Wednesday, January 6, 2010

It's My Blog...I Can Cry if I Want To!

I interrupt this generally upbeat, positive blog to have a pity party! I don't cry. Never really have. I'll have a few tears here and there, but sobs? Never! I didn't cry as I watched my house burn down a few years ago...I didn't cry Monday when my TA didn't come with the others...today, however, I made up for all of that!

Richard and I went this morning to New Orleans for our final fingerprint appt. (our 3rd). Having to redo fingerprints just never made sense to me, but what do I know? Richard's company is in the process of moving offices. They purchased a building and have been remodeling it. He's been working there for the last few weeks, trying to get everything done. In the process, his hands are not in the best shape. Do you know where I'm heading with this? They did not let him get his fingerprints done. They said he had "open wounds", which he didn't, but he did have a few small cuts. I LOST it! Our I-797C doesn't expire until the summer, but our fingerprints expire on the 24th of this month. We need them to be valid until we get home! I started sobbing right there in the middle of the immigration office. I sobbed through my appointment, and these ladies were horrible. They had zero compassion, and couldn't care less. All they would say was that they'd have to put him in the computer, but it would be about 30 days. 30 DAYS!!! Are you nuts?!?!?! We left and stopped in the restroom. As I was in the stall sobbing uncontrollably, I decided there was no way I was leaving until I talked to someone else. I walked out and told Richard we were going back in there. Through security and everything...we ended up talking to 2 different women who didn't give me the answers I wanted, but at least had compassion. I don't think Richard knew what to do...I NEVER do that. You should have seen all the immigrants who were waiting for their appointments. I didn't care...mascara, snot...it was not pretty!
I'm home now...in my bed. I have put a call into our Congressman's office and after talking to a couple of you...feel like maybe they will help us get another appointment. (Of course, we still need our TA to come in to go on the 21st anyway). Richard also has some connections in Alabama, so he might could drive there and get them done. I have a little more hope now than I did in that office.
I just kept thinking...after 3 YEARS, tons of money, time, etc., does it HAVE to be this difficult? We're not adopting because we wanted another child. To be honest, I could have spit them out until I was octomom. It wasn't about that for us. (not that it matters why) It is about taking in a sweet baby who had no home, no parents, and making her ours. It just shouldn't be THIS difficult!
OK, I'm done with my pity party. Scroll down so you can see the face that makes all this craziness worth it. But please pray that this will all work out.

28 comments:

katrina said...

Good luck! Something will work out and one day you will tell her about today and laugh about it

DiJo said...

OK - This one makes me want to cry too... The thought of you melting down in that darn office and no one giving you a great big smile and "it's going to be ok in their southern drawl" really ticks me off...

BUT... This is just one more TEST that is going to make that plane ride, and glass of champagne on it, all the more worth it!!! You better be ordering up the "SHE WAS WORTH THE WAIT" monogram right now.

I am standing in the gap now for you!!! Come on Lord! PLEASE give Jen her TA and PLEASE give Rich his darn fingerprint appt asap!!!

I love your passion for your precious Tea Cup my friend!

Love ya,
Diana

DiJo said...

P.S:

Do not mess with a WAITING CHINA MAMA.... EVER!!!!!

:)

Somewhere In The Sun said...

Oh my gosh!! I'm praying hard! We had to get our Senator involved during Lili's adoption. Same kind of thing...time crunch. It worked for us so I hope it works for you too! I can almost feel your stress! Again, I'm praying!

~Lynn

elliotts said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I have been following you recently. We are in the early stages, and we are adopting out of the same reasons. We have no idea if we can have our own child or not...we just feel drawn to adopt from China. But we are in the authentication process and final review of home study. Our I-800A is next. There are a lot of stumbling blocks for something that should be easy for people that have a hear to adopt.

Keep your chin up and vent anytime...that's what we are all here for!

Diane

Denise said...

I am crying for you...and I have been there, when we missed our flight to china, I wept right there and the ticket again just blankly stared at me and no one around me seemed to care...I had to compose myself, but it took awhile. what I am trying to say is...all of this will be sooooo worth the wait and I am praying for everything to fall into place and work out.

Stephanie said...

That's absolutely ridiculous!!!!!!! I'm praying for you!!!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

OH MY WORD..... I am so sorry that you had to go through this. I would have reacted in the same way. I cannot believe that you were treated in that manner.....do they not know how important those fingerprints are for you guys?? This whole process at times really can bring out emotions you never knew you even had in you. I will be thinking of you.....you need that TA and those fingerprints. Someone will come through for you..... I know it!! Keep the faith my friend:)

xo,

Lisa

Joanne said...

Oh, I am so sorry! I will keep you in my prayers...it WILL work out!

Linda said...

I had no idea all that was going on today. So sorry you had to go through that. You know we are praying. It will work out. I love you.

Linda said...

"The kings heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." Pr. 21:1. That includes government workers and bureaucracy.

Mission To Macie said...

They are horrible horrible people at that New Orleans office! I almost had a freak out in that office myself!!! And right before my appointment I saw them do that to the couple in front of us!! Horrible horrible people! BUT I know it's going to go in your favor!

Still praying sweet friend!

Jill :)

Kim said...

