Slowly...slowly

It's been a while. A very long while. Things have been so hectic since we got back to the Kingdom. Ibraheem had a tough time getting adjusted to the significantly reduced number of people (5 to 2) catering to his needs. Slowly, he got used to hanging out with Mama and Baba. These past couple of months, Ibraheem also achieved many milestones. Walking, talking, parroting, and he has a good set of vocabulary now as well. A mix of English, Urdu and Arabic words. 

Sajjad has been busy with the college. As for myself, just busy being a Mommy and wife...I wouldn't have it any other way. Allhumdulillah! I've done lots of experimenting withe new dishes, recipes to follow, Insha'Allah. And some have failed but most were a success. During the Hajj break, we took a trip to Jordan and Syria with another family friend. Insha'Allah I'll write about that experience in the next entry. Right now...have to put Ibraheem to sleep. It's bed time...and most probably, I'll be asleep before him.

Back in Yanbu

Assalaam-u-Alaikum,

We're back to Saudi, Allhumdulillah. We've been here for almost three weeks now. I've just been spending my time getting things organized. SubhanAllah! The thick layer of dust that greeted us when we walked in the house. Wow! And the jet lag...getting in to routine seemed to take forever. It's amazing, when I went back home, there was no jet lag for me. I was just so super excited and happy to be with family again. I did not want to waste that time sleeping. But, here...it's a different story altogether. Even Heemu's sleep was so messed up. Allhumdulillah, we're back to some sort of a routine.

It's happy hour for me. For once, in over three weeks, I have some 'me' time. Heemu is asleep and so is S. Tiring day for him today. But that means I have the computer all to myself...no sharing. ( Yes, yes, his work is more important than my blogging *rolls eyes*). And of course, Heemu wants to be a part of everything you are doing. Every time I sit at the computer, he's right there with me, wanting to climb on to my lap and type away. This generation I tell ya! I didn't even know what a computer was until I was a teen. And here, quoting my mother in law, "he's born on the laptop"!

The vacation went by so quickly. And with Ramadan, Allhumdulillah, the last month went by even faster. We all thought that the days are going to be long and tiresome. But with Allah's blessing, there was so much barakah in the days. Even the hot days went by so easily, Allhumdulillah. However, once the month ended, I was extremely saddened. I realized that these wonderful days, where the most of the community made the effort to come for prayers at the mosque, would be no more. The droves of people that showed up for taraweeh prayers and especially within the last 10 days, would not be seen till next year. In Ramadan you really feel a sense of community and belonging. Unfortunately, it doesn't last the whole year through...limited for some only to Fridays. Allhumdulillah for the 30 days of bliss. May Allah (swt) strengthen the iman of our ummah and make us righteous and pious Muslims for the whole year... for a whole lifetime, Ameen.

May Allah (swt) put barakah in all that you do for His sake.

Umm Heemu

Homes Sweet Homes

Allhumdulillah! We're back in Canada. Actually, we've been here for just under a month now. I have been so busy with family and friends that I didn't even get a chance to open the blog. We've just been travelling back and forth between Richmond Hill and Waterloo with pit stops in Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Mississauga and other little towns. I can't believe that the month is almost over! Time goes by so quickly! SubhanAllah!

Heemu is more mobile and loves to touch everything. He loves to do everything (read: take over) you're doing. Be it eating, cooking, cleaning or blogging, he doesn't want to miss out on the action. For the past couple of months, I've had very brief moments with the laptop. Just checking e-mails, responding to some, checking the news, paying some bills...and then Heemu wants at it. So blogging took the backseat for a while. But Allhumdulillah, here I've lots of hands to keep Heemu busy or away...so I can get back to the things I miss; like reading a book or doing my nails or like today, blogging. Allhumdulillah for the extra help. I am definitely going to miss it when I go back to Yanbu.

Ramadan is just a hop, skip and a jump away. May Allah (swt) give us all the strength and courage to make the most of this blessed month, Insha'Allah. They days are going to be long, but Insha'Allah, with Allah's help will get through it. It's always such an exciting time for me. It's like you're waiting for the arrival and beloved guest. Preparing and cleaning and cooking! It's such a blessed time. We should try to make the most of it, Insha'Allah. Don't forge to increase you ibadaats and make lots and lots of dua! May Allah accept our worships, Ameen!

Ramadan Karim!