Hawaii was the beginning of resetting our lives after leaving the grind of Los Angeles, a season of healing where the islands themselves seemed to stitch us back together as a family. Part of that healing came from reconnecting with nature—long barefoot walks on the beach where we picked up trash as a small thank-you to the ocean, hikes that led us to hidden waterfalls reminding us that the best treasures are found off the beaten path, and magical swims alongside sea turtles that felt like being welcomed into the rhythm of island life. The more we immersed ourselves, the more we realized nature was both teacher and healer: showing us patience in the tides, strength in the mountains, and grace in every sunrise. We remembered what it felt like to be free spirits, even creating our own summer camp—“Camp Awesome Suarez”—filled with fun, creativity, and little adventures each day. The land gave us space to live an inspired life, to put family first, and to start becoming whole again. We also discovered the deeper meaning of Ohana—not just family by blood, but the circle of love, care, and connection—that became a lesson we’ll carry with us wherever life takes us. Hawaii showed us that healing can be playful, that laughter is true medicine, and that love—our love—was the greatest adventure waiting to be rediscovered.
England was the next chapter of our journey—a season of farm life and simple joys. Seer Green, tucked in the English countryside just a 30-minute train ride outside of London, became our home, where cows roamed the land and some neighbors even commuted by horse. We kept connecting with nature through walks in the enchanted forest behind our home, riding horses, and taking our husky on long countryside strolls. The village pub became a favorite stop for fish and chips as well as where James would go almost daily to begin writing his book Roxanne mastered sourdough bread, and the kids spent their days chasing chickens, playing soccer with the locals, and unleashed their creativity when we introduced spontaneous family dance parties. We also embraced world schooling, exploring landmarks like Big Ben and Stonehenge, wandering through London, Oxford, Bath, and Edinburgh, and even taking a train to Paris to climb the Eiffel Tower. England reminded us to slow down, to heal, and to keep deepening our relationships—with the world, with each other, and with ourselves. As the saying goes, Keep Calm and Carry On—but in England we learned not just to “carry on” but to carry on with love, family, and connection.
Melbourne was where play and possibility came alive. Our backyard became the center of joy with afternoons flying down the flying fox and bouncing on the trampoline, while weekends took us on bush walks, adventures to the local beaches, and explorations of the best playgrounds in town. We adjusted to the demands of homeschooling while embracing the easygoing Down Under “no worries” lifestyle. Roxanne discovered her love for pottery, Julian and James dusted off their gloves to practice baseball, and Stella found her voice in singing lessons. Together, we became best friends as a family—learning that the more time we spent creating, laughing, and growing together, the stronger our bond became. We also made our health a priority, committing to exercise and doing our best to choose natural, organic, whole foods—and we could feel the difference in our energy. We started shaping the life we had always dreamed of—while also planning the launch of our podcast and filming the very first episodes of our adventure. Melbourne taught us to play, to rest, and to trust the flow of life. It was here where we learned that when you surrender, you begin to experience a life beyond your wildest dreams.
Sydney was nothing short of magical, a city where surrender kept guiding us to exactly what we needed. That openness led us to the perfect house on Little Manly Beach, right beside a park where the kids could play daily. Our days were filled with play, learning, and growth—James and Julian catching their first waves together at iconic Manly Beach, Stella and Everly mastering new skills at a local gymnastics gym, and Roxanne deepening her creativity through pottery. As a family, we loved tree-surfing our way through challenging courses, including one high above the Taronga Zoo. Beyond the city, we explored the Great Ocean Road and its stunning Twelve Apostles, cuddled koalas, hopped with kangaroos, and soaked in the majesty of the Blue Mountains. Before leaving, we flew to Perth—the most remote city in the world—which surprised us by exceeding every expectation. Saying goodbye to Australia was bittersweet, but the love and wonder we found there will always stay with us.
Bali was unlike anywhere else—its energy invited us to tune in, and live more spiritually connected. We started with a week in Canggu, riding epic 100-yard waves, playing on the black sand beaches, and exploring ancient temples. Then we moved to Sanur, where the kids joined the Boundless Life program and we discovered a beautiful rhythm and space for us adults to rest, play, create, and grow. Together we hiked through rice fields, rode ATVs across the countryside, and as a family took part in a sacred water ceremony with a local priest. We deepened our connection to the spiritual world with daily offerings, meditation, sound baths, and even got to participate in a full moon ceremony—each moment reminding us that spirit flows through everything when you become present enough to feel it. Between massages that felt like heaven for a fraction of the cost, joyful afternoons at Ubud’s day clubs, and dodging kite strings or mopeds like a real-life game of Frogger, we made unforgettable memories. But more than that, Bali taught us to weave play with presence, laughter with ritual, and family life with spirit—a way of being that we’ll carry forward always.
Vietnam was a reminder that even the best-laid plans can change—and sometimes that’s where the magic begins. We delayed our trip to New Zealand by a month to spend it here, and we’re so grateful we did. Our home became the small fishing village of Lang Co, set on a golden sandy bay surrounded by lush green mountains. After the buzz of Bali, the peace and quiet felt like medicine. We stayed at the Banyan Tree, and it was nothing short of a five-star experience—our kids made friends with the staff, and we were treated with the kind of care that felt like family. The food was out of this world—so good that Roxanne took a local cooking class to bring some of the flavors home and keep our meals delicious long after we left. Meanwhile, Julian and James continued to practice baseball and added in archery almost every day, while Stella and Everly had endless fun at the kids club and sliding down the inflatable pool slide. Our worldschooling adventures took us bicycling through the countryside to make incense sticks and rice paper, into Hoi An to craft lanterns, and through the Marble Mountains to explore ancient caves. Yet what left the deepest mark wasn’t the beauty of the land, but the kindness of the people. In a country whose past holds scars, they reminded us that forgiveness is the key to moving forward with joy. Leaving was hard, but in Vietnam they don’t say goodbye—they say “until next time”—and we know there will be a next time.
Even after arriving to Auckland, we would still pinch ourselves as sometimes it felt like a dream. There may be no place on earth more breathtaking than New Zealand, where you can snowboard and surf on the very same day and watch four seasons roll by before lunch. We first came here on a scouting trip before Australia to see where in this stunning country we might call home. You’d think the decision would come down to the most beautiful beach or mountain view, but the truth was simpler—where’s the baseball? Queenstown stole our hearts, but since baseball doesn’t exist there, Auckland became our landing spot, and certainly nothing to complain about. Finding a home wasn’t easy—we had just three days left on our short-term rental when the perfect house opened up in Mahurangi, perched along the coast an hour north of Auckland in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. Life quickly found its rhythm again: the kids back into homeschooling, baseball, and gymnastics, while James and Roxanne balanced the flow of work, play, and the joy of the journey. Along the way we’ve begun learning from Māori traditions, which continue to guide our spiritual path. As the Māori say: “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata”—What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.