it's really all about upkeep. God gives me his grace but it's not a free ticket. I have to apply that grace in my life, take care of the gifts that he has given me and, in turn, give it all back to Him. It's a good thing that God is so forgiving because I have wasted a lot of grace and missed a lot of opportunities... mostly out of sheer laziness.

Right now I am feeling bad about letting my faith fall to the wayside but tomorrow I will start again. I am going to read the Mass readings everyday, I am going to get back into a prayer routine and get my garden back into shape. And if I screw up, and I will, I will start over again! There's no time like the present people!

Isn't it a great feeling when you find that perfect gift for the special someone? You just know that they are going to absolutely love it and you can't wait until they open it? You might actually be more excited about it then they even are! Well, Mother's Day is upon us and, if you're like me most years, you still haven't figured out what you want to get for the woman who has everything! I have made progress this year and have TWO ideas!!! That's right folks... TWO! Ha! Since my mom reads my blog I won't be giving away the second. Sorry mom. You're going to have to wait until Mother's Day just like everyone else. =)

But, for everyone else, I thought I would share an idea I think is so cute and have already "suggested" to my husband. By suggested I mean sent him an email saying "get me this." Lol! Personalized hand stamped jewelry! Ok, so it's not exactly a new idea but I found some really cute ones on Etsy so I thought I would share. If you already used this gift idea then sorry friend, you're on your own.

For the beachy mom, I thought this was really cute!

I LOVE the little peanut for a mom with a newborn!!!

This one is a classic and would also be great as a keychain!

I thought this was cool and might even work as a Father's Day or Anniversary gift if your guy would wear it.

And, last but not least, my personal favorite!!! I love that it's decorative but also personal! If you get sick of the bird you can remove it and it's easy enough to add more charms as you add more kiddos!

To all you mom's out there... Happy (early) Mother's Day!!! And to all of you gift seekers... happy hunting! =)

PS- Click on the image if you would like to go to the item's listing!

Enjoying a beautiful spring day with my little girl! Her first time sitting in the grass and getting to explore the plants and flowers!

Just a few pics from my birthday. Thanks to everyone who made it so special!!!

My birthday card from Jordan: "Happiness is like peeing in your pants. Everyone can see it, but only you can feel it's warmth." Hilarious!

Jordan helping me open my presents...
Jordan's favorite thing was the box the gifts came in!
"Don't send me away!!! I love you!"
My hubby looking at the gift he gave me! COOKING CLASSES!!! YAY!
I love my family!!!

I have been scouring the bookshelves for a cookbook that is healthy but with recipes that don't taste like cardboard! After a few fails and some frustration I think I have finally find a keeper!!!

Cook This, Not That is ingenius!!! It goes through tons of popular foods from quesadillas, burgers, wings (all the favs) and tells you how many calories it would be at a particular chain such as Ihop or Fridays and gives you a tasty recipe that is half the calories! Can't beat that right?

The book also has my other favorite thing... pictures of every recipe! Plus all kinds of tips on eating and cooking smarter. So far I have only tried two recipes out of the book but they have been really good! I am looking forward to trying more of the recipes and will post again as I do!

Tip: The book is listed at $20 but I got it at Sams Club for $10!