Care About Looks OR Fun?

I had a Reeeealllyyyy good childhood!

It was so much fun. Great sisters and lots of friends, Action and tons of pictures taken by my parents!

Now, sometimes I look at how I used to look and I wonder "WHY?!"

Why didn't my parents take better care of the way I looked?

Why didn't I wear smaller glasses?

Why was my hair THAT big?

Why was I SO skinny?

But then...

I see my daughter with crazy hair,

with a funny taste in choosing her outfits

And a skinny body running and jumping up and down!

and then I am at peace with my parents.

And I hope My girls will remember their childhood the way I still remember mine. Lots of fun!

Jeeej took Mariyah on a date yesterday. He dressed her up and they both looked too cute I had to take a picture!

They went to the movies at 10:30 am and watched "Tangled" and they had so much fun eating popcorn and drinking juice!

I was worried she would drive him crazy. She didn't!

When I asked him if he'd take her on a date again, he said: Of course I would!!

*  Children have ONE childhood to live!

** I have ONE great husband, Al-hamdulillah!

Have Faith In Allah & Your Kids, Ameen #2.

 Some people asked me whether I was nervous about getting on stage to speak in front of 250 people last Friday, or not.

To be honest, I was. Not because of the number of people or because of the hard topic or anything like that, but because of a very heartbreaking reason.

You see, I am a mother of a newborn who had to join me to my second student's Ameen party, because I am still not ready to leave her with anyone else while she is awake. Not yet!

Selma was quiet and smiling to my students who gathered around her and when I was informed that my speech should be given in 5 minutes, Selma pooped!

I got nervous!

My student's mother was so nervous, not because she had to carry Selma while I was giving a speech but because she was not sure her daughter would read Quran properly in front of the big number of people.

Me and the girl's mother shouldn't have! Seriously!

We should have trusted our two little girls, and we should have had more faith in Allah SWT that they'll do just great.

My speech was about the importance of teaching little kids how to read Quran. Starting at an early age. I recommended the Quran that is printed in colorful letters so that reading with tajweed would become easier.

I talked about how my student's parents were determined their girl finishes the Quran at an early age so she could read it again and again and then learn the meanings of the chapters.

I talked about my admiration of the whole idea of celebrating the completion of the Quran recitation. This kind of celebration does not exist in our culture -as far as I know!-. I mentioned that I would do my best to teach my girls how to read Quran and promise them a big party like the ones I attended.

If I could give a party as big, I would love to. 

But being they had more guests than my wedding it's probably not likely!

The tables center pieces were beautiful.

The outfits worn were beautiful.

The giveaways were beautiful.

The food was delicious!

and my gift was beautiful!

Again, I am so proud of my 8 year old student. I was asked to read the Quran with her again for the second time. Her mom is my girls' babysitter so I mentioned that without her help I wouldn't have been able to teach any of my 21 students.

Soon, InshaAllah, I will get back to teaching.

I wish I can squeeze the 17 students on the waiting list in my schedule, it's just impossible. I have no time!

I just hope I can attend more Ameen parties for my students and I hope we encourage our kids to learn more about the holiest book in our houses.

I'm Thankful Because I Can Post About Thanksgiving in Pictures

 First, allow me to say that this Thanksgiving was the best I have witnessed since 2006.

We were 17 including Selma

 The preparation for the dinner was so much fun and the appetizers were just delicious!

 And once Mr.Turkey got ready, the kitchen went crazy and the music became too loud and we couldn't wait any longer to eat!

 Each one of us talked about the things we are grateful and thankful for and then we got full...

 But the desserts were irresistible, so we ate again!!!

 And then lots of crazy dancing took place until we decided it's time to go back home -3 hours away!-.
Mariyah cried a lot, she didn't want to leave her jiddo's house! I felt bad for her, i love it when she is surrounded by family and it saddens me that we are far away from family gatherings...

