Re-Finalization Day!

Eighteen months ago we became the legal parents to Judah and Addise in Ethiopia's eyes. In November 2010 we went to an Ethiopian court to swear before a Judge that we would forever and always be Abebayehu and Tarike's parents and love as our own children.

Our first official family picture after Ethiopian court.

Yesterday, May 31, 2012, we re-finalized our adoption in the United States. If we could describe the experience in two words: momentous and anti-climactic. When Judah and Addise entered the U.S. they were legally our children and U.S. citizens. They have a social security number. But re-finalization was necessary for some reason beyond my understanding strictly in order for them to receive inheritance and get U.S. birth certificates with their legally changed names. Until this point, their legal names have been Abebayehu Brian Diaz and Tarike Brian Diaz. HA! Yesterday's superfluous court appearance (in my humble opinion) changed all that.

Why they required another thick stack of confusing paperwork for those reasons is really mind boggling. Why couldn't those two things be taken care of the first time around?!?! Brian's sure it's only to secure jobs for government workers. This process didn't cost us any money (phew) but it cost us hours of time.

Oh so patiently waiting outside the court room. Why they schedule court hearings during nap time (1:45pm was our appointment) and then make you wait for an hour is beyond me?!? Puffins, grapes, and occasional squawks from Asher kept them contained and mildly mannered.

Our family of five with the Honorable Judge Sherman and the California state seal behind us. The Judge was so wonderful with us - kind, warm, and VERY fast.
There were 6 families re-finalizing yesterday. I'd met the court clerk the week before where I told her we have 3 kids under 4 years old. She had mercy on us and put us as the #1 family to re-finalize yesterday. God bless her!!
**Seeing Asher in this picture is like a page from "Where's Waldo".

The after party. Our wild and crazy Ethiopians.
Asher was also passed out, but he's only 5 weeks old.

Though I'm not crazy about the pictures from our big-but-not-really day because of my 5-week postpartum body, the alternative wasn't my first choice (39 weeks pregnant). And I LOVE that Baby Asher is pictured in our family picture. Though Asher wasn't even in glimmer in his daddy's eye throughout our adoption process, it's beautiful that he's pictured in our final legal experience. God's so cool like that to arrange all those little details.

So, it's official. AGAIN. Judah Abebayehu and Addise Aster Tarike are forever Diaz's.

PS. It's highly likely that this blog will cross 100,000 views with this post. How fitting. It's wholly humbling to know that this blog's been viewed that many times in the past 3 years. What started as a streamlined attempt to keep long-distance family informed throughout our adoption has become much more for reader and writer. For this and more, I am thankful.

Same Love?

If you've ever wondered if the love you have for your adopted child is the same as the one you have for your biological child, I will unequivocally scream YES! The love is the same.

There's no way to adequately explain how the "same" it is. If ever you've wondered about adoption and felt like you wouldn't love your adopted child as much or the same as your biological child, I can squash the myth now. Do NOT let that fear get in the way of you choosing the miracle of adoption!!! Actually, I wondered if I could love my biological son as much as I love my adopted kiddos, but I'm crazy like that. My kids are my kids. Period.

Enjoy a few pics of my crazy, lovable kiddos from this past week.

Goof Ball!

After his first bath at home. He screamed the entire time.

She adores her baby brother. "Mommy, I hold it!" A hundred kisses, head rubs, and holding requests every single day.

Though I was terrified about my third child, I can confidently say today that I LOVE my three kids beyond words. Sure, they drive me mad and I've lost countless hours of sleep, but I would saw off my limbs for them.

This kind of love is unmistakable.

Parenting is Wonder-FULL!

A few months ago, my friend Holly Delich from the REthink Group / Orange contacted me about a new book she was commissioned to write with her mom. She told me they were writing a book for parents and described it like this...

This is not a how-to book for new parents. It's a how-it's-been-done book for new parents. It's not a book for your bookshelf, but for your coffee table.

It's not just our words, but multiple families' stories and photos.

It's not for those wearing rose-colored glasses, but with sleep deprived eyes instead.

This book is not for the perfect family. This book is for YOUR family.

Parenting. It's not easy, but it's...

Full of Love.

Full of God.

Full of Wonder.

Then, she asked if she could share our family's story in the book! She wanted to share our story as an encouragement and inspiration to others whose families have been built in unexpected ways. Of course, we said YES! She wrote up a beautiful 1-page story on how God's Plan A has unfolded in our lives.

Last week I got a copy of the book and it is totally wonderful (pun intended!). It's super creative, energizing, inspiring, entertaining, and practical. Our story and family picture is featured at the end of the book (alongside a few other totally captivating families) and there's even a full-page picture of Addise in the beginning of the book.

I hope this book and our story is encouraging and helpful for others. We are so grateful - not just to be highlighted in this book - but for the beyond-comprehensible story God's writing in our family.

If you want to get a copy to remind yourself of how wonder-full parenting is meant to be or you want a great gift for a friend or you just want to see the Diaz family feature story, you can buy it HERE.

Parenting truly is full of wonder, even on the days when it doesn't feel like it at all.

This Small

Brian: I can't believe how little he is.

Me: I know. I can't believe Judah and Addise were once this small.

Brian: Me neither. I wish I could've seen them that small.

Me: Me too.

tears...

Best Mother's Day in the History of the World

What could be better than spending Mother's Day with my mom, brunch on the beach, celebrating with my hubby and 2 first born Ethiopian babies, getting a pedicure with my momma, and the grand finale...bringing home my baby boy from the NICU?!?!? Absolutely nothing. The day was pure perfection.

My mom and daughter at brunch. Addise refused to say "cheese". She's two.

View from our table at brunch. You can get a sneak peak of the ocean in this shot.

Brian knows how to celebrate me. I'm a much better mom because of him. After brunch Brian had scheduled pedicures for mom and me. What a treat before we went to get Asher.

The ones who made me a mom.

The one who made this day supernatural. All I wanted for Mother's Day is for him to come home. Miraculously he did.

Leaving the hospital to bring home Asher Zacarias after 3 weeks in the NICU. He is a "blessing" and "God remembered" all our prayers, indeed. His name is truly prophetic!

Home at last. Snuggling with momma.

Another post will have to reveal Judah and Addise meeting Asher for the first time on Mother's Day. We caught the entire moment on video. For now, let me just say - they LOVE their baby brother. Of course they are learning to share mommy with this 5 pound-something little guy, but they think he's a keeper. They constantly want to kiss him wherever I'll allow, touch him, and "hold it, mommy". :) They are fascinated with his dinosaur cries, itty bitty booty, teeny hands. Today I asked Judah who Asher looks like and he confidently said "Addise". LOVE.

Mother's Day 2012 - a day to remember with deepest gratitude.