After another long and stressful week, we received some very positive and encouraging news regarding our I600 this afternoon. As Justin was leaving work, he received a phone call from the NBC office. "I have good news" were the words that were spoken. Our case worker informed us that that they received a new document that would satisfy the new requirement and that her supervisor has looked over the document and gave her the approval. Praise God!!!
She told us our 171 was going in the mail to us and to the NVC office and should be receiving it next week. Praying this is true. Can't wait to have that document in our hands.
What a great way to start this extended weekend!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Well Baby Check
Last Thursday we received Kai's 8 month well baby check. I love when an email comes across with great news on our little man. He is growing so fast. He is now 20lbs 12oz. and 27.9 inches long. He is sitting without assistance, pulls to standing position and walks along furniture. It makes me smiles knowing he is doing so well, but also a little sad that we are missing some of his first.
Oh Happy Day!!!
It is no surprise that I have been feeling down these last couple of days. I have been overwhelmed with the issues of missing documents and the chance that they may not get released. I have been stressed at work over scheduling. I have been sick with a nasty sinus infection leaving me stuffed up and unable to hear. I got some news I was less than thrilled about. So it is easy to say I have had a rough week.
As I took it all in today, I sat at my desk in tears. I am sure everyone around thought there was something seriously wrong with me (probably is...lol). Anyways, after a good long cry, I dried my eyes and began to pray. I prayed that God would reach down to me today and give me the strength I needed to make it through this week. I prayed that God was watching over Kai...to make sure that he was happy, healthy and loved by all. I prayed that Holt would release this document so that our process can begin to move forward. I prayed that our son would be in our arms soon.
So as I was getting ready to leave work, I checked the email one more time. There it was! God looking down on me today. An email from our sw that read, "some pictures to make your day". And they did just that. Seeing his precious face makes all of this sadness go away. I will go through anything to have this little boy home. I can't tell you how much I already love him. He completes our family. I am so blessed to have my children...the absolute loves of my life.
Hang on sweet boy...we are coming soon!
As I took it all in today, I sat at my desk in tears. I am sure everyone around thought there was something seriously wrong with me (probably is...lol). Anyways, after a good long cry, I dried my eyes and began to pray. I prayed that God would reach down to me today and give me the strength I needed to make it through this week. I prayed that God was watching over Kai...to make sure that he was happy, healthy and loved by all. I prayed that Holt would release this document so that our process can begin to move forward. I prayed that our son would be in our arms soon.
So as I was getting ready to leave work, I checked the email one more time. There it was! God looking down on me today. An email from our sw that read, "some pictures to make your day". And they did just that. Seeing his precious face makes all of this sadness go away. I will go through anything to have this little boy home. I can't tell you how much I already love him. He completes our family. I am so blessed to have my children...the absolute loves of my life.
Hang on sweet boy...we are coming soon!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
A decision has been made
This afternoon we received an email from the NBC office stating that they DO indeed need the document to approve us to adopt Yi Seung Gi. Not the answer we were hoping for. I totally understand why they are asking for this document. With everything going on with international adoption, I do believe in order to be complety sure the child is an orphan such paper work needs to be provided. However, I also believe that there should have some kind of warning and a date in which this new document was to take place rather than holding everyone up and completely stressing them out.
Anyways, after Justin received the email he contacted the agency to discuss what he had learned. She told us that since it is now an official document, they will be contacting the Holt office and will try to get the document as quickly as possible.
Please pray for our family during this difficult process and that Holt will cooperate and provide the needed document to approve us to bring home our son.
Anyways, after Justin received the email he contacted the agency to discuss what he had learned. She told us that since it is now an official document, they will be contacting the Holt office and will try to get the document as quickly as possible.
Please pray for our family during this difficult process and that Holt will cooperate and provide the needed document to approve us to bring home our son.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday morning blues
This morning Justin contacted our agency to inquire about the 3 missing documents. We were told that 2 of the 3 documents had already been submitted and the third was a confidential document that Holt would not give out. (The document in question is the birth mother consent). Several other families are having these issues and eventually everyone waiting for I600 approval will be dealing with the issue as well. The agency said they are already looking into it for another family, and for us to contact them closer to the 45 day deadline to see if the issue had been resolved. I. don't. think. so.
So Justin contacted everyone he could think of to get the issue moving forward. Just a few days before, we received a call from the NBC (National Benefits Center) about other missing documents. Justin emailed the lady he spoke with earlier in the week to see if he could get any further information. She called him back fairly quickly and began to apologize before he even got a chance to speak. Since this is a new procedure for this office they are requesting additional documents that have never been needed in the past. She informed him that the office is aware of the document in question and that just got out of meeting discussing where to go from here. Justin asked her to call our agency to discuss the issue so far and to contact us as soon a decision is made on whether or not this "confidential document" is indeed necessary. We shall see.
