Weekend Rewind. What's in my Bag?

So, Easter has come and gone. I hope you had a wonderful weekend with those

closest to you. I mentioned this in my last post, but Easter is truly one of my most

favorite times of the year. I feel like it's the holiday that kicks off spring which means

bright colors, fun dresses, warm weather, long days, and summer right around the corner.

I truly am the happiest this time of the year. LOVE Spring. I had a great weekend with

my parents. It was laid back and busy all at the same time. My sweet Maltipoo and I went

home Friday night and stayed until Monday morning. My parents have had a really rough

time lately b/c they had to put their mini schnauzer to sleep the week before last. She

was truly their little world and not having her in the house is so sad and lonely. So,

having sweet Millie around this weekend seemed to lift their spirits and bring some joy

back into their lives. :)

So, how did Lent go you ask?! For those of you that don't know I decided to give up

shopping for Lent this year. I felt like it was something I needed to do and really challenge

myself to not spend and shop and use those resources in other ways. SO... I did

really well the first 5 weeks. Only bought things that were essential to my needs and then

comes the week before Easter and it's like everything just kind of went out the window.

I CHEATED. I BROKE LENT. My friend Rach told me I was the worst Jesus ever!!! ha.

I would probably agree with statement. I surely don't pretend to be Jesus and praise Him

who has bestowed so much grace and mercy into our lives. Practicing Lent is such

a reminder of how weak we truly are. How easy it is for our hearts to stray. How we

are constantly in need of a Savior because sinning is so easy. Now, do I think I sinned by

breaking Lent? No, I do not. I'm not going to be legalistic with this... b/c at the end

of the day it's a challenge I set before myself. I don't think God loves me any less b/c

I bought a few dresses the week before Lent ended, but it does show me how thankful

I am for Christ and that He was committed to his mission for us! He was committed to

bearing the sins of the world and obtaining the wrath of a Holy and Just God so that

you and I could have Hope that we never deserved! Praise God that he is so merciful. I

will never understand his unfailing love and redemption, but my heart is overwhelmed

with thanksgiving for what HE has done!

While at church the Lord spoke to me with a verse in Matthew 10:8

"Freely you have received freely give."

This truly says it all and the message of Easter!

Amen!

So, here are a few pictures from my Easter weekend....

Millie the Maltipoo got her Martha Stewart Easter bunny toy on Friday.

She. Loves. That. Thing!!! It's so cute!

I picked up some Tea Cake cookies from a local bakery here called Edgar's.

Mom and Dad really enjoyed snacking on them. They are so good.

Not too sweet.

Easter Dress is by Rachel Roy at Macy's. I'm really diggin it. This was one of

my purchases that broke Lent. If you haven't seen any of Rachel Roy dresses at Macy's

you should check them out. They are all so fabulous. A little on the pricy side for me,

but if you can find a way to wear it to several events worth the money!

And Millie's purple pastel bow in compliments of Pet Smart!! : )

Hope you had a great Easter!