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.

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...

Asher's Shower

Six days after Asher was born, I had my previously scheduled baby shower. My friends who threw the shower tried to convince me all week that we should postpone it. "You've just had major surgery!" "You need to rest!" "Let's postpone until Asher comes home!" I stayed the course and convinced them I could do it. I'm so glad I did. It was good for my soul to be with women who love me and my family. The shower took the sting out of Asher being in the NICU instead of my arms. And let's be honest, we needed the gifts to bring home Asher!!
I've had two of the most AMAZING baby showers in the last 18 months. At my last baby shower, I had just left Judah and Addise in Ethiopia and was a blubbering idiot at my shower. Then, at this shower I left Asher in the NICU. Geez. No more baby showers for me. These were two very emotional and non-traditional baby showers for me and my friends.

May the pictures can share the story of this incredible afternoon with my friends...

Cutest cake you ever did see!

Everything had a personal touch. All the desserts were made by one of the girls on my team - a baker at heart!

Every guest made their own party favor - personalized bags with Asher's birth information. Every guest also signed a handmade guestbook, complete with their address (easy for thank you notes!). Finally, everyone wrote in a book with "mommy advice". These words were beyond general - they spoke into who I truly am and what I need to be a great mother. THANK YOU, RAI, for creating such meaningful, personalized items.

To say my friends are "generous" is just too flighty a word. Thankfully, they didn't make me open gifts at the shower. Afterward, I opened gifts for two days.

Maybe the best part of my shower: my daughter and my mom were there. My mom flew into town just a few hours before the shower. A dream come true to have her there.

She who walks with the wise grows wise (Proverbs). These are some amazing women in my life. Over the past 7+ years these women have spoken into my life, walked with me, and transformed me.

No caption can capture her beauty or personhood. Loved having my daughter with me at this shower. To say she was given too much sugar by all her aunties is an understatement.

Adorable clothes line of baby clothes. The preemie clothes look like doll clothes. The great attention to detail and thoughtful, meaningful interactions blew my mind!

Every guest spoke a prayer and word of blessing for Asher and me. The white beads are for Asher's birth month (diamonds) and the green beads for mine (peridot). They were all strung on to a necklace for me. Beyond amazing!

The icing on the cake: Carol (in above necklace picture) secretly talked with my mom who wrote me a two page letter of blessing and wisdom. Yes, I cried.

Most of the women who showered us with love. Massive love and thanks to Rai, Carol, Sookyung for hosting this lavish affair. Though I still look 9 months pregnant here, I had to post this picture of my beautiful community.

I left full and exhausted. What a day. It truly takes a village and this village is a keeper. Much love and thanks to my community for showering us with love.