Kai is 11 months old today, and although I was hoping for a wonderful birthday surprise, my inbox this morning had only the usual junk.......
I am sad for all the milestones we have missed in her life so far, and I just continue to remind myself of all the years we will have with her ahead. I cannot imagine how disappointed we will be if we don't have her home by her first birthday. Please, please, please let us get the approval SOON!!!
Happy Birthday to my SIL, Julie, who today turns "the new 30"!! We look forward to celebrating with you!!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Back to the Waiting Game
I want to thank EVERYONE who has sent the Senator letters! We were blown away at the huge response, and we just hope and pray that it helps expedite the review of our case.
I e-mailed the Embassy just to ask them to acknowledge receipt of the documentation, and - of course - got no response (!!). Senator Chambliss' office did an inquiry this morning, so maybe they'll have better luck than I did.
Also, our police clearance letters had expired in August. I had been thinking it wasn't a big deal because we just get them locally. However, I had forgotten that they also have to be county-certified, state-certified, and authenticated by the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco! YIKES!! If we were to get travel approval this week, we'll be pushing it to get these back in time! And Shawn is out of town, so that further complicates things.....I'm working on it, though! Hopefully they will be on their way to the state level by this afternoon.
Our medical letters expire 10/28, so let's just keep our fingers crossed that we are back home by then!
Just keep praying!!
I e-mailed the Embassy just to ask them to acknowledge receipt of the documentation, and - of course - got no response (!!). Senator Chambliss' office did an inquiry this morning, so maybe they'll have better luck than I did.
Also, our police clearance letters had expired in August. I had been thinking it wasn't a big deal because we just get them locally. However, I had forgotten that they also have to be county-certified, state-certified, and authenticated by the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco! YIKES!! If we were to get travel approval this week, we'll be pushing it to get these back in time! And Shawn is out of town, so that further complicates things.....I'm working on it, though! Hopefully they will be on their way to the state level by this afternoon.
Our medical letters expire 10/28, so let's just keep our fingers crossed that we are back home by then!
Just keep praying!!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Feeling better all around...and it's FRIDAY!
Austin is (finally!) better after being out of school for three days. Thank goodness!! It's been a looonnnnggg week.....About the only good that comes out of having a sick child is lots of snuggling time! I didn't mind that part at all!
We are feeling better, too, about the additional paperwork that was submitted to CIS this week. I went over it all with a fine-tooth comb with our agency yesterday, and it appears that it may - in fact - address the discrepancy in the original paperwork (!!!). It's embedded in one of the summary reports that their Department of Justice prepared for the People's Committee, so I forwarded just that summary to the CIS with an e-mail pointing out the explanation and requesting a response.
I decided against posting the senators' letters on this blogsite (too much personal info), but if I know you personally, you will be getting an e-mail from me asking you to sign and send the letters. I hope you will consider doing so. We do NOT want the process to go stagnate at this point, and we feel like the CIS should do an immediate review of the case and make a determination. It has been 157 days since they acknowledged receipt of our I-600!!!
Kai will be 11 months old on Tuesday.....
We are feeling better, too, about the additional paperwork that was submitted to CIS this week. I went over it all with a fine-tooth comb with our agency yesterday, and it appears that it may - in fact - address the discrepancy in the original paperwork (!!!). It's embedded in one of the summary reports that their Department of Justice prepared for the People's Committee, so I forwarded just that summary to the CIS with an e-mail pointing out the explanation and requesting a response.
I decided against posting the senators' letters on this blogsite (too much personal info), but if I know you personally, you will be getting an e-mail from me asking you to sign and send the letters. I hope you will consider doing so. We do NOT want the process to go stagnate at this point, and we feel like the CIS should do an immediate review of the case and make a determination. It has been 157 days since they acknowledged receipt of our I-600!!!
Kai will be 11 months old on Tuesday.....
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Brian Andreas rocks!
I found a perfectly-fitting Brian Andreas (I HEART him!) print on another blog, and although I can't figure out how to copy and paste the picture, here's the text:
"Feels like some kind of ride - but it's turning out just to be life going absolutely perfectly"
How fitting!
Austin is STILL sick - high temp at 4 a.m. and coughing like crazy - so we're waiting for a return call from the doctor's office. I then have to call the adoption agency and talk about the paperwork...
"Feels like some kind of ride - but it's turning out just to be life going absolutely perfectly"
How fitting!
