I saw this YouTube clip from Jeannie’s xanga – thanks so much for sharing this!  Her site has another one with a baby panda that’s cute too.  It totally made my weekend.  If you watch it, be sure to watch the entire thing.  (Alice, it’s so cute you might start crying…) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno

Today Imanuel had his 12 month well-baby doctor’s visit.  It was pretty bad.  I’m not going to lie.  He had to get blood work done for lead poisoning (prick on finger to draw blood – it’s a standard test for 12 month check-up), and then he had 4 vaccine shots into his poor, chunky thighs.  He was not a happy camper.  I felt bad for his doctor.  She’s one of our church members, which is super-nice since she doesn’t think we’re crazy for raising our baby vegan.  But I think she felt really bad for the baby.  Anyway, Imanuel got weighed and measured and we were quite pleased that he isn’t as huge as we thought he was.  He is 30 inches long which puts him in the 55th percentile and he weighs 23.6lbs – 70th percentile.  His head circumference is the 55th percentile too. 

Well, after the doctor’s appointment, the baby fell asleep in the car so Israel thought it would be a good idea to drop by the store to kill some time.  We ended coming home with a couple new toys for Israel and Imanuel and lots of food for brunch.  We got a grill for Israel and a little walker truck for Imanuel. 

Israel had been wanting a grill for some time because for those of you who don’t know, Israel LOVES to cook.  It’s actually been such a blessing, because cooking has become one of his passions, so he cooks for me and our guests all the time.  His favorite TV channel (when has time to watch) is Food Network.  At first I thought his TV watching was a waste of time, but Israel actually experiments and tries to cook things he’s learned (modifying things to make them vegetarian/vegan, of course).  For those of you who’ve eaten his food, you know that he’s actually a great cook (-except for Yumi, remember a long time ago – his Asian salad with rice in it?  That was bad!)  He’s gotten a lot better over the years.    Anyway, his favorite chef is Bobby Flay, and for those of you who know who he is, Bobby grills.  So, Israel really insisted that we get a grill because he was sure he’d use it all the time.  After eating today’s brunch, I think it just may have been a great investment.  It was really good…
As for Imanuel’s toy, I just hope he uses and learns how to walk soon!

PS:  The snow is almost all melted!!

Israel’s new grill

On today’s menu was grilled quesadillas and a big grilled sandwich.  Dessert was grilled peaches topped with vanilla soy yogurt. 

Ingredients for the sandwich included: vegan cheese, tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, red bell peppers, red onions, squash, avocados, and some veggie-meat (all grilled) and some herbs & seasonings.

He made his own salsa for the quesadillas using tomatillos, avocados, poblano peppers, vegan sour cream, and some seasonings.  It was very good.

The grilled sandwich on rosemary & olive oil flatbread.

Imanuel walking his new truck

Thanks, Israel for the great meal today, and for all of the great meals you’ve “thrown” together for me in the past!

We just did this – (clicked one one of the “click here”s that is)-  and it only does takes a minute.  Read below the selected portions of the letter below and I’m sure you’ll be inspired to do the same!

*********************************************************************

Dear
Friends of Freedom:

I
am writing with excellent news – the Workplace Religious Freedom Act
has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This vital bill is
necessary to stop the abuse of people of faith in the workplace.

Your Voice

This
is an excellent opportunity for each of us to raise our voice for religious
liberty by urging our representatives to support this bill.  CLICK HERE to send a letter supporting the Workplace
Religious Freedom Act now.

What is the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, and Why
Should I Care?

An
increasing number of Sabbath keepers and other people of faith are finding
employers intolerant of religious practices. This isn’t just a hunch,
it is a fact. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,
the number of claims involving religious discrimination rose 83% between 1992
and 2006. That is a HUGE increase. Behind the statistics are very real men
and women put in the dreadful position of having to choose between their
faith and their job – people like Mary, a Seventh-day Adventist women who
wrote to me not so long ago.

