After my last post I guess it was only ' right' that I joined my fav ladies in the 'expecting' line. Alhamdulillah , by Allah's grace I begin the second part in my mothering journey with much excitement and trepidation .
It's true what is said about pregnancy,every pregnancy is different. Though Here's a little something that is and will remain constant..
Dear baby
They say I'm a mom to be, but I'm already your mom.
From the minute I knew you existed I have known myself to be so.
If it were as they say,then you would be a 'baby to be'
But that's not true, you already exist
With your tiny hands,head and tiny feet
And the exceptional rhythm of your heartbeat.
So I became your mom ,right at your start.
Because I've already set aside the dos and donts
For myself that is, your rules will come later
For now just be you
My priceless precious baby
Love you already
mom
Until you read again
Ma'assalam
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Friday, 17 January 2014
Mothering without a map
A few of my favorite ladies are due to give birth this year so I dedicate this post to them and also since I haven't posted anything motherly recently . Well truthfully I haven't posted 'anything' recently so here's to remedying that. Read on..
The title of this blog post is actually that of a book. It comprised of witty ,insightful and poignant reminders that babies don't come with instructions or the said map in this case. Anyway, this relates in that new mothers or moms to be would sometimes come up to me seeking advice and in my mind I'd be like " I'm in no position to be giving any" . You may laugh but I've asked for and read a lot of advice and much thereof hasn't helped. Not because those who were imparting the advice were wrong, no, but simply because the context is different with each child. As each mother will learn ..smirk
The title of this blog post is actually that of a book. It comprised of witty ,insightful and poignant reminders that babies don't come with instructions or the said map in this case. Anyway, this relates in that new mothers or moms to be would sometimes come up to me seeking advice and in my mind I'd be like " I'm in no position to be giving any" . You may laugh but I've asked for and read a lot of advice and much thereof hasn't helped. Not because those who were imparting the advice were wrong, no, but simply because the context is different with each child. As each mother will learn ..smirk
Prior to giving birth I read and read and read all that I could about birth and babies. I felt confident armed with this wealth of information. But come the real deal and I was thinking " wait, they didn't say anything about THIS in the books" . It was then that I realized why maternal instincts exist. Allah has blessed woman with this amazing intuitive gift. When the books have no answer the instincts kick in and you and your baby learn together two different sets of life lessons. Many people will offer advice, listen and thank them,and if it fits for you and your baby go ahead and use the advice. There's no hard and fast rules for mothering ,you don't need unnecessary pressure on yourself in thinking there's only one way of doing things.
Do educate yourself but don't be hard on yourself if what you've learnt doesn't work with your baby.
Live each day to listen to, learn from, and
Love your little bundle of blessings. And remember that throughout the road there is Allah to guide you and to answer your calls when you feel lost on the mothering path.
Until you read again
Ma'assalam
Friday, 8 November 2013
In love..
I am absolutely besotted with this piece of advice I came across on Facebook a few days ago. Spare a few moments and you might find yourself in love too.
"There was a man who taught us that we should love a woman not just for her looks and personality, but because of the potential she has in bringing us closer to our lord and His paradise. He taught us that just because she is older than you, or has been divorced, does not mean that she will be any less of an amazing wife or an amazing mother. He taught us that the strongest of men are not those that are abusive towards their wives but rather those that are the most respectful and compassionate toward them. That man was my prophet and yours, Mohammad -Salla Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam-. So my dear brother I ask you what will you do to honor his legacy?"
Tho this advice is aimed at the brothers ,that question at the end should be answered by us all. So my dear sister,I ask myself and yourself the same.. What will you do to honor his legacy?
Until you read again
Ma'assalaam
Friday, 1 November 2013
This life or the next?
I have got to be the most inconsistent blogger there is. With that said let me get straight into my thoughts for the day. Since I've been 'missing' I've been quite busy with my family's first move into our first home on our own :D and it is this reason that has inspired this post.here goes..
