Our family’s journey through immigration, reinvention, and building a new life in America.
This website documents our real-life journey navigating the long path toward U.S. permanent residency, immigrating from Aotearoa New Zealand to Las Vegas, and rebuilding life from the ground up in America.
What began as a family-based immigration petition in 2007 slowly evolved into one of the biggest transitions of our lives, eventually leading our family of seven to officially relocate to the United States of America in March 2025.
yNot was created as:
- a living record of that journey
- a reflective memoir-style blog series
- a practical resource for others navigating immigration or major life change
- and a space to honestly document what happens after arrival
Because immigration isn’t only paperwork and yNot…
It’s identity.
Adjustment.
Employment.
Schooling.
Finances.
Culture shifts.
Relationships.
And learning how to build stability again in a completely unfamiliar environment.
Why “yNot”?
The name yNot reflects a mindset that slowly developed over years of waiting, uncertainty, and eventually taking a leap into a completely new chapter of life.
After nearly two decades of immigration processing, the opportunity to finally move to America raised a question that felt both exciting and confronting:
y Not try?
Why not take the opportunity?
Why not start over?
Why not build something new?
This website exists as part memoir, part timeline, part resource, and part ongoing story.
What You’ll Find Here
The Green Card Series
A detailed blog series documenting:
- the immigration petition process
- waiting periods
- interviews
- medicals
- approvals
- and arriving in the United States
Living the Journey
Real-time updates about life after immigration:
- employment struggles
- schooling
- family milestones
- rebuilding financially
- adjusting emotionally
- and everyday life in Las Vegas
Resources
Practical products, tools, and organization systems that helped our family throughout:
- immigration preparation
- travel
- relocation
- schooling
- and rebuilding daily life
Some links on this website are affiliate links through the Amazon Associates program.
About the Names Used
To protect the privacy of our family and individuals connected to our story, some names and identifying details have been changed.
The main family members throughout this blog are represented using fictional character-inspired names:
- Storm – Mum
- Reed – Dad
- Benji – Son 1
- Kit – Son 2
- Logan – Son 3
- Miles – Son 4
- Rocket aka Rockie – Furbaby
While names have been adapted for privacy, the experiences, timelines, emotions, and events shared throughout this website are grounded in our real-life journey.
Our Hope For This Website
Our hope is that this space becomes:
- informative for those navigating immigration
- encouraging for those starting over
- relatable for families rebuilding life
- and honest about both the opportunities and challenges involved in major life transition
Because sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin quietly, long before we realize where they will eventually lead.