GOOD NEWS...........

So I've been patiently waiting (well not so patiently if you know me) for the NVC to complete our case.  I usually call every afternoon just to check and see if they have reviewed the last of our documents that i sent a couple weeks ago.  Every time I call they tell me that I need to allow at least 20 business days but I know they review them faster than that so I keep calling.

A lot has been going on this past week.  First, we sent Michell a package for Christmas around the first week of December and had our fingers crossed she would receive it in time for Christmas and she did.  She got it last week and she was really excited about her presents.  We sent some shoes, clothes, and a baby doll that laughs. 

Our big kids got out of school last Thurs. but Mackenzie had a game on Friday so I went to the game and then they came back with me after the game.  We stayed at my mom's for Christmas.  It was a good Christmas for all of us. 

The last time I called the NVC was on Friday before Christmas, again they told me I needed to allow more time.  They were closed on Christmas day so I called back yesterday morning and was told they completed our case yesterday!!!!  Yay.  So glad to be done with that.  They told me all we need to do now is wait for them to schedule our interview.  I asked if they could give me a timeline and they said no.  I've read different things online.  I've read that you usually can expect an interview date within 45-60 days after case is complete but I've also read that it can be as soon as 2 weeks after a completed case.  I've also read that they schedule interviews the first two weeks of every month.  I'm not sure when it will be but I pray that it will be soon.

I just ordered my own passport on the second week of December and was told that it would be 4-5 weeks before it would be processed.  I didn't think I would need it before then anyway.  I got it in the mail last week so I'm hoping that is a sign the interview will come quick too.

I will keep everyone posted. 

Finally.........

The last time i posted she had another passport appointment scheduled for Dec. 4.  On December 4th she showed up to her appointment at 9:30 baby with her to finally get the passport.  We talked to her around noon and she said that she was still waiting in line (with a very unhappy baby)  Michell was tired, hungry, and very bored standing in line all morning.  She didn't have anyone with her so she couldn't do anything but wait.  Around 3:30 Martin gets a call that she didn't get the passport again.  They told her that she didn't have Michell's original birth certificate and they couldn't issue the passport until she brought it.  Needless to say we were all very frustrated.  She said that she could go the next day to get the birth certificate but that would mean another trip back to San Pedro which is about an hour from her house.  The next day we talked to her again and she said the baby was getting sick and she really didn't want to leave her to go back to do the passport so again we had to wait a few more days.  She finally went again on Friday and they accepted the birth certificate but said the passport would not be ready to pick up until Monday December 10th.  So fast forward through the weekend and Monday morning she leaves the baby with her mom and travels back to San Pedro.  She told us she was hoping to have the passport by 11 am or so.  At 10:30 we call and she says she is waiting in line.  At 1:30 she calls us back and says that they told her they had the passport and she will get it but she can't pick it up until 3:00.  I feel really sorry for her because I know she has to be sick of all of this.  I would be beside myself at this point if I was the one doing all of this waiting, waiting waiting.  Anyway, finally at 3:00 she has passport in hand and is headed back to Progreso where she lives.  When she got back to her hometown she went and faxed the copies that we needed and now we finally have a copy in our hand.......FINALLY!

This morning I had an outpatient surgery done in Ruston so we were planning to send off the copies when we got finished with all of that.  By the time we got to the post office this afternoon they were closed (of course)  So we will be going first thing in the morning to send overnight and then hopefully they will have everything they need from us and our case will finally be headed to Honduras to await an interview date.

I know that to me it seems like this has been going on forever but in reality i know we are blessed that we are as far along in this process as we are.  From what I've read the whole process from filing initial paperwork to getting your loved one here takes about 12 months.  We are barely into our 5th month and a lot has happened.  I know that everything will happen when it is suppose to happen on God's time.  I believe that and hold onto that when I'm feeling depressed about all of this.  I know one day we will be able to look back on all of this as just a distant memory.  For now all i can do is daydream about the future of our family and pray that God will continue to lead us down the path.