Finally...THE PAPER

Finally, after many months of setbacks and lost paperwork, we can say it arrived.  Our I-797 approval came yesterday.  I still can't believe it took this long.  Now we can move on. We are approved for three little darlings so hopefully the rest of our wait will move faster to make up time!  We can't wait to get our arms around them... 

Homeland Security, Tamales, & Candied Yams

It's strange, I (T) really like to have my fingerprint taken.  I (T) know, many of you laugh, "figures, we always knew that is how you would end up."  Well, I (T) have ended up this way, just not THAT way.

Again, I (T) like having my fingerprints taken, just not electronically.  I (T) like the ink.  I (T) like the feeling of rolling my fingers against paper.  I (T) like the way the cleaner feels when you scrub the ink off. 

We waited so long for them to fingerprint us this time.  I (T) was happy, I (T) was relieved, I (T) was glad it finally happened, I (T) was disappointed no ink was involved. 

The office we went to was strange.  It was in a non-desrcript office park, on the bottom level, with a ton of hideously pruned boxwoods everywhere.  I (T) was a touch aggravated, we arrived early, parked right in front of the door, somehow positioned strangely below ground level, and waited.

-Why can't they open the door?(T)

-It's not 8:00.(J)

-Well, it's close enough, look, they're just standing there. (T)

-It's not 8:00, they'll open at 8:00. (J)

-That's ridiculous, they're right there. (T)

-Baby, they open at 8:00.(J)

Anyway, you all get the idea.  Once inside, it was pleasant enough.  We filled out the form, took a number, sat down (in hideous little plastic chairs) below pictures of George Bush and Michael Chertoff, and waited.  We did not wait too long.  They were very efficient and we were early. 

SIDEBAR: Where in the world do those ubiquitous, plastic, federal government plastic chairs come from?  Is there a chair manufacturer in Hell?

I (T) was a touch freaked out by the Bush/Chertoff photographic montage.  Maybe we could have something a touch more welcoming in our immigration offices.  I (T) don't know, maybe a picture of a plate of tamales, maybe a picture of my great-grandmother's candied yams.  I (T)want people to feel welcome when they come to our country. I (T) know I (T) feel at home when tamales and candied yams are on the table.

Later y'all.

fingerprints....finally

Yes, we have a very official looking letter saying that we need to be at the FBI building in Birmingham at 8 am on Tuesday, September 9! It's funny how such little steps seem so huge...

one year

August 30, 2007 is the date on our approval from CHI. One year later we have not even had our fingerprints taken. I could say more but then I would feel like I am whining. I am just going to leave it at that...

I have always been a firm believer that all things happen in their own time. I just wish it was a little faster...

Fingerprints?

We received a message today from our congressman's office that our fingerprinting appointment will be on September 9! We have not had anything official arrive in the mail as of yet but I have high hopes...

again.

P.S. I am so curious to know what happens to the ticker thing after a year...yes, it will be a year on Sunday.

Update

After my freak out yesterday, our wonderful social worker did a little checking. She contacted DHR and they are sending another copy of our approval and homestudy to CIS. Here we go again... Is the second time the charm?

I know I keep saying it but we do love having our fingerprints taken....we really do.

Dear CIS,

I am sorry it seems my homestudy never arrived. Do you think you could check one more time just to see if it was misplaced? Alabama DHR says they sent it to you on May 14th. Maybe your usual mailroom employees were off that day. Please look around and see if it is there.

Sincerely,

Jennifer


At least it makes me feel better to write the letter....even if it really is only for my own sanity.