YEETOPIA

At our wedding reception, I danced with my father to the song, “Because You Loved Me”.   In addition to our dance, I had the words to the song framed as a gift for each of my parents.  I know that the song was originally written as a love song for a movie soundtrack, but the lyrics have always made me think of my parents when I heard them –“I’m everything I am, because you loved me”.  But you know what?  I heard that song on the radio today, and while I listened to it I realized that the meaning for me has now changed.  As I listened, I thought about my own children and wondered, if they heard this song as an adult, would it make them think of their dad and me?  Would they hear the song and remember how much they were loved by their parents while growing up?  So now, instead of the lyrics evoking memories of my own nurturing and supportive parents, I see the lyrics as an instruction manual; a checklist of all the ways I need to nurture and support my own children.  Maybe I need to have my own framed copy of the lyrics – just so I can read them occasionally and make sure I’m on the right track.

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right

For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I’ll be forever thankful, baby

You’re the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You’re the one who saw me through
Through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ’cause you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me, ooh, baby

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach

You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love, I had it all
I’m grateful for each day you gave me

Maybe, I don’t know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because
I was loved by you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ’cause you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me

You were always there for me, the tender wind that carried me
The light in the dark shining your love into my life
You’ve been my inspiration through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ’cause you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ’cause you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me

I’m everything I am
Because you loved me

Today the Yee Family participated in the Walnut Valley Unified School District’s 5K/1K Run/Walk.  The event was scheduled to celebrate the District’s 40^th Birthday, but it is also going to be an important fundraiser, since our district has been subjected to some serious budget cuts due to the State’s financial crisis. 

It was really a great day.  It was amazing to see how many members of the Community came out to participate.   Thousands of students, teachers, parents, and other Community members took to the streets of Diamond Bar in support of our schools.  I walked the 5K, and Michael and the kids participated in the 1K.  Brandon ran almost the entire distance… he really gave it his all.  I was so proud of him.  And he was proud of himself… he was just beaming as he crossed the finish line.  Emily and her Daddy were the final participants to cross the finish line.  Em was dawdling a bit, and giving her signature evil eye to all the shirtless, purple and gold body painted high school guys who were trying to motivate her and cheer her on.  I was standing at the finish line, cheering for her and waving my arms.  I could tell the moment she heard me.  Her face lit up, and she starting running… full out, toward me.  It was adorable.  She ran straight into my arms.  I scooped her up and swung her around.  Both kids did fantastic, and I hope we can make the event an annual tradition!

So the other night Emily and asked me to tell her a story.  And so I began…

Me:  “Once upon a time, there was a princess named Emily.  And she loved… flowers!”

Emily: “No, no, no!!!  Necklaces and jewelry and rings!!!” 

Oh man, are we in trouble!

Today we welcome in a new year, and take a look back over the year we leave behind.  Since I never did get around to sending out Christmas Cards this year, I created a video to showcase some of the highlights of our 2009 instead.  I really love the idea of having this sort of family yearbook.  I think it may become an annual tradition. 

Hope you enjoy the video! 

We spent Christmas in Las Vegas again this year.  It was especially wonderful because Michael’s parents and all 4 siblings were there together along with their families.  It was so fun to watch all the cousins playing together – even more so now that Taylor and Mason are old enough to join in the revelry.  On Christmas Eve, we baked cookies for Santa, then braved the cold outside to spread Reindeer Dust in the front yard so Santa would be sure to find the house.  In case you’re wondering, Reindeer Dust is a mixture of glitter (to sparkle in the light) and oats (which the reindeer will smell).  It is a trick we learned from one of our favorite preschool teachers, and let me tell you… it really works!  When the kids woke up on Christmas morning, the living room was full of gifts from Santa Claus! 

It was a great holiday, full of fun, and love, and laughter with family.  Hope you all had a wonderful day as well!  Here are a few of our favorite photos to share…

We had a great time today making some yummy treats for our feathered friends.  First we made long strings of popcorn and fresh cranberries.  It took a while because the kids were eating nearly as much as they were stringing!  Then we made birdfeeders by coating pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed.  

We hung these feeders in the trees in our backyard, then watched as the birds came to enjoy the gifts we created for them.  In this holiday season, when the focus is too often on what we are getting, it was really nice to see the kids so enjoy the act of giving. 

Today is Brandon’s 6^th birthday.   I can’t believe how fast these 6 years have gone.  These days, Brandon is looking like a boy, not a baby.  Yesterday we celebrated with his friends at his Rock n’ Roll themed birthday party.  It was a great time.  We love you, big guy!

The last couple of days have been nothing short of crazy… but it was worth it!  Both kids had their Thanksgiving Feasts at school, and they were a load of fun.  At the preschool, Emily got a kick out of dressing up as an Indian while chowing down on the plateful of yummy grub in front of her.  She was already on her second serving of turkey when I arrived at the Feast, and she didn’t stop until she was full to the brim with pumpkin pie. 

Brandon‘s Thanksgiving Feast was held the following day.  The Kindergartners dressed as Pilgrims and Indians and spent the morning in the “Friendship Village” they had created inside their classroom.  Ms. Warren was dressed as a traditional Indian squaw, and a CD of Indian flute music was played.  There was a teepee where the kids could help make butter and grind corn, examine arrowheads and some Indian items made of real animal skins, and give themselves an Indian name.  Brandon called himself “Soaring Eagle”.  There were also areas where the kids could do weaving, sort nuts, or listen to an Indian Thanksgiving story.  Later, everyone moved outside for the Feast.  After reciting a traditional Indian prayer, complete with hand signs, everyone dug into the food we had prepared.  It was fantastic, and the kids had a great time.  I swear, I do not remember having this much fun in Kindergarten!

But the best part is that along with all the knowledge of the First Thanksgiving, the kids in the Kindergarten class talked a lot this month about “being thankful.”  They had long conversations about how they had so much to be thankful for in their lives, and they practiced communicating those thanks to people around them.  So all month long I’ve been honored to hear Brandon tell me how thankful he is for all the things I do for him.  The other night he got really serious.  He took my face in his hands and told me, “Mommy, do you know what I’m thankful for?  Because you gave me something that was so good.  Better than anything I have in my room.  Better than all my TOYS!  You gave me life.  Thank you so much Mommy.”  This, from a 5 year old.  I was speechless.  And very, very thankful to be able to share such sweet moments with my son.

Today Michael and I have been married 13 years.  Brandon and Emily made us a card, with Brandon even drawing his rendition of our wedding portrait inside.  It was downright adorable!  Tonight Papa and Nonnie are coming over to watch the kids while we try to revive our Anniversary tradition of dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.  We’re one of those couples who pretty much never go anywhere without the kids, so this will be a very special treat for us!  Just think of it… grown up food, grown up drinks, grown up conversation… and we don’t have to drive there in a minivan!  Woo hoo! 

But seriously, I am mostly looking forward to spending some quality time with my husband.  I couldn’t have made a better choice with whom to say, “I do.”  I love you, Michael.  Here’s to the next 13 years!

Guess our worries about the Tooth Fairy’s schedule were unfounded… Brandon decided he didn’t want to give her his tooth.  He said it was his first tooth, that it was special, and that he wasn’t giving it to her.  And yes, he knew he was turning down the cash, but he didn’t care.  Our funny little boy… he never ceases to surprise me!