Now, I am not trying to underestimate all the energy and effort Americans put into serving lots and lots of food to the family once or twice a year, but a dinner like that takes place at Any Arab house several times a year. The Arabic dishes are way harder in both preparation and cooking.
I remember -and I still hear- that a big group of relatives -20 people or up- would suddenly show up at my parents' house back in Amman, either for dinner, dessert or just for a cup of tea.

I have to give credit though to all the fun that takes place here at dinners, starting with the table set up and having EVERYBODY help in the kitchen getting everything ready on time.

I am thankful for my beautiful family,
for good health
And great food :)

Thanksgiving, Be nice, Please :)

I have a friend, she has two little girls. Her two little girls are so honest, too honest.
I love it :)

One day, the little one told me that my house is ugly :)

Today, I made them some homemade pizza, they didn't like it, they didn't even try it!
the older one said: "Auntie, you always cook new stuff and you teach everyone how to make it"!
Me: "Like what? Remind me!"
She said: "Like your cheese muffins!"
Me: "The question is, do you like them?"
She said: "NO!"

Right now, I am making mini cobblers for tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner...
Hope the family will enjoy them :)

Happy Thanksgiving :)

Muslims Say Salam.

Something I love LOVE about living in CA is that whenever I meet a stranger Muslim lady in a store, in a mall, in the park, while driving or anywhere else I say Salam Alaikom and I get the same response with a bigger smile.

While in different states, whenever I meet stranger Muslim ladies, I say Salam Alaikom, but I don't get the same response!

During my first year here in the states, I learned to say Salam to every single Muslim lady I meet and I enjoyed it. During that year I went to Chicago and I was hanging out with my uncle's wife "D" when we met a Muslim lady in an elevator. I smiled at the lady and said: Salam Alaikom :)

She gave me a weird look and didn't even say Salam back!

"D" asked me if I knew the lady. I said; No, I don't!! So she started laughing asking me whether I was really serious or joking about it!

Some ladies I know here felt the same way when they were in other states. I think because  here in CA we are a small minority and meeting each other is so special and precious, so it simply feels great when we find and greet each other. While in other states -full of Muslims- it's just "uncomfortable" greeting every Muslim you meet, simply because there are many of them around you. Living there is like living in a Muslim country where no body bothers...
I wonder if you agree with me?

*Picture above taken by Jeeej this year in Medina.

"When I was a S.T.A.R" Story...

Two years before I graduated I decided to work during my free time, the best place to work at back then was a fast food restaurant.
I worked at McDonald's!
I thought I would work in the kitchen but when the manager asked me if I speak good English and I said "Yes", he hired me as a S.T.A.R "Store Activities Representative". I felt like a star there because of the tasks I was given and the treatment I was getting, God I was so young.

It was a bad experience for me too because working there meant that I get a free meal for every working day and so I gained a LOT of weight and my blood lost a lot of Iron, all because of the junk...
I don't want to be dramatic about it. Well, I already did, but I am going to stop because this is supposed to be a happy post.

I worked there with the kids mainly. I planned and did birthday parties, lots of games, food service, balloons, decorations and mostly face painting.
The kids loved me, I think, because they came back for another birthday party the next year.
Some parents asked me to plan private birthdays at their houses too. I was asked to work for the Lebanese embassy on it's open day as well.

It was a lot of work but so much fun for me. Tips were so generous too, I needed the tips back then so I could pay the Internet cafe for all the chatting sessions I had with Jeeej back then.
I told you; it's a happy post!

Yesterday,

I was invited to a kids Eid party hosted by a mother of 3 boys and it was fun! I suggested face painting and I did it!

If time goes back I would do this again, I love dealing with kids and see them happy. But of course, no more junk for me, Thank you very much :)!

In Her Four Months...

She is a day brightener.

She is my treasure

She fills my world with beauty

and giggles!

Even if you outgrow my lap,
You will NEVER outgrow my heart,
My four monther :)!

