Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.

February 9th we celebrated Addise's third birthday. It was a weekend, actually, including a day at Disney (using our expiring annual passes...sob), presents, making strawberry cupcakes with homemade frosting, reading Dr. Seuss' "Happy Birthday to You!" and lots and lots of kisses.

Addise is like none other. Everyone who knows her in real life has stories and facial expressions and flamboyant words describing our daughter. She is more LIFE in her little (?) body than most anyone I've ever met in my entire life. Brian and I often swap stories after we've tucked her into bed at night. Sometimes the stories are merely non-verbals of head shaking, stifled giggles, and utter speechlessness. Brian and I are constantly remarking at her unfair beauty. She may be the most gorgeous little girl I've ever set my eyes on. We love her with intensity and beauty and (at times) exasperation. Perhaps we love her that way because she is all of those things and more.

This was a big year for our girl. She's grown in every way and way too fast at that. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how about a dozen or so? Images to capture her transformation...

The first time we laid eyes on our girl. She was 6 months old. Those eyes. Those lips. Those rolls. Those eyebrows. It's still too much to contain.

Addise was home for 3 weeks before we celebrated her 1st birthday! This was also her first taste of sugar.

Her 2nd Birthday.

It's too bad she doesn't have a personality :)

Learning to be a GREAT big sister. Yes, she's very charming.

Double true! To say she is dramatic is very undramatic. "Only the girls." I savor the moments when it's just us girls together. She still LOVES to snuggle and cuddle with me. Some of my favorite "asks" from Addise are: "Mama, rock you? Mama hold me? Mama I sit on your lap?" Words impede my ability to say how crazy I am about this one... She is the best (and worst!) parts of me and teaches me daily what it's like to live with passion and joy and energy and love and strength and humor and attitude and tenacity and tenderness and persistence and vulnerability and expectation and belief and goodness. Parenting Addise requires our best and we joyfully give it to her.

Did I mention that she's a great big sister!??! Beach sand + a billion curls = no bueno

It felt like we were potty training her ALL of this past year. Finally, she's got it. Mostly. Only during the day; not at night. Victory?

Me: Addise, can mommy take your picture? Addise: CHEESE!

She's a little fish. And kinda loves the camera.

Looking much too grown up.

Dr. Seuss character? Bath times are favorites. Maybe because they're a little more rare these days. Oops.

To say she adores her daddy is an understatement. This picture captures one moment in a series of about 5 minutes where she teased him to kiss him. But instead of kissing him, she kept licking his face. Her giggle is infamous and contagious in our home.

Playing at Disney. One of our favorite things to do as a family!

At her 3 year doctor appointment. She's in the 90% for height and weight. She's 39 inches tall and 37 pounds. Apparently she can also read upside down. Genius child.

She got the baby doll for Christmas and the outfit for her birthday. She's learning to play with her babies and accessorize. :)

There ya have it. Our girl. Grateful God chose her to be ours. I'll close with the promise of hope we gave her when we dedicated her at our church.

Jeremiah 31:17:

"They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem. They will be radiant because of the Lord’s good gifts— the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the healthy flocks and herds. Their life will be like a watered garden, and all their sorrows will be gone."

Diaz Christmas Letter (for real)

Oh what an epic year it's been. Here's quick look back (including links to the year's blog posts!)...

JANUARY - We found out my growing belly held a baby boy. We celebrated 1 year home with Judah and Addise. On that same day, Brian ran his first half marathon while raising over $1000 to build clean water wells in Malawi.

FEBRUARY - Addise turned 2. Brian turned 33. Judah was potty trained in about 4 hours. Not exaggerating. Addise rebelled against our attempts in potty training her and preferred peeing on herself and sitting in her own stink. Potty training was actually a spiritual experience for April.

MARCH - We bought a minivan. That's all.

APRIL - Asher Zacarias's life was protected and he was miraculously born on the 23rd.

MAY - Judah had surgery about 10 days after Asher was born. Brian ran his second half marathon. Asher came home on Mother's Day. Priceless. Our family's story was featured in a new book for parents called Parenting is Wonder-FULL! We re-finalized Judah and Addise's adoption!!!

JUNE - Maternity leave continued. I have no idea what happened this month. #3kidsunder4years

JULY - We celebrated Judah's 4th birthday with a "bounce house" party with over 20 of his "United Nation" friends. Brian went on his annual pilgrimage to Comi-Con in San Diego with 150,000 of his closest friends. April had a work trip to Palm Springs which included all 3 kids, a husband, a mother, and 2 more grandparents. Yes, it takes a village to raise a child and be a working mom.

AUGUST - April turned 33 and went back to work full-time. Brian and April celebrated 11 years of partnership (aka marriage).

SEPTEMBER - Brian was laid off and becomes full-time stay-at-home dad. This is not a long-term solution as it's not good on anyone, including our pocketbook. Began potty training Addise. Key word: began. She's STILL working on mastering the technique of going #2 on the potty chair. We also were gifted with a fabulous week-long vacation to Palm Springs.

OCTOBER - Brian ran his third half marathon and ran from zombies through a 5K mud run. Not a clue what else happened in these 31 days, other than some fabulous Halloween costumes and excessive candy.

