Dark to light

I have said this many times but adoption is hard. The ups and downs.  The getting your heart and mind excited because everything is going well (and quick) and then having to hold back because you experience a tough time of waiting.  It is extremely emotional...something you can't quite explain.  I have never experienced so many emotions all at one time.


We are still waiting for our CIS paperwork to come back.  Right now the current wait is around 60-90 days from the time your paperwork is turned in correctly.  Remember, this is the paperwork we must have to finish our dossier (in order to get on the waiting list).  We got a letter last week stating that we needed to correct something on our paperwork.  We will fix that, send it back in, and hopefully it will be correct.  


My heart broke last week when we found these two things out....that our paperwork was done wrong AND that the wait was so long.  Russ reminded me that there will be pauses in this process and that this is really our first one.  


It has been harder since we made the realization that she could be born (or about to be born).  Now, we don't know this because we do not have an actual child picked out but....we just feel it.  The waiting has been so much harder since we thought of this.  My heart aches for her and for her sweet mom in Ethiopia.  Something hard is going to happen to this mom and that makes me so sad.  Pray for her mom...that she would experience and know God's love. 


I think of the both of them daily.  I cry often and my heart physically aches some days.  But, I know God's plan is perfect.  His timing is perfect.  I do trust him completely in this.  I feel like I am walking in the dark right now but I know there isn't really a dark when you trust in Jesus.  Times of unknown but still there is light.  And the great part is that the two main characters of this story are sources of light: the "One" true light and little Lucy "bringer of light."


Psalm 139: 11-12


"If I say surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."

May the force be with you.

Russ is a Star Wars fanatic....remember his 30th birthday party last year??

Well, our friends Will, Merissa, and Baby Girl Lilla came over for breakfast.  They thought it appropriate to dress Lilla to fit Russ' standards.  Russ thought it appropriate to compare her to Yoda.

Yoda was given to us when we lived in Hernando by kids in the youth group.  Yoda had his own room.  Each day I would come home from school, Yoda would be on top of the tv cabinet....for reasons I can't figure out.  I would then take him back to his very own space in his very own room (very secluded....for his privacy :) )  The next day, Yoda would be back in the den.

When we moved to Tupelo and lived in the rental house....there was a small shelf above the door.  I thought this would be perfect for a picture but Yoda thought it was perfect for him.  So, he sat....watching all who entered and exited the house :)

He sings like I do

According to Russ, I know about 3 words to each verse of a song....the rest I either hum or make-up.  I knew I was on the wrong path when (in 7th grade) I thought the lyrics to Ace of Base's song "I saw the sign" was "I saw the Sun."  It made so much sense to me :)  Yesterday my sister-in-law showed me this.....


I have more in common with him than I should.


Enjoy!!!

couch, three friends, and reindeer pants

Margaret, Jessica, and Me ....oh, and three pair of matching reindeer pj's.

What a fun night!!  I love these girls!!!

Atlanta Bread Company

We had an amazing night at Atlanta Bread November 16th!  Basically, however much money ABC made that night, we got 10%....which would have been around $300.  Which is amazing. BUT, we took home around $900 for our adoption that night.  Russ and I are blessed with family and friends that love and support us no matter what it is we are going through.  We had friends and family that helped serve and bus tables that night so that we could keep the tips that were given. Friends also planned the event, told others about the event, came to eat, served, took pictures and video, and all around supported us. God is showing us His love through the people He has placed in our lives. We are so undeserving yet so thankful. What an amazing sight to see so many people supporting Lucy and loving her even though they have not met her. 

This week I have been overcome with thankfulness and a sense to just stop and praise God for His hand in our lives.  Russ and I continually talk about how undeserving we are yet through good and bad God continues to lavish His love on us ....and Lucy.

Thanks Merissa and Jessica for creating and setting up the things for our table!! Thanks Margaret for the video and pics!!