Austin is STILL sick - high temp at 4 a.m. and coughing like crazy - so we're waiting for a return call from the doctor's office. I then have to call the adoption agency and talk about the paperwork...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Disappointment abounds
I have read and re-read every document that we received today at least 10 times. I've studied them, written timelines, cross-referenced contradictions, and added confirmations, and I still don't know what to make of it! I honestly don't know if it will help our case or not, but I feel pretty certain that it won't be sufficient to adjudicate our I-600. It clearly doesn't provide a reasonable explanation of why the hospital discharge report contradicts the mid-wife's report. There's lots of mumbo-jumbo that dances around the topic and gives scenarios surrounding the events, but it does not provide a direct explanation and neither side has recanted their story.
Let me share with you an excerpt from one of the reports, just to give you an idea: "...I was called by Manager of General Planning...I came to the department and met a foreigner with his interpreter there (CIS agents). Mr. YY gave me the Hospital Checking Out Document of Patient XX (the birthmother) for me to check and I found the mistake in difference in the year in that document. Then I said to Mr. YY that the working time was finished and I left the department to go back home." Uhhhh....okay....yeah, we KNOW that 10/31/08 hasn't happened yet, so the year is wrong. Duh. But can someone PUH-LEEZE look at the REAL discrepancy, and that is why is there a Hospital Checking Out Document in the first place if SHE NEVER FORMALLY CHECKED OUT?!?!?!? All the other documents say (and these are direct quotes) "she left", "she disappeared", "she gave birth, ran away, and left her baby in the hospital", "she escaped from the hospital", "no one came to receive the baby", etc.
We can only hope that the CIS might get as worn-out and exasperated as we did reading all of this, and maybe they will just say "okay, okay....just don't make me read any more, and we'll approve your I-600! You can leave tomorrow!".....Well, one can dream, can't they?
I asked the agency to call me to discuss it, which they did, but apparently at the exact time I left the house for 2 minutes to go to the mailbox! I didn't even realize I had missed the call until it was 5:30 p.m./too late to call them back.
I am beyond frustrated but not beyond hope.
Let me share with you an excerpt from one of the reports, just to give you an idea: "...I was called by Manager of General Planning...I came to the department and met a foreigner with his interpreter there (CIS agents). Mr. YY gave me the Hospital Checking Out Document of Patient XX (the birthmother) for me to check and I found the mistake in difference in the year in that document. Then I said to Mr. YY that the working time was finished and I left the department to go back home." Uhhhh....okay....yeah, we KNOW that 10/31/08 hasn't happened yet, so the year is wrong. Duh. But can someone PUH-LEEZE look at the REAL discrepancy, and that is why is there a Hospital Checking Out Document in the first place if SHE NEVER FORMALLY CHECKED OUT?!?!?!? All the other documents say (and these are direct quotes) "she left", "she disappeared", "she gave birth, ran away, and left her baby in the hospital", "she escaped from the hospital", "no one came to receive the baby", etc.
We can only hope that the CIS might get as worn-out and exasperated as we did reading all of this, and maybe they will just say "okay, okay....just don't make me read any more, and we'll approve your I-600! You can leave tomorrow!".....Well, one can dream, can't they?
I asked the agency to call me to discuss it, which they did, but apparently at the exact time I left the house for 2 minutes to go to the mailbox! I didn't even realize I had missed the call until it was 5:30 p.m./too late to call them back.
I am beyond frustrated but not beyond hope.
Paperwork received - - - now to make some sense of it!
Good morning -
I am sorting and re-reading through the myriad of documents that arrived in my inbox this morning....glad to have gotten something, but I just can't see where this is going to be enough! It is very confusing, redundant, and hard to read mostly because the word arrangements get changed in the translation. It addresses the "'08 vs. '07" issue in the original documents, but not the "disappeared from hospital vs. formerly discharged" issue. Also, the police report (saying the birth mother cannot be located) is referenced but is not included. HOWEVER! It's more than we had this time yesterday, so we are working to make some sense of it!
I am sorting and re-reading through the myriad of documents that arrived in my inbox this morning....glad to have gotten something, but I just can't see where this is going to be enough! It is very confusing, redundant, and hard to read mostly because the word arrangements get changed in the translation. It addresses the "'08 vs. '07" issue in the original documents, but not the "disappeared from hospital vs. formerly discharged" issue. Also, the police report (saying the birth mother cannot be located) is referenced but is not included. HOWEVER! It's more than we had this time yesterday, so we are working to make some sense of it!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Strep and Stress - - -
Well, I knew it was coming....just about everyone I know has had at least one sick child in the last few weeks, so it was just our turn, I guess! Austin came home from school yesterday feeling lousy, and I didn't want to wait to see if it would get better on its own. I took him to the doctor first thing this morning. He has strep throat, so we are homebound for two days. Ugh. The doctor visit was horrible since Austin knew exactly what the swab was for, and he didn't want any part of that! I literally had to hold him down while he screamed so they could get it done. AND his temperature was 103.6!! I have GOT to get a decent thermometer that gives consistent readings (we have 3 different kinds and none work well!). I knew he had a fever just based on how warm his skin was, but it scares me for it to get that high. They gave him Motrin while we were there and it's much better now.
