Tak!

This week has been pretty eventful but the most welcome surprise was right in our mailbox today.  Let me set up the scenario-

I may not have mentioned but last week, exactly 3 weeks after we completed our biometric fingerprints, we still had not heard anything.  Now I know the federal government can move slowly and I understand they have alot of fingerprints to process, but I admit I kinda kept that 3 week time frame in the back of my mind and expected it to be done.  I know, I know; but I was trying to be optimistic.

Well, last Thursday's mail came and still no letter.  My husband offered to call the Hague Adoption Unit- the number on the USCIS site for any questions etc. and find out what was up.  The guy was dry, blunt, but ultimately helpful since we found out they had (pause for effect) not...even...assigned...our...case...to...an...agent...yet!  Argh!! 

In fact, they didn't even have record we had completed our fingerprints. (Um, huh??)

And then he said it could take up to 90 days.  (Double huh??)

Brian told him that we had originally applied in early January and it had been 3 weeks since the biometric appointment in early February.  As I listened, I must admit I was peeved, annoyed, and sad at the same time.  I mean how can these federal departments not talk to each other and not know something that was required was done etc etc etc.??  And then to have to wait even longer?  Ugh, I felt so helpless. 

But then a glimmer of hope...

Dry guy told Brian that he would flag our account (in a good way) and make sure it was given to an agent ASAP.  (Really??)  I was a bit surprised, but let's face it, ultimately skeptical.  I figured another 3 weeks, maybe more. 

And then I went to the mailbox today.....

Hallelujah!!!  And the amazing part?  It came exactly one week after Brian spoke to that guy!  I mean, seriously?!  Way to go dry guy!!

And we were thrilled, but Case could not have been happier!  He ran in to tell my husband and insisted I take his picture with it.  Ok, the smile is his standard forced one, but trust me he was giddy!

And you know, I can be such an incredible cynic sometimes regarding our government and is efficiencies (or perceived lack thereof), but I have to truly pick feathers out of my teeth from all the times so far during this journey I have had to eat crow.  But its not my fault.  The US government has this reputation as being sooo big and sooo slow that you practically expect it to fail and have ridiculous delays.  And even more so, we expect the people that work for it to be uncaring automatons that would just as soon blow you off as a whiner, instead of really trying to help make things happen.  In reality, there are some really great government people out there and most are in the trenches, doing jobs that really impact us as Americans in our daily life and our goals and aspirations.  From the passport office to the post office, from the FBI to the Dept of Homeland Security, from the State to the Federal, we have had numerous and often unnamed people give us invaluable help along the way.  Unexpected, yet pleasant surprises?  Obviously.  Providence?  Definitely.  Of that I have no doubt.

So TAK, TAK, TAK! (which as you guessed or know is "yes, yes, yes" in Polish)  We have finally been approved and after one last apostille, we'll send this off to the agency and then on to Poland.  A huge, gigantic step towards our child that is waiting for us to come and bring him home.  We're coming sweetheart!