Never underestimate the value of a good courier service!

As you can tell by the headline, we successfully received our apostilled FBI background forms today in the mail!  I must admit having never used a courier service from out of state, I was a little nervous.  Even though we spoke with Ted (their expert that handles these types of documents) and he seemed totally professional and on top of it- he even knew what the problem was before we told him, lol- sending them the only physical forms we had was cause for nerves.  Now that they are back in my hot little hands, I will sing their praises and if I need something done again in DC, I won't hesitate.  For those that wonder, we used Washington Express.  They were courteous, responsive, available 24/7, and the documents arrived quickly and in pristine condition.  In other words- THEY ROCK!   Even though it cost a bit more, we probably saved soooo much in time that it was worth every penny.  Plus, they sent back our documents Fed Ex via their corporate rate- bonus!  Anyway, if anyone ever needs to use a service like this, don't hesitate to use Washington Express.  I know we will!

So, on last week's episode...

We were in the midst of figuring out what we would do about getting that FBI background clearance apostilled in a timely matter.  Well, as I posted before, we figured out where it had to go (USDOS, not South Carolina); but we didn't know how we would get it there and back in a timely manner.  Well, enter a Washington DC courier service.  Yep, we decided to send the documents through a service and they will go to the actual Authentications Office, walk-up, and wait for it to be done.  We talked to Ted, who was super knowledgeable and he knew exactly what we were talking about because basically this is all he does for their office- that's how many documents like this they handle in DC!  It does cost a bit more, but we decided it was well worth it to get it back in 2 days rather 15+ business days (maybe, and not counting mail time).  So we giving Ted a go and hopefully, problem solved.

As for today- we went and had our federal biometric fingerprints done in Atlanta and finished yet another step of the journey to dossier completion.  The people there were totally nice and professional, we were in and out in under 30 min, and the biometric process itself was UBER-COOL!!  I don't know why but I just thought it was awesome.  Of course, that's probably because no red flags came up for me- lol lol!  I was so fascinated watching that the guy told me I was one of the most relaxed people he did all week, lol.  My husband, on the other hand, was getting constantly scolded (in a nice way) about trying to help the lady with it and not holding his hand right etc.  She and I just laughed because since he is over 6'3" and she was kinda short, he couldn't get low enough to make it easy.  Still, we got it done and overall, the whole process was pain-free.  The other cool thing was talking to a few of the different foreign people there getting their prints done while we were in line.   Countries represented in our small time frame were Germany, Thailand, Pakistan, another Middle Eastern nation (a very elderly couple who didn't speak English, but were sooo cute!), Mexico, and Korea.  Pretty cool, right?  Anyway, kudos to the Dept of Homeland Security for their efficiency, professionalism, and friendliness.

Lastly, today was also great because we received our homestudy (2 copies) apostilled from the State of NC!   I was happily surprised that NC did it so quickly- we had it in about a 4 day turnaround, which includes sending and receiving.  Not too shabby, eh?  Outside of the I-171H (and the aforementioned FBI clearance), we're pretty well done with the paper chase- can I get a "Woohoo!"? 

Until next time........ 

Nieudolny

In Polish, it means inept.  I have a little widget I found to put on this blog that provides me with a daily Polish word to help me learn more of the language.  And although I love it, it seemed almost prophetic since it kinda captured my feelings about the federal government, especially today.   Now, I am a pretty realistic kind of girl- generally patient and able to see the silver linings amongst the clouds.  Today, I was thrilled when good ole Fed Ex delivered all 33 documents we had sent in to the state of SC all apostilled and pretty.  They all had the nice letter, were attached, signed, all except.... the one for the FBI background check.  Hello cloud. 

This would be the same FBI background check we initially did back in the beginning of fall and received in October as "No Records Found".  Now, at the time, I followed the information to a "t" on both the FBI site and through the info the agency provided.  When I sent the request with the fingerprint cards, I actually called the FBI and spoke to a less than pleasant "professional" that told me exactly what they needed to go directly from that office to authentication.  "No, no charge if they go directly from our office", "Yes, this is exactly what you need to put.  Didn't you look at our website?".  Sigh.  So anyway, I sent in our cover letter with the EXACT wording they had provided me- and yes, which was on their website.  Of course, we got the letters back stamped, but not apostilled .  So I called again and got another "happy" official,  and they told me they didn't do that because our state could.  Ok....  So that matched up with the letter and info our agency had sent regarding getting it apostilled through our state so everything was cool right?  Wrong.  Apparently, most states (but the only one that matters for us is SC) will NOT apostille that document even with the notarized letter recommended from our agency.  Ah, learning curve.  I missed you.  lol  I knew things were going too smoothly.  

