Final interview Status? COMPLETE!!!

Eeeeek!! We got an email from the embassy early this morning. 

They’ve completed their final interview and have sent their determination to the NBC/USCIS office here in Kansas City.

 

They do not tell us what their determination was in the email. Our officer at NBC/USCIS will do that within the next 4-10 days. IF we cleared, which we’re 99% sure we did, they’ll mail us the PAIR letter.

 

And that dear friends. Is the last piece of paperwork we need in order to make our first trip to see her beautiful face. It won’t be long now! And we can barely contain our excitement!

 

We will upload a copy of our letter to our agency so they can send it to Ethiopia so Ethiopia can schedule the birth parent/relative court date. Those are normally 3-4 weeks out.

 

And then we could travel within a week or two of that date! We could be in Ethiopia the week after the 4^th of July! Or earlier if things go along smoothly.

 

Friends, I know we’ve asked a lot of you these past few months. But please help us pray about our trip.

 

We still are unsure as to whether we are going to take 2 separate trips or if we’ll stay in country for 4-6 weeks (even though we’ve been told it could be closer to 3). Both require more finances that we had planned for as ticket prices double in the summer.

 

If we don’t stay in country and decide to make 2 trips, we will get minimal time with Bertie. As in barely 2 hours with her our first trip and then only 2-3 days our second trip before bringing her home.

 

We’re praying and waiting on God for a clear heading. That He will either provide the funds needed or that He will help us develop a bond with Bertie in that short amount of time.

 

Sweet friends, will you agree with us? And help us pray for clarity?

 

And if you haven’t already heard, we’ve been selected as the featured family of the week at Give1Save1. We’re so blessed by this opportunity! You’re more than welcome to head over to their blog and check out our video and donate if you feel led.

 

I don’t think KC and I can adequately express how grateful and humbled we are by your kindness and generosity. I wish I could come and hug each of you around the neck. Since that’s not likely, imagine me hugging you tightly. And crying. Because let’s face it, I’m a hugger and I tend to get emotional. This hug could get awkward. But that’s okay. Because it’s all I have to give you for all you’ve done for us. <3 

http://giveonesaveone.blogspot.com/2014/06/say-hello-to-collins-family.html?m=1  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Interview

Guys, the final interview is in ONE WEEK on June 4^th. This is the last piece of information that NBC/USCIS needs in order to issue their determination. We’ve also been told that even though USCIS says they’ll issue it within 10 days, it’s usually a 3-4 day turnaround!!

 

How exciting is that?! So we’re now looking at getting our PAIR letter within a week of the embassy’s determination! As soon as we get our letter, we’ll update our agency so they can submit our case to court.

 

We went into this part of the process thinking we’d have 4-6 weeks of a “heads-up” if you will before traveling. After talking with our coordinator, it seems that Ethiopia is issuing court dates with little to no notice. Some families were only given a few days notification.

 

This is an awesome thing and kind of a bad thing.

 

It’s an awesome thing because I don’t have to pine for six weeks before actually traveling. I likely won’t have enough time to whine or cry or get all emotional about how much time it’s taking. Ha!

 

It’s kind of a bad thing because tickets will be a bit more expensive since we won’t have much notice.

 

But I still think the good outweighs the bad. My bank account may not agree, but who cares!  ;-P

 

So we’ve been advised by our coordinator to be ready to travel by the end of June. So we are doing just that. We’re working on getting the last bit of stuff needed for travel. We’re starting now so we can break up the cost of small toiletries, meds, snacks, etc.

 

I pulled out a folding table and set it up in our room so we can put our luggage and everything else travel related there. Mostly because I have a tendency to buy things far out, and then put them in random places…. I usually find them about 2 months after I needed them.

 

I even got a super head start on packing Bertie’s bag and picking out which clothes she’ll wear.

 

This is pretty big considering I’m generally a massive procrastinator. But this is exciting and long-time-coming, so that’s likely why I was able to stray from the norm. I’m sure it’s just a fluke.

 

This could be a bit smoother waiting until the 4^th though... It’s already Tuesday, and we have a 7^th birthday coming up on Friday and a preschool graduation on Friday night. It’s a “yay!” and “boo!” all at the same time *sniff, sniff*

 

And next week…. Well next week we’ve been chosen to be a part of something pretty exciting for us! I can’t share anything until Monday morning, but I’ve been dropping hints and teasers on FB and IG. I’ll definitely amp those up this week! So please check back next Monday! It’s exciting guys. HUGELY exciting!

 

BUT….. Here’s your little glimpse!

Last shot of the day. We started goofing off. 

Oliver licked me. Haha!

This is when I yelled "Ewwww! He licked me!" His face shows no remorse. Hehe.