Labor Pains

Labor Pains 

We're currently in the phase in the Adoption process that they call "paper pregnant" meaning we've done all we can do and now we wait while potential birth parents choose to look through our profile book and hope they move forward with us to interview. As I've said in previous posts you will never know how long your "pregnancy" will last, it could be extremely long like a elephant or extremely quick like a opossum. Whichever the case they both come with Labor Pains.... And everyone labor is different. From long hours of laboring, to short and fast, physically- emotionally and mentally exhausting. Regardless the timing  it's hard work and can be extremely painful.... And we don't get epidurals. Labor pains can last several months to years, there are many ups and downs with Adoption, you have to do what you can do to keep on going, loving and focusing on your family as the Lord is preparing to grow you all. Adoption process is just as this...we're entering the Labor Pains as I call it. 

I check my email several times a day, every time I get a new email I'm anticipating it to be our case worker giving us a "profile" of a birth mother and father seeing if we want our book to be shown. Since mid May we've had our book shown several times, we are never the only ones to show our books there are several other families who are right where we are, hoping and praying to add to their families. It's easy to read through a profile and think "yes they sound so wonderful I hope they choose us!" But not too long after to know they've chosen another family or to parent themselves. Once you've been looked at by a birth parent and you've been asked to meet or so a interview it's such an amazing feeling, yet you have to protect your heart.... No matter how true or right it may seem, in the end they have to final decision and as we have experienced before no decision is final until paperwork is sighed. Which I fully understand--- it's just what makes is that much harder and giving it to God is all we can do. This is where it's hard, for me the planner-organizer- type A- girl loves to know what's ahead and be prepared. This is where the Lord is continuing to stretch me---with my faith in Him, after all he is building our family and thus far he's far exceeded my desires for our first born.

 I have to remember the lord will grow our family in His timing and he will allow us to draw closer to Him throughout our journey.

Thank you for continuing to support, encourage and pray for our family and future baby Imlach. 

Mother's Day

:::Mother’s Day:::

A day set aside to honor Mothers and those in our lives who reflect a mother.

I have gone through my own personal battles of infertility and the loss of my mother, making Mother’s Day to be a more dreaded day to come and go throughout the years. Prior to being a mother I would go church on that Sunday Mother’s Day and put a smile on my face, when my heart inside was broken and I hurt so deeply. I was broken to not have my mom to celebrate, broken that my body was unable to make me a mother when I wanted to be one so badly. I know I am not the only one who grieves on Mother’s Day, there are others who are faced with infertility, those who’ve lost babies---in ways I cannot personally relate, some with the loss of their own mothers and of course there are those who have placed their child through Adoption---giving so much of themselves to make a once hurting woman to be a M O T H E R.

As Mother’s Day comes around again each year, I reflect and see how the Lord continues to shape me. Yes, I am a mother, and I couldn’t be more happy and thankful, my lifelong desire has come true. I will always miss my mother and grieve her, I am thankful for the time I had with her and the wisdom I can take away from her role in my life. I cherish the many women the Lord has brought into my life, ones who all play their part in making sure I am staying grounded and continuing to learn and grow as a mother…. It takes a village. To all those mom’s who have been there for me, young and old, I thank you for being there to lead, guide and support me….and please continue to do so. Being a mom without your mom is incredibly hard, I miss her now more than ever.

I wouldn’t be the mom I am today without the selfless sacrifice from Maryellis’ birth parents, they gave us the best gift of making us a mother and a father, but they also gave our daughter the gift of choosing LIFE. To all birth moms and fathers who have chosen life and have placed their child through Adoption, thank you.You have helped start/grow a family and made dreams and desires come true that woudn’t have happened without you. We are so in love with our daughter and cannot imagine our lives without her in it.

As Mother’s Day is approaching, I will celebrate my mother, the mother’s in my life and the birth mother’s who’ve made me a mom.

T-Shirt Fundraiser

Please help us spread the word for our Adoption fundraiser!

We have 2 weeks to sell as many Tee-Shirts, Tank tops, Children & Toddler Tee-Shirts and baby onesies!

This is a great opportunity for our family to spread the word of our encouragement through the phrase "immeasurably more" from the verse " Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more then all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

We know that by Gods grace and perfect plans he brought us our first daughter and that its the desire of our hearts to continue to grow our family though Adoption. Our daughter has been such a gift to our family and she has blessed us more then what we ever could have hoped for. She is one of the first miracles God has chosen to be apart of our family. We cannot wait to see what is ahead for the Imlach Family, we know by God's grace it will be more then we could have ever dreamed of.