We've been planning on moving for a while , so we had collected and saved up in preparation of the move. During Every shopping trip before ( and after ) the move ,I've had my eyes peeled to spot out items still needed for our home. In amassing all these things we need ( and didn't need ) for our home It dawned on me ,that I am collecting and beautifying a home in a world where it or I will not last forever. Whereas there is a World promised to the believers, that will stretch out into eternity, and what little ,if at all have I prepared for that ? I decided to be honest with myself , and fess up that the time I spend on this world is not proportional to the return it can give me .
The reality is that it is not really benefiting me where it will matter most. In the Hereafter . Here ,this Quraanic ayah ( and beautiful dua) came to mind :
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَة ً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَة ً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار
Transliteration: Rabbanā ‘Ātinā Fī Ad-Dunyā Ĥasanatan Wa Fī Al-’Ākhirati Ĥasanatan Wa Qinā `Adhāba An-Nār
Translation: Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire
Source: The Holy Qur’an – Surat al Baqarah – Verse 201
I realized that it's okay to own things and ask for things in this world so long as the greater objective is not forgotten. So long as the pursuit of Jannah remains priority. So long as we reserve time and love in pursuit of it. In sha Allah. Aameen!
Until you read again
Ma'assalaam
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Nutella thumbprint cookies
Nutella junkies unite! This recipe is super easy , easy to make,easy on the eye and dangerously easy to devour . It's adapted from the site bubblynaturecreations.com ,here goes..
Nutella Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients:
1½ cups flour
¼ cup brown sugar
1 stick of butter softened (1/2 cup)
1 egg
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp. vanilla essence
1 cup of nibbed almonds or hazelnuts
¼ cup Nutella in a piping bag
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius
2. Cream the sugar, butter, egg,vanilla and salt together.
3. Add in flour and mix until combined.
4. Roll dough into small balls (15g)
5. Roll each ball into the hazelnuts until covered.
6. Make an imprint in the centre of the ball with your thumb
7. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown
8. Once cooled,pipe the nutella in the imprint.
Enjoy! And try not to eat them all on your own!
Until you read again
Ma'assalam
Nutella Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients:
1½ cups flour
¼ cup brown sugar
1 stick of butter softened (1/2 cup)
1 egg
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp. vanilla essence
1 cup of nibbed almonds or hazelnuts
¼ cup Nutella in a piping bag
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius
2. Cream the sugar, butter, egg,vanilla and salt together.
3. Add in flour and mix until combined.
4. Roll dough into small balls (15g)
5. Roll each ball into the hazelnuts until covered.
6. Make an imprint in the centre of the ball with your thumb
7. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown
8. Once cooled,pipe the nutella in the imprint.
Enjoy! And try not to eat them all on your own!
Until you read again
Ma'assalam
Beyond belief
I don't get everything I want. I have good days and bad days, and some really bad days.
I forget things and struggle understanding myself and others.
I cry,I shout, I have mood swings and inner tantrums.
I sometimes feel lonely and lost and confused.
I am restless and anxious.
The world doesn't always choose to understand me, or accept me.
I am judged, sometimes wrongfully and without reason.
But I have two eyes that open up to a whole world
A nose that perceives scents
Two ears that keep me in the know
A tongue to Glorify His praises
Two hands with 5 fingers each (to type this)
Am I blessed? Beyond Belief!!
Alhamdulillah
( take the time out Daily to acknowledge the simple yet unbelievably beautiful blessings in your life)
Until you read again
Ma'assalaam
I forget things and struggle understanding myself and others.
I cry,I shout, I have mood swings and inner tantrums.
I sometimes feel lonely and lost and confused.
I am restless and anxious.
The world doesn't always choose to understand me, or accept me.
I am judged, sometimes wrongfully and without reason.
But I have two eyes that open up to a whole world
A nose that perceives scents
Two ears that keep me in the know
A tongue to Glorify His praises
Two hands with 5 fingers each (to type this)
Am I blessed? Beyond Belief!!
Alhamdulillah
( take the time out Daily to acknowledge the simple yet unbelievably beautiful blessings in your life)
Until you read again
Ma'assalaam
Friday, 23 August 2013
Searching for me, but finding Him
Soul searching. As cliched as that term may be,it is the easiest way to describe the struggle with the self. It is that struggle that ultimately lead me to where I wanted to be albeit after 6 years. Heres my journey of soul searching ,my journey to Hijaab and the new journey I had not fully anticipated to follow.
