The Immigration Grinch

 

Day #376 -
   Ah...I just feel so defeated. I'd like to start this entry off with some positivity, but it's difficult to find these days. We got to skype with Gary today, so that was really nice. I always feel a lot better when we get to "see" each other. Even if it is through a computer screen.

The mountain of patience

Day #359 -
   Well, we're still alive. At the end of our ropes, but still alive. I feel like I'm in a marathon, getting towards the end with the finish line in sight and I've been stopped by a mountain called patience. What is patience anyway?? Its hard to keep patience when you haven't seen your husband in a year.

How I feel about my grandma & husband

Lies

Day #324 -

Somethings happened to my blog. I attempted to put a widget in a couple of weeks back and since then half of my toolbar went away and everything looks different. SO I haven't written because of that. But I can't figure out how to fix it, so I guess I'll just go with it. Please excuse any spelling errors, as I no longer have spell check!

Pointless circles

Day #310-
   It's almost been a year now since I last saw my husband. One might think I'd get used to him not being around. One might think I'd continue on with my daily business until I saw him again. But this is not the case. Each day I grow more and more depressed, more lost without him. Chloe asks about her Daddy more and more. She talks about him a lot and says she likes his hugs and kisses best.
  

Bye bye waiver

Day #299 -
   Well, where to begin. Our lawyer attempted to fight the fraud charge with the Consulate in Dublin. They just sent us the completed form, with both the fraud charge and the overstay charge, along with the box checked stating that we're eligible to file the I-601 waiver. They haven't responded to Lois Capps office, who has sent two inquiries now. I'm really frustrated but not surprised.

Go fraud yourself

Day #289
   After running around like a maniac for the past few weeks trying to get everything to our attorney to get the waiver together while going to school full time and fighting separation anxiety with Chloe, we have been hit with some very bad news. Right now I am so sad, I can't think straight. I know the anger will come soon enough.

Is it over yet?

Day #275-
   It's been awhile, I know! Life has just been really busy. We were also in Huntington Beach and the LA area visiting dear friends of ours between summer and fall semesters. I got a week off! I started back to school full time on Monday and Chloe starts Pre school too! I think it was harder for me to drop her off than her. I'm still finding myself looking down to make sure shes still beside me and catching myself asking her questions. I'll be known as the local crazy lady here pretty soon!

Interview date!!!!

Day #257-
   Yesterday I was putting Chloe down for a nap and had my phone on silent. She finally fell asleep and I checked my phone. Our lawyer had called and left a voicemail. My heart stopped. No breath was flowing. Our lawyer never calls, he always emails. I dial my voicemail as quick as one could and impatiently wait for his message to start.

Case closed!

Day #253-
   Great news! Our case at the National Visa Center is FINALLY closed! I called yesterday, as I kept receiving emails requesting one of the tax information forms that I had sent out weeks ago. After waiting on hold for only 15 minutes, I was informed that our case has been closed!

So close....

Day #249-
   Still no husband, but I do feel a bit closer to getting him home! I met with an Immigration Attorney and he has, thankfully, agreed to work with us as a pro bono case! I can't tell you how excited and grateful we are. He had contacted Cynthia Lambert, they reporter from The Tribune, asking for our contact information.

Now, aint that funny

Day #235 -
We're still in the National Visa Center step of the process. And let me tell you, it's a NIGHTMARE! I'm not even sure where to begin.

Coming to a theatre near you!

Day #231 -
   I think I'm going to start pitching our story to all the major production companies. I'm pretty sure our story would make for a great movie. I can see it now! Kate Winslet would play myself, of course. Now, I know what you're thinking. Gisele Bundchen suits me much better. I know, I know. But I don't want to seem too full of myself! And, Gary, who would play Gary?

Denied...do not pass go...

Day #227-
   I was really hoping that this part of our Immigration journey, the NVC stage, would be quick and seamless. It has, unfortunately, been quite the opposite. First, they couldn't locate our petition for over a month. Nothing was done until we got Lois Capps involved. Now, we're being told and reading conflicting information. PLUS our request for expedite was denied. Apparently, we don't meet their criteria for an expedite. We weren't given a reason - just a denial.