So Justin contacted everyone he could think of to get the issue moving forward. Just a few days before, we received a call from the NBC (National Benefits Center) about other missing documents. Justin emailed the lady he spoke with earlier in the week to see if he could get any further information. She called him back fairly quickly and began to apologize before he even got a chance to speak. Since this is a new procedure for this office they are requesting additional documents that have never been needed in the past. She informed him that the office is aware of the document in question and that just got out of meeting discussing where to go from here. Justin asked her to call our agency to discuss the issue so far and to contact us as soon a decision is made on whether or not this "confidential document" is indeed necessary. We shall see.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Here we go again
So last Tuesday we received a phone call from USCIS to inform us we were missing documents. Justin ran home to get the originals so he could send a copy over to their office that day. We were told it would be approved that afternoon and in the mail to us. How exciting...things were finally moving forward.
So today when we got home we checked the mail. We got a bit excited as we saw a letter from the USCIS office. We just Knew it was our I600 approval. Wrong again. It was a letter that said our agency failed to send in essential documents to complete our request. Three different documents that USCIS requested at the beginning of the week. Three documents that the agency should have. If they don't who knows how long it will take to get them.
We have 45 days to get these documents back into their office or our request will be denied. Justin said he believes the worst thing that can happen is that we will have to pay another $800 and reapply once we have all the documents. Of course we received the email during the weekend, so we sent out an email to every contact we have with the agency. Praying we hear something first thing Monday morning so we can start moving forward again. Not sure how much more stress I can add on right now. I can not lose this little boy.
So today when we got home we checked the mail. We got a bit excited as we saw a letter from the USCIS office. We just Knew it was our I600 approval. Wrong again. It was a letter that said our agency failed to send in essential documents to complete our request. Three different documents that USCIS requested at the beginning of the week. Three documents that the agency should have. If they don't who knows how long it will take to get them.
We have 45 days to get these documents back into their office or our request will be denied. Justin said he believes the worst thing that can happen is that we will have to pay another $800 and reapply once we have all the documents. Of course we received the email during the weekend, so we sent out an email to every contact we have with the agency. Praying we hear something first thing Monday morning so we can start moving forward again. Not sure how much more stress I can add on right now. I can not lose this little boy.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Kai's care package
Today we finally sent Kai his care package. It was such a great feeling knowing that he was about to receive his first gift from his mommy, daddy and big sister. It was also a huge relief knowing that he was receiving this package because the documents had arrived in Korea.
When we were looking to ship the package, we knew it was going to be pricey. Most places wanted around $150 to ship. Since my step dad works for a company that has discounted shipping rates, we thought we would see the cost for him to ship it for us. We were given an estimate of around $30. Wow, what a discount! So anyways, he took the package in this morning for us and told us that his boss approached him and said tell them not to worry about the shipping, it is on the house. I just wanted to tell them what a great thing they are doing. How great is that? I just wish there were more people in the world that understood adoption, how amazing this journey is and the blessing we receive in the end. Adoption is truly amazing...we have to precious children to prove that.
When we were looking to ship the package, we knew it was going to be pricey. Most places wanted around $150 to ship. Since my step dad works for a company that has discounted shipping rates, we thought we would see the cost for him to ship it for us. We were given an estimate of around $30. Wow, what a discount! So anyways, he took the package in this morning for us and told us that his boss approached him and said tell them not to worry about the shipping, it is on the house. I just wanted to tell them what a great thing they are doing. How great is that? I just wish there were more people in the world that understood adoption, how amazing this journey is and the blessing we receive in the end. Adoption is truly amazing...we have to precious children to prove that.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Update
I wrote yesterday's post early in the morning thinking today is just going to be another day of hearing NO news and will end with us being a bit more discouraged. Well, to our surprise our luck changed...FINALLY!
What I wrote yesterday has been on my mind for some time now. I thought if I could just write it down, I could get it out of my head and feel a little better. It didn't really help though. Writing it just made me thing of more things the agency was saying and how slowly things were progressing.
Anyways, around 10 Justin comes into my office to tell he just got off the phone with USCIS. I got very nervous just thinking of what they would be calling for. They just wanted to inform us that they received the paperwork from our agency, BUT a few documents were missing. She listed the three things needed and told him if we could email a copy into their office today (which was yesterday) our 1600 approval would be sent out that evening and should arrive at the NVC (National Visa Center) and be logged in and out within the next week or so. YIPEE!!!!!!
From this point, Justin called our sw to let her know. Oh, about 6 hours he received a call back telling her about the missing documents. He said she got real quiet for a minute and started making excuses for the agency...basically saying I am sure they were sent they must have just misplaced them at USCIS.
