BlogLand

So, here we are, waiting for the storm to pass, with nothing to do...hmm how to keep busy. I got it! I will add the blog roll to Happy Beginnings. I played around and I think I have it correct. If I am missing your blog, please let me know and I will add to the list.

We expect the storm to pass this afternoon and school to reopen tomorrow. Back to work for me! SoFlaDad had to work through the storm. His company did not close at all. He came home yesterday around 5:00 and went back this early this AM. The only good news he received is he was allowed to wear jeans to work...yeah like that's a big incentive to drive through a tropical storm!


SoFlaMom

Ernesto the Pest

Yes, with the impending storm, all government agencies are closed, including schools. This will set us back for getting a fingerprint appointment but allows me to work from home and spend time with SoFLaKid. SoFlaKid is upset because there is no one to play with today. Yeah, that's because all the kids are helping their parents prepare for the storm. I offered a delicious Mikkie Dee's meal and get this, he said no! What kid refuses McDonald's??? I think the teenage years are starting early!

Ernesto is now a tropical storm so we don't have to put up the hurricane shutters but we do have to move all the patio furniture in the garage. This suits us just fine because we ordered accordion shutters a few months ago and they were supposed to be here this week! The fact that Ernesto was downgraded works for us. Hopefully the accordian shutters will be here before the next storm!

SoFlaMom

Another Milestone Met....

It seems like deja vue (sp?). We got our criminal background checks completed again. No need to worry, we still have an impeccable record. Just seems like we've "been there, done that". The good part is SoFlaGpa was able to help us out. He waited on the line at the Ft. Lauderdale police department for us. There were so many options for him to choose from that he had to call to verify, "Do you want the $2 copy or the $5 copy?" Of course we needed the more expensive one because it comes notarized and ready to be apostilled. Luckily, our SW only needs a copy of the original.

The other piece of good news from our SW is that we do not need to have another physical exam. All of the other exams we had over the last year are still valid which means 1 less piece to the puzzle. Once we send the documents to the SW, we can start fingerprinting and the I-171. For those on this journey with us, when you complete the I-600a and are approved, you receive a I-171. This piece of paper must be given to the embassy in country in order to bring our child home to the states. Fingerprints are good for a total of 12 months while the I-171 is good for 18 months. There is a push to get our legislatures to extend the expiration another 6 months which will make the I-171 good for 2 years. If this gets passed before October, we won't have to do a thing. I am not taking a chance. We are going to start working on the renewal next week by updating our fingerprints now.

Looks like we are in the cone for the next hurricane, Ernesto. It is still a few days away so it could miss us. We are keeping a close eye on this one.

SoFlaMom

Work, Work, Work....

Have you ever had a time in your life that you were so stressed out at work that you could not eat, sleep, think, etc. That has been me over the last few weeks. I am so overworked that it is consuming my life! SoFlaKid is thinking Mommy who? I need to take control of my life and start to live again! Rejuvenate and return to blogland!

So what have we done over the last few weeks. We celebrated all the court hearings and upcoming court hearing with our PAP friends. We are so happy for all of you and can't wait until yourlittle ones are home safely in the states. Some of our PAP friends have run into unexpected obstacles that have turned into something terrific. Next year this time I hope we are all able to travel and finally meet face to face - sounds like a Disney trip coming soon!

Today our SW came to update our homestudy. We talked about the various options and agreed that we are on the right path. For those new to the process, your homestudy expires in 1 year. At that time, the homestudy needs to be updated. Ours expired a few months ago but we just dragged our feet getting it updated. The next step is to redo the fingerprints and update the I-171 (expires in Oct.). Fingerprints are hard for me. Not that the process is hard but the darn computer that scans your fingers can never get a good print of my hand. After a few tries, I wind up traveling to Miami to get sworn in and sign a affidavit that I am not a criminal. So, I expect a road trip coming up real soon!

To end this post, I thought I would add some humor! Take a look at the picture closely.
SoFlaMom

Another Link to Share....

As we ponder what our child will look like, her personality, etc., I wanted to share this awesome web site. When you enter, it takes a few seconds to load, however it is worth the wait. This interactive site allows you to visually see the effects of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome). Let me know if this was helpful to you.

SoFlaMom


http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/pblonline/fas.htm

Back From Vacation....

Denver was great and the CCAU spoiled SoFlaKid rotten. He was invited back this winter for some snowboarding provided we see some A's and B's on the next report card. To honor our returning students to school, I thought I would post a fun Geography Quiz. See if you can Place the State

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html

SoFlaMom