Just the two of us.  Ready to make it three :)

3 of the 4 grandparents!! We missed Grandaddy Bill!!

Amazing.

The great-grandparents.  We missed you Meme and Mamaw!

Such a sweet family.  Ellie was adopted from Ethiopia so they drove from New Albany to support Lucy.  How sweet!!!

Thanks to everyone who made this a great night!!

Merry Christmas

Sorry this is so late....but, we spent Halloween in Nashville.  Thought I would show you just how creative the Polsgrove family is :)

Russ and Leigh Ann (his sister) carving pumpkins.....

Leigh Ann and Chris' pumpkins were nice BUT......

Just check out THIS creativity :)  I know that my peace sign is the most creative pumpkin you have ever seen!!!

Gladney Approved

That's right....our agency has officially approved us to be parents!!!  This does not mean much....except that  lots of our paperwork has been approved and we do not have to deal with it anymore!!!

Now, on to working on our dossier and getting on that waitlist!!!

Update

We are getting closer to getting on the waiting list!!!  We just sent our home study to immigration for approval.  Once that gets back...we send our dossier to Ethiopia.....then we will officially be on the waiting list. 

Please join us in praying for these things:

1.  Pray that we would receive our FBI fingerprint approval.  They were sent off 4 weeks ago.

2.  Pray that our immigration approval would be back by Jan.1st (or before :0 ) 

3.  Pray for Lucy. Pray for the sweet lady that is probably carrying her in her tummy now....that she would know how much Jesus loves her and has a plan for her life.

Most days I am 100% sure that we are doing what is right.  But sometimes...I have a "oh my gosh what am I doing" kind of day.  It is on those days that God continues to show us that this is right and that He has this.  The way people have supported us is nothing short of a miracle.  We are constantly getting cards, people telling us they are praying for her, money, etc.....We did not expect any of this but are sooooo thankful for God providing.  Thanks again for all of the support!!!

********************************************************

Lucy,
   You are so loved and your story is and will continue to touch people's lives.  Your momma and daddy didn't know they could love someone so much that they have never met.  But, we do.  This process can be overwhelming but please know that God has worked out every. single. detail.  Your story is causing us to trust and believe more than we ever have and for that we are so thankful.  You are talked about every day and we pray God gets all the glory for your amazing little life. We love you.

Weekend of movies

I have been looking forward to this weekend for months now.  Going to the movies is one of my FAVORITE things to do....as long as popcorn is involved.  Just to set the record straight...I would never carry a huge purse full of diet coke and goobers in with me :) 

This weekend there are THREE movies that I cannot wait to see. AND they are even at the good theater.  That's right....Tupelo has two theaters. One is nasty, stinky and most importantly, makes bad popcorn,  yet it always gets the good movies.  Not this time Cinemark....:)

Tonight at midnight, I (along with thousands of girls ages 7 to 80) will be seeing New Moon. Last year Russ so graciously went to the midnight showing where he was the only man in the room :)  This year he will not be so lucky. 

Tomorrow night I will watching The Blind Side. I love that the movie is about Ole Miss (where we graduated) and adoption.  Now, I have not read the book but I am pretty sure the movie is not 100% accurate (just basing this on Sandra Bullock threatening 15 large men).  But, I am so excited to see this!!!  I saw the trailer the day we decided to adopt from Ethiopia. I was already emotional but it made me cry for the rest of the day.

And last, but certainly not least....the movie Precious.  Precious is about a 16 year old girl struggling to make it in this harsh world.  How could you not want to see a movie with such cinematic genius' as Mo'Nique, Lenny Kravitz, and Mariah Carey?? :)  I am really excited about this movie and am sure I will need to bring a box of Kleenex to this one as well.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

Waiting is the hardest part

Just wanted to give you all an update on the adoption.  Nothing too exciting going on but we are making steps...and are ALMOST ready to be on the official waiting list!!!

