I-600a Update

Just a quick update for those who are following along, our I-600a is now in the hands of our "angel" along with our I-600. Once we get our approval the next stop is The National Visa Center. We are getting closer. Good thing too because none of us can stand one more day with out our girl! 

Oh where oh where can our I-600a be

Oh where oh where can it be…

There is some debate as to who should have our I-600a and I-600 petitions, the local office or the national office. Right now the national office has our I-600 and the local office has indicated that they have mailed the I-600a. Either office (local or national) can approve our petition. If I have my wish I want the wonderful woman who works in the national office to get our I-600a so she can merge it with our I-600, approve our file and send it on to the National Visa Center. Please say a lil’ prayer or send out a good vibe that our “angel” in the national office will get her hands on our I-600a soon and she will be able to complete that end of the process. I call her our angel because she is such a compassionate woman who is tirelessly working to get our I-600a and get our petition approved and yes she works for one of our government agencies.

Once we have the above completed it is on to the National Visa Center.

And our wonderful agency has already submitted our daughters Emigration Permit.

After many emails yesterday and today with regard to where our I-600a may be we all decided it was in transit. And who should receive our I-600a the vote goes to our “angel”. So receiving another email from our agency later this afternoon was no surprise. When I opened it I got the best surprise, we have six new pictures of our girl. The pictures are a bit bitter sweet. She is changing and growing so fast and the pictures bring that realization home. But the sweetness of her face melts away any bitter taste I may have of all that I am missing.

As you can see she is wearing the dresses we sent to her. I am now wondering if the other outfits I have ready for her next care package are going to be big enough. Eh, this Mamma doesn’t mind buying new clothes for her princess.

So without further adieu…

The Care Package

Just about everyone I know has either received a care package, perhaps sent to you by your Mom when you were at summer camp or away at college or has sent a care package, maybe to a family member or friend overseas in the military. Either way we have all received or sent a care package. I tried to remember have I ever sent a care package? I have received them, but I don’t think I have ever sent one. I have contributed items to go into a care package that was being sent to our brave military men and women. But I don’t think I personally have ever sent one.

Well, I did the other day. In fact I mailed out a care package on March 23, 2010 to our daughter in Seoul, Korea. Our agency has rules about sending care packages so I was careful about the size of the items I choose, as well as, the value. I needed to fit everything I wanted to send into a small box. It wasn’t easy, but I did manage to include; three adorable dresses with matching bloomers and matching headbands with bows. A soft doll (I bought two, so that Baby G will have one here at home in case the one sent in her care package does not make it home with her). I also sent a tube of Aveeno baby cream. And a “who loves baby” soft cover photo album, which included photos of each of us, the boys together and an exterior picture of our home. Each picture was labeled with the appropriate Korean name. We also sent her wonderful Foster Parents some goodies as a small thank you for the care and love they are giving our daughter while she is in Korea. We sent a 12- pack of VIA Starbucks Instant coffee, a box of Tazo Tea, a box of Centrum vitamins (a gesture to say we care about your health and well being) and a handful of post cards highlighting the beauty of our local area.

Everything fit fine in our box, in fact I had plenty of room to include a few other items which I had thought about but they didn’t make it into the box, as I was under a deadline to get the box mailed out before Baby G had her next well baby check. I am looking forward to sending another CARE PACKAGE very, very soon.

I must admit it was a bit daunting sending this first care package. I felt as if every item I picked was directly connected to the amount of love and gratitude I fell for my daughter and her Foster Family. Also our agency states that they cannot guarantee that the care package will be delivered to one’s child and the USPS said that I “might” be able to track the package on line but again, no guarantees.

Well, our Care Package arrived safe and sound in Seoul Korea and it is in the hands of our dear sweet, Baby G. How do I know this you wonder? Because We GOT a PICTURE, yep a picture of our daughter, her Foster Mother and the care package items lovingly placed out on the table around them. I have cut out our wonderful Foster Mother’s face for her privacy. I loved being able to see the beautiful face of the woman who is caring and nurturing my daughter until she can be home with her forever family.

Ok I will stop rambling and just post the picture, it’s why you even stopped by isn’t it ; )