Yama Mama, The beginning of an amazing family
I am originally from Oklahoma and lived there until age 20. I grew up with two older brothers, Doug and Cory. My parents, Travis and Patricia, were in
the medical industry and an English teacher, respectively.
My parents’ parenting style definitely has an influence on my parenting style. My father was very strict yet also funny. He would watch silly movies with me and
listen to my jokes over and over and over (knock! knock!). He was the parent who took me to get a banana split before we went to the park to feed the ducks where
he then told me that I would soon be turning into a young lady and would be starting my menstruation. He went on to explain what a wonderful gift it was and nothing
to be feared or regretted. My mother was my stimulator. She questioned me, demanded from me, inspired me, pushed me and adored me. She would tell me I needed
to learn something and once I had completed my research, I would show her my results, only to have her play the devil’s advocate and push me in the opposite
direction. As a result of my parents, I am strict yet I joke with my kids a lot and I push them to know more, question more, accept more, accept better, demand
more, demand better, never settle.
My father lived in Japan prior to marrying my mother. He spoke of Japan and it’s people, art, culture, and food to me. He and I would sing Japanese songs,
speak in Japanese, and read about Japan together.
I met Billy in 1985 at a hair salon he co-owned. I thought he was beautiful. I asked him his ethnicity and he responded, “Japanese/Portuguese.” Game on! I asked him out that
night and we dated for five years from that night on. We married in 1990 in Santa Barbara and left the next day for a one month honeymoon to Australia/New Zealand/Tahiti.
Billy and I are great friends. We have a mutual respect and love for one another
that is perfect for us. We are both so independent and in need of alone time, that we respect that fully in the other. Our love of life and desire to learn more about
this journey is a key connector for us, as is our immense love for our children.
Our daughter, Seiji, is 8 1/2 years old. Seiji is absolutely beautiful, with her thick dark brown hair, smiling brown eyes, gorgeous skin and engaging smile. Seiji
has no idea of her beauty. She’s nurturing, concerned, and genuinely sweet. She’s also competitive, determined, sporty and sassy. Her wit and insight are her
secrets. After having a bad day last year, Seiji came home and announced that she was going to go upstairs and take a bath. “I need to wash this day off
of me, Mom. I don’t want the energy here in the house.” Not bad for a seven year old.
Our son, Nobu, is 6. Nobu is extremely tall, destined to be around 6′7″. He has amazing doe eyes, a charming smile, the cutest dimple, pretty skin and is
just so gorgeous. He’s a natural athlete who excels at basketball. Nobu is always happy (unless hungry).
He wakes up smiling, full of energy and questions. “Momma? Momma? Why does Mr. Sandman come when I’m sleeping? I want to see him!”
Billy and I consider one of life’s treasures to be our children and their relationship with one another. Seiji and Nobu truly love one another and get
along great. They are independent, intelligent, accepting, inquisitive, loving, respectful, sweet children - with each other, their families, friends, teachers,
community.
Billy and I teach the ancient art of Feng Shui. Billy relates it to the beauty industry and I teach it in terms of one’s life. We have travelled around the
world teaching Feng Shui and have always taken the children with us. Our children have been exposed to poverty in Africa, to different religions,
to different languages, foods, cultures, views on life. On a few occasions, an audience member would tell Billy and/or me that he/she believes Feng Shui
to be a cult, something to be feared. The children have witnessed both Billy and me explain that it is a science that once practiced becomes an art.
If you are faith-based, then the concept of studying and respecting energy as it comes from our earth should make sense. As a result of our consistency
in living our lives with respect, I truly believe that Billy and I are raising responsible citizens for our earth, for their communities, their friends and
future families.
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When I sat down to share my thoughts and insights about what it means to be a valuable mother to my children, I really had to look hard at myself for sometime. I began with the usual rigmarole regarding kindness, respect, empathy and I had to stop myself. Do I always portray an image of kindness ? Am I respectful as I carry on with the minutia of my day ? Am I empathetic when I am rushing to get my 10 year old to finish his homework during breakfast while listening to my 8 year old daughters bout with mean girl drama, all the while trying desperately 
Long ago, people realized that there is strength in numbers. For hundreds of years, we have been joining forces against all kinds of calamities — including financial troubles. 
Explore a life of living and learning with us; The Ellens