AND - - - - the only e-mail I have gotten regarding the adoption was one from our agency saying they are still waiting. BIG UGH!! I'm trying SOOO hard not to let it stress me out, but today the stress is winning. They said it may still come today, but since it's nearly 2 p.m., I'm not feeling very hopeful.
AND - - - - the only e-mail I have gotten regarding the adoption was one from our agency saying they are still waiting. BIG UGH!! I'm trying SOOO hard not to let it stress me out, but today the stress is winning. They said it may still come today, but since it's nearly 2 p.m., I'm not feeling very hopeful.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tomorrow??
We are supposed to have the translated documents e-mailed to us tomorrow (our agency should receive them overnight tonight)!!! I'm not sure why they didn't ask for details about the content (I sure would have!), but were told that it does explain the discrepancy in the original paperwork we received.
SO! They asked for additional evidence, we are providing it, so they should approve our I-600, right????
I hope and pray it will be that straightforward!
SO! They asked for additional evidence, we are providing it, so they should approve our I-600, right????
I hope and pray it will be that straightforward!
Pics to share!
Good morning to all!
At this point in our process, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't post a picture of Kai for all to see. Early on, it was advised against, but today I am claiming her as our own. No one will be taking this little angel away from us. The question is not "if", but "when"!
So - - - as we have been for months now - - - - I invite you to enjoy that precious little face! Those gorgeous eyes! That punkin mouth! What long fingers! I just love every inch of her and can't wait to hold her in my arms, kiss her all over and tell her HOW VERY MUCH WE LOVE HER!!
We are optimistic that this will be a great week for Kai's adoption. If we don't see the documentation today, I will start making some noise; it's been a week already. AND I plan to draft a letter to our congressmen for family and friends to send so that - hopefully - the USCIS will review the documentation quickly and give us our I-600 approval. Today is day #153!!! I may even attach it to the blog so that anyone could send it to their own congressmen...in fact, that is what I shall do!! I hope you will all join us in our mini-crusade to get our daughter home!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Working on it!
Good morning to all!
I heard from our agency - - - they are working on the translations of the documentation, there is apparently a lot of paperwork (that's good!), and the in-country facilitator "thinks" it will be sufficient to satisfy the USCIS for I-600 approval (that's GREAT!!!!!). They will send us and the Embassy the paperwork once it's translated, then - again - we wait.
Keep praying!! Every day we are one step closer!!!
I heard from our agency - - - they are working on the translations of the documentation, there is apparently a lot of paperwork (that's good!), and the in-country facilitator "thinks" it will be sufficient to satisfy the USCIS for I-600 approval (that's GREAT!!!!!). They will send us and the Embassy the paperwork once it's translated, then - again - we wait.
Keep praying!! Every day we are one step closer!!!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Home, sweet home!
We are safely home and were SOOO excited to see Austin! I got an e-mail from our agency that said we may not hear anything until today or tomorrow.....I'm about to e-mail her back and find out why the delay.
Stay tuned.....
Stay tuned.....
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Bon jour...
...From Paris!! We are at the Charles de Galle airport awaiting our return flight home. It has been an amazing trip, and I will write more at length later (and add some pictures of this BEAUTIFUL city!). We celebrated our 7th anniversary having dinner at a wonderful restaurant overlooking the Eiffel Tower!
But for now, I wanted to let you know what is happening in adoption-world: The Justice Office in Vietnam called our agency's in-country facilitator on the 15th and asked her to come pick up the documents the following day (which is basically now - it's 3:30 p.m. in Vietnam). SOOO.....because it's only 4:30 a.m. at home, our agency rep hasn't begun her work day yet, so we won't know what has transpired until we get off the flight later today. And the documents will have to be translated before we see them, but I asked our agency not to wait until all of that is done to contact us. I am much more interested in content than seeing the actual documents.
I'm so full of anticipation I can't stand it! Nervous, excited, anxious, eager and HOPEFUL!! I just pray, pray, pray that it will be enough to end this craziness!! Kai is 10 1/2 months old, and I can't believe how close we're getting to her first birthday. It just breaks my heart not to have her with us.
But for now, I wanted to let you know what is happening in adoption-world: The Justice Office in Vietnam called our agency's in-country facilitator on the 15th and asked her to come pick up the documents the following day (which is basically now - it's 3:30 p.m. in Vietnam). SOOO.....because it's only 4:30 a.m. at home, our agency rep hasn't begun her work day yet, so we won't know what has transpired until we get off the flight later today. And the documents will have to be translated before we see them, but I asked our agency not to wait until all of that is done to contact us. I am much more interested in content than seeing the actual documents.
