Birthday Appreciation

I don't feel that my birthday is any big deal. Nonetheless, I really appreciate the loving thoughts and acts specially for me from my dear family and friends.

Thank you all, for your kind wishes and du'aa. The special food made, bought, and served for me was extra delicious. I am also grateful for the warm birthday hugs and kisses and more :-)

May Allah return the kindness and reward you for the good deeds.

I LOVE YOU!

The ultimate appreciation of this blessing of life and all its bounties is to Al-Muhyi, ~The Giver of Life.. my humble gratitude for the Rahmah.

Oh Allah ..
Al-Badi The Originator
Al-Khaliq The Creator
Al-Muqit The Nourisher
Ar-Razzaq The Sustainer
Al-Musawwir The Shaper of Beauty
Al-Karim The Generous
Al-Wadud The Loving One
As-Samad The Satisfier of All Needs
Dhul-Jalal-wal-Ikram The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
Malik-al-Mulk The Owner of All
Al-Hamid The Praised One
Ash-Shakur The Rewarder of Thankfulness

may I be among those who are always grateful,
make my life continuously in goodness and in your protection and blessing,
one that is a blessing to others' and that culminates in the success of this world and the hereafter.

AMIN!

A Cup of Coffee

Yesterday when I was making my cup of (decaf) coffee, Amira asked for her own cup of coffee too. Although I said "Momma's coffee is --?" and her response was "Yucky" (from the baby book given by their aunt), I did not talk her out of coffee altogether. We compromised to sharing my coffee with her.

So last night I shared my cup of coffee with my daughter. We took turns sipping the hot beverage using the single teaspoon.

It was weird because she seemed to be way more matured than she actually was. She's my 3-year-old and she was acting like a girl friend with whom we get together for coffee. She told me that we should wait for our turns (of sipping coffee), and as it cooled down, she said "No problem" when drinking straight from the cup.

We both enjoyed the coffee. I watched her with amazement, thinking "This is the same baby who had to be forced to part from her bubba only five months ago. This is the manja girl who always asks to be picked up and carried because she 'can't walk' while suggesting that her baby brother walks by himself to the kitchen."

I did not expect that to be one of the best moments in my life.

Thank you Allah for my children!

For My Dear Friend

Sadly I am not able to do a better job at taking and keeping pictures of my kids anymore.

This picture was taken in June 2010. Umar was cranky (he wanted to take control of the bike), but managed to smile for the camera. He's still learning to walk, and loves to push the bike. It's their indoor bike as Eid present last year. I did not notice that he's not wearing anything but a diaper.. it's hot and that's how he's typically "dressed" at home!

With Love from All of Us :-)