We are ready to go. Flights are booked (leaving Thursday, June 3rd). Mom is traveling by train on Sunday to stay with the boys. Piles are being created for things to be packed. Prescriptions are being filled. Little and big girl clothes are being picked out and carefully folded to go. A stroller has been purchased and somehow needs to fit into one of the too-small suitcases. Hmmm.
There is one catch, however...
THE EMBASSY IN ETHIOPIA STILL DOES NOT HAVE OUR PAPERWORK!!!!!!!
Months ago, when we were issued our 171H from the USCIS (Immigration Services) which approves us to adopt from abroad, we were assured that it would make it to Addis Ababa (I specifically called and asked about its transfer). Last week, when we were told by our agency Director that the Embassy in Addis had not received it, I was told by a woman at the National Visa Center that it would be resent and would be there in two to three days. The Embassy is open Monday through Thursday, so when our director checked yesterday, guess what? It was NOT THERE!!!!
I called all day yesterday and could not get through to the NVC (constant busy signal). I just sent an email to the Embassy requesting assistance and sending them a copy of our 171H as proof that it exists, but they are closing for the day (ET is nine hours ahead of us). We are running out of time and I am so scared that one little piece of paper is going to cost us and our daughters more time away from each other as well as hundreds of dollars in flight change fees, Mom possibly traveling all the way from Colorado for NOTHING, and then having to find someone else to watch the boys while we go for (hopefully) the June 23rd Embassy date.
It is so frustrating to travel on this journey as far as we have, to have the greatest obstacle be a single piece of paper--ONE WHICH I HAVE IN MY HAND. I am tired and I am scared and I am praying that the NVC treats us not as another number bothering them, but as a family just wanting to be whole and trying to move heaven and earth to do so...
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