Immeasurably More has great meaning and depth that not only applies to our family but that God has perfect plans for everyone out there. We have to put our hope and trust in him and let the journey begin.

Thank you so much for praying and considering to grow the Kingdom of God,

The Imlach Family
http://teespring.com/stores/imlach-family-adoption

Adoption Round 2

As most of you know we have started down the road of doing another Adoption. We couldn't be more excited of what the Lord has ahead for our family.

We hoped we would have been able to do a Independent Adoption, but that just wasn't seeming to work out after over a year of not much movement or progress, and we really wanted the feeling of having the support from an Agency. That led us to calling and inquiring information from a few agencies and for our family it made most sense to go with Bethany Christian Services as we did the first time.

We filled out the "Preliminary Application" on November 5th and our Home Study was approved on December 31st! There is so much paperwork involved and our first time is took us about a year to get to the point where we are today! Pretty amazing how quickly its going this time, but that is one of the benefits with going through Bethany again.

To give an Idea of what a Home Study packet looks like:

-Background Check (Birth Certificates, Finger prints)
-Discipline Policy
-Privacy Practices
-Marriage History
-Questionnaire (30 pages)
-Family History Data
-Financial Worksheet
-Insurance Information
-Pet Safety & Vaccination Documents
-Physicals, including a TB and Drug test
-Adoptive Parent training log (10 hours each of Adoption training & written essays.)
-References: Pastor, 4 friends
-Adoption Release & Consent Form
-Statement of Understanding
-Openness Covenant

Still to do:
-Profile books 

Our case worker has been wonderful and we had the opportunity to work with her a little last time which made us feel very comfortable when we had our actual Home Study.

This time around we said we are doing the "Dual Track". This means that you can be on board to be placed with a baby through the agency, as well as be placed with a child through the Foster System that is ready to be Adopted. We are open to New Born- 2 years old, and gender does not matter.... if it was Maryellis' choice we would get one of each, and that is very well possible. On the Dual Track you can get a baby/child from both. How fun and crazy would that be?!

The cost for Adoption has gone up nearly $3,000 since the last time we Adopted (which I expected, everything has gone up in the last 3 years.) and that is a scary thing, but also very exciting to see how the Lord will provide for our family. I have the saying "Maryellis was worth every penny!" God is good and he always provides.

This is my latest update and I will share more along the way. Please be praying for our family and the baby or child out there that will be joining our family someday, that the Lord will provide for us financially in a way that glorifies him, and please pray for the hearts of the future Birth Mom and Birth Father, that they will feel at peace in their decision to place a child through the gift of Adoption.

A verse that has been shared with me as an encouragement and one that I will be clinging to throughout this process is: "Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Meet the Imlach Family

I decided it would be wise idea to share about my family, in hopes that someone will see our family Adoption post card and be interested in choosing to place their child into our family.... they might want to know a little more about us!

Matthew:
There is no perfect way to describe my husband to you, he is the love of my life, my best friend, and the one who I look up to. A verse that reminds me of him is: But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17  His heart is so kind, he cares for the Lord more then anything else and how to serve Him first. Matthew works harder more then anyone that I know, being sure to provide for him family, but always being willing to lend a helping hand to others.
He loves adventures, always wanting to experience new things and he is never afraid to try anything. When you are in conversation with him, you are given his full attention and genuine, thoughtful interaction. Matthew loves to learn, and create continually challenging himself. He is a man of many talents and strengths, one who is not afraid to humble himself.
Matthew is well respected at his place of work and in our community of friends. He is the one that people will call when they need help with something, building, moving, projects, advice, etc. he is always there to help.
Matthew enjoys building furniture and wood working, any sort of household project, tri-athalon training, softball, basketball, hiking, camping, fishing and gardening. He is very involved at our church, he helps in the children's class as well as the teachings in them.
Matthew is an amazing father to our daughter we adopted as a baby 2 years ago. His heart for our little girl is huge, the way he's bonded with Maryellis is absolutely beautiful. It blesses him daily when he is greeted with the biggest greeting from our daughter at the door. He is so gentle with her, but also helpful in encouraging her to be brave and learn.
Matthew is an incredible man of God and leader of our family, he is just perfect for us!