So today, we called the SC Sec of State to double check and they told us that they had specific instructions from the FBI- you remember them, the ones who told me exactly what to do?- to NOT apostille any form meant for overseas and that it had to go through the US Dept of State and it should be on the request letter and....blah, blah blah blah, BLAH!   Totally frustrating.  I could have obviously sent that form in a WHILE ago, had it apostilled by the US Dept of State, and back already in my hot little hands, but instead we have to send in even MORE money and wait.  Nieudolny.  I almost feel like buying a $79 ticket to DC just to walk-in with the darn thing!  lol 

Ok, so various silver linings-
1)  The lady from the SC Sec. of State was super awesome (I mean, alot of people are nice in the South, but she was fantastic) and told us exactly what needed to be done; 
2)  We are going to call the wonderful lady we worked with before (you might remember the high praise I paid Naomi from an earlier post) and see if she'll expedite/help us out;  
3)  We still have time for all this because we need to get the final 171H and get our home study sent and back from NC;  
4)  And best of all, we did received the lion's share of the dossier today, all sealed and signed and ready to go once the loose ends are tied up.  Oh, and did I mention they turned it around in one day??  Wow, bravo South Carolina!  

So, I'll try to keep looking on the bright side and carry on, even in the midst of "nieudolny". 

Snowpocalypse!

     our front yard looking out at the lake and mountains...and yes, it was that gray and dark this morning!

Just an update, the snow indeed did hit our area and ok, it actually has been alot- over 6 inches and counting!  Obviously, that means snow day!  Not only schools, but all state offices in ALL counties are closed today, Clemson University is closed (which rarely happens), snowplows stuck all over, and my northern-born husband couldn't get out of our subdivision- now that's bad.

On the bright side, God's work is indeed beautiful!  Since we rarely see snow of this magnitude down here, it is truly something to marvel at.  And we are totally ready to go play in the snow- even the dogs are trying it out!  Lucky our rescued southerner & Lambeau, a Michigan dog through & through, run & play all through the snow, jumping and chasing each other all over the yard.  However, Maizy our little GA peach still doesn't want to be out in it too long, but she tries.
Can't blame her today though- the snow comes to her belly!

Lucky- getting into it!

Lambeau- the pro

Maizy- colossal camera wimp

Its Armageddon.....with sleds!

Ok, not really- it's actually just a predicted major snowstorm in the South.  Even after all our years of living, we transplanted Midwesterners still get a kick out of the total over-reaction.  Still, you would never know the world wasn't coming to an end as people here frantically shop for supplies like milk, bread, hamburger (yes, apparently very necessary for an apocalypse), and sleds.  "Wait, what?", you say.  "Did you say sleds??"  Yes, yes I did. 

We are predicted to have anywhere from 1-6 inches of snow here in the South over the next 24 hours and although the food raids are understandable, the sleds are the HOT commodity.  And it is total supply and demand at work.  There are literally none to be found anywhere in three counties and I swear people would pay anything for a small saucer at this point.  Oh, and did I mention?  There is not one flake on the ground or in the air yet!  LOL!

On Facebook, some people have started posting some of their more "creative" solutions so they might enjoy the snow.  Thankfully, we already have a sled, but here are some of the more interesting ones I read:
Laundry baskets with homemade silicone spray (didn't know you could make that...)
Wrapping paper storage containers (you know, the long ones?)
Boogie boards greased up with Pam
Trash can lids
Cardboard boxes
Plastic sandbox covers
Lunch trays
And (oh boy) the hood of an old VW? 

We just have to laugh and laugh.   Its fun to see the excitement and the kids are loving the idea of playing in the snow, which happens only a couple times a year.   And it gives us experienced former northerners a chuckle. 

And away she goes!

Today we sent in that monster of an application better known as the I-800A!  No, it didn't look like this, but I would much rather picture it as this because, well, I love Sully!  lol
 


It feels good to have yet another thing checked off the adoption 'to-do" list, but I must admit, as soon as I handed the Fed Ex envelope to our express mail guy, I felt a bit freaked.  But why should I worry?  I mean, I double-, triple-, and quadruple-checked everything.  All the forms were there.  The check was there.  The application was signed and there.  The evidence required was there.  And even the pre-paid return envelope was there!   Still, I won't be satisfied until we get that text/email they have received it and then get the approval letter from USCIS.  I know this anxiousness is a normal feeling for all prospective adoptive parents, but I also know that its because its regarding something (and someone) very important.   So now we wait, but soon that dossier will be complete and ready to go.  And we'll be one step closer to our son!

Happy New Year!!

We want to wish everyone a very Happy 2011!  Today we are doing what we LOVE- watching Michigan football (so glad we can again say Happy New Year and Go Blue at the same time!); watching the Rose Parade (I am a 3-time veteran having marched with the Michigan Marching Band when in college), and cheering for the Big Ten (now 12- don't ask, lol).  If you ever get a chance to attend a Rose Bowl, do.  It is truly spectacular!  If you also ever get a chance to go to the Big House, do.  Again, spectacular.  So until next time- Go Blue and Happy New Year!