We are waiting on our homestudy to be approved by the State of Mississippi.  Once we get this approval, we can send off for our approval from immigration.  When both of these documents are back... we can finish our dossier (documents that go to Ethiopia) and THEN we will be on the waiting list!!!!

We would love to be on the waiting list by January so please join us in praying that these documents would come back quickly!!!  With the upcoming holiday's, many people will be taking vacation so please pray that people would find favor with us and push us through!!!

Once we get on the waiting list....the average time for a referral (a picture...an actual person:)  ) is around 9 months. 

I know the average time is 9 months but I just WANT to be on the wait list.  Once you are on the waitlist you are eligible for a child.  Right now a referral is not even an option since we are not on the waiting list.

So, do you get the point that we are ready to be on the waiting list!!! I feel like a football coach...wanting that last win just to be eligible to go to a bowl game. Not a guarantee but at least an option.  Does that make any sense?? Not sure that why that scenario popped in my head :)

Thanks for praying with us!  God has provided so many people to support us through this journey and we are so thankful.

EAT WITH US

The Atlanta Bread fundraiser is here!!!  We are so excited about tomorrow (Monday) night!!!  So many people have told us they are coming to support us and Lucy. We knew people would help but we had no idea the level of support that we would have!!  So many people have told me they were coming tomorrow night...many of which I do not even know :)  Tomorrow night will be great ....hopefully we can share about ourselves, Lucy, and adoption.  We truly believe Lucy's story will be amazing and that we are all part of something big!!!

If you live in the Tupelo, MS area.....please join us. Eat at Atlanta Bread Company (in Tupelo) tomorrow night (Monday night) between 6 pm and 9 pm and we will receive part of the proceeds.  All of the money goes to help bring Lucy home!!

Thanks again for loving us :)  I will update this week on where we are in the process.

Must Have

Due to my steroid shot I was given today (for my cold) I am up late reading blogs.  I was reading THIS blog and saw the sweetest thing!!!  

These baby dolls are from Pottery Barn Kids .  The blond one is named Abby and can you guess the brunette's name?  You are the winner if you chose the name Lucy.....I need the Lucy doll er... ehm...I mean Lucy will need her when she comes home.  


ps--when I say Pottery Barn...how many of you immediately think of the Friends episode where Ross and Rachel buy all of the Pottery Barn furniture but tell Phoebe they were antiques???  Because I do :)

Buy Coffee, Help Bring Lucy Home

We have another way you can help!!! 

Just Love Coffee Roasters sells fairtrade, specialty coffee.  Much of their proceeds go to help fight the orphan crisis.  After the owners, Rob and Emily, adopted their child....they had the GREAT idea of helping others who were in the adoption process.

You can go to our store HERE, order great fair-trade coffee (as well as mugs, t-shirts, etc.) and we get some of the proceeds!!!!  Please share this link with others.  Remember...in order for us to get the proceeds, you have to buy it off of our store which is....  www.justlovecoffee.com/ThePolsgroves 

You can become a member to get coffee monthly or scroll to the bottom of the page and buy individual bags of coffee. 

We are so thankful for the ways God is providing opportunities for this adoption AND so thankful for all of you who are walking along with us in this journey!!!

Psalm 62:5-8

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.  My victory and honor come from God alone.  He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.  O my people, trust in him at all times.  Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

I dream of Lucy

Adoption is hard.  I had heard that before but didn't realize how true it was until now.  My emotions are crazy.  Some days are totally fine and then others I cry for no reason. all. day. long.  Today is an emotional one.  I just looked at pictures of my friends with their babies for Halloween and for some reason it made me sad.  We have only been in the process for 3 months (almost) but she has been with us for over two years.

I sometimes leave the specifics of "Lucy's Story" out because I don't want people to think we are weird.  But, I am realizing all of these details are significant to her story because it shows just how amazing and big God is.

Tonight  I want to share the first time God showed us a part of His plan.