Mary asked
to leave work a little earlier on Friday evenings during the winter in order
to keep the Sabbath. For reasons he never explained, her employer refused.
Caught between obeying man or obeying God, Mary  made the only
decision a true Christian can make. But when she returned to work on Monday,
her boss fired her on the spot. She struggled to find work quickly because of
her financial commitments to her family, but although she found work as a
substitute teacher, it wasn’t enough to stay ahead of the bills. Soon
she lost her home.  Mary wrote to me from a friend’s
home where she and her son were sleeping on the living room floor.

When
I get a letter like this it goes straight to my heart. How can this happen in
America? 
How can it happen today? But it is, and currently the law is so weak that
employers who demean, demote and fire faithful men and women can do so with
little worry about any consequence.

This
has to change. The Workplace Religious Freedom Act puts some teeth in our
anti-discrimination laws, and provides an incentive for even the most bigoted
employers to sit down and work out sensible ways to accommodate the sincerely
held faith of employees.

This is our chance to make a stand for liberty of
conscience. Send a letter to your elected representatives by CLICKING HERE. It only takes a minute, and your voice
makes all the difference.

Will My Letter Make Any Difference?

Believe it or not, there are still few things as
influential on Capitol Hill as simple letters from every day people. The best
is a letter in your own words, but second best is a pre-written letter. But
any letter is much better than no letter. By CLICKING HERE, you can send a pre-written letter in about
a minute or you can substitute it with your own letter. Either way, no one
else can do what you can.

How Can I Get Others Involved?

Please
send this e-mail to your family, your friends, your fellow church members. We
need “all hands on deck” to get this vital piece of legislation
passed. Let’s do all we can – to write letters and to encourage
our family, friends and fellow church members to do the same, and let’s
uphold to God this critical effort.

Conclusion

I
have been working on this bill for five years now. That is a significant
portion of my working life. And yet, to date, this bill has failed to become
law. 

All of us need to do our part to uphold our
faithful men and women by raising your voice to your members
of Congress. CLICK HERE and make your stand for religious
liberty! 

May
God bless you,
James Standish

It’s been a while since I posted on how Imanuel’s been doing (as far as growth and development).  My friends keep asking me if he’s walking yet.  Trust me, if he was, the whole world would know.  That’s been the biggest challenge for now…

The exciting news is that Imanuel has really taken a liking to signing.  It all started way back, when he learned how to open and close his fists (by imitation).  Then, we decided to attach meaning to that, so Imanuel learned that to be “come please”.  He used to start crying when he wanted us to come get him from his crib or playard, but once he learned that if he did that sign, we would come, he started doing that instead of crying.  Then, we noticed that Imanuel was starting to get very impatient with the pace of food going into his mouth.  This was a few months back when I wasn’t giving him as much finger food.  So, we taught him the sign for “more”.  Then he learned that if he wants more food, all he has to do is sign it.  He also knows that if he cries, he doesn’t get more food. 

I remember when I was pregnant, reading about the hype of “baby sign”.  At first I thought I wanted to do it all the way, more or less as an experiment.  Then, I read that baby sign could delay a child’s verbal speaking.  Then, I thought that maybe I could keep up with his signs so Imanuel would grow up and ASL could be his second (or third, or fourth) language!  Then, I realized that I don’t have the time & energy to teach him.  Anyhow, I think I’ve found a happy medium.  I’ve decided to only teach Imanuel signs that help him communicate things he wants/needs replacing crying/screaming to get his way.  I also want him to learn polite words to help him learn proper manners.  It’s really been a hit.  I think he just loves the novelty of signing as a form of communication.  It has also amazing relieved a lot of frustration on his end. 