Throwback to the early 2000's , I was your typical hipster jeans clad girl, teeny bopper ,whose head was full of ideals and ideas that were not in line with Quraan or Sunnah. I was stuck in that phase where I heard advise without listening to it. Well what changed that? That's what I've often been asked, and I have grappled with the question myself. Truthfully, it was a whole number of things that initiated a very gradual change. For starters,there was that transitional period from secondary to tertiary education Which left me with the sense that adulthood was awaiting after Matric.( tho I had not realized i had already reached it on becoming baaligh). Then there was the loss of four relatives on one day that came with a certain amount of realization that i needed to change before meeting my own end. There was soul searching,lots of if's ,but's and why's. And mainly there was Guidance from Allah, sent through teachers, family, friends and a host of other avenues too numerous to mention.
If memory serves me right(its often unreliable) ,i began wearing cloak and scarf in September 2007. This was a major step for someone who would occasionally wear a scarf when going out. I loved it. It is amazing the difference that 'extra clothes' make. I felt more modest,more respected and my heart was a little more at ease knowing I was closer to complete Hijaab. I think I did mention previously how Deeni studies became my chosen path, well it was during my 2nd year in 2009, that Allah blessed me with full Hijaab ie,concealment of my face and body. It was difficult initially, having to face the odd snide remark and learning to adjust to the boundaries that come with Hijaab. What was most difficult was realizing that Hijaab is not the ultimate in faith. I had naively thought that wearing Hijab would qualify me for a higher degree in Imaan. But i had soon learned that by winning the external struggle, the inner struggle still remains. And it will remain until I depart from this World. Another aspect that I was to learn is that even tho the eyes remain uncovered, they should actually be protected just as much as the rest of the body. The true test of a Hijaabi is in how she controls her gaze.
Sometimes Allah sets us on a quest of self discovery ,simply to find Him. And once we find Him , may we strive to forever remain in His Mercy. Aameen
Until you read again
Ma'assalaam
Throwback to the early 2000's , I was your typical hipster jeans clad girl, teeny bopper ,whose head was full of ideals and ideas that were not in line with Quraan or Sunnah. I was stuck in that phase where I heard advise without listening to it. Well what changed that? That's what I've often been asked, and I have grappled with the question myself. Truthfully, it was a whole number of things that initiated a very gradual change. For starters,there was that transitional period from secondary to tertiary education Which left me with the sense that adulthood was awaiting after Matric.( tho I had not realized i had already reached it on becoming baaligh). Then there was the loss of four relatives on one day that came with a certain amount of realization that i needed to change before meeting my own end. There was soul searching,lots of if's ,but's and why's. And mainly there was Guidance from Allah, sent through teachers, family, friends and a host of other avenues too numerous to mention.
If memory serves me right(its often unreliable) ,i began wearing cloak and scarf in September 2007. This was a major step for someone who would occasionally wear a scarf when going out. I loved it. It is amazing the difference that 'extra clothes' make. I felt more modest,more respected and my heart was a little more at ease knowing I was closer to complete Hijaab. I think I did mention previously how Deeni studies became my chosen path, well it was during my 2nd year in 2009, that Allah blessed me with full Hijaab ie,concealment of my face and body. It was difficult initially, having to face the odd snide remark and learning to adjust to the boundaries that come with Hijaab. What was most difficult was realizing that Hijaab is not the ultimate in faith. I had naively thought that wearing Hijab would qualify me for a higher degree in Imaan. But i had soon learned that by winning the external struggle, the inner struggle still remains. And it will remain until I depart from this World. Another aspect that I was to learn is that even tho the eyes remain uncovered, they should actually be protected just as much as the rest of the body. The true test of a Hijaabi is in how she controls her gaze.
Sometimes Allah sets us on a quest of self discovery ,simply to find Him. And once we find Him , may we strive to forever remain in His Mercy. Aameen
Until you read again
Ma'assalaam
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