Amazing You

Babytalkin'.

Mr. Cow was never your companion until you turned four. That was when you attended preschool and learned more about the value of friendship. Little by little, you gave the otherwise a mere stuffed toy a soul. Little by little, 'he', as you referred to Mr. Cow, became your chum.

Many asked you, daddy, and I whether he was a security toy. No, he was not a must everywhere, but he was a comfort to be with. Oh, he enjoyed your immense imagination, too. A true chum indeed. The way he had always been to me once upon a time :)

Linda Latip

Abang had quite a hard time on the park today.

She gave him a quick pecked on the nose and a little warm hugs.

Saturday, 21 February 2015

week 8 | BEAUTIFUL MESS (15-21 Feb)

Izlin

A mess.

Almost two years ago, when I made the decision, some said I was crazy. If they see me now, some would say that my life is a mess. Friends would say that I have no time for a coffee or gossip session anymore. Some would say that I do not put on make-up anymore. I don't keep myself up-to-date with fashion sometimes, let alone what's going on around the world; and to some, I look pregnant all the time! LOL!

There are baskets of fresh laundry waiting to be folded. No matter how I clean, there would always be dirt. Soiled diapers, stained school uniforms, unkempt living hall; 24-7, around the clock, I work non-stop - for this mess.

My life is a mess, yes. Letting go of some things that I love to do. Letting go of some things that I would love to do. Ah, those things can wait.

My life is a mess, yes - but I am loving this mess.

To me, it's a beautiful mess.

Cheekyface,

Sometimes, what will mess you up in life is the picture in your head of how things are supposed to be. Remember, a beautiful thing is never perfect.

Love,

Mommy

Min Mohd

Clock is ticking, the hours are going by and the time is passing. The days are long, but the years are short. In 10 to 20 years from now, I know I will never get to see this again. I will miss you being like this terribly. I want to embrace this moment, the messy beautiful life we have created together.

"Wow, I look awesome being covered in fifteen hundred sands!"

- Khalish, the messy boy with messy grammar and messy number sense.

Milin Kassim

You.
In your element. Almost every day.
After school. Weekend. Or during holiday
Like this one at your grandparents.
And even when you are not feeling well.
Like this day.
Chicken pox does not stop you.
Seeing you - and your kakak - like this.
I do not mind the mess.
Because it's just so, so
Beautiful.

Maznie

Sshhh...do not disturb,my little Picasso's is busy try to finished his beautiful 'mess-terpiece' !

Linda Latip

My little beautiful mess.
Dedek kodek cedokdek.

Saturday, 14 February 2015

week 7 | WET (8-14 Feb)

Linda Latip

Abg Ghazi. The water baby.

And, the new discovery this morning.

Adik, is also the baby dugong in the making -___-'

haha

The Crab, daddy and mommy named you.

Partly because you were born a Cancer. Mainly because you have always loved being in the water. Most of the times, you played in the swimming pool with the other children. Sometimes, when the pool was all yours, you created a world of your own.

Prancing, dancing, splashing.

Pure joy. A must do activity every time after washing your school shoes.

Izlin

I envy all the photos before mine as it was my dream shot - I dreamt of photographing them playing outdoor when I took the opportunities to spray them with water . However, my babies are all under the weather (sniff-sniff, cough, sneeze), I think I had to let go of the idea. This shot came by when I was thinking what would be the perfect idea/shot for this week's theme.

Hence, those wet, sticky lips.

My Faith was enjoying his cup of yogurt (praying that my photo suits this week's theme). :)

A WET sloppy kiss, anyone? ;)

Suddenly in need of a stylist. Because Baba (your unofficial barber since birth) or that Indian barber you sometimes go to couldn't give what you want.

Well, my Cheekyface, sometimes we must be clear on the "need" and the "want". A "need" is something you must have and cannot do without whereas the "want" is something not absolutely necessary but would be nice for you to have.

"Yes, okay, Mommy. I "need" to get a haircut and I "want" it to be like this (pointing to the photo of a rock star I couldn't remember who), can? "

Talk about being sensible, eh? Hmm... anak mommy dah besar.

Maznie

Bila sesekali dapat jumpa swimming pool,macam ni lah jadinya,berendam sampai kecut !

Min Mohd

Hero mama nyanyi pada mama...