Russ and I were friends for almost two years before we dated.  During that time we would stay up late talking about everything imaginable (because we were just friends, right? ).  I remember us talking about how we both felt like we would adopt one day.  It was after this conversation that I am sure he went and watched sportscenter and I went home to plan the wedding because I just knew he HAD to be the one....

We were married in 2005.  When kids were discussed, we talked of adoption.  We fooled ourselves some days into thinking we would adopt later in life but most of the time we knew God had called us to adopt our first child.  Russ says most of his life he knew he would adopt his first child and that it would be a girl.

One night, in October 2006, I woke up from a dream.  In the dream I was holding a baby girl, wrapped in a white blanket.  I was gazing at her but could not see her face or what she looked like.  When I awoke I just knew that I was pregnant or that we should begin trying.

The next night I woke from the exact same dream...except this time I thought maybe we should adopt.  I woke Russ and told him the news. He agreed.

The third night, I woke up from the same dream and can still remember exactly how I felt.  I KNEW.  I have never longed for/missed something so much in my life.  My heart ached for her.  I woke up Russ and told him that I missed her.  The amazing thing was that he understood. He didn't ask questions like "but you haven't met her yet?"...he just got it.

It was that night that we realized God had a baby girl for us and that His plan was bigger than we could imagine.  I love that I couldn't see what she looked like....and to be honest, it didn't matter....I just knew she was mine.

Happy Halloween!!!

Here are a few pics to give you a laugh.  We had dinner with our friend Jason tonight.  He was getting his Halloween costume ready which was Wayne from Wayne's World (a movie that came out Feb. 14, 1992).  Wayne is known for his long flowing mullet, hat, black t-shirt, and jeans filled with holes.  Jason even got his girlfriend to cut his wig because it was too long for Wayne!!!!  Too funny!!!

 

Love how Jason has a picture of Wayne on his Iphone so his hair can be just the right length!

Hope you all have a fun-filled weekend!!!

Fourth Watch Productions

Here is the promo that David Watson did on the Weimer family.  The documentary tells the Weimer's story of adoption.  PLEASE WATCH!!! 

(You can click HERE to be linked to Fourth Watch Productions)


Promo for "3 by 3 by 3" Documentary from David Watson on Vimeo.

Meeting and Greeting

Yesterday Russ and I had the privilege of meeting one precious little girl already home from Ethiopia and another couple in the process of bringing their little ones home.  We headed to Nashville yesterday morning and I met Kristi and Lucy Lane for lunch.   Click here to go to their blog.

The night we decided on adopting from Ethiopia I stayed up most of the night.  I was excited yet very anxious.  Somehow I found their blog and watched Lucy Lane's coming home video.  During the video God used a verse (Proverbs 24:12) to just completely put my mind at peace. Please take the time to watch this video.  You can thank me later :)



We had such a great time at lunch and it gave me such hope to see that our Lucy WILL BE HOME EVENTUALLY!!!!

Kristi, Lucy Lane, and myself

(how cute is she???!!!)

 Don't you just love her bow??!!

Lucy Lane giving me some love :)

Russ and I also got to have coffee with another couple adopting from Ethiopia (which I have no clue why we didn't take any picures!!).  David and Amy are in the process of adopting a sibling group.  Such a crazy story of how we found their blog.

A good friend of mine ran into David's mother in Memphis.  Somehow they began to talk and she told my friend about their adoption.  Immediately my friend thought of us ....SO, she got Amy and David's email address.  She then called me and said "You have GOT to talk with this couple.  I really think it will help you to talk with someone that is experiencing the same types of emotions." So, we did.  You can click HERE to read their blog.  What a great time we had talking about the ups and downs of adoption.  So encouraging to talk with someone who know's exactly what we are feeling.  After talking with David, I realized I had seen a promo for a video he is working on.  The video is called 3x3x3 and it tells of one families quest to adopt.  The promo is amazing....hopefully, the full video will be done soon.

