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

2009

Do you remember when you were a kid and the year 2000 was like at the end of all time and we would be flying with jet packs--if we were still alive and not nuked by then? Well we are still here--no jet packs--just hybrid cars. We were so very blessed this past year. Following is a list of random highlights of 2008:

Austin had another good Cardiologist checkup.
Shannon turned double digits.
I turned 40.
Dwayne finally built a dining room table and bench (after promising for 10 years to do so). I love, love, love it.
I celebrated 18 years of blissful marriage to my best friend.
Took (too few) "wine walks" with friends.
Lots of Family and extended Family gatherings.
Summer days in the back yard.
Trips to the beach.
Kayaking.
Wii came home.

AND...we started on the road to China that leads to our baby girl. We wish you a blessed Happy New Year. Suggestion for a New Year's Resolution--Choose Joy. Think about what that means, it's a huge thing when applied to so many areas of life. Instead of complaining about something, look for a good thing about it. Instead of pointing out faults, compliment, but be sincere.

Deb