NOVEMBER - April spoke at an incredible youth worker's event in Atlanta on "Redefining the Role of the Youth Worker". It went so well "more" is in the works in 2013. We celebrated our first Thanksgiving as a family of five. Just the five of us. It was lovely. April also signed a contract to write a bunch of middle school and high school curriculum for Simply Youth Ministry. Brian began intense workouts 2 days/week at 5:45am in addition to his continuous training for half marathons. Why? I have no idea but he's getting buff. No complaints here.

DECEMBER - April made a last minute trip back to Illinois to grieve with her childhood best friend on her father's passing. During this visit, April was also able to introduce the littlest Diaz to more of her extended family - so awesome. Our family dedicated Asher at Newsong - beyond awesome.

The year also included about a bazillion hospital visits and doctor appointments for a pregnant momma, NICU baby, surgery for son #1, and general check-ups. Let's just say we hit our insurance out-of-pocket maximum. We also tried to hit up the "happiest place on earth" as often as possible thanks to annual passes. It's a family favorite all around!

As mentioned, what started as the first half marathon for Brian, turned into 2 more this year. And he's running the World Vision half marathon again in a few weeks. His goal is to raise $655 this year (about $50/per mile). We would love for you to support him as he runs for life!

The year also included 4 out of town visits from my mom (she just can't get enough of these babies!!!) and quick visits from Brian's parents, my grandparents, baby brother, dad.

Mostly, the year involved a LOT of growing. Of course, the 3 kiddos are growing at a rate that may eat us out of house and home. Brian and I can hardly handle the speed of their growth - physically, socially, verbally, and intellectually. But we've grown so much as parents, leaders, partners, and friends. In a year that involved essentially NO margins and sleep, we are more mature, more loving, more forgiving, and more sure of who we want to become as individuals and as a family.

Enjoy a few never-before-seen pics of our colorful crew...

Family Photo

He's so happy! (and doesn't my hair look good?!?!)

Father and Son

My one and only girl

"Bugs"

Earlier this month I spoke at Newsong on WAITING for Advent. As I was preparing that message I was starkly reminded of the significance of this month. Four years ago we grieved the 6th failed fertility treatment of the year. Two years ago we longed to bring our kiddos home for Christmas, only to be delayed. December represents a lot of waiting for our family. But it also harkens back to the original longing as we wait for the world to be made right again through Jesus.

As the year winds to an end, LIFE is more precious than ever as so many grieve the death of those they love, whether through cancer or car accidents or school shootings. Whatever the state of your soul at the end of 2012, may your longing and waiting pull you a little closer to the One who came - in the most humble state - to bring you life and hope and healing.

With Love. Merry Christmas!
Brian, April, Judah (4), Addise (nearly 3) and Asher (8 months)

Orphan Sunday 2012

Yesterday at Newsong for the third year, we celebrated God's heart for the orphan. I was honored to host our services and was basically a blubbering mess all day (I held it together on stage except for one moment when I shared the pictures below). I shared with our community how we take caring for orphans very seriously at Newsong because we see God's calling all over the pages of Scripture and because it's become so personal for us.

150+ million orphans in the world is an overwhelming - and sobering - statistic, but it became personal when I saw these two faces.

When we first laid eyes on our son, he was no longer a statistic. He had flesh and a name. And he needed a family.

And then this beauty took our breath away.

They were both so young. And beautiful. And perfect. And ours! August 16, 2010 is the day when these orphans became our son and daughter in our heart. They were no longer a statistic to us. Orphan care became incredibly personal.                        

The first Orphan Sunday that Newsong participated in (2010), we were in Ethiopia meeting our children for the first time. The ability to be IN Ethiopia ON Orphan Sunday was a miracle only God could do.

This picture was taken in Ethiopia right after going to court to legally become their parents.

Last year on Orphan Sunday (2011) we were blessed to dedicate Judah and Addise to the Lord along with three other adoptive families and before our church family. Judah and Addise were proudly dressed in traditional Ethiopian clothing. And I was secretly 8 weeks pregnant with Asher. Our family of 5 was exploding in gratitude.

Our children's pastor and another pastor dedicating Judah and Addise.

This year I learned the origin of Orphan Sunday: Orphan Sunday started in Zambia, Africa 10 years ago. Pastor Billy Chondwe’s church had only 70 members, many of them facing deep poverty themselves. Yet their sacrificial actions for orphans and widows set in motion a vision that has spread worldwide.

Pastor Chondwe explains, “I had no clue that by now it would go across the globe. I was just looking at it as a local thing. But when I see and hear what God is doing through Orphan Sunday in other nations, I just think, “It is a miracle. This is the doing of God.”

This year Orphan Sunday was celebrated in 22 counties in thousands of churches by hundreds of thousands of people across denominational lines. A unity focused on children so close to God's heart. He must be so pleased. Check out this video for more of the story. It will capture your heart. (Because it's long, if you want, just watch the first 7 minutes and then minutes 31:00-32:30. You will be so glad you did!)


Zambia's Gift to the World from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

My African brothers and sisters continue to teach me - and compel me! - to live out the Gospel even more. In a country where they are "lacking" so much, they are also giving so much more than we often dare. This passage read at the beginning of the video says it all...

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us^[c]—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

May it be more true of us.