I'm so full of anticipation I can't stand it! Nervous, excited, anxious, eager and HOPEFUL!! I just pray, pray, pray that it will be enough to end this craziness!! Kai is 10 1/2 months old, and I can't believe how close we're getting to her first birthday. It just breaks my heart not to have her with us.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Anticipation....it's keeping me waiting!
Yeah, I know, another reference to song lyrics - - - this time it's the legendary Carly Simon who sings the words of my heart!
This could be a big week in the adoption process, and I ask you all to keep us in your prayers. The Vietnamese officials have promised the documentation by September 15th, which is our Sunday night, so we may know exactly what they have this week. Of course, we have no way of knowing if it will be sufficient for the USCIS to grant us the I-600 approval we so desperately need - - - or how quickly they will review it. I've heard horror stories from other families who received RFEs like us - - they provided the additional evidence then the USCIS has taken months to make a ruling! I pray, pray, pray that this doesn't happen in our case. I've even been praying for the USCIS and Mary Ann Russell specifically - - - if anyone needs God's help, it's them!
I am a little nervous about going to Paris, just because it's such a pivotal time, but we will have e-mail access and will be available to be reached if/when our agency has the documentation to pass along.
Thanks again to everyone for all your love and support - - - Let's GET KAI HOME!!!!
This could be a big week in the adoption process, and I ask you all to keep us in your prayers. The Vietnamese officials have promised the documentation by September 15th, which is our Sunday night, so we may know exactly what they have this week. Of course, we have no way of knowing if it will be sufficient for the USCIS to grant us the I-600 approval we so desperately need - - - or how quickly they will review it. I've heard horror stories from other families who received RFEs like us - - they provided the additional evidence then the USCIS has taken months to make a ruling! I pray, pray, pray that this doesn't happen in our case. I've even been praying for the USCIS and Mary Ann Russell specifically - - - if anyone needs God's help, it's them!
I am a little nervous about going to Paris, just because it's such a pivotal time, but we will have e-mail access and will be available to be reached if/when our agency has the documentation to pass along.
Thanks again to everyone for all your love and support - - - Let's GET KAI HOME!!!!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Girls' Night!
Here is a pic from last night's Birthday Club/Girls' Night - - not sure how Dee and Claire managed to nearly completely be out of the shot, but we had a great time catching up with everyone! Happy Birthday to Claire and Jill!!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Student of the Week!!
Yep! That's our boy!! Student of the Week - - - !! We're so proud of him; he's such an awesome kid!
We had a fun Labor Day weekend with dear friends from Atlanta here (shout-out to the T clan!). We took the boat out and went to our "soon-to-be" new dock. The kids had a blast swimming and riding the boat towable (sort of like an innertube, but you sit in it). They were worn out and having fun! I was worried about Shawn's back, but he was cautious so he felt okay afterward.
We close on our new lot on Friday and are going to get to go see a Show House for a floor plan we found that we love! Check out the "Lifestyles Home" plan on this website: ginnhomedesign.com. It is a beautiful house with every feature (including TWO pooper rooms in the master bath!) we could have dreamed and a couple we will do without (the elevator, for one!). I can't wait to see it "live"!!!
Sorry, but still no news about the adoption. I just hope that all this waiting isn't in vain and that whatever documentation will be provided will be just what we need to get I-600 approval!! Today is day #134 after Acknowledgment of Receipt (!!).
Kai turned 10 months old on Saturday, so we had to return most of the 6 - 9 month summer outfits we had. It broke my heart. Happy Birthday, Sweet Angel - - - - we will be coming to get you just AS SOON AS we can!!
We had a fun Labor Day weekend with dear friends from Atlanta here (shout-out to the T clan!). We took the boat out and went to our "soon-to-be" new dock. The kids had a blast swimming and riding the boat towable (sort of like an innertube, but you sit in it). They were worn out and having fun! I was worried about Shawn's back, but he was cautious so he felt okay afterward.
We close on our new lot on Friday and are going to get to go see a Show House for a floor plan we found that we love! Check out the "Lifestyles Home" plan on this website: ginnhomedesign.com. It is a beautiful house with every feature (including TWO pooper rooms in the master bath!) we could have dreamed and a couple we will do without (the elevator, for one!). I can't wait to see it "live"!!!
Sorry, but still no news about the adoption. I just hope that all this waiting isn't in vain and that whatever documentation will be provided will be just what we need to get I-600 approval!! Today is day #134 after Acknowledgment of Receipt (!!).
Kai turned 10 months old on Saturday, so we had to return most of the 6 - 9 month summer outfits we had. It broke my heart. Happy Birthday, Sweet Angel - - - - we will be coming to get you just AS SOON AS we can!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
