My profile picture (and other anecdotes about my wonderful children)

I realise that I have never actually related the story behind the profile picture I now have (yes, taken me almost 2 years to get that!).

If you click on the photo, you might be able to see that there's a goldfish swimming in the vase. Yup, that was a surprise I got from my Fantastic Four one day during our trip back home last summer. I had returned home from the hospital a little knackered, and the kids couldn't wait to lead me in. Tarra - lo and behold, Abang H showed me their masterpiece: Bougainvilleas and Bird of Paradise (picked from Tok Bah's garden - hehe) arranged in my vase with a wriggling gold piece in it. It certainly made my heart melt!

Although they all claimed to have done it together, I know who must have initiated it. Abang H. He's the one who's slightly more creative and innovative when it comes to presentations, and always finding means to please his mommy, perhaps to make up for his oft-clumsy demeanor(it's a dyslexic thingy, so my research says).

From time to time, I am reminded of Allah's magnificent blessing to me: my children. They are my everything - my sunshine, my rain, my heartbeat, my soul, my joy and my sorrow. I know I could be in danger of falling into the same trap I was before by making them my everything, but this time around, it's slightly different because they are my amanah, and I am after all, their soul proprietor in this foreign land. It goes without saying that I have no doubt that they are actually in good hands of the Almighty, wherever they might be, yet I cannot take things lightly.

Of course they are kids who never understand the concept of tidiness and minimality, or even adhere to the constant nags of this often-hysterical-mommy manning an almost dilapidated house, but they often express their sincerest loves in the most touching manner. Let's take a lazy Sunday morning two weeks ago, when I tried my luck by whispering to the twins, "Abang, can you prepare me breakfast today? Mommy wants to be served instead of serving."

They shot out from under the duvets, and fixed me bread and honey on toasts with a mug of hot coffee (the waitress came to take my order with pen and paper), while they enjoyed their special scrambled eggs on toasts (I opted out of that as I wanted something light). Usually on weekends I'd prepare a hearty breakfast for all with a touch of extra surprise wrapped up in an envelope of love - which could be in the form of some amusing presentation, or crafty home-made cards with riddles or instructions to hidden treasure! Just an attempt to start the day more promisingly and positively. Well, having breakfast served to you once in a blue moon was certainly a good start for the day!

Here's another story that depicts the thoughtfulness of my precious gems. During school break a few weeks ago, I counted my pennies and brought the children out for a trip to the castle. When their daddy was around, we had put that on the list of places to go to but little did we know that we'd be going there without him. The children were excited when I told them about the trip (Abang Z had actually made a request earlier on to do something different during the term break), and kept asking how much the tickets costed. They are aware of how strict mommy is with the budget hence were wondering how much was 'affordable'. You know how it is with mothers (or is it just me?); it's always a No here, No there, and No every where!

As usual, at the castle gift shop they were tempted to buy ridiculously priced souvenirs and nicknacks which mommy had to cold-heartedly say NO to. Er, she didn't even allow them to use their own pocket money as most of the things were actually... junk! Of course, the most heart-broken one was Little D who had wanted to get a set of sword and shield (like he has not had any of those!!).

Anyway, it wasn't until the following day that I was surprised by them little ones. It wasn't my birthday, neither was it Mother's Day. But out of nowhere, they handed me a present nicely wrapped in home-made wrapping paper! Of course, that made mommy all teary; to find that in the box was a pen with her initials on it, and the pen was bought at the gift shop using their pocket money. I could have shot myself with an arrow at that very moment, to think how sternly impossible I had been the day before. *sigh* On the card was written, Thank you for bringing us to the castle. We love you Mama.

To sum, this is the rahmah He has presented me with. We may not have much, but we have each other and thoughts of all those we love. I will always keep the memories of those dear to me close to my heart and in my prayers. God permitting, nothing else can beat the love from four pure hearts which will keep my heart pumping on and on...