You had my heart, and we'll never be worlds apart

Maybe in magazines, but you'll still be my star

Baby 'cause in the dark, you can't see shiny cars

And that's when you need me there

With you, I'll always share

Because when the sun shines, we'll shine together

Told you I'll be here forever

Said I'll always be your friend

Took an oath, I'ma stick it out to the end

Now that it's raining more than ever

Know that we'll still have each other

You can stand under my umbrella

Milin Kassim

Saturday, 7 February 2015

week 6 | PORTRAIT (1-7 Feb)

Min Mohd

Maznie

February 7,2015

It's Saturday.
It's a sunny day.
And it's sooooo windyyyyyyyyy !
So mommy had an idea,I've removed the night curtain so that the sunlight may enter and illuminate the room space,and then ;

"Asyraff,jom main dengan angin"
"Kat mana?"
"Kat tepi tingkap"

* big grin *

Zubye Rusli

Nine going to ten. You are kind. You are brave. You are my favorite wonderful gift of all time. I love you so much that my heart might explode. No matter what age you'll be, in my heart you are forever be my baby!

Izlin

Hope, Strength and Faith : Portraits of my life.

Hope has always been there since day one. She who has never once shed darkness so as to let me know that I will survive - constantly making sure that there's light at the end of the tunnel; to believe that there's always hope. Hope is (extremely) determined, passionate and ambitious. Always believing in herself.

Strength - joyous, happy-go-lucky though shy and timid. Nevertheless, she is the one who keeps me going strong since day one. She is different; lovable and funny. Whenever I see her, I know, I am strong. She is the one who keeps giving me that constant nudge - an assurance that I am a 'hero'.

Faith is special. His presence into this world shows that Allah listens. No matter how long it takes, no matter how unclear some path might seem to you - keep your faith. Whatever discrepancies, whatever tests come to you - keep your faith. Patience is the key and that is the most obvious characteristic I see in Faith.

They are indeed the portraits of my life.

In your ihram at Miqat Bir Ali, Madinah, January 31, 2015.

Aniq Zariff Zulkifli,

May you be the coolness of our eyes, always.

Ameen, Ya Rabb Al A'lameen.

Milin Kassim

Shine bright.

Just like the way.

You are.

Remember, you are not made for this world.

You are made for the Heaven.

To finally return Home, to your Creator.

For Eternity.

May Allah protect your soft, gentle heart.

The heart that love and fear Allah.

That you are always

Hopeful

of His Forgiveness, and Mercy.

That you will stay

True

To who you are.

No matter

How much this worldly life,

try to deceive, and pull you down.

Live up to your name.

A light,

so beautiful.

Pure, and protected.

Joining

among the many,

whom their faces will be glowing,

Looking towards

Allah.

“And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But far better is the house in the hereafter for those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Will you not then understand?” (Quran, Al-An’aam: 32)

Linda Latip

Ummeh love you dedek!

Siblings, since 2008.

Lia

What can I say, she is my favourite subject =)

Saturday, 31 January 2015

week 5 | KITCHEN (25-31 Jan)

Min Mohd

It was a very hot day. You were busy playing with your toys when you heard a loud noise from the kitchen. What was that? Like a private detective, you hurriedly walked to where the noise came from. What was babah doing? He was busy knocking on a weird looking green ball. Feeling curious, you went closer to investigate. At the same time, babah was looking at you and smiling and carried you up to the counter top. You want a taste of coconut water Khaled? It's very sweet and refreshing. Without batting your eyelid, you opened up your mouth and sipped a little bit. Ermmmm...it tastes strange, not like mama's milk. Well, one sip is enough for me, thank you.

Doing dishes: Occasionally. FOC

Mopping the house: 5 riyals charge (you're a happy labour for that!)

Separating your clothes for laundry: 70% done most of the time

Watering plants: On Mommy's reminder all the time

And just whenever you shall ask me again;

why do I keep asking you to help with the chores around the house?

I will keep giving you the same answer, my dear:

"Am doing your future wife a very big favor."

*wink*

Ever since he watched that Dapur Bujang; a show on channel 111, his interest in cooking has become an obsession. He believed cooking is an easy and a very cool job to do like the host always do in the show. Many times too he voiced out about his ambition to be a chef one day (mind you this boy has too many ambitions depending on what is he doing at that time). I just nodded and smiled, showing my full encouragement in anything he desired to be. When he looks at me being too occupied in the kitchen, often he asked “Is there anything I can help, Mama?” Every time he request, I let him doing some simple tasks like cutting the vegetables, slicing onions, washing dishes; that kind of thing. Once in a while, when we are not in rushing mode especially on the weekends (this mama needs to learn to slow down sometimes), I allowed him to ‘play’ around in the kitchen and cook by his own – something he has enthusiastically waiting for every day! He made us banana roll for breakfast, once he baked us scones for tea and I can see his face beams with pride every time he served us the rice he cooked for dinner with his favorite omelette using his own recipe that he made for us with full of love.

Izlin

My eldest loves joining me whenever she knows that I am in the kitchen. She will always wear the proper attire - complete with apron and chef hat. Occasionally, I let her break the eggs, mix the 'cekodok' batter, prep the chicken to be fried and some other tasks. Washing the dishes is definitely not our forte.