Maryellis:
This daughter of ours came into our life on June 21, 2013. She was the answer to our prayers and she has made us parents. As a two year old toddler she is very busy and on the go all of the time!
She loves to be outside, in any type of water playing and creating. She has developed quite the imagination and is quite the little mamma herself. She is an animal lover and our black lab and her have the best of times playing together. Maryellis is brave when encouraged to be, but she has to get comfortable in settings that are brand new. She has several little friends she spends time with throughout the week on playdates; swimming, park going, adventuring outdoors, crafting and  painting....she is not afraid to get dirty. Maryellis has enjoyed taking swimming lessons and dance class. Each day she learns more and more, she loves to read and sing songs we've learned together. She enjoys helping mamma in the kitchen, working in the garden and getting the eggs from our chickens. Whenever Matthew is working on a project of some sort, she is sure to get out her tool set to be sure she gets in on the action. I have really noticed her heart to serve others these last few months. She loves to take on the role of helping others and succeeds when shes given a task of most sorts.  Its been a joy to see her become the little girl that she is, she is so kind and loving, inquisitive on how her friends are doing, and has become our little prayer warrior wanting to be sure we pray often for certain friends.

Emily:
I guess I can save myself for last.
My role, a wife and mamma. I am beyond blessed to that I get to stay at home and raise our daughter and future children. This has always been a priority for our family and am grateful for the support of my husband that we can do this. I wouldn't trade my "job" for anything else in the world. I am daily challenged and reminded how I have to look to the Lord for my strength.
Other then being a mamma I really enjoy being active and fitness, I feel its important to model this for our daughter that she knows its important how we take care of ourselves. Running and swimming are my favorite to do. I enjoy walking our dog, going on hikes, working in the garden, spending time as a family & friends and of course cooking! I too as my husband serve in our church and have a wonderful time helping in the nursery as well as a few other volunteer opportunities. I am a early riser and an early to bed, I enjoy taking advantage of the mornings to have my quite time and be productive with tasks or household chores. I feel as though that gives me more time during the day to be with our daughter and do adventures together, she keeps me busy and we have lots of fun!
I love being a mom, serving and caring for our family, they are my priority and the ones whom I enjoy being with the most.

As a family we enjoy swimming, hiking, outdoor activities, bike rides, playing at the park after getting burgers from our favorite local restuarant, tennis, family dinners, walks, playing games, going to the lake, the beach, heading to the mountains, sporting events and floats down the river. We love our town and community, it's very family friendly and allows us to continually explore and do new things. We are thankful to have our families in town and a wonderful church/friend community around us. 

This is our family, we are a family of 3 hoping and praying to grow to a family of 4, 5, 6 or more! Please share our story and join us in prayer that the Lord directs us and guides us in the goal of an Independent Adoption.

Thank you and much love,

Imlach Family

Mothers

Mothers Day, its comes every year and every year I am always feeling full of emotions.

I know Mothers Day is one of joy for many, but its also a day of sorrow. I will be joyful in that I am a mother, I have been chosen to love and care for Maryellis, that she forever and always will be my daughter.

 But in moments to be honest it will also be hard, I'm sad that my mom is not here to celebrate, the women who brought me into this world and raised me, I don't get to honor her that day... But I will always remember her, cherishing the time we had together. My heart is tender for those who face infertility and the trials of conceiving, month after month of not getting pregnant---whether its a "sad face" on a ovulation test, or a miscarriage.... Mothers Day can be a hard and dark day, oh how I can relate. Then I think of our birth mother, she too is a mother, she gave us our daughter.... I imagine this cannot be an easy day for her at all. I pray for her, that she finds peace in the Lord and knows how much He loves her. As well that she knows how happy and full of joy we are as parents, what miracle Adoption is.

Being a mother is such a gift, I am thankful for the story the Lord has written for our family...and that we are only at the beginning. I became a Mother almost two years ago, the day Matthew and I were given the gift of our daughter, from two birth parents that loved her so much and they chose to place her in our arms for forever. What a selfless act of love they made that day, even months prior choosing to give her life.

I pray for those who are mothers, that you know how appreciated you are and your hard work doesn't go unnoticed. I pray for women facing infertility and the struggle of bearing children, cling to the Lord, let this be a time you can draw more near to Him, that he can direct your path as he grows your family. And I pray for all birth mothers out there, know how grateful we are of you and that we look up to you in so many ways. That we love you so much, and are continually blessed by the gift of life you've given us. To be Mothers.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28

A day in the life

I think often people want to know "what do you do all day?" So I think I'll take the time to share!

A typical day for me starts at 4:00 am...(?!?!?) Call me crazy, I know... but I must say I've always been a early riser, and being a mom has made me an even earlier one.
What do I do at that hour? Well I have my homemade paleo cereal, a cup of coffee and some bible time. Depending on the day I either head to the pool for a swim or I hit the road for a run and do some strength exercises. I try my best to get my fitness done before Maryellis is up & before Matt heads to work. 

