Photo Dump Wednesday: Lemonade

More and more with each passing day, I am learning that your outlook on life and how you perceive it, goes a long way in determining your day. 

In the past, I have let external situations either get me down OR play a more important role in my happiness than it should. 
Now, I have determined that only I can create my own happiness. Happiness comes from within. Which is not to say that everyday situations won't affect things but it can only impact your happiness if you let it. 

With that said, I decided to surround myself with things and activities that make me happy. 

Exhibit A. JOE and JAE gave this to me earlier this year for Easter. They made Easter bunnies and I never brought them in the office or displayed them. They say on our buffet collecting dust. 
Last week, I decided to dust them off and bring them into work. 
The joy I get from looking at them everyday is not something I can explain. Needless to say, it reminds me of my "why".

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I have been exercising and doing my best to eat better. While the scale needle isn't moving as fast as I'd like it to move, I do love that my clothes are fitting better. Earlier this year, I couldn't button this green jacket. Needless to say, being able to wear this jacket again AND button it was a great feeling.

My babies are learning and growing. JOE has been doing a lot better with her school work and is often really excited to show us what she's learned in the evenings after dinner. She is such an awesome student and even though sometimes, more patience is needed to get her to settle down, she really is awesome. My instant joy!

JAE is learning so much from JOE and mimics almost everything she does. I never had an older sister to look up to (I do have the best older brother!) so I really love how much she looks up to her sister JOE.

My baby is coloring between the lines! WOOHOO!! I know to most it doesn't mean much but it is a development milestone!

The other thing that brings me joy is AyoBE Boutique! Yes, I have given up some hours of sleep in favor of sewing and fulfilling orders (by the way, THANK YOU to all who share/spread the word). I love the extra one on one time I get to spend with my baby JOE while I sew. I love that she asks me questions about things she doesn't understand. And I love that JAE LOVES to model the items I make. I mean, what else can a mompreneur ask for? 

This is my latest creation. The Kion dress. It is a Fall dress/tunic. Perfect paired with leggings or worn alone. I just love that JAE loves it too. JOE is really into the Lion Guard. Hence the name :-).

Exploring the world through the eyes/imagination of kids is just so awesome! As adults, we take for granted the newness of things. Young kids are a reminder of how much fun learning can be.

Last weekend, J and I were in the kitchen and we turned and saw JAE watching TV like this. It was so cute that I had to take a picture. My baby is growing up and it really does melt my heart.

JOE and JAE interacting and learning more about each other and how to share their toys.

J was playing his video game on Saturday and both girls took turns playing with the (disconnected) controller. It was fun to watch them "play". Of course, JAE was excited. I don't think she knew that she wasn't actually controlling anything. She was excited nonetheless.

In the D/M/V area last week, it rained ALL WEEK so the girls were primarily indoors the entire time. On Sunday, J went to watch the football game with his dad and brother. A yearly thing they do. So while he was away most of the day, I cooked our lunches for the week. After the girls woke up from their afternoon nap, I decided to take them out to enjoy the bit of sunlight that was creeping through the clouds.

I learned some valuable lessons during this time. I learned that JAE even though small, can hang with the older kids. She is definitely no shrinking violet.

I learned that JOE knows how to play hopscotch better than me! She was correcting my lines :-/

I learned that JAE loves the color green (her scratches are towards the bottom left corner of the picture).

And the most important thing I learned is that when life gives you lemons, accept it, squeeze it, throw in some sugar and make some tasty lemonade.

Have a fabulously blessed week and remember to be kind to strangers!