Lets Just Imagine..

 We had the best Eid ever...

Let us just imagine we are still celebrating Eid here in CA, just like the family back in Amman, I think we would all go crazy!

Selma got tired from all the action on Eid,
she napped for 3 hours straight the next day!!



Mariyah had so many sugar in her system she stayed up until 9:30 pm that day!
Super hyper all day long.

Very organized this year with some fun activities for the kids.
Mariyah simply loved it, she is still talking about it!

He broke her heart when he told her he has no balloons for her,
She only remembers him by saying: he had a scary face!

Jeeej and his friend had so much wassabi on their sushi,
Mariyah had to try it and she actually loved it!

We forced her to stop eating it!!



La Fondue was the best place to end our celebration!

I am just grateful and happy we have great friends here to celebrate Eid with. It makes us feel we are surrounded by family... 

This Eid...

We will try to help each other enjoy it even if for one day

We'll make sure we look nice for the prayer tomorrow morning

We will miss our family and friends back in Amman celebrating Eid for 3 full days

But again, we will enjoy it, because we have each other here!

EID MUBARAK EVERYONE!
LOVE :) !

THEY were worried, I wasn't! Ameeen :)

Have you ever heard of a party called "Ameen"?

Well, I haven't, until one of my students finished reading the Quran.

It's the party the family plans for their children when they finish reading the Quran. Today I was invited to one and I felt happy, loved and proud too.

I started teaching my student year 2007 and I took so many breaks during those years because of travelling, pregnancy, giving birth and for other reasons. Still her parents waited for me.

 The mother was worried my speech wouldn't be good enough, for it was my first Ameen party. She called me several times to make sure I understand that I will be talking in front of a hundred people about the experience. About how important it is to teach the kids reading Quran at a young age. She also asked me to say a prayer for the family members.
I could tell she was worried.
I was not.
I knew exactly what I wanted to say.
I said it today.
I made them happy, but I was happier I attended!

One Ameen party down...
Another one is on the way.

One Dimple, Not Two

Selma has a big smile, she smiles for all reasons and for no reason at all.

She smiles to familiar faces and to strangers too.

But Today she LAUGHED!

Her first laugh is recorded :)

She is getting better il hamdilla, and her voice is back.

The last 2 weeks were so hard on her, it made me cry...

I am in love with my baby, with lots of olive oil on the head and a DIMPLE on the right cheek!

A Whole CD Worth Listening to

Maher Zain.
If you enjoy Sami Yusuf's songs then you'll enjoy Maher's for sure.

Jeeej's friend got him his CD but it's in my car now ;)

Not a Baby Anymore

This makes me teary.

Once Mariyah started getting used to the idea of having a baby sister she changed, a lot!

Simply, She is not a baby anymore.

She takes good care of Selma, jealousy shows but never in a harmful way. All she wants is to hug her sister, kiss her and put the pacifier back into her mouth.

She tickles Selma, she likes to brush her hair and make sure the diaper is on the right way.

If Selma cries she asks her about the reason in the softest voice you could ever imagine.

Her favourite subject to talk about and discuss is how she did this and said that when she was little.
it always starts with: "lamma kont zgheeereh..." = "when I was little...".

She is still little, but the questions she asks and the topics we talk about are difficult for me to accept at this point.

A couple of days ago she asked me about Selma's age and then she asked me about the trees age!
We can't hide the truth from her anymore. We can't talk about anything sensitive in front of her anymore. She repeats the last word of any sentence she hears and she recites sourat al nas, al ikhlas and al falaq all by herself.

She knows the main colors in both Arabic and English,

She daydreams a lot, sometimes you have to raise your voice to get her attention. I love it!

 These days, she is putting herself to nap by herself. We tell her it's time to nap and then we shut the door, she plays a little bit in her room and then goes to bed and naps. She is such an angel and she will always be my baby.

Mariyah, you will ALWAYS be my baby!

The first time she naps by herself.