How to have a fun vacation (Florida edition)

there's nothing quite like a beautiful sunrise at the beach.

visit The Wyzarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando (and make sure you visit both Hogsmead and Diagon Alley. I'm not a big fan of the movies or of theme parks in general, but even I couldn't stop squealing the whole time).

experience the excitement of a live NBA game at Amway Center. hands-down the highlight of our trip.

freshly made cheddar bagels, Krispy Kreme donuts and Golden Grahams. what can I say? God bless America. 

try pickleball.

how to have a fun vacation (Iceland edition)

get soak wet at Skogafoss.

stand between two continents.

have soup for lunch, every day (our favorites were wild mushrooms and asparagus).

skip rocks in front of glaciers at Jokulsarlon.

take a dip in this tourist trap.

bonus: count sheep.

Oliver's trees

Oliver's trees are popping in places dear to my heart: at Iolanthe Alpaca Ranch in Sequim, WA, at Shepherds Schools in Arusha, Tanzania, and in Ivory Coast where this photo was taken. all places I have volunteered at or that our family has been supporting. next on our list: Nepal and Haiti.

one year

best birthday present ever

yesterday was sad and emotional and hard. thinking that on this day last year I turned 37 and had three living sons to celebrate with. so seeing this photo of students at Kopila Valley School holding prints of a photo collaboration project I've been working on for the past 6 months, it lit up my soul like a Christmas tree. 

thank you BlinkNow and Kopila Valley family. my life is immensely richer, and sweeter because of you.

learn more about our collaboration here.

you're 13!

I could go on and on about how funny, thoughtful, patient, and wonderfully different they are. but today I just want to remember that 13 years ago I gave birth to two beautiful baby boys, that they are now healthy (and oh-so-hormonal) teenagers, and how incredibly blessed I am to be able to say those two things.

Happy Birthday my crazy monkeys. I'm so proud and grateful to be your mom.

Oliver's first birthday wish

on May 20, 2014, our beautiful baby boy Oliver Yu-An passed away to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at age 15 weeks. Oliver was a precious gift who filled our hearts with so much love and joy, and we will forever miss him.

as his first birthday is approaching, and instead of the "doljanchi" (traditional Korean 1st birthday celebration) that we had planned for him, we would like to honor Oliver's memory and raise funds for BlinkNow Foundation's KOPILA VALLEY CHILDREN'S HOME AND SCHOOL in Surkhet, Nepal. we've been supporting and inspired by our dear friend Maggie Doyne since the day we first met in 2009, and although we ache for the day we can kiss Oliver's cheeks again, we cannot think of a happier, more meaningful way to celebrate his life.

we thank you all for your prayers and support during this most challenging time in our lives, and hope you'll join us.

to make a donation, click here.

how do you survive the holidays when there's a child missing?

how do you survive the holidays when there's a child missing? with the help of your framily. a beacon in the storm. my safety net. showering me with loving care. and taking the edge off that now familiar sting.

people often tell me that I'm so strong. but I am not, believe me. there are many hours spent under the covers after the boys have left for school. more hours contemplating dirty dishes, being angry, watching tv shows, crying in the shower, and ordering takeout food. the truth is, I am only as strong as the love and patience that my friends give me. and they're giving me plenty. and for that I am forever grateful.

fall(ing)

"I'm starting to understand how these two are not mutually exclusive. that I can be incredibly sad and still happy. not quite there yet, but I see now how these two can co-exist"

Maui, July 2014.