Yes, my little Marley is AMAZING!!! I am very much in love with her. She has been ridden now, well before the carnival, a total of six times. You see, my friend Shannon came one day, haltered her, lunged her around a little and hopped on bareback and uh, that was it....no buck to her, no crow hop, nothing. Shannon was riding her. She may have ridden her one more time when my other friend Keyarra rode her around. Then the call came, it was Shannon, "Jaime, you should come and ride Marley, she is just fine!" So, of course, I did. I went over, Shannon worked her a tiny bit first, saddled and lunged her then I hopped on. I rode her around a little on the property then, Shannon mounted Safar, and Keyarra mounted her horse Autumn. Then we hit the streets-YEP, right there through the neighborhood!!! We rode down 98th Terrace, turned onto Wallace, road to my street and past my house, around the whole block and back towards the pasture. It was a good hour ride. No incidents at all-maybe because she was with her friends, who knows but all went well.
The next thing you know, a few weeks later, my dear husband said, "Jaime, the masjid in Overland Park wants the horses for the carnival." I told him that I did not have my experienced horses with me and that I did not think I could do it with Marley...but I was wrong! I decided to take her, Autumn (another two year old), and Alex-my friend Sheila's horse (well Shannon's too). They were the best horses.
It was a very windy day. I set up the fencing for a make-shift corral while the girls worked with the horses, just brushing them and making sure they were alright. We saddled up, lead the horses around so they could get used to the property and see the moonwalk and other "scarey" things there (if you know horses, you know what I mean!). They were all very well behaved. It was soon showtime and the kids came in DROVES! From 3pm-7pm, Marley, Autumn, and Alex gave children and parents rides in the fenced-in area I created for the purpose of keeping little kids OUT and away from the horses. SAFETY FIRST ya know!
For four hours, 4hrs!, Marley selflessly let people on her back. Okay, there was one little incident, being a two year old horse, she nibbled on my arm-I am convinced it was a love bite- but other than the bite, no incidences. I WAS AND STILL AM SO PROUD OF HER!!!
So a couple of days ago, a whole month after the carnival, I decided to take my friend Amira over to ride.
I took Marley out of the pasture and tied her so she could be groomed, and BOY did she have a TON of cockleburs! Sara brought me the saddle blanket and saddle, I threw the blanket up on her, no reaction. I put the saddle on her, no reaction. I went to tighten the saddle, SHE STARTED TO LAY DOWN! I pulled her head back up and she stood there. I tightened the saddle the rest of the way.
I then picked up her front left hoof with the intention of picking it out...she started to lay down again! This happened three times until I started to get worried about her! I then moved to the front right leg to see if she was maybe lame and could not handle weight on that hoof. I picked it up and sure enough, SHE STARTED TO LAY DOWN AGAIN!!! okay, now by this time, I was getting worried. I had never had any of my horses do this before. I had my seven year old walk her around while I watched. I could not tell she was limping so I had Amira ride her. After the ride, after I took the saddle off, I picked up her front left leg again, NOTHING...then the right leg, NOTHING...she did not attempt to lay down.
THEN IT DAWNED ON ME- SHE WAS SILENTLY PROTESTING BEING RIDDEN!!! YEP, SHE WAS TRYING TO CONDUCT A SIT IN!!!
TRUE STORY...and that is MY MARLEY!
Since then, she was ridden just yesterday for a whopping five minutes before it started to pour down rain! This time no sit in protest just a little complaining about having that saddle tightened around her and all she did was move around a bit. What a good little girl!!!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Joys of Parenting
Having six children, I can safely say that working out side the home definitely detracts from my ability to spend time with my children and really enjoy them for the amazing little individuals they are. It is very easy to loose patience, over look their uniqueness, and get bogged down in the day to day running of a household.
I try to take time outs, seems to happen mostly on the weekend, where I can do something fun with them. It is not always easy and the "fun" element gets deminished when we are always in a hurry to do things-rushing to the next activity.
This weekend, not unlike all our weekends, is going to be crammed full of things to do. We have two activities on Saturday, one on Sunday, and oh, yeah- the normal mundane things like LAUNDRY (my arch nemisis) and cleaning. Cub, Boy, and Girl Scouting is time consuming but oh so much cool stuff to take the kids to and let them learn and experience new things. IF ONLY I could do scouting full time. I think I would really be in my element then.
Evenings at my household consist of the following:
Get home around 5pm, immediately sit at the table upon entering the house and taking off our shoes. TIME TO DO HOMEWORK and TUTORING. This lasts HOURS, or at least it has been for the last month it seems. The end of the first quarter fast approaches and I am praying for a little relief in second quarter.
