I800 held up

Today is a better day than yesterday.  I received the call on Tuesday, from the agent processing my I800.  It seems I do not have everything I need to get the approval through.  Yesterday it seems that the delays and the slow drag in this adoption caught up with me for a few hours.  Luckily, I have a good friend who is a psychologist whom I could call.  My big concern is the effects of these delays on Dina now that she knows of us.  The orphanage told her we were leaving to go to work and would return for her. Obviously, that was not the best thing to tell a little girl.  Can you imagine the first time we leave for work, for real?  Anyway... my friend seems to think Dina will be just fine when it is all said and done.  She believes there will need to be a bit of extra attention given to smoothing things over, at first...but that in the end, it will all be okay for her.  Thank God!

So, for now, I will remain confident in the system and in the professionals who are a part of our adoption.  There is little else I can do.   This is so much like running.  Just when you think you can't run much more... you push yourself and you find a second wind that truly renews you for a bit more.  The finish line is in sight.  And again, like running... it's so hard to see it so close and be tired of running and want to reach the line so very badly.  But in most every case... the finish line is crossed.  

I800 being processed

I checked in on the progress of my I800.  Looks like it was assigned to the same case worker I had for the I800A.  She had told me she wouldn't necessarily be the person who got my I800 to process.  I guess things have changed (go figure) and the same agent gets both forms.  Anyway.. she is really tough.  Luckily, before I sent the form I called to ask a few last minute questions.  She happened to answer the phone that day.  Which is VERY lucky.  She is the person who told me what to write in the spaces I was unsure of.  In addition, I asked my agency to provide more detailed info on their portion of the items required.  So, I expect to get thru this quicker than the last time.

I can't believe that by the time I see Dina again, almost six months will have passed. Ridiculous!!!

I am just so dismayed at the time lapse.  Certainly this isn't a good thing when trying to establish trust.  Well, anyway... I'll report back once I get the actual approval and a court date.

I800 Process/I864W

I contacted USCIS to ask a few questions regarding my I800 form.  They do, indeed, require that all necessary forms/paperwork come in together as one.  So please don't send any paperwork to them unless you have all required documents.  They will just kick it back out to you.  Think of the mail time that you would have waisted just getting things there and back.  So, I am awaiting paperwork from my agency and I will be ready to mail EVERYTHING in.  I know some people have been able to get things processed with mailing things separate, but I would caution any prospective parents to error in favor of safety... send things together.  

I do think, that they may be a bit easier to deal with on the I800 than the I800A.  I spoke with the agent I was assigned for my I800A.  She is a very "by the book" person.  I thought they would be looking for every dotted i and crossed t this time too.  While I do need to be very careful and thorough... they won't kick this form back to me after two months just because I left out one word.  Phew!  Oh, by the way, on the I864W, be sure to have the parent sign the form who is the main account name with USCIS.  Such as is my husband (even though I take care of filling forms out).  Also be sure to write it all out in CAPS.  The other advice I can give is... if in doubt... call them and ask.  The agent's there are very helpful and understanding.  I called and asked about everything I was the least hesitant about.  I am not chancing getting things wrong like with the I800A.  I am glad I called them.  It was easy and I feel more confident about the form now when I go to mail it.  Oh... I guess another mistake people are making is that on the I864W they are putting their info instead of the child's.  Write the child's BIRTH name and information.  On my I800 I had several listings (as will we all) for the expenses (page8).  I copied several pages of this and used it to list things instead of using a blank sheet of paper and having to write the child's name etc as they instruct you to do at the bottom of page 8.  I asked about this and was told it was fine to do.  I also couldn't remember the name of the landlord we paid our rent to in Latvia.  They told me that was fine too, and to just write in "landlord."  So, see, how seemingly insignificant my questions were?  But I feel confident that they will process this form the first time now.

Just a reminder... I am in no way a lawyer or immigration specialist... so it is up to you to do the same work I have done to be sure if you have any questions.  I just hope to give other parents a little assurance that they will get through this.  I do not want to be responsible for someone taking my advice and it not going as planned though.  This is just what I know to be the truth in my case.  Nuff said.  

Oh, remember what I said in my last post about the timing of things?  Well, this week we found out the area of my mom's lung cancer is looking suspicious again.  If things would have gone according to my plan... I would be gone during her biopsy next week.  Thanks to God and the universe... I will be here for my mom.

We are always one day  closer!