The Schoots: May 2007

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Jumping on the bed...

Here's a video of Rocco and Enna-Marie who were having such a great time playing together...

Monday, May 28, 2007

HAIFA, Israel, 27 May 2007 (BWNS) -- On May 29, Bahá’ís around the world will observe the 115th anniversary of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of their faith.

Bahá’ís recognize Bahá’u’lláh as the divine educator who, as the one promised in the scriptures of all the world's religions, has come to inaugurate a new age of peace and justice for the entire human race.

Edward Granville Browne, a prominent scholar from Cambridge University, was granted an audience with Bahá’u’lláh near Acre, Palestine, in 1890, two years before Bahá’u’lláh's passing, and recounted the meeting this way:

"The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow.... No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!"

Bahá’u’lláh passed away in the early morning of May 29, 1892, at the age of 75.

Bahá’í historian H.M. Balyuzi later wrote: "Many there were who came to mourn Him. They did not bear allegiance to Him, they could not see in Him the Redeemer of Mankind, yet they knew that a great Being had gone from their midst.

"They were from diverse backgrounds and sects and faiths and nations - officials and leading figures and priests, learned men and poets and men of letters, rich and poor, Druses, Sunni and Shi'ih Muslims, Christians of diverse denominations, and Jews. From other cities renowned in the history of the world, such as Damascus and Aleppo and Cairo, they sent their eulogies and poems and panegyrics and tributes.

"And Bahá’u’lláh, at the time of His ascension, was still a prisoner of the Turkish government."

Bahá’u’lláh was laid to rest in the northernmost room of a house adjacent to where He had been living outside of Acre. The shrine is the holiest place in the world for Bahá’ís - the point to which they turn in prayer and visit on pilgrimage.

- Bahá’í World News Service (http://news.bahai.org/story/549)

Here are some photos of our visit to the Mansion of Bahji this evening:

The Mansion

Papa and Enna-Marie posing at the entrance

pathway to the stairs

family photo after the visit...

Enna-Marie's cute pose...

...and another one...

and here is mama's favorite smile/pose!

group photo with the Ishikawa family

Visits of some Filipino and Dutch friends

We met with some Dutch friends who were here for pilgrimage few weeks ago

Kuya Fred Ramirez is in town visiting family with his two grandsons Nhicco and Khalil

Dinner at home with the Ramirez family

A group of Dutch friends are also here for three day visits

Nasser and Yolande Milani, Greet and Ruurd Hoekstra, and Ellen and Bert Kersten

Nasser, Yolande, Greet and Ellen

Enna-Marie with Nasser and Yolande, they are the opa and oma of cousins Nadim and Minou

clapping hands with opa and oma

Sunday, May 27, 2007

May birthday celebrants

Happy Birthday to Lolo Max, Tita Juvy and Auntie Farah on the 29th.

Also belated happy birthday to Sophia, Tita Rhea, Oom Jorrit, Aliyah and Auntie Evelin...

With much love,
Enna-Marie, mama and papa

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

More photos with the Villas...

Villa family visiting the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in Bahji

Dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Grossmann at Nica & Francis' place

Marriage class reunion at home (without May & Martijn who are presently out of the country; & Aliyah who is in the pre-school)

reunion with the three cuties: Enna-Marie, Shiori & Rocco

wiggling their fingers

clapping their hands together

another group photo (Sobhanis, Huecks, Schoots, Ishikawas & Villas). Negeen & Victor are expecting their 2nd child.

playing "auto" or "ca-car" in the balcony

climbing on the box

the Schoots with the Villas taken at their last night of stay

Enna-Marie wanting to give a goodbye kiss to Rocco

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Evelin, Santana and Rocco are visiting...

Our dear friends Evelin and Santana and their son Rocco are visiting the Holy Land. We are happy to see them again after they left the World Centre last year and went to Evelin's homeland Estonia.

Here are some pictures of Rocco and Enna-Marie playing and enjoying their time with each other...

Monday, May 14, 2007

My sweet baby...

Today when I put Enna-Marie to sleep for her afternoon nap, I heard the sweetest voice. Usually I nurse her first and then I put her down on her crib just when her eyes are closing. After few minutes of crying, she started to play (usually she sleeps right away after some objections). I heard her talking to herself in her sweetest, soft voice, saying: "Mamay, mamay, mamay...", then afterwards I heard some kisses sounds: "mwaah, mwaah, mwaah...". She repeated this few more times. After 20 minutes of talking and playing, she then managed to sleep and woke up after 1 hour and 45 minutes. I gave her a big hug and kissed her many times in response to her gestures. Isn't she the sweetest girl??? Oh I just love her...more...and more... and more!!!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Visit at the beach...

We got up pretty early on Friday morning to visit Camel beach and brought Enna-Marie, Arnold and our preggy friend Canan. Enna-Marie liked so much the waves of the water as she constantly points to them. She saw lots of birds too. The last time we brought her here was when she was few months old. It was nice to see her walking, talking and just enjoying herself. We stayed for almost two hours, then we dropped our friends to their birthing class and met again our former teacher who was happy to see us especially our daughter.

So excited walking, wearing cousin Minou's shoes (and shirt too)!

having breakfast in one of the restaurants there

Papa brought her to the water to see if she will like it there...

water was cold and so papa carried her...

another try...

with this face, she seems not ready yet to be in the water

preggy Canan with Arnold

Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers perhaps have one of the most demanding jobs in the world. They are on-call 24/7, in a line of work that hardly permits vacation, resignation, or retirement. There is no school for motherhood. All awards and diplomas become meaningless in the face of a child crying desolately, either over a broken toy or a broken heart. Yes motherhood is a field that a lifetime of schooling can never prepare you for, and you just have to rely on your guts, instinct, and the love you have for your child. This love is your inspiration that keeps you going in the darkness of uncertainty. A newborn child who had only a few moments in this world can already feel his/her mother's love. I am glad that I got this privilege of nurturing my own child. I hope I will be able to do this job until I am old...one year and five months of being a mother is indeed a great and beautiful experience.

Today is a day to pay tribute to all the mothers. This is the day to visit our moms, spend time with them, hold their hands and tell them we love them. Since both our moms are so far away, we want to especially greet them here in our blog: Happy Mother's Day Mama Ineke and Mommy Ping...we love you soo very much!!!

Here are pictures of Mama Ineke in her younger years...Will post Mommy Ping's photos later.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Visit to Tando play center...

Tando is a baby/child play center located in Veradiya area here in Haifa. I brought Enna-Marie here yesterday for the first time and quite impressed with the place, complete with all sorts of toys arranged in different sections. Enna-Marie enjoyed playing for an hour and was happy to see Layla and Ruben who happened to be there with Layla's mom Katharine. Although she was shy at first exploring the play area and was satisfied holding a toy cellphone with her, she went ahead checking other toys as well afterwards. I took lots of pictures...so enjoy!