April Things

We've hit the 8 year mark in our marriage Alhamdulillah. Mr H and I are both terrible at gifts. We can't give them and we don't appreciate them either. I would much rather the experiences than any physical gifts, and I think he's the same. I wrote this for him:

Eight years of you and I
How quickly time passed us by
I don't remember our first meeting.
But
I remember
The yellow rose
Train rides
The necklace you chose
Ocean tides.
Driving through
Green trees
Sandy feet
Night breeze.
Smiling eyes
Messy hair
Adventures
Everywhere.

Now,
Thirty two countries,
Two girls,
Some fights, sleepless nights
Falling in love once more
Talking, chasing, living
Falling deeper than before.
Eight years of you and I
How quickly time passed us by
I hope we have many years ahead
Of driving while holding hands.

----

This year, I've hit thirty one. M is five.

I marvel at the way the girls have grown alhamdulillah. Allah kept them safe and healthy, and they grew, so fast! M can now read and write, is almost half way through the Iqra series, she has memorised 7 suwar - alhamdulillah! A is only just over 2 now and she tries to do the things that M does. I look at them and I feel the pride that parents feel in their hearts. But I know that everything that they have is from Allah, another mother might be doing the exact same things that I am but if the blessing isn't there the same fruits wouldn't come. May Allah always bless and protect us.

I had such a beautiful conversation with M this morning, I wanted to record it before I forget.

M knows that its her birthday. Today is the first year that she understands what a birthday is. She asked to bake a cake but we decided that we would do cake when she finishes her current Iqra book (got this idea from someone else). We would also do cake at other times as well (got this idea from another apu). I told Maryam that tonight might be a very special night. She asked: Laylatul Qadr?

I was so surprised! I didn't tell her about it and I didn't expect her to know. I asked her how she knows and she said that she remembers the 'boy' (imam) mentioning it last night during taraweeh. We talked about why Laylatul Qadr is special - its like Quran's birthday, when Allah sent down Quran for the very first time, just like she was in mumma's tummy five years ago and she came out (she enjoyed this comparison). 

We talked about Surah Al Qadr and everything it mentions - how its the most special night of the year, and lots of angels come down, even angel Jibril! M was amazed. She asked, 'is there a song about it?'

I said, 'I don't know, but we can make one!'

M started me off: Laylatul Qadr is the best night 

Laylatul Qadr is the best night 

Its worth a thousand months

Lots of angels come down

We pray from our hearts.

(We couldn't find anything that rhymed with months 😂). 

I'm really enjoying her innocence and interest now. I know this stage won't last forever, but I can enjoy it for the time being, and keep her and A in my duas.