OMW... I read this at work and yelled out BS.. and everyone was looking at me...but I know things will work out..
Big HUGS and big prayers coming your way..
LOVE YA>..

a Tonggu Momma said...

Oh, Jennifer... I am so very sorry. Huge prayers and hugs. (I really think your congressperson will be able to help, though.)

carolinagirl said...

praying hard for you! i am so sorry. we only had to redo ours twice but i can totally picture the scene in there today. keep your chin up. if you only knew some of the trials we had in russia on our THREE trips over !!! i can completely relate to "why does it have to be this HARD"?

Erin said...

Oh Jennifer... I am so sorry! Libby's referral didn't come the month it was supposed to... we were told our LID had been "changed". I cried just the way you're describing... real grief (& I know what grief feels like!) Some of these people who work at the immigration/fingerprint offices really ought to be working at the prison! Or the DMV! Honestly, they seem to have ice water running through their veins. I am praying that all will be resolved. Wesleigh is yours, and you are hers... soon enough you'll be together. Hang on a bit longer. And cry all you want.

Anonymous said...

I usually just lurk but I can’t pass this one without a comment.

A dad does not like to see any of his children hurt – especially one like you, who never ask for any special treatment. I am so sorry you had this experience today. As much as I love you, I know that our Heavenly Father loves you even more. As much as I want to do for you, He still wants to do more. As much as you trust me, He is more trustworthy.

“All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” You and Richard have been called by the Lord to bring our granddaughter, Wesleigh, to Louisiana. It will happen because you and Richard have been called to do this. I just pray that every obstacle which comes into your path dissolves by the power of our Heavenly Father.

You are “sowing in sorry” therefore “you shall reap in joy.”

Praying for you baby.
Love,
Daddy

Wendy said...

Hi Jennifer, I am so sorry this is happening to you, I live in New Orleans and have been to that office many many times so I know exactly how you were treated. I wanted to give you a name I am not sure she is still there but she was helpful at one point during our process, Officer Hamm, I think she is or was the head adoption officer. We brought our daughter Merrin home in July and when we received her referral in May our agency closed a couple of weeks later and would not give the 7 families that were waiting to travel any info on what was going to happen to us and we also were rushing to get an addendum done to our homestudy it was so stressful especially after all we had been through but you WILL get you daughter and she WILL come home to be with her family. I am praying for you! Lots of love from NOLA.

Wendy

Anonymous said...

I had tears reading your post. Praying that it all works out very soon!

Anonymous said...

OMG! This very thing happened to me back in May. I went in for fingerprints and they refused to take them after learning I had a recent wrist injury. I stood in the lobby crying and begging for an hour and they refused to take them. The harder I cried the more rude they were. No one in that office has ever shown us an once of kindness in the four years we have been dealing with them. I was minutes from calling off the adoption because this was the third time I had left the NO office in tears.

I actually had to go to my doctor and get a letter and a medical release to be fingerprinted. Fortunately we were able to go to the Jackson MS office because of our congressman's office staff and their help with the matter. Hang in there!

Praying for you!
Heather Davis

Blogs For Babies said...

Saying sweet prayers for you sweet friend!! Don't LET the devil Still your JOY!!!!! Hang in there, keep your head up, and Pray! I know that must have been horrible! HORRIBLE! {{HUGS!}}

Chris said...

My heart is just breaking for you!!!

I can't believe how you were treated!!!!

Please feel the power of prayer....

Know that you are in the Hands of your Father and so is Wesleigh (love that name)!!!!!

Leah Mei said...

I don't know what to say. It sounds so ridiculous to me. This is our government and it doesn't always feel like they are working for us. I felt that way many times during the process. We also had to request the help of our Congressman's office with immigration related nonsense and they were able to fix it so I know everything will work out for you in the end. We will continue sending prayers your way.

Daisy

Aaron and Erica said...

Oh Jennifer...your blog post made me sad and frustrated with what happened with the fingerprints but it was your sweet Daddy's comment that just brought me to tears. We were also blessed with supportive, loving family members who stood in the gap for us and encouraged us along the way. I'm so grateful and I'm so glad that you also have this support system. Please tell your Dad I said hello and I'm so exicted about his new granddaughter!!!!

Now come on TA and fingerprint appointments!!!!!

Hugs,

Erica

3 Peanuts said...

I am crying on my computer reading what your Dad wrote Jennifer....he is so sweet and so right. As we talked about earlier....the hardest things bring the greatest joys. It is HORRIBLE but it will be okay. I am so glad you called the congressperson. I know they will help you. Talk to you soon.

Anonymous said...

Jennifer,
My heart ached for you when I read this. I was told several times by people throughout this adoption, that this is a spiritual battle and the devil doesn't want you to get her and raise to serve God and Jesus. I was also told that when we have lost all control, that is when God is in complete control. Trust Him! I know all about blubbering uncontrollably in front of others dealing with this adoption.

Love ya,
Shelly

Everyday Mom Designs said...

Oh no.. I am sooo sorry.. I hope things get better and you guys work something out.. I know nothing about this stuff, so I'm no help.. But I wish the very best for all of you.

Wife of the Pres. said...

I have a feeling (not that it is always right mind you:) that yours and Cheri's TAs are on the way! I really hope you get to leave on the 21st with Cheri and many other AW families to bring home your little girl.

:) leslie

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