Out of my six children, I have four who need help, two that need LOTS of help. Alhamdullah, the joys of parenting, if only I had more time, more energy, more patience....
Sometimes I think the best way to handle things is to allow the children to take breaks. Life isn't always studying and some of the most valuable lessons in life are not found in books. So, I try to take them outdoors, to the horses, to the park, just in the yard-children learn best through play afterall, isn't that what research says?
Parenting is, or should be, a joyous thing that is for sure. I think it is up to us parents to MAKE IT SO.
Recently I watched an Eddie Murphy movie, IMAGINE THAT. I thought it was a very nice movie and found myself wishing that all parents see it! It's all about a father-Eddie Murphy-who has lost touch with his inner child and has to learn, the hard way, that he needs to be there for his child and see her for the amazing little person she is. Very nice...It was especially nice because it was more for adults than children and it was a clean movie. I do not recall a single second were I had to fast forward for fear the kids (and myself) would see something or hear something inappropriate. I found myself laughing out load many times as well. We all need a good laugh.
I try to take time outs, seems to happen mostly on the weekend, where I can do something fun with them. It is not always easy and the "fun" element gets deminished when we are always in a hurry to do things-rushing to the next activity.
This weekend, not unlike all our weekends, is going to be crammed full of things to do. We have two activities on Saturday, one on Sunday, and oh, yeah- the normal mundane things like LAUNDRY (my arch nemisis) and cleaning. Cub, Boy, and Girl Scouting is time consuming but oh so much cool stuff to take the kids to and let them learn and experience new things. IF ONLY I could do scouting full time. I think I would really be in my element then.
Evenings at my household consist of the following:
Get home around 5pm, immediately sit at the table upon entering the house and taking off our shoes. TIME TO DO HOMEWORK and TUTORING. This lasts HOURS, or at least it has been for the last month it seems. The end of the first quarter fast approaches and I am praying for a little relief in second quarter.
Out of my six children, I have four who need help, two that need LOTS of help. Alhamdullah, the joys of parenting, if only I had more time, more energy, more patience....
Sometimes I think the best way to handle things is to allow the children to take breaks. Life isn't always studying and some of the most valuable lessons in life are not found in books. So, I try to take them outdoors, to the horses, to the park, just in the yard-children learn best through play afterall, isn't that what research says?
Parenting is, or should be, a joyous thing that is for sure. I think it is up to us parents to MAKE IT SO.
Recently I watched an Eddie Murphy movie, IMAGINE THAT. I thought it was a very nice movie and found myself wishing that all parents see it! It's all about a father-Eddie Murphy-who has lost touch with his inner child and has to learn, the hard way, that he needs to be there for his child and see her for the amazing little person she is. Very nice...It was especially nice because it was more for adults than children and it was a clean movie. I do not recall a single second were I had to fast forward for fear the kids (and myself) would see something or hear something inappropriate. I found myself laughing out load many times as well. We all need a good laugh.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Ramadan is almost over...
Ramadan, it seems like it has just flown by so quickly. Tonight, it is said, is the NIGHT OF POWER, Laylat Ul-Qadr, the 27th of Ramadan.
Of course, no one REALLY knows when Laylat Ul-Qadr is but most scholars agree that it is the 27th of the month. All we know for sure is that is falls in the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan. The Quran states that it is better than a thousand months. The angels descend upon the earth.
My family will most likely, InshaAllah (God willing), spend the night in the masjid. We will break our fast there, pray Tarawih prayer (extra prayers in the month of Ramadan where nightly 1/30 of the Quran is read during prayers in order to have recited the whole Quran during the month), Qiyam Ul-layl (praying in the middle of the night), Witr (another extra prayer), and then sleep for a little bit in the masjid. We will wake up for Sahoor (meal before fasting starts) to eat and drink before we pray our Fajr prayer. After Fajr, we will probably go back home to sleep some more as we will all be sleep deprived for sure.
I would love to be of those who are able to stay in the masjid all day, every day, in the last 10 days of Ramadan. I tell myself that MAYBE when the kids get older I can spend my time there, praying, meditating, resting, and just being around other Muslims who are concerned enough about their religion and their own salvation to stay all day and night praying and reading Quran.
I admire my mother in law for going nightly, praying all of the Tarawih prayer (not just part of it like many of us), coming back at 3:30 am to pray Qiyam Ul-Layl (or sleeping there), eating Sahoor, praying Fajr, and then heading home to sleep for a few hours before getting up to cook dinner for iftar that evening. May Allah reward her multifold for her dedication. I remind her to pray for me since I am not going. Alhamdullah (all praise is to God).
The kids are all out of school so they too can spend their nights in prayer at the masjid. They will have a whole week off and are looking forward to no homework! SO WHAT HAPPENS FOR EID?
