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.

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April L. Diaz

April has been a visionary activist her entire life. She has made it her mission to lead high performing teams and develop leaders in the margins of society while caring for our bodies, mind, and spirit. Secretly, she’s a mix of a total girly girl and a tomboy, and is still crazy about her high school sweetheart, Brian. Together, they co-parent 3 fabulous kiddos and live in Orange County, CA.

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...



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April L. Diaz

April has been a visionary activist her entire life. She has made it her mission to lead high performing teams and develop leaders in the margins of society while caring for our bodies, mind, and spirit. Secretly, she’s a mix of a total girly girl and a tomboy, and is still crazy about her high school sweetheart, Brian. Together, they co-parent 3 fabulous kiddos and live in Orange County, CA.

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.

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April L. Diaz

April has been a visionary activist her entire life. She has made it her mission to lead high performing teams and develop leaders in the margins of society while caring for our bodies, mind, and spirit. Secretly, she’s a mix of a total girly girl and a tomboy, and is still crazy about her high school sweetheart, Brian. Together, they co-parent 3 fabulous kiddos and live in Orange County, CA.