Here are the words he knows in the order he learned them:
– come
– more
– hi/bye
– give to me
– food/eat (it’s the same sign)
– thank you
– all done
– please

Currently, I’m trying to teach him:
– drink
– sleep/sleepy
– I’m sorry (because he’s taken a liking to pulling out Aroe’s fur AND occassionaly hitting Bentley- for fun)
– and something for messy diaper

We made up a couple of the signs (simplified for baby), but for the rest of the words, Imanuel actually learned the words in ASL (American Sign Language).  We didn’t buy a “baby sign” kit.  I use this great website in case I don’t know how to sign the word: 
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/Sites/aslweb/browser.htm

It’s been really amazing to see him eventually initiate communication using his new “language”.  If he gets hungry, he’ll look at one of us and sign “eat” and “more”.   Or most recently, if he’ll be playing and if he needs help, he’ll do the sign for “please” and “more”.  “More” basically goes in every sentence.  Whereas, “thank you” and “please” are the ones I need to remind him the most to say.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

Over all, though, I’m really understanding the challenge of making sure there is “harmonious development of every faculty”- mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual – in Imanuel’s young life.  It seems like along with the success of his signs, his temper starts flaming, or when he’s gotten over a sickness, he suddenly gets super-attached to me.  It’s a juggling act trying to build up every area, especially the weak points.  But, that’s our seemingly impossible job.  My only consolation is that God is able and willing to help us succeed.  As a parent, that means so much.  Well, I’m going to end here.  Good night.         

This year’s C.A.M.P.U.S. missionaries – Jose, Sikhu, Esther, Valmy, Hanna, Louise, and Nasi – and Justin, the program director came up to our place after the winter retreat at Camp Au Sable.  Israel taught them a class for the week.  Our house was PACKED to say the least.  Jose and Valmy stayed in our guest room, Jen and I stayed in our room, (yes, Jen was there as a result of the most ridiculous thing Israel’s ever done in his whole life and never ever will do again…), Imanuel got to stay in his room by himself , Justin K. and Israel stayed in the living room, and the rest of the girls stayed in the basement and guest room in the basement.  A total of 12 people, 1 dog, 2 cats, and our fish.  It really was a lot of fun!  Jen, Justin, the baby and  I left on Wednesday morning, so I can’t really speak on the rest of the week, but for the time I was there, it was great.   Israel taught the class in the basement every morning and afternoon and for the rest of the time, we did some “team-building” activities such as building an official snow shelter, making pasties (they’ve become honorary yoopers), going shopping at Walmart, and preparing and participating in “Iron Chef” competitions during the week, and sledding. 

(IR is writing now)

Part of the course dealt with integrating public campus ministry into the local church.  The missionaries did a great job at helping our churches out.  We started our prayer meeting service at the L’Anse church, hosted a dinner for Greenland and L’Anse, and had the Church services.

Valmy and Jose were the preachers.  Sikhu, Louise, and Hana did Sabbath School.  The rest also helped out.

On Saturday night, there was a surprise “party” for me.  It was a couple of days before my b-day so I was actually surprised!  Louise cooked some of my favorite Korean food and my favorite dessert: cheesecake!  Alanna rented a snowmobile for me (I think others participated in that too…thanks guys!)
 

The road to the shelters.  Props to Valmy who actually worked on them till the task was finished!  (Everyone else stopped!)

This is our North Face advertisment…”Never stop exploring”

Nasi is the architect, Jose is experiencing the affects of a womanistic society.

Jose got mad and reversed the roles.  We’re still wondering if Hana can see with the hat covering her eyes.

No commentoes

Since they didn’t finish, Valmy, Pastor Ilko from Marquette, and I went to finish them up (We’re covering up the entrance to keep the heat in).  Why is Jen there?  She came at the end for the pic, I guess.
(Although she was part of the first shelter team: Jen, Joey (boyscout from Houghton church), and Ironman…I mean Israel)

The original shelter…more than six feet tall.