Well, there are many things we do for Eid Al-Fitr (Holiday of Feasting). The first thing is EID PRAYER. We will all get up early, dress up nice, in new Eid clothes (if we can afford it), jump in the family car and drive to the location where prayer will be held. This year they are having TWO prayer sessions as the place booked is small for our community.
After prayer, some families will go out to eat breakfast together or come to the masjid for a huge community breakfast. My family ALWAYS goes to the masjid and we are usually the LAST ones to arrive. We are last to arrive because my husband is always busy helping do something-clean up after all the toys were passed out to kids, load things in our vehicle to take back to different locations, you get the idea. We like to help out and do our part for the community so it's all GOOD.
Of course, for Muslims in North America, or any other non-Muslim society, we do not get these days off so, it is work as usual for many a Muslim. Many take off, using vacation days, or re-arrange their schedules so they can at least make it to prayer and work afterwards. It is a very festive time and it is much preferred to be OFF WORK period but many of us can only do so much.
After Eid, which lasts three days, things go back to normal....kids in school, parents at work, eating and drinking throughout the day. The key is to keep the spirit of Ramadan thoughout the year. Many fast the first six days after EID. It is highly recommended but not easy to do for many.
One thing is certain, we will all look forward to the next Ramadan when our sense of community is hightened-family and friends breaking fast together, praying together, and remembering Allah.
Of course, no one REALLY knows when Laylat Ul-Qadr is but most scholars agree that it is the 27th of the month. All we know for sure is that is falls in the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan. The Quran states that it is better than a thousand months. The angels descend upon the earth.
My family will most likely, InshaAllah (God willing), spend the night in the masjid. We will break our fast there, pray Tarawih prayer (extra prayers in the month of Ramadan where nightly 1/30 of the Quran is read during prayers in order to have recited the whole Quran during the month), Qiyam Ul-layl (praying in the middle of the night), Witr (another extra prayer), and then sleep for a little bit in the masjid. We will wake up for Sahoor (meal before fasting starts) to eat and drink before we pray our Fajr prayer. After Fajr, we will probably go back home to sleep some more as we will all be sleep deprived for sure.
I would love to be of those who are able to stay in the masjid all day, every day, in the last 10 days of Ramadan. I tell myself that MAYBE when the kids get older I can spend my time there, praying, meditating, resting, and just being around other Muslims who are concerned enough about their religion and their own salvation to stay all day and night praying and reading Quran.
I admire my mother in law for going nightly, praying all of the Tarawih prayer (not just part of it like many of us), coming back at 3:30 am to pray Qiyam Ul-Layl (or sleeping there), eating Sahoor, praying Fajr, and then heading home to sleep for a few hours before getting up to cook dinner for iftar that evening. May Allah reward her multifold for her dedication. I remind her to pray for me since I am not going. Alhamdullah (all praise is to God).
The kids are all out of school so they too can spend their nights in prayer at the masjid. They will have a whole week off and are looking forward to no homework! SO WHAT HAPPENS FOR EID?
Well, there are many things we do for Eid Al-Fitr (Holiday of Feasting). The first thing is EID PRAYER. We will all get up early, dress up nice, in new Eid clothes (if we can afford it), jump in the family car and drive to the location where prayer will be held. This year they are having TWO prayer sessions as the place booked is small for our community.
After prayer, some families will go out to eat breakfast together or come to the masjid for a huge community breakfast. My family ALWAYS goes to the masjid and we are usually the LAST ones to arrive. We are last to arrive because my husband is always busy helping do something-clean up after all the toys were passed out to kids, load things in our vehicle to take back to different locations, you get the idea. We like to help out and do our part for the community so it's all GOOD.
Of course, for Muslims in North America, or any other non-Muslim society, we do not get these days off so, it is work as usual for many a Muslim. Many take off, using vacation days, or re-arrange their schedules so they can at least make it to prayer and work afterwards. It is a very festive time and it is much preferred to be OFF WORK period but many of us can only do so much.
After Eid, which lasts three days, things go back to normal....kids in school, parents at work, eating and drinking throughout the day. The key is to keep the spirit of Ramadan thoughout the year. Many fast the first six days after EID. It is highly recommended but not easy to do for many.
One thing is certain, we will all look forward to the next Ramadan when our sense of community is hightened-family and friends breaking fast together, praying together, and remembering Allah.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
It's Official
Yes, it is official, school has begun, summer is winding down-cooler breezes, rainy days and nights, soon leaves will begin to change.