While on the phone with her, Justin also asked if they have heard anything about when to expect our documents to arrive in Korea so we can send his care package. She said, "oh they are already in country you can send it whenever". Why didn't we receive word about this early? Whatever...at least they are there and we can send it to him now.
So from other blogs, the time frame from 1600 approval to TC is about 2-3 months. That still puts travel sometime in mid July -August. Korea should be working on getting his Visa physical, so that when his Visa Interview is scheduled he will be ready to go.
Praying things continue to run smoothly from here!
What I wrote yesterday has been on my mind for some time now. I thought if I could just write it down, I could get it out of my head and feel a little better. It didn't really help though. Writing it just made me thing of more things the agency was saying and how slowly things were progressing.
Anyways, around 10 Justin comes into my office to tell he just got off the phone with USCIS. I got very nervous just thinking of what they would be calling for. They just wanted to inform us that they received the paperwork from our agency, BUT a few documents were missing. She listed the three things needed and told him if we could email a copy into their office today (which was yesterday) our 1600 approval would be sent out that evening and should arrive at the NVC (National Visa Center) and be logged in and out within the next week or so. YIPEE!!!!!!
From this point, Justin called our sw to let her know. Oh, about 6 hours he received a call back telling her about the missing documents. He said she got real quiet for a minute and started making excuses for the agency...basically saying I am sure they were sent they must have just misplaced them at USCIS.
While on the phone with her, Justin also asked if they have heard anything about when to expect our documents to arrive in Korea so we can send his care package. She said, "oh they are already in country you can send it whenever". Why didn't we receive word about this early? Whatever...at least they are there and we can send it to him now.
So from other blogs, the time frame from 1600 approval to TC is about 2-3 months. That still puts travel sometime in mid July -August. Korea should be working on getting his Visa physical, so that when his Visa Interview is scheduled he will be ready to go.
Praying things continue to run smoothly from here!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Waiting, Waiting, Waiting
It has been 7 weeks today since we were matched with Kaidon. That following Monday, we had a meeting with our social worker to discuss the Korea program and to sign his acceptance papers. At that meeting we were told our home study would be completed at the end of the week and sent to Michigan to be reviewed and it should arrive in Korea along with all of the other necessary documents by mid April. Since we already had Kai's legals we should expect our travel to be at the lesser end of 3-6 months, putting travel sometime in mid-July to early August.
At this same time we were also told we could send him a care package. I immediately went shopping for our little man. I bought him a photo book to put pictures of our family in it, a few toys, an outfit (that I am sure will no longer fit him), a stuffed monkey (a hint of his bedroom theme) and of course the all time favorite... puffs:) We also included a small gift to the foster family.
So a few weeks after we spoke with our sw, we asked when we could send his package. Thinking they have already received his documents and they should know by now he is our son RIGHT...WRONG!
Our home study was delayed for some unknown reason and our acceptance documents were tied up in someone's pending box. Then we recevied a bill for $1750 (our change of country fee) and were told things would be put on hold until they received their payment. We payed it that day over the phone and suprisingly were told the money should not of held anything up....oh the joy of the lack of communication.
So every week we send an email to our social worker to see if our documents have been sent or received in Korea. Every single time an email goes out we don't hear a response for several days and this is what it reads, "I'll check on that". UGGHHH!!!
Last week we found out our paperwork was sent but the lady in charge of receiving the documents would be out of the office for some time. Go figure.
Praying our documents have arrived safely and they are in the right hands. We are eager for our little man to know he has a family waiting for him, and are anxiously awaiting to get our time frame started and send his package to him SOON!!!
At this same time we were also told we could send him a care package. I immediately went shopping for our little man. I bought him a photo book to put pictures of our family in it, a few toys, an outfit (that I am sure will no longer fit him), a stuffed monkey (a hint of his bedroom theme) and of course the all time favorite... puffs:) We also included a small gift to the foster family.
So a few weeks after we spoke with our sw, we asked when we could send his package. Thinking they have already received his documents and they should know by now he is our son RIGHT...WRONG!
Our home study was delayed for some unknown reason and our acceptance documents were tied up in someone's pending box. Then we recevied a bill for $1750 (our change of country fee) and were told things would be put on hold until they received their payment. We payed it that day over the phone and suprisingly were told the money should not of held anything up....oh the joy of the lack of communication.
So every week we send an email to our social worker to see if our documents have been sent or received in Korea. Every single time an email goes out we don't hear a response for several days and this is what it reads, "I'll check on that". UGGHHH!!!
Last week we found out our paperwork was sent but the lady in charge of receiving the documents would be out of the office for some time. Go figure.
Praying our documents have arrived safely and they are in the right hands. We are eager for our little man to know he has a family waiting for him, and are anxiously awaiting to get our time frame started and send his package to him SOON!!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