One step closer

Day #223 -
   This blog is looonnnggg overdue! I apologize for the delay. So much has happened over the past week; I've just been so busy. I started the certificate program for Addiction Treatment just last week. Its a summer course, so its all jammed into eight weeks. I love the class and the Professor. It's nice to have a distraction from whats been going on, as far as Immigration is concerned. So lets get down to the nitty gritty!

Fired up

Day # 215 -
   I've been posting on www.visajourney.com and www.immigrate2us.org about our lost petitions and have been given been told something very infuriating news. Many, MANY people on there are posting about their petitions being lost, as well.

Driven to insanity

Day #213 -
   Hello. I've been out of touch recently, in more ways than just this blog! I am starting a class called Crisis Intervention next Monday. This is a step towards receiving my certificate in addiction treatment. Its going to be a lot of work, but I'm looking forward to it. The only downfall is the timing.

Coping with loss

Day #200 -

   I've had a few great losses over the past few months. One being the physical presence of my husband, unless you count seeing him on skype as physical! I've lost the opportunity to give him a hug or kiss at any given time. The opportunity to hold his hand, to cuddle with him. I haven't had that in nearly seven months and it becomes increasingly difficult as each day passes.    

The next step

Day # 198 -
   This will be a quick, little update, as I didn't sleep a wink last night. And Chloe will be waking up from her nap at any moment.

Fighting stress

Day # 192 -
   Great news! Tomorrow I'm meeting with Cynthia Lambert from the Tribune, our local newspaper. She's doing a story on our Immigration process, the ins and outs. I'm over the moon excited! Not only will our story get out there but it may also help someone who is going into the process and completely confused and overwhelmed.

FINALLY some good news!

Day # 184 -
   I've been feeling really down since Thursday. On Thursday I went to a yoga class and felt a bit better after it was over. During the class I was on the verge of tears. It didn't help she was playing really sad music. I told myself to stop checking my status on the Immigration website www.uscis.gov for a few days.

Mama, look, that man is sad

 Day # 179 -
 Yesterday Chloe and I were getting into our truck and there was a man beside us in his car with his head down. I'm assuming he was reading. Chloe saw him and said "mama, look, that man is sad." And I said "oh no,why is he sad?" She responded with "cuz he misses Daddy."

Cancer sucks

Day # 177 -
  December 18, 2011 I lost my Grandma to breast cancer. She had been fighting this battle for a lot longer than anyone had realized.

Honesty isn't always the best policy

Day # 171 -
  I don't know how long this post will be, as I usually write while Chloe is sleeping. She didn't have a nap today, so all hell could break loose at any moment now.

Seperation Anxiety

Day # 169 -
    The last few days have been more difficult than usual. Having my husband gone hurts me more and more everyday. One would think you might get used to not having your partner there on a daily basis. This is not the case for me.

The Arizona Crackdown

Day #166 -
    Immigration issues are everywhere you look right now! Its a very hot topic and everyone has their own views.

Politicans

Day # 161
    Note to self - do not watch sad shows, such as Giuliana Rancic undergoing surgery, when you're having a bad day. And having said that, lets begin. Immigration matters are all over the news these days. Especially with elections coming up in November and the "Arizona crackdown," as the news likes to call it. Fox News is always on at the gym and it really just drives me crazy.

London calling

Day #144 -
  Hello, its me again! I'm going to try to make as much sense as I can right now. I'm really sick with this awful cold and Chloe is catching it fast too. A few things have happened since my last post. I've talked to even more lawyers concerning our case. I was also lucky enough to have the Consulate in London contact us back, which was really amazing for us.

Theres no turning back now

Day #134
  I don't even know where to begin. The last couple of days have been pure hell regarding my husbands Immigration. I am so beat up and tired from the hoops Ive jumped, the people Ive talked to, the work I've put into everything, that Im close to collasping.

Missin Daddy

Day # 127

  Our two year old daughter, Chloe, is carrying around a picture of her daddy, constantly asking where he is. Some days are better than others. Today she is missing him a little more than usual.

The frantic read

Day # 126
  Hello again, my Husband is still in Ireland! No good news to report, as of yet. I did receive a letter from Immigration late last week and I dropped to my knees in the post office, ripped the letter opened and started reading frantically.

Bring my Daddy home

  I’d like to start off with introducing you to what this blog is and will be about. Once that is said and done, I’ll tell you a little about our marriage and family.