With six children and myself in school, our kitchen/dining room table is always covered in books, notebooks, writing utensils, and other miscellaneous school paraphernalia. Evenings are always fun. I try to figure out what to feed the kids as I am directing them to start on their home work, all within minutes of herding them through the front door. Laith and Sara (my 11 and 13 year olds) are terrific about settling down to work on their assignments. Omar, my 9 year old, is getting better but still needs to be re-directed every now and then. Our darling 7 year old, Salah, is the real challenge these days. He is always wanting to do anything and everything but sit down and do worksheets or reading.
Can you imagine the atmosphere? The TV is blaring in the front room because the man of the house wants to watch something. Sara is in her room studying away. Laith in his room cracking his books. Salah is running all over the place. Omar is generally avoiding his work. Then there is little Ali tugging at my clothing as I am trying to cook and bark out orders to Omar and Salah in a distracted effort to get them to settle down and work on their studies-all while trying to address Ali's concerns. Alhamdullah (all praise is for Allah- the creator).
I know I am not the only one whose evening looks like this. I also know that I am going to someday miss it all-at least that is what the older women say. In the meantime, I will muddle through the school year, always struggling to stay ahead of the next urgent matter- dinner, homework help, laundry, my own homework for my classes, and anything else you can think of.
Alhamdullah the kids are really trying to work with me and help in the house work. I always explain to them it is a TEAM effort to keep the house live able. Sara helps with laundry and dishes, sometimes cooking. Laith is great at carrying laundry baskets up and down stairs- sometimes Omar pitches in as well. Laith is also the main person, much to his chagrin, to clean up the boys room. He waits for the day he will have his own room, free of his brothers and their clutter. Omar also helps to clean the boys room but usually on his own and not when asked. Salah and Ali, well they are pretty much the shoe straighteners of the house hold and although they could do much more I am sure, it seems they always get stuck with that and feeding the cat. Ali loves to do dishes and at times I will have him help. He prefers to manually wash the dishes instead of the dishwasher and thereby showering the entire counter top with sudsy water. Alhamdullah.
On the rare occasion I have time and we are all not being rushed, all the children LOVE to help prepare our meals. Salah and Ali are very good at mixing pancake batter and setting the table in anticipation of the pancake's syrup-smothered, buttery yumminess. Another meal favorite to help with is kabobs, where the kids get to cut up the veggies. This one does not happen often and hasn't happened in a LONG time. Every child gets to cut up their own vegetable of choice. Meat is usually left for the oldest ones. WOW, I am inspired, I will have to get the grill back from the lovely people who borrowed it and never returned it. Alhamdullah.
On a side note, with the beginning of school comes, this year, Ramadan. I am happy, yet a bit nervous at the coming of this blessed month. Nervous that I will have a hard time fasting due to health issues. May Allah make it easy, Ameen. May Allah increase our faith and continue to bless us all during this month and always.
School has begun, summer is almost gone, but before we know it, it will be winter break, then spring break, and BAM! SUMMER AGAIN...how I love the summer...
With six children and myself in school, our kitchen/dining room table is always covered in books, notebooks, writing utensils, and other miscellaneous school paraphernalia. Evenings are always fun. I try to figure out what to feed the kids as I am directing them to start on their home work, all within minutes of herding them through the front door. Laith and Sara (my 11 and 13 year olds) are terrific about settling down to work on their assignments. Omar, my 9 year old, is getting better but still needs to be re-directed every now and then. Our darling 7 year old, Salah, is the real challenge these days. He is always wanting to do anything and everything but sit down and do worksheets or reading.
Can you imagine the atmosphere? The TV is blaring in the front room because the man of the house wants to watch something. Sara is in her room studying away. Laith in his room cracking his books. Salah is running all over the place. Omar is generally avoiding his work. Then there is little Ali tugging at my clothing as I am trying to cook and bark out orders to Omar and Salah in a distracted effort to get them to settle down and work on their studies-all while trying to address Ali's concerns. Alhamdullah (all praise is for Allah- the creator).
I know I am not the only one whose evening looks like this. I also know that I am going to someday miss it all-at least that is what the older women say. In the meantime, I will muddle through the school year, always struggling to stay ahead of the next urgent matter- dinner, homework help, laundry, my own homework for my classes, and anything else you can think of.
Alhamdullah the kids are really trying to work with me and help in the house work. I always explain to them it is a TEAM effort to keep the house live able. Sara helps with laundry and dishes, sometimes cooking. Laith is great at carrying laundry baskets up and down stairs- sometimes Omar pitches in as well. Laith is also the main person, much to his chagrin, to clean up the boys room. He waits for the day he will have his own room, free of his brothers and their clutter. Omar also helps to clean the boys room but usually on his own and not when asked. Salah and Ali, well they are pretty much the shoe straighteners of the house hold and although they could do much more I am sure, it seems they always get stuck with that and feeding the cat. Ali loves to do dishes and at times I will have him help. He prefers to manually wash the dishes instead of the dishwasher and thereby showering the entire counter top with sudsy water. Alhamdullah.