We had a great day and felt so alive after talking with people that understand completely. Thanks Kristi, Lucy Lane, David, Amy, and Isaac for a great day! We are still in Nashville...hanging out with my fabulous sister-in-law :)  Have a great weekend!

Atlanta Bread Company (in Tupelo, MS)  has given us an awesome opportunity to raise money for our adoption process. All you have to do is eat at Atlanta Bread in Tupelo on Monday night, November 16th from 6 to 8 and some of their profits will go towards Lucy's adoption.  It will be a great excuse to not have to cook!

Even if you don't have time to eat at Atlanta Bread that night, come by anytime between 6 and 8 and order something to go!

 We will be there the entire time talking about Lucy and just adoption in general!!  Look forward to seeing you all there!!!  Please pass the word around to as many people as possible.


Where : Atlanta Bread Company
              312 S. Gloster Street
              Tupelo, MS 38801


When: Monday, November 16 

Time:   6:00- 8:00


Thanks for all the support!!!  Glad you all love Lucy too!!!

why?

I found these on a blog of a couple adopting from Ethiopia.  Click here to see their blog. They just reminded me all over again of why we chose Ethiopia.  Adoption is hard. Period. But hearing these renew my passion and my fight for my child.

Why Adopt From Ethiopia
• One in six children die before their fifth birthday

• 44% of the population of Ethiopia is under 15 years old

• 60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition

• The median age in Ethiopia is 17.8 years

• 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS (6th highest in the world)

• 720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS alone, and there are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia.

• Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa

• In the 90s the population (3%) grew faster than food production (2.2%)• Drought struck the country from 2000-2002 (first year no crops, second year no seeds, third year no animals)

• Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school. 88% will never attend secondary school.

• Coffee prices (Ethiopia’s only major export) fell 40-60% from 1998-2002.

• Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.

• In 1993, after 30 long years of war, Eritrea broke from Ethiopia and became an independent nation leaving Ethiopia landlocked without any major seafaring ports.

We need to make a difference in the lives of orphans.  How are you going to be a part?

Good Hair

     This is a movie I will be seeing for many reasons!!!  I have had trouble with my hair since I was young.  I did not wear it all the way down until 8th grade when I was going to my first dance.  My mom got it as straight as she could and by the time we got to the place for the dance, it had grown into a mushroom!  My mom and I could NOT control it!!  I am so thankful that it is a little better now (and that they invented hair straightners :) )

    One of my co-workers and I were talking about me fixing Lucy's hair. She was giving me advice and then told me about this movie.  I watched the trailer and think it will be pretty entertaining! Maybe I can learn some good techniques!

Chris Rock explores the wonders of African-American hairstyles.

Hope

I saw this video on Annie's blog.  The message behind this video is amazing.  Take a look :)


Bethany Christian Services - A Story of Hope from Catalyst on Vimeo.

2 months

Today marks 2 months since we made the decision to adopt from Ethiopia.  God has done more than we could ever ask or imagine.  My heart is so full and at peace.  For 2 years now, God has been preparing Russ and I for this.  We felt him calling us to adopt...that there was a little girl out there (or to be out there) that we were to parent.  At first, we thought maybe we misunderstood.  Why would be adopt when it is not necessary?

He continued to work on our hearts...opening them to whatever child HE had for us.  This was a process that completely exposed the ugliness of our hearts (well, specifically my heart).  He told us to "Be still and know that He is God."  I didn't understand.  We were called to adopt but then we felt Him telling us to wait.  Then, on August 10...we KNEW what he was telling us.  And for the first time, my heart and flesh were willing.  Not because of me but because of the work He had done in me.

Russ and I were talking last night about how much has happened since that day...2 months ago.

