Monday, November 3, 2008

I Can't Believe I Let This Happen

You won't believe what I have done. You just won't, because I can't even believe I did it! Everyone who is waiting for a referral from China knows that your immigration forms expire in 18 months and if you apply for a renewal before they actually expire, you don't have to pay for the renewal. That is a savings of $640. We also know that if said form does expire, it means that you will now fall under the new Hague requirements which add greatly to your work load and frustration! Well....I started working on my renewal a few months ago. My social worker came for her visit, I was working on the doctor letters. I was too stubborn to schedule appointments, so when my doctor declined my request to just fill out the form (a few very easy questions) without an appointment, I waited for my brother to come to town and sign them for me (yes, he is a doctor).

You have to understand that I am a total procrastinator by nature. I try to overcome this, but it always seems to get the best of me. I started the whole renewal process early, but then got complacent and didn't worry about it because everyone kept saying I had plenty of time. I couldn't even remember what the actual expiration date was (I know, you're gasping...but that's the way I roll) You see, I deal with this adoption a little differently than some of you. I can't put the monthly reminders on my blog because it's just too depressing to me. I do much better to let it slip to the back of my mind and then be surprised at how quickly the time is passing. That just works best for me. So to make a long story longer...I emailed my social worker on Thurs., Oct. 30 to let her know the doctor forms were on the way, and I decided I'd better look to see how much more time I had. I put the date in the email and thought nothing more of it. Guess what the date was! Nov. 2!! It didn't even occur to me that it was only a few days away. I guess I felt secure that it was "next" month. When I looked at the actual form, it is dated Nov. 3, so I'm not sure if the expiration date is the 2nd or the 3rd. Does anyone know that?

My social worker saw the email Thurs. night, and called me saying, "Please tell me you typed that date in wrong." (Thank goodness, I have the most awesome social worker!) Only then, did it hit me what I had done. We brainstormed a little while about what we could do (she lives 5 hours away). She ended up overnighting the homestudy to be delivered to me on Sat. morning. I then immediately took the homestudy and other forms I needed to submit to have it overnighted to my USCIS office for Monday morning. It was delivered this morning Nov. 3., at 9:30am but postmarked Nov. 1.

I am completely distraught about it. I can't believe I could be so careless and stupid. It's a BIG deal. It makes it so much worse that I can't blame anyone but myself! I have been praying all weekend that the person who opened that envelope today would be in a great mood and have mercy on me!!

So what do you think? When will I know whether it is accepted or not? Do you think they will accept it? Am I a total blond for letting this happen? Will you ever be able to visit my blog again after knowing what an air-head I am? Will this adoption wait EVER end? How many times will I have to go through this renewal process?

Between this and the election, I might just have a total breakdown!!!

25 comments:

OH MY #6 said...

Oh my goodness. You poor thing. Stop being so hard on yourself.

got my fingers and toes crossed for you.

Lea
xo

Kim said...

Don't be so hard on yourself..
My social worker said as long as they have the papers.. it is okay..
So you will probably be okay..
Hugs girly..
Keep your chin up..
And I will always be back to your blog..

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Oh my word....you poor thing! Just be happy you caught it when you did.....I personally think you are going to be just fine!

Our agency called us last year when our paperwork was about to expire and there was no way the homestudy and all the necessary paperwork was going to be filed in time. I think we sent the renewal form in and then after the homestudy was finished they sent the rest of the info....and our local USCIS office was Okay with that. I know each state is different....can your agency tell you anything?

I will be sending prayers your way...keep the faith my friend:)

Lisa

Deb said...

I feel so for you Jennifer! All of this paperwork is getting old and is so easy to let slip! We have had our state update on our plates for 2 months or more now.....we seem to be so laid back about the entire process at this point! I have to say that we are getting tired of doing everything over and over again!! Do keep us posted....wishing you all the best!

Anonymous said...

Don't beat yourself up about it- I bet it will all be fine! I am praying for a merciful agent too!!!

Stephanie said...

I assure you that I will still follow your blog and a total airhead YOU ARE NOT! So many things slip my mind nowadays...I hope that the person that opened the envelope today was having an especially great day!!!!

Christy said...

I am sooooo sorry you are having to deal with this. If I had to venture a guess, I would think that becuase the postmark was before the expiration that you should be ok. Im praying for you that this will be no big deal and that it will all work out-- I am sure it will work out just fine.