On the rare occasion I have time and we are all not being rushed, all the children LOVE to help prepare our meals. Salah and Ali are very good at mixing pancake batter and setting the table in anticipation of the pancake's syrup-smothered, buttery yumminess. Another meal favorite to help with is kabobs, where the kids get to cut up the veggies. This one does not happen often and hasn't happened in a LONG time. Every child gets to cut up their own vegetable of choice. Meat is usually left for the oldest ones. WOW, I am inspired, I will have to get the grill back from the lovely people who borrowed it and never returned it. Alhamdullah.
On a side note, with the beginning of school comes, this year, Ramadan. I am happy, yet a bit nervous at the coming of this blessed month. Nervous that I will have a hard time fasting due to health issues. May Allah make it easy, Ameen. May Allah increase our faith and continue to bless us all during this month and always.
School has begun, summer is almost gone, but before we know it, it will be winter break, then spring break, and BAM! SUMMER AGAIN...how I love the summer...
Thursday, July 2, 2009
GEORGE GALLOWAY IN KC!!!
I attended the most amazing lectures tonight! I wish all of you could have been there with me.
We listened to first hand accounts of the lives of the people of Gaza, PALESTINE. We listened to a few speakers before the key speaker, Mr. George Galloway. If you do not know who he is, then you really need to find out.
He is a British Member of Parliment and has been for 23 yrs. He is very outspoken regarding the Palestinian plight. He has lived amongst them and travelled all over the world trying to educate others of the Palestinians' situation.
I hope everyone reading this blog will educate themselves and go online- Google, You Tube, what ever, and find out more about George Galloway-listen to his speeches.
I am hoping that they will post his talk today, here in KC, on You Tube sometime soon,InshaAllah.
Peace
We listened to first hand accounts of the lives of the people of Gaza, PALESTINE. We listened to a few speakers before the key speaker, Mr. George Galloway. If you do not know who he is, then you really need to find out.
He is a British Member of Parliment and has been for 23 yrs. He is very outspoken regarding the Palestinian plight. He has lived amongst them and travelled all over the world trying to educate others of the Palestinians' situation.
I hope everyone reading this blog will educate themselves and go online- Google, You Tube, what ever, and find out more about George Galloway-listen to his speeches.
I am hoping that they will post his talk today, here in KC, on You Tube sometime soon,InshaAllah.
Peace
SUMMER IS PASSING TOO FAST!
WOW, this is crazy! I cannot believe it is almost July 4th. The kids are all doing summer programs and before we all know it, it will be time for school again.
We are trying to take a road trip this summer to Colorado and Arizona (Grand Canyon). I hope it happens as I think we ALL could use a break. I am leery of how stressful a road trip will be with my kids. Like all typical kids, they fight with their siblings entirely too much for my taste.
I finally got them a little pool for the back yard- you know the ones- they show the whole family in the pool. I am hoping it will provide them with some entertainment in the evenings while they are waiting for me to come home from work.
I have two horses up here - Safar (my best friend's mare) and Marley (my 2y.o. buckskin filly). They are loving life with the tall grass at the pasture by my house. Sometimes I take a walk in the morning and go check on them, spray them with fly spray, love them up, and maybe ride Safar as Marley is not broke to ride yet. We have been working off and on with her picking up her feet. She is getting better but is a little too headstrong for me. I REALLY need to get her to a trainer so she is RIDE-ABLE! I can't wait for that day. She is a very pretty little thing and will be so fun to ride around. Sara is really looking forward to it also.
Just the other day, I walked home from working at the masjid, stopped by the horses, and put the halter w/ lead rope on Safar, climbed the gate, and JUMPED on her back. We rode to my house where she was very happy to trim my back yard for me! YES, FUEL ECONOMY AT ITS FINEST!!! No lawn mowing, I have two natural lawnmowers!!!
Starburst and Chance, mine and my mother's other two horses, are still in Wichita with my best buddy Dana. She says they are happy spending their summer days grazing in her 40 acre pasture. I sure miss them but it is good to know they are just fine.
Summer, summer, summer....hope the next few weeks DRAG by. I still need time to relax in the back yard on the deck, ride my horses, do tons of yard work, maybe even barbecue!
I hope everyone is having a terrific time and enjoying all the blessing we receive daily.
We are trying to take a road trip this summer to Colorado and Arizona (Grand Canyon). I hope it happens as I think we ALL could use a break. I am leery of how stressful a road trip will be with my kids. Like all typical kids, they fight with their siblings entirely too much for my taste.