Justin trying to get in
If you put a candle and a couple of people, the inside temp can get up to 70

Valmy looking at his work well done

Hana about to feed Manu

Iron Chefs Nasi and Jose (beat Iron Chef Justin and Sikhu)

Rice was the secret ingredient–(from left around the circle: Rice stuffed tomatoes, Rice flour tempura veggies, Rice balls, Brown rice, Rice stuffed Cabbage, Rice I don’t know what, more Rice I don’t know what, and sweet sticky rice with mango.)

Judges: Valmy, Moo-Moo, and guest star Pastor Ilko

Iron Chef Battle TOFU (sponsored by Meijer Clear Plastic Food Wrap)

Judges: Judge Judy, Justin Kim, Nasi, IR is the chairman

Iron Chef spectators watching the judges taste the food

And now it’s just us.

IR celebrating b-day gift snowmobiling with Daniel Mendez (Photo by Daniel Mendez) <—Have to put that down to avoid legal charges from these photographers

I just read from Al’s xanga that there has been a major pet food recall!

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/

Here’s the story: 
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/17/petfood.recall.ap/index.html

I’m somewhat relieved because although we give our pets (cats & dog) Iams AND we do purchase them at Walmart, we only give them dry food.  The recall is on cans & pouches of wet food.  Please take note pet owners!  It can be fatal!  (Maybe all those rumors about Proctor & Gamble ARE true…)

This week, I’ve been reading the book Child Guidance where the author, Ellen White, talks about teaching children reverence for the things of God.  It’s been very convicting because I realize that in order for me to teach Imanuel how to be reverent, I have to be reverent.  There are several things that she mentions we should teach our children to reverence – God’s name, God’s Word, God’s day – but the two that struck me the most were:
1.  God’s ministers (and I doubt this excludes if you’re married to one) and
2.  God’s house (or any physical building/room where He is worshipped)

1.  “They [children] are seldom instructed that the minister is God’s ambassador, that the message he brings is one of God’s appointed agencies in the salvation of souls, and that to all who have the privilege brought within their reach, it will be a savor of life unto life or of death unto death.”
“Parents, be careful what example and what ideas you give your children….  In regard to the service of the sanctuary, if the speaker has a blemish, be afraid to mention it.  Talk only of the good work he is doing, of the good ideas he presented, which you should heed as coming through God’s agent.  It may be readily seen why children are so little impressed with the ministry of the Word, and why they have so little reverence for the house of God.”

2.  “Parents, elevate the standard of Christianity in the minds of your children;  …teach them to have the highest reverence for the house of God and to understand that when they enter the Lord’s house, it should be with hearts that are softened and subdued by such thoughts as these: “God is here; this is His house.  I must have pure thoughts and the holiest motives.  I must have no pride, envy, jealousy, evil surmising, hatred, or deception in my heart; for I am coming into the presence of the holy God.  This is the place where God meets with and blesses His people.  The high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity looks upon me, searches my heart, and reads the most secret thoughts and acts of my life.”

I pray that this will be my experience starting from tomorrow’s worship service – that I will give God the highest reverence for His appointed ministers, for His house, and teach my children to do the same.

   
[Thanks, Daniel for the pics!]

Imanuel had a small birthday party with his little friends in Ann Arbor before we drove up back home.  Israel was in Lansing for a New in Ministry meeting, but he and Uncle David drove over for the evening.  It was quite last-minute, but we decided it would be nice for Imanuel to spend SOME time with his buddies since any chance he gets to play with kids his age is rare.  (We also wanted to see his buddies’ parents too!)  We had the get-together at the Mendezes’ house.  Grandma and Grandpa Namm sponsored this get-together by helping prepare the food and buying everything needed for the party.  Thank you!  The theme was Korean-Mexican with Qdoba burritos, chips & salsa, kim-bop, mandoo, fresh fruit, and cake!  It was yummy…

Imanuel’s Grandpa made the sign with his name!  It’s so special that we’re planning on using it for his birthdays to come. 

the birthday boy ready to eat!

— his friends from birth–

Juan, 20 months

Judy, 4 years

Justine, 15 months

AND, “Israelita” (as Israel likes to call her), -7 months…she’s still baking in Kerri’s oven.