My prayers are with you!!!

Christy :)

Aaron and Erica said...

This is totally something I would do. In fact, it almost happened with us because I just couldn't bring myself to schedule ANOTHER physical when we STILL did not have a referal. I am definitely a procrastinator and I work much better under pressure! Sounds like we may be a lot alike :) I think this is going to work out fine. Keep us posted!

Denise C said...

Oh Jennifer...I am praying everything goes smoothly and that it is not an issue for you to deal with. Bless your heart!
And by the way...I will always visit you...I enjoy your sweet family so much!!!
Hang in there.....it will all be just fine...just wait and see!!!
Hugs sweet friend!!!
Denise

awaitingmissemily said...

Oh, how I remember how stressful renewing was!! I just had to come to a place where I knew that God was in control, not me, not the social worker, not USCIS, or even China. Proverbs 3:5

Gwen Oatsvall said...

yikes ... no guesses on whether it will be excepted or not .. the government never seems to do what is expected, what is right, or even care sometimes about the adoption issues ... we will just all pray it is accepted ... KEEP US POSTED!!

day by day said...

Oh...I am sending you a big ((hug))!!

I was not gasping at all while reading this...I could relate to every word of it...so you are not alone!!

I am sorry you have to go through so much stress with this already stressful process! I am praying that they will accept it!!!!

The Writer Chic said...

Praying for the best outcome for your family.

Keisha said...

Oh my word... you SOO sound like ME! LOL!
Don't fret... God will take care of it!

I'll b prayin that it will be accepted with NO problem!

Ps...;) My doctor just signed it, when I did this. (Lucky for me!) I told you ..you sound like me!!!!!! I did almost the EXACT same thing!!! lol!
It will work out!

redmaryjanes said...

Girl,
First of all I will always follow your blog.
Secondly, oh man, I'll pray your paperwork gets through the system.
You don't want to have to do the Hague stuff.

Sherri said...

It'll be okay. God is in control. You are going to end up with the child HE intended for you to have. If the process is delayed, then it's for a reason.

I would do another adoption in a heartbeat if it weren't for the paperwork! What a headache! I'll say a prayer that it all goes through.

sherri

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh my, I know you must feel terrible. I will be praying it will all be okay.

Nancy said...

I would guess that if it was postmarked before the expiration you would be OK.
Let us know.

sheryl said...

I hope everything works out okay. I don't know how your state is, but it sounds like you have a pretty good chance since it was postmarked on Nov. 1st. Keep us posted.

I will always come to your blog and see what you are up to. From one blond to another, I "get" you! LOL

Sheryl

Carey said...

Praying for you that it goes through!!! I'm on my knees anyway for this (ugh) election that's not looking so good. Remember, no matter what...GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

And, hey, totally sounds like a Carey moment. Believe it or not, at the moment I can't find the video of my kids from E. Sheesh. Hang in there. Let us know when you find out!!

Erin said...

Oh Jennifer... I feel sad for you. The anxiety about this paperwork is awful, I know... and I didn't have nearly the amount that you do now. I hope that it sails through. If not, you will surely still be able to make things work. Let's pray that one way or another, God will intervene...

Anonymous said...

It is an expensive mistake, but it will be okay! Many delays happened to us along the way, all were out of our hands, but each led us to Jane. She was the one matched on the hour, the day, the minute the matcher made the choice. I KNOW she was meant to be mine as much as if I carried her in my own body.

Hang on to that. At the other end of this is the one who meant to be yours and the timing will make it just as it should be. The wait will melt. The errors made will be righted. ou will say, "This child would not be mine if things were different." I promise, you will!!

MississippiZen said...

Goodness ... I'm going to pray you get the one nice person in N.O. to handle your file :) Don't beat yourself up .... adoption was NEVER supposed to be so ridiculously paperwork consuming not to mention monetary consuming!

Let us know how this all turns out!

Margie

ladybugsnkatydids said...

I have been on pins and needles since reading this post - and I thought I was pretty stressed by the election, but my friend, I have been praying hard for you! Have you heard anything?

Football and Fried Rice said...

Uggh. I KNOW how these things happen. I tell myself that I have half a brain & it seems I don't always use that half :) it is so understandable how it happens!

I am thinking that it will be FINE!!

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