I finally got them a little pool for the back yard- you know the ones- they show the whole family in the pool. I am hoping it will provide them with some entertainment in the evenings while they are waiting for me to come home from work.
I have two horses up here - Safar (my best friend's mare) and Marley (my 2y.o. buckskin filly). They are loving life with the tall grass at the pasture by my house. Sometimes I take a walk in the morning and go check on them, spray them with fly spray, love them up, and maybe ride Safar as Marley is not broke to ride yet. We have been working off and on with her picking up her feet. She is getting better but is a little too headstrong for me. I REALLY need to get her to a trainer so she is RIDE-ABLE! I can't wait for that day. She is a very pretty little thing and will be so fun to ride around. Sara is really looking forward to it also.
Just the other day, I walked home from working at the masjid, stopped by the horses, and put the halter w/ lead rope on Safar, climbed the gate, and JUMPED on her back. We rode to my house where she was very happy to trim my back yard for me! YES, FUEL ECONOMY AT ITS FINEST!!! No lawn mowing, I have two natural lawnmowers!!!
Starburst and Chance, mine and my mother's other two horses, are still in Wichita with my best buddy Dana. She says they are happy spending their summer days grazing in her 40 acre pasture. I sure miss them but it is good to know they are just fine.
Summer, summer, summer....hope the next few weeks DRAG by. I still need time to relax in the back yard on the deck, ride my horses, do tons of yard work, maybe even barbecue!
I hope everyone is having a terrific time and enjoying all the blessing we receive daily.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Passing of a Pop Icon
Subhan Allah, when I heard that Michael Jackson had died of cardiac arrest, I was just quiet, letting it soak in. I watched and listened to his brother, Jermaine, giving a press release about his brother's death- at the end he said, "May Allah be with you always Michael" and then walked off from behind the podium. Only Allah knows, and probably Michael's family, if Michael really had become Muslim.
I like to believe that Michael was a very good man who was very misunderstood. InshaAllah he will rest in peace. It will be interesting to see how his funeral will go. I am sure so many people are grief stricken. SubhanAllah, death comes to us all, and those left living must carry on.
As I read today and looked at pictures from Michael's career, I actually found myself crying. Crying for him and his human suffering. Crying for all of us here struggling on this earth. Alhamdullah for faith. Alhamdullah for Allah's mercy. May Allah subhana wa taala guide us all and have mercy on us all, Ameen.
I like to believe that Michael was a very good man who was very misunderstood. InshaAllah he will rest in peace. It will be interesting to see how his funeral will go. I am sure so many people are grief stricken. SubhanAllah, death comes to us all, and those left living must carry on.
As I read today and looked at pictures from Michael's career, I actually found myself crying. Crying for him and his human suffering. Crying for all of us here struggling on this earth. Alhamdullah for faith. Alhamdullah for Allah's mercy. May Allah subhana wa taala guide us all and have mercy on us all, Ameen.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
GOODBYE OLD FRIEND
I did not think I would be posting anything so soon after my last post but here I go again.
I got a phone call today, just a few minutes ago, from a friend. She broke the news to me that one of my dearest horses had to be put down. You see, a year or so ago I found myself in a difficult position and needing to find a home for my daughter Sara's horse Jackie. We all loved Jackie. She was a good old girl. Anyone could ride her. She had pep in her step despite her advanced years. She was amazing in the arena for Sara in Rodeo Kids and she was very much loved by all who knew her.
Jackie was having a hard time keeping on weight as her teeth were just shot. We fed her a special diet of senior feed and corn oil to try to fatten her up.
My Rodeo Kids friend Laura, agreed to take Jackie for her son to enjoy and for her mother to care for until she could no longer do so.
A couple of months ago I got a phone call asking me if I wanted to take Jackie back by any chance. Of course I wanted to say YES but as circumstances dictated, I could not. I tried to find another home for our dear old horse but did not have much luck.
Today, Laura called, I thought it odd for her to call in the middle of the day and asked to what did I owe the pleasure of hearing from her. There was a little pause before she said that she felt she had to call but felt strange about letting me know over the phone.
She then informed me that Jackie had been put down. It seems that she was having either kidney or liver failure, maybe both. She had dropped weight and was having difficulty urinating. Poor old girl. I am going to miss her so much. SubhanAllah how animals can fill so much space in a person's heart.
She was a good horse and we will always have fond memories of her.
I got a phone call today, just a few minutes ago, from a friend. She broke the news to me that one of my dearest horses had to be put down. You see, a year or so ago I found myself in a difficult position and needing to find a home for my daughter Sara's horse Jackie. We all loved Jackie. She was a good old girl. Anyone could ride her. She had pep in her step despite her advanced years. She was amazing in the arena for Sara in Rodeo Kids and she was very much loved by all who knew her.
