Birthday #7!

Carter turned 7 a couple of weeks ago. On his actual birthday we had cake, ice cream and his choice for dinner. This weekend we had the party with family and friends. A good time was had by all! :)

Whirlwind...

Since my last post it has been a whirlwind of activity here. We have to renew our fingerprints with immigration in order to be able to get Mia. Ours expire 3.12.10. In order to get our free renewal of those prints, we had to do a home study update. There was quite a bit of miscommunication between our agency, myself, and our social worker about what was needed for the update. However, I believe it has all been ironed out. Tim and I went Saturday for fingerprints at Owens, those are for FBI and Ohio's BCI. We also had new physicals done. I had to fill out financial stuff as well. Once our agency approves the updated home study (it will note that our fingerprints from 2/20/10 are pending) I can overnight the info to Texas. When the fingerprint info comes in the social worker will write a letter stating that we are all clear and that will go to Texas as well.

So what does that mean? We are SLOWLY getting closer to getting Mia. I am hoping about 3 months away. We will go to Detroit once we get an appointment with immigration for fingerprinting. Last time it took a grand total of 5 minutes to do both of us, and that included a potty break. There are more steps after that, but right now I am just focusing on getting the stuff to Texas.

I did have a good dream last night. I dreamt that I was holding Mia and all the paperwork trouble melted away because she was in my arms.

Frustration Level at an all Time High

Had a very frustrating day. To be so close to getting Mia, and have to do MORE paperwork. It would be different if we had not done the exact paperwork before. More money that was not planned on being spent, has to be paid out.

Tim and I will have to be fingerprinted locally, for the Ohio BCI and FBI checks. We will also have to have a physical done again. Fingerprints --painless. The doctor part, who are we kidding those people are incompetent. They are closed on Friday, but rest assured I will call them first thing on Monday morning. If we have been seen in the last 10 months--they can use that data--if they will. If not then a new appointment has to be made. Trust me they do not realize that time is of the essence, and are never in any hurry to get us in.

I have been upset today about all this and other things. I have cried, and prayed, and cried while praying. Please continue to pray for our family.

New Doctor

For the past 11 years we have used a family doctor for the boys. Last month, I finally had enough of the bull from the family doc. I switched the boys to a pediatrician. Today we met him for the first time. Let me just say, world of difference. The professionalism of the staff, the ease of getting from the waiting room to exam room, and the doctor was great with the kids. I wish I would have switched long ago. The entire experience was only 1 hour long. Much better than the half day I wasted at the other guy.

I told him that Mia would be coming home soon, and he was excited for us. He does have about 12 patients that are internationally adopted. Very good news that he has experience with that.

All three boys got the chicken pox vaccine today. (Something our family doc never had). They were a bit sad, so we got some dollar candy ice cream sundaes from Sonic.

OMG!

I am trying to stay positive, but sometimes I have to vent. When I vent it is usually to Tim. To be honest he really has not done any of this adoption paperwork. He just goes when I say it is time to go (fingerprints, classes, etc...), so he really has no clue why I am upset.

This whole update for immigration is driving me bonkers. When I think about it I get a migraine. We were matched with Mia on 11/30/09, and I thought I will start the update in January--get past the holidays. Holy cow, I should have started Dec 1; maybe it would be done now.

I know it will work out. I have a great agency and a good social worker. Just breathe Heather and buy Mia something. (jammies, diapers, bibs, you get the point)

Just when I think I know...

You know how I thought I'd get my much needed paperwork for immigration today? That would be a big fat no. Not sure what's going on. We are still in a holding pattern. It will all happen in good time, which means not today. ;)

Moving Right Along...

Today I was able to send the power of attorney to the Chinese Consulate in NY so they could put their seal on it. I have to take this since Tim is not traveling.

Then when I came home I had several emails and a call from our home study folks. Our little update is just about ready. I will most likely pick it up Friday or Monday. Then I will overnight it to USCIS (immigration). This is for our fingerprints to be redone, since they expire March 12, 2010. Once immigration gets our info, we will get a fingerprint appointment in Detroit. From what I have read, and by no way is it the gospel, travel is 6-8 weeks after your fingerprint approval date. At least that is what is in my brain; so I can think of tentative times for travel. I know it is all in God's time and believe it or not I am at peace with it.