Incompetence with a Happy Ending

9:30 am:  call Supervisor at USCIS(immigration, but I have some optional other names), get routed to voicemail, left a message
10:30am: get a return call from Supervisor at USCIS
11:15am: get an email with the wrong approval
11:16am: call back and speak to a thoroughly confused Supervisor
12:05pm:  send an email pleading for the correct approval
12:37pm: call and get routed to voicemail, left a message
1:30pm:  call, and get routed to voicemail again, left a louder message
1:30pm:  get a return call from Supervisor at USCIS stating all the reasons why I don't have this approval  yet, I heard her say:  "blah, blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, blah, blah".
1:50pm:  get an email with the actual approval in it, WITH THE NAME SPELLED WRONG
1:51pm:  call back and speak/cry to Supervisor at USCIS teller her my daughter-to-be's name is spelled wrong
2:09pm:  get an email with the actual and correct approval.  They will mail the original.
2:37pm:  ship necessary documents to Bethany Christian Services Grand Rapids, MI
2:45pm: order a Venti Sugar Free Caramel Frappuccino, ahhhhhh--thank you Jesus!

I feel like I have been beaten with a bat.

So the happy ending is that this day is over, paperworkwise, and I am at home with my beautiful family and I don't have to cook dinner because I have a wonderful husband who is amazing and I am blessed.  How's that for Choosing Joy?  Confession time:  Joy went out of the picture for much of my day!

The papers will be on their way to China this week......and thankfully we have yet another governmental redundancy to contend with, but the margin for error is very slim.  They will be delivered to the US Consulate to begin the application for Jadyn's immigration visa, after they match up all our paperwork, Bethany will get them to the Chinese govt, who will then issue our travel approval.  A few weeks for the first part and then a few more weeks to get travel approval.

Deb

The Sqeaky Wheel

After submitting the new documents to immigration and hearing nothing since Thursday, after calling and calling and emailing repeatedly and finally insisting on speaking to someone higher up--I am THRILLED to report that we got a call from a supervisor telling me that our officer approved our immigration application to bring Jadyn home!! 

In my excitement, I did not remember to ask her what date we were approved, so I would know when to expect the approval in the mail.  I have forgotton worse before.

I was tempted to continue my conversation with her and try to analyze why no one would call me back, and why my officer had to have such a lousy attitude with me, and why she was so friendly--she was genuinely nice, she was not just courteous, but humorous and pleasant and nice.  Anyway, I decided not to "beat a dead horse" and figured she realized he had issues because she was calling me on his behalf.  Done.

This approval will be sent to us and our case will be forwarded to the NVC--National Visa Center.  Once we get confirmation from NVC, we (our agency) will forward Jadyn's visa application packet to the US Consulate in China, who will process her application and then it will get sent to Beijing to be verified that we have done all the aforementioned steps and they will issue travel approval.  Is your head spinning yet?  Keep in mind these are just the last few steps and this whole process has been like this.

While, word of our I800 approval is fantastic news, we have a little ways to go.  I had my heart set on September travel, but it's not looking good at this point.  October is a tough month to travel because of the Holiday and Trade Fair. 

Please pray for smooth paperwork processing for these next few steps!  We know God answers prayers and we are so thankful!

I had a lesson in anxiety a few days back and it went like this:

We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9 (New Living Translation)

I'll leave you with that thought for today.

Deb

Baby Gear

Now that we are back from vacation, I think it's time to get the baby gear list in order.  I will be needing some assistance from y'all on this one.  We have a crib, but are fully prepared to do whatever it takes to get sleep, whether it's in our bed--we just got a new beautiful, wonderful, large mattress, or her crib, or pack & play, whatever. 

We have a changing table, some basic baby toys, feeding supplies--bottles, formula (yes, I am keeping her on formula, just relax) blankets, diapers.  What I need a recommendation for is a stroller and carseat.  Keep in mind she is 15 months. 

Also, I'm thinking about a carrier for using in China.  It will probably still be pretty hot when we go (September?) and as much as I love the looks and sturdyness of the Ergo or Beco carriers, they look HOT, as in sweaty.

Ergo Carrier

I'm thinking a sling would probably be cooler.  I think the fact that we will need all the bonding help we can muster and China is not too stroller-friendly (so I have been told), will warrant some sort of carrier.  I have an old Hotslings that is a little small for me, so it's time for a new one.

This one is a Hotslings  it's pretty (and reversible for the Hubs), and a whole lot cheaper.  Then......there's the wrap--HOT, but practical.  They also make (or I could make) a RingSling   which looks pretty practical and completly adjustable.  What to do, what to do?

Ok, so what else do I need?  High chair or booster that straps on to a chair?  I have a baby pool floaty,so we're all set in that department!  It's been a while since Austin was a tot and we did not keep too much.  Maybe a ride-on toy for in the house or some musical activity center thingy?  What did/do your kids love?

I am also happy to hear any ideas for entertaining a baby on an airplane for hours and hours. 

Last request, just pray for these approvals we need.  It's hard waiting, we should have had our immigration approval by now, it's been 30 days, grrrrr.  Then we have to wait another week-2 weeks for a paper before we can submit it back to China for them to get our Travel papers ready.  It just seems so far away and I am getting discouraged and anxious.  I just want to get to Jadyn!