Jackie was having a hard time keeping on weight as her teeth were just shot. We fed her a special diet of senior feed and corn oil to try to fatten her up.
My Rodeo Kids friend Laura, agreed to take Jackie for her son to enjoy and for her mother to care for until she could no longer do so.
A couple of months ago I got a phone call asking me if I wanted to take Jackie back by any chance. Of course I wanted to say YES but as circumstances dictated, I could not. I tried to find another home for our dear old horse but did not have much luck.
Today, Laura called, I thought it odd for her to call in the middle of the day and asked to what did I owe the pleasure of hearing from her. There was a little pause before she said that she felt she had to call but felt strange about letting me know over the phone.
She then informed me that Jackie had been put down. It seems that she was having either kidney or liver failure, maybe both. She had dropped weight and was having difficulty urinating. Poor old girl. I am going to miss her so much. SubhanAllah how animals can fill so much space in a person's heart.
She was a good horse and we will always have fond memories of her.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Well, it's not TECHNICALLY summer...YET
Alhamdullah (all praise is for Allah). Kids are out of school for the summer and things are just as hectic as ever around the Banyalmarjeh household.
Omar, Salah, and Laith go every morning to Arabic and Quran tutoring for an hour. Afterwards, Laith goes to his grandparent's house and Omar and Salah go to summer school at the public school. The little lamb Salah got sent to the teacher's "buddy room" the very first day! The next day was Omar's turn to be written up for "not putting down his book after I asked three times"- I thought, WOW- summer school teachers do not play!
I am wondering how today went as I haven't seen any of them yet.
Father's day is the first day of Summer I believe. SubhanAllah (all glory is for Allah), this is the first year I do not have a father on Father's Day. Don't get me wrong, I never really celebrated the day anyway but it is just strange not having a father anymore. Aging is really a phnomenon that I have not adjusted to yet. I wonder if I ever will. My dad is gone and even though we had our issues, I still miss him in some ways. May Allah make it easy on me...
My father did not die in a state of Islam so I think that it makes it that much harder for me. He did die in a state of mental deterioration. He had Alzheimers and was not really in his right mind when he died. I remember being with him the last two days he was on this earth. He could not talk at all. He just looked at me and moved his lips trying to talk. I wish I could have heard what he was trying to say. The more I think about it, the sadder I become. I am blessed to have been able to be with him before he passed though, Alhamdullah. Especially since he was in Arizona and I was in KC. I flew out with my mom and husband two days before he died.
I will have to write more about that life experience at another time, InshaAllah (God willing).
Too much to do this evening and I had better move it!
AH, SUMMER...welcome, may you bless us with good times to share with friends and family, AMEEN!
Omar, Salah, and Laith go every morning to Arabic and Quran tutoring for an hour. Afterwards, Laith goes to his grandparent's house and Omar and Salah go to summer school at the public school. The little lamb Salah got sent to the teacher's "buddy room" the very first day! The next day was Omar's turn to be written up for "not putting down his book after I asked three times"- I thought, WOW- summer school teachers do not play!
I am wondering how today went as I haven't seen any of them yet.
Father's day is the first day of Summer I believe. SubhanAllah (all glory is for Allah), this is the first year I do not have a father on Father's Day. Don't get me wrong, I never really celebrated the day anyway but it is just strange not having a father anymore. Aging is really a phnomenon that I have not adjusted to yet. I wonder if I ever will. My dad is gone and even though we had our issues, I still miss him in some ways. May Allah make it easy on me...
My father did not die in a state of Islam so I think that it makes it that much harder for me. He did die in a state of mental deterioration. He had Alzheimers and was not really in his right mind when he died. I remember being with him the last two days he was on this earth. He could not talk at all. He just looked at me and moved his lips trying to talk. I wish I could have heard what he was trying to say. The more I think about it, the sadder I become. I am blessed to have been able to be with him before he passed though, Alhamdullah. Especially since he was in Arizona and I was in KC. I flew out with my mom and husband two days before he died.
I will have to write more about that life experience at another time, InshaAllah (God willing).
Too much to do this evening and I had better move it!
AH, SUMMER...welcome, may you bless us with good times to share with friends and family, AMEEN!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
End of the School Year, Beginning of Summer
Ah yes, the time of year all teachers and students are looking forward to has finally arrived.
Everyone is busy! Teachers are finishing up their curriculum, students taking finals, administrators busy doing year end things, parents scurrying around to find something for their kids to do in the summer.
I fall under all categories, well save the administrators...
