“...you're basically

destroying

my childhood.”

...Ouch. So it took months of hard work to move two young half-Korean girls from the city and all their friends, to our vineyard in the country with Grandma and Grandpa.

We started the girls at the little neighborhood school a few days after we arrived. The girls were in an amazing performing arts magnet program in LA, which was at a Korean immersion elementary school in Glendale. There, they were just two of many mixed Korean American kids and there were 7 classes per grade. Now their school has just 1 or 2 which was a huge adjustment.

Fast forward 6 months. The girls are still the only Korean kids at their school—but they now they like it! My 9 year old’s teacher told me that she'd just helped all the kids in class write their Korean names on their desks. I was so proud!

The girls joined the track and volleyball teams and a few social clubs at school. They really look forward to trips to the library, which they really enjoy out here. So, I think it’s safe to say that they've settled in. Now, they get up early before school so they can ride their bikes and play in the stream. They check the stream for changes EVERY day, which is something I remember doing that at their age too.

It’s fun to take the girls up to Placerville to the candy store, then pop into the Royal Six tattoo shop to see their dad Pat as he's working. They also love baking cinnamon rolls with Grandma, which is a special treat.

We miss our friends and family in LA—I don’t take the people in our lives for granted. I know how long it takes to build relationships that mean something. But I'll try my best to keep the bonds strong so we can move through the future together. FaceTime calls and the occasional visits are essential!

My little one just asked if we could move back to LA again today, so we're not out of the woods yet...but I think they're seeing how a more relaxed life with lots of nature is going to be OK.