Uncle Justin agreed to help with security and decorations.  He got Uncle John to help him after bribbing him with the free food.  Thank you for coming guys!  We’re glad you didn’t have to break up any fights.

His birthday “cake”!  vegan strawberry cupcakes

Uncle Daniel practicing for the near future…

Kleinsters, us, and Juan (our host)

a head elder and two pastors 

Juan “laying hands” on Imanuel.  They’re playing church. 

— at home (in Novi) —

Snoop,
my parents’ cat (that used to be my sister’s cat).  He ate one of
Imanuel’s friends (a bunny rabbit) while we were at home.  That just
happens to be Imanuel’s favorite song too -“…Hop, Hop, Hop, Goes the
Bunny Rabbit…”.  He loves dancing to it.

My parents bought Imanuel a fancy little potty seat for his birthday.  My dad made the potty seat so fun that Imanuel actually loves sitting on it!

He claps and laughs every time he sits on it.  (He still does now!)  They also took hours to design and sew a potty seat cover so it wouldn’t be so hard when Imanuel sits on it bare-bottom.  Imanuel says, “Thank you!  I can’t wait to be potty-trained!”  (Okay, maybe we put those words in his mouth…)

This vacation Imanuel got to spend so much time with both sets of grandparents.  What a blessing!

We just got home this past Thursday after coming back from Mexico for a week and then spending a few days at my parents’ while Israel had New in Ministry meetings in Lansing.  We went on a vacation with Israel’s parents to Cancun from Israel’s birthday (Feb. 26) until the day after Imanuel’s birthday (Mar. 4).  (We didn’t have Internet or phone access so we weren’t able to wish Kelly a happy birthday on the 2nd!)  It was the first vacation (not including visiting family/friends) that we had taken as a family and it was our first international one too.  A new law was passed stating that from January 2007, babies would need to have a passport to travel internationally (-Thanks, Melinda for the tip!!!) so thankfully we got Imanuel his passport on time so we could actually go!  The weather was beautiful, the view was breath-taking, and the time spent was very relaxing…except for when Imanuel got sick.  It’s a long story, so I won’t go into any more details.  The food there was great.  Fruit there was particularly delicious.  It was a nice time…but we are also very glad to be home.  We’re realizing that when you have a baby, there’s no place like home! 

Anyhow, here are some pics from our memorable trip.  The best part was that Imanuel was able to spend so much time with “La La” (Abuela), and “Ito” (Abuelito)!

the view of the ocean from our hotel balcony

no comment

hanging out with Abuelo

walking along the beach

taking a swim in the swimming pool!  IA’s first!

Imanuel loved splashing in the water the most.

— Our Trip to Tulum & Xel-Ha —

Mayan Ruins (and can you spot the camouflaged iguana?)

Iguanas were all over Cancun!

getting Sabbath rest at the beach

eating yummy mangoes!  another IA first and he loved them!

Abuelo shaved his mustache just so it wouldn’t scratch Imanuel’s face when he gave him kisses.  That was very sweet. 

— Imanuel’s Birthday! —

after one of many sunscreen applications…he’s ready to go swimming!

brunch at the poolside

right after he smeared his birthday flan

his first taste of flan!

and he did not like it!  he actually gagged.

taking a swim with Abuelo

a picture on the balcony

Ramos men in the hotel lobby

Imanuel’s Abuelo and Abuela!

“Thank you for making my birthday so memorable!”

Today is Imanuel’s first birthday!  He is one year old.  Wow, it is very hard to believe how quickly time can fly by.  Below we’ve posted a few sneak-peak pics of what we did to celebrate.  Can you guess where we are right now?    The full post will come soon.

It’s been a while since we’ve updated, but so many fun and exciting things have happened since winter carnival!  We want to blog our many adventures so hopefully within the next couple weeks, we will find time to do that.

Lots more to come from this past week…