I am waiting to hear if my kids get into summer school up the street from our house. In the mean time, I need to have a plan B. Right now there is no plan B so I had better hop to it.
I did find out that Omar and Salah do qualify for an IEP or a SERVICE PLAN, since they are in private school. This means that next year they will be pulled out of class to see a Special Ed teacher in the public school to help with their reading difficulties. I was very happy to hear they qualified for help.
I will NOT be taking classes in the summer but will be back in full swing in the fall. Some day I hope to finish!!! I have a ton of classes left to take and then there is student teaching. Fun Fun Fun.
As always, I had better get back to the very long list of things to do.
Everyone is busy! Teachers are finishing up their curriculum, students taking finals, administrators busy doing year end things, parents scurrying around to find something for their kids to do in the summer.
I fall under all categories, well save the administrators...
I am waiting to hear if my kids get into summer school up the street from our house. In the mean time, I need to have a plan B. Right now there is no plan B so I had better hop to it.
I did find out that Omar and Salah do qualify for an IEP or a SERVICE PLAN, since they are in private school. This means that next year they will be pulled out of class to see a Special Ed teacher in the public school to help with their reading difficulties. I was very happy to hear they qualified for help.
I will NOT be taking classes in the summer but will be back in full swing in the fall. Some day I hope to finish!!! I have a ton of classes left to take and then there is student teaching. Fun Fun Fun.
As always, I had better get back to the very long list of things to do.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tutoring your OWN kids
Okay, all parents know that their own children do not listen to them as well as they should. When my husband suggested I start tutoring my own children daily, I cringed. I knew that they would not be very cooperative but thought I would give it a try anyway.
I sit with them daily from 8am-9:40 am three-four days a week. I do not feel like I am getting anywhere however.
Some days are better than others. Today was not so good. Salah, the first grader, just did not want to cooperate with his ever piling up homework. After procrastinating for half an hour, I finally sent him to bed. He just would not do the work. No amount of positive or negative reinforcement worked. Tomorrow he will wake up and we will try it all over again.
Omar, the third grader, is much the same. He has some days that are terrific and we may finish one or two pages in an hour (yes, that is a GOOD DAY). Other days I cannot get him to do ANYTHING.
As concerned parents, my husband and I are trying everything we can think of to motivate and encourage them to do their best and get their work done. It is just so difficult and overwhelming at times. I have even thought to place them with another tutor full time.
Both of my sons are middle children and have very difficult personalities. They get angry quickly, are hyper and reactive, and have ADHD. Needless to say they are very challenging.
They are also VERY bright and that is what frustrates me the most. They are so smart yet cannot seem to learn in a traditional classroom setting.
I keep praying and plugging away and trying to think of new ways to help them both.
I recently sent in a written request to the LEA (public school) near my house to evaluate them for special education (learning disabilities). I know that there is a 60 day turn around on the letter and hope I hear from the school up the street from my house soon.
If they are found to be learning disabled (dyslexic, or some such issue), then the public school will have to provide services for them. So we are waiting patiently until we here from the LEA.
Being a student of education, it is equally frustrating to feel that you are not able to help your own child.
Hopefully Omar and Salah will get all the assistance they need to be sucessful in school and in life.
I sit with them daily from 8am-9:40 am three-four days a week. I do not feel like I am getting anywhere however.
Some days are better than others. Today was not so good. Salah, the first grader, just did not want to cooperate with his ever piling up homework. After procrastinating for half an hour, I finally sent him to bed. He just would not do the work. No amount of positive or negative reinforcement worked. Tomorrow he will wake up and we will try it all over again.
Omar, the third grader, is much the same. He has some days that are terrific and we may finish one or two pages in an hour (yes, that is a GOOD DAY). Other days I cannot get him to do ANYTHING.
As concerned parents, my husband and I are trying everything we can think of to motivate and encourage them to do their best and get their work done. It is just so difficult and overwhelming at times. I have even thought to place them with another tutor full time.
Both of my sons are middle children and have very difficult personalities. They get angry quickly, are hyper and reactive, and have ADHD. Needless to say they are very challenging.
They are also VERY bright and that is what frustrates me the most. They are so smart yet cannot seem to learn in a traditional classroom setting.
I keep praying and plugging away and trying to think of new ways to help them both.
I recently sent in a written request to the LEA (public school) near my house to evaluate them for special education (learning disabilities). I know that there is a 60 day turn around on the letter and hope I hear from the school up the street from my house soon.
If they are found to be learning disabled (dyslexic, or some such issue), then the public school will have to provide services for them. So we are waiting patiently until we here from the LEA.
Being a student of education, it is equally frustrating to feel that you are not able to help your own child.
Hopefully Omar and Salah will get all the assistance they need to be sucessful in school and in life.
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