We have (or should I say God has):

1.  Made the decision to adopt
2.  Found an agency
3. Sent off our I600A to immigration
4.  Told all of our family and friends  ( and been completely supported!)
5.  Completed our fingerprinting
6.  Began AND completed our homestudy (as of today.  Yea!!!!)
7.  Sent in most of the paperwork to Gladney
8.  Organized a HUGE yardsale to raise money (Thanks to our great friends and family!!!)
9.  Raised almost $3,000 at the yardsale
10  Been given almost $5,000 towards our adoption
11.  Cleaned out the room that will be Lucy's
12.  and finally, fallen more in love with her.

So, today on the 2 month anniversary of us deciding to adopt, we are thankful.  Our homestudy lady will be here in 4 hours to let us read over our homestudy so it can be sent to Gladney.  Then we can officially work towards getting on the waitlist.  My mom once told me we should not just be thankful for what God does for us but we should praise Him.  Today, we will do just that.

Icing on the cake

After the sale, friends and family all gathered to add up the total money made.  Such a special moment....we are so supported! We all made guesses and all underbid.  I had prayed that God would multiply the money made and the people that came and He did just that.  We are a few steps closer to bringing Lucy home now.  

I thought people would not care what the cause of our sale was.  I was wrong.  We had people donate money, let us keep the change, and most did not even try to get us to reduce our prices.  We had people come by to share their adoption stories and to wish us good luck.  We even met someone that has an Ethiopian friend that we can take language classes from.  God is so faithful, even when we doubt.  While I am confident in our decision, I love the times that God makes things so clear and reminds us that He has a plan.  

Oh yeah, the amount we made was the exact amount of our next payment to our agency.  Icing on the cake :)

Thanks to everyone that helped to make the sale a success.  We are so thankful!

The Big Day

Thanks to great friends and family, the yard sale DID happen!!  I am so glad that we moved the sale to a house where we could have it indoors.  The rain decided it wanted to make an appearance but people still came!

 Jessica making our sign to let people know about our little Lucy!!

Russ' mom and her AWESOME shirt!  She was ready to sale some stuff for her grandbaby :)

Me and my mom.  We would not have made it without the help of our sweet moms.

We had a double stroller for sale and my mom felt the need to try it out :)

Our friends Margaret and Crystal.  They made the sale happen! Such great friends.

Can't wait to have her home.

Great Finds

We found some GREAT items from the garage sale!!  Russ and his mom (Mrs. Birdie) modeled a few for us.

Too funny!!!  Russ looked GREAT in his fur coat!

Our Messy Life

Our friends were so generous to donate LOTS and LOTS of stuff to our garage sale. Here is a little preview of how much we had! I also added a creepy pic of my sweet husband :)

This would be the creepy pic:)

I have NO idea how we ever got this organized!

We got SO many clothes that we couldn't sort through them. We ended up selling Wal-mart bags full for $3 and garbage bags full for $5. I must admit, I was skeptical BUT I was wrong. There is no telling how much we made off of these clothes!

Fingerprinting and Homestudy

We are so excited!! We have our fingerprinting appointment tomorrow as well as our first homestudy visit. We are praying God would find favor on us during this time. Thanks for praying with us through this entire process. We feel that God has a story using Lucy and we are just glad to be a part of it. We will eventually write down the backstory that brought us to adopting from Ethiopia but...right now we are up to our necks in paperwork (and organization and time management are not by strong-points :) ) We will let you know how tomorrow goes!!!

Anna

Yard Sale

I must just tell you that right now my house looks like a junkyard....but hopefully, all of this stuff will get us one step closer to bringing our baby girl home. God is providing for us in ways I never could have imagined. I am sure hard times will come but right now we are in such a state of peace about this adoption. I am writing this down and telling the blog world because I know there will be a day that I need to be reminded of this. Since beginning this adoption we have traveled through many states of emotions. But, today we are excited and trying to do all that we can to bring her home.

Email me at annapolsgrove@gmail.com for more details on the sale. I will keep you posted on how it goes.



Yard Sale will be September 26, 2009 at 6 am!!!