Arya's friend Noah's 4rth Birthday

It's been a while since they've seen each other but these two love to play and have fun together. Some pics from Arya's friend Noah's party. He is about 2 months younger.

Water Fun

Took Arya back to that Water park again 5 min from our house. He really enjoyed it. Mostly because he drenched Ali :) hehehe

More Random Pics

I was going through some pictures and I thought I'd post some since it's been a while...

When we made Superhero cookies :)



A couple weeks after Arya's head got shaved



A blueberry inside a strawberry? Who's idea was that one? Yes - Aryas!



When we bought doggie beds for the dogs before they slept in them. Sure brings old memories...





First attempt at making a superhero costume. Will update shirt & pants later!



Baking a cake together. I was fasting (it was so tempting but more fun to make).

Eid Fitr 2012 Mubarak!

Can't believe it but we made it through this month of Ramadan. I think it was the most difficult one we ever did with 16 hours of no food or water. Even still, we did have some times for Sahari and Iftari. It really brought a lot of things to light for us.

Arya asked about why we don't eat in the beginning and we told him a little bit about it. Then after a few days he wanted to give us food in the day time. Then a couple early mornings he woke up and stayed on the couch till we ate sahari and went back to sleep with us. It was his first exposure to people fasting around him.

Along with 2 blackouts and a dead car battery in a gas station, Arya had a few adventures this month. It sort of disturbed him a bit and we found him talking about it more than usual, but after a while he understood why things happen sometimes. Life isn't perfect and when things happen, we just have make the best out of them.

We celebrated Eid Fitr by going to breakfast in the morning together at Panera Bread. It felt so good to eat again....God help those who are hungry and thirsty all the time. My heart truly goes out to them and the homeless.

Ramadan 2012

We have been observing the holy month of Ramadan (July 20th - Aug 18th, 2012).

During this time, Arya has become more aware of us fasting and learning about the Quran and what God asks of us.

It is a lengthy fast during this period as it is in the summer where there is the most day light. However, it is also a reminder of life and how precious everything we have is. Something as simple as food and water...which are so easy for us to have are not for so many others.

The same goes for shelter and all the other necessities we have around us. It is also a time of great thanks to the ONE who has always been there for us and given us so many gifts in this life so that we will Remember Him. We can strengthen our souls in this short time by practicing control and helping our will to face the difficulties this world may throw at us.

The Power of Prayer....

Within all of us is a yearning for the Higher Power. Whether we like it or not there will be a time when no person or thing can help us. It is then that our inner self cries out. Prayer is our innate ability. Just as animals have an innate ability to do a specific task. Such applies to us. It just happens. The only difference with us is we can choose not to do it. But that "voice" inside you wants it. So why resist? See what happens. Miracles do exist. And that which we do not know to be the Higher Power or God does hear our cries and our prayers.
Nothing in this life will stay perfect forever. Things happen all the time. Good things and bad things. If it comes to bad, why not have a Higher Power on our side rather than nothing? It is a question for all...