In my previous (instagram) post, I mentioned how she collects money so that she could buy me a truck - to be converted into a food truck. Why?

We watched the movie 'Chef' together some time before. In the movie, the father bought a truck and converted it into a food truck and brought his son together in his culinary adventure.

Well, my dear Hope wants to buy a truck for ibu; so that we can convert it into a food truck.

"You love cooking, right ibu?"

Maznie

Honestly, I'm not good at cooking,and having a child and husband which is a fussy eater (in their way), so I think we enough complete (haha). He can have a chicken sausage/french fries for breakfast, as dish for lunch and dinner. Can imagine that? Hergh. So when everytime I asked "nak makan lauk apa for today?" I already know the answer ;

"telur dadar"

"hotdog"

Everyone geleng kepala ;P

Milin Kassim

I heard your little footsteps running down the stairs. Along came your voice,
"Mommy, adik nak makan pinky apple."

Before I could do anything you were already at the fridge, taking out the apple. You climbed your favourite stool and grabbed the peeler.

Quickly I grabbed my camera!

Weeks ago, you were fascinated looking at me peeling some carrots. Amazed at what the peeler could do. Determined, you insisted on trying it out. I can still remember your sparkling eyes when you coaxed me to. I thought it was still early for you, but how could I say no. Your eyes lit up with so much anticipation.

And look at you now, peeling apple with style!

Linda Latip

My little darling doing her stuff. Try to reach and grab anything that she can grab on the kitchen counter top. Look at her determination (toward food) haha. Love you dek!

"What's for breakfast, Khalish?"

"My special smoothie, mommy. "

"How special is it?"

"Very special. I mix soy milk, chilled water, strawberry, your protein formula, and a secret ingredient!"

"That sounds truly special. Hmmm, I'm extremely curious what the secret ingredient is."

"MY LOVE."

Ah, my little Chef Jiwang :)

Lia

The one who loves to get her hands messy.

Saturday, 24 January 2015

week 4 | PERSPECTIVE (18-24 Jan)

Dari perspektif kaca mata seorang Mama. Dia. Sekecil ini, dia sudah punya banyak angan-angan yang ingin digapai. Tiap kali meluahkannya, pasti disudahi dengan keyakinan tinggi yang setiap hasratnya akan berada dalam genggaman satu hari nanti. Sebanyak mana mama ini terlalu takut untuk berada jauh darinya, sedalam itu jugalah harapan mama untuk melihat dia berani mengembangkan sayapnya, untuk terbang setinggi langit; pergilah anak... esok besar engkau merantaulah, pergilah lihat dunia, belajarlah, bawa pulang ilmumu, manfaatkan kepada setiap makhluk yang engkau jumpa. Gapailah setiap impian zaman kecilmu itu.

Min Mohd

See the world through the eyes of a child.
All things are possible.
You can be whatever you want to be.
Live in the moment.
Don’t over analyse.
Dare to dream.
Everything is exciting.
Everyday is a new day full of endless possibilities.

Izlin

Being a mother really offers you many colourful perspectives. You encounter countless different perspectives, day by day. Despite that, you still want to go through every single second of it without turning back. My perspectives of 'who' a mother is, changed, when I myself became a mother. Each mother, I am very sure, has their own respected perspectives of what a motherhood is. Only we, mothers, would know the 'needs and wants' of our children.

My perspectives of motherhood changed again when I lost my mama to cancer a few years ago. You thought you were strong, nevertheless, I never knew that at this age, I still badly need my mama to guide me in a lot of things, infact, in everything.

My eldest once told me, "I don't want you to die..." which took a blow onto me. If I selfishly need my mama now, let alone these little angels - definitely they need mothers more.

I pray to Allah SWT, that I am lent this life and soul for my children at a longer time, maybe perhaps until they don't need me anymore; because I know how it feels when your mother is no longer around.

Sometimes, I thought that I am strong, but deep down, I still need my mama. Al-Fatihah.

Maznie

Smile
Laugh
Repeat

Because laughing can bring you a new perspective !

Nish Halim

People seem to worry about self-expression that is somehow too personal.
Up close. Honest.
Sweetheart, YOU, will always be personal.

Milin Kassim

Mommy,
Mommy,
What do you see?

I see a big-hearted, strong-willed, witty, bright and cheerful child
showing me how much fun she had at kindy.

Learning excites her and it has become contagious she can't stop
but to bring the vibes home
- to mommy's surprise -
nearly everyday!

And that gives mommy a big, cheery smile.
Looking at her cute, awesome child.

Linda Latip

The first love. My eternal love.

Be strong. Be wise. Be happy. Be you.

I love you my G-man.

Dah besar, katanya nak jadi mcm abah. The idol.