Halloween 2012

Once again this Halloween we are all sick. Mine came first and then Arya and now Ali. Arya did get to choose a costume and wear it. I had to hem it after we got it but he didn't take it off for 2 days. Glad he had fun.


This one is from earlier today playing in his room

And more from our new place.
Here's Maloos enjoying the sun after 3 years of only 1 bedroom view

Arya in my office. No furniture yet, but sometimes the floor seems to do just fine.

Let's fight outside! Ha-yah!

What is this? Persimmons? Nope. A flower bud. I didn't know either.

Nana watching Jamil and Arya play


Before the move

Moving

Well I know it's been a really long time since I have posted anything, but we've been going through a long and crazy move and hopefully our last move in our life. So once everything is finally done, I will update this blog once more. A summary on us - We are all ok just extra tired with this whole process. Arya has been busy with things so he is not really feeling the move, just a transition to a new house. There's a lot to still be done as this house was a fixer so many things to fix... Love to all of you...back in a few...

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...