Maryellis is up most days between 6:15am-7:00....we try to keep her in bed until 7:00, but some days she is ready to go! We start our day with a little time with dad before he heads out the door for work, then its breakfast time! (and mom's 2nd cup of coffee!) I try to provide a well balanced diet for all Maryellis' meals. Breakfast can consist from eggs & sausage, homemade pancakes/waffles, yogurt & blueberries and mixed fruit. Along with a big cup of hemp milk to wash it all down and shes one happy girl.
-This is also a time I can do some food prep & unload the dishwasher, or hand wash dishes. 

For the next hour or so we play with her toys, race in the kitchen, read some stories, work on flashcards, sing songs and enjoy one another company. Then the dog starts to get a little crazy herself and she is ready to get out for a walk! We take the dog every morning, (rain or shine) for a nice long walk. Maryellis seems to enjoy it most of the time, sometimes she tells me to run, or other times we stop and look for the ducks, geese and cows. Once we are home the dog is tuckered out and Maryellis is usually ready for a snack...perfect timing so mom can get herself "ready" for the day.

Depending on the day, depends on how "ready" I get. I am a blessed women who gets to stay home to raise our daughter. But if its a day that consists of running a few errands & being at home, I will remain in some sort of athletic wear for the day. We are in a stage where I am busy chasing a toddler, playing on the ground, outside, daily chores, etc. I see no sense in ruining my "nice" clothes.
-Every morning I start a load of laundry, some days 2 loads if its a "towels day". I try my best to have it switched into the dryer before we go anywhere. 

Late morning until lunch time is a different activity everyday!
Mondays we go to mom's group & Wednesdays we have "Mommy & Me" dance class.
The rest of the days can be filled with play dates, baking, running errands such as; Costco, Trader Joe's, Target. Most weeks we make a trip to the pool, art activities, park days, Bounce, playing outside (this is often!) Library, drawing, bike rides, hikes, visiting Great grandma, or just a simple day at home.

We have lunch anywhere from 11:30-12:00. I would say no every day we are at home to eat, but I always plan ahead and bring her lunch along with us. Again, another well balanced meal.
She likes quesadillas, chicken, meatballs, fish, beans, cheese and there is always sauteed mixed veggies, cucumbers & avocado. Her treat for after shes finished her main meal is a "squeezie", She has a fairly good palate and I'm thankful for the good eater she is. (for the most part)

After lunch we have more playtime, try to keep it more on the mellow side.
We read stories around 12:30-12:45 and she is usually down around 1:00.
This is where I currently get a 3 hour gap! (I know its only a season.)
During this time I take clients for hair appointments, fold the laundry, the daily sweeping of the house, (dog hair and toddler crumbs, oh-my!) make phone calls/paperwork/e-mails, work in the garden/yard, chicken care, dinner food prep, projects around the house and on a "lucky" day I take a little time to read, or take a short nap.

Nap time is over around 4:00 and I love when she wakes up because she is quite the cuddler at this time. We get cozy in the big chair, have a snack and some milk and talk. :) Depending on the day sometimes she will go outside to play other days she loves to watch a "ABC" video on the computer while I finish cooking dinner. Matt gets home most days anywhere from 5:00-6:00... she cannot wait for him to get home! Once I get the phone call of when hes on his way, were at the window waiting!
She is so so excited when daddy gets home, its the sweetest thing, she is the best greeter I know!  

We enjoy a dinner together as a family, not all dinners are pleasant, we are dining with a toddler. She usually eats what we do, but some nights her meals are altered a little bit.

After dinner I do the dishes and that gives Matt and Maryellis time to be together!
Depending on the night and time of year, it seems there can be something most nights.
From family dinners, friends dinners, community group, bible studies, Matt's basketball or softball games, meetings, church events, etc. We try to have 2-3 evenings at home, and either Friday or Saturday is "family night"...just the three of us we have it a no "chore/project" night, but one that we do something together.

Then we have the end of the day of our bedtime routine! Bath time, pajamas, brushing her hair...then her favorite milk & raisins bed time snack. Matt is in charge of brushing her teeth at night, its my saving grace, by 8:00 I'm tired and its the last thing I want to ever have to battle through. We read a bible story and some other books of her choice. Then its prayer and kisses and goodnight.

Matt and I have a solid hour to spend time together, before my head hits the pillow at 9:00pm.
If you ever try to reach me after 8:00....good luck, its rare that I will respond, I need that free time from the connection to the world.

We try to keep a well balanced life, seems a though it never really slows down. We are blessed with the family we have and try to do life in a way that is honoring to the Lord.

blessings to you!