Keepin' our eyes on the prize!

An update on the paperchase again: We got the email that our Article 5 came through from the US Embassy in Colombia on Friday (the day Alton turned 10 months!) Now that our representative in Bogota has this document in-hand, she can request travel dates from Ayudame! We've requested our travel dates to be 'as soon as possible', so we'll see what they end up being. Usually 'as soon as possible' is within 1-2 weeks. The program coordinator did say that the orphanages are a little bit behind right now with being able to schedule the presentation dates as quickly as families would like them since they too are still working through the 'holiday back-log' of families that kind of pile up in line over the long Christmas break.

The Secretary of State came through and got our appostilled Special Visitor Visa documents done in just 3 days. We are now however, wresting with the postal service to get them delivered back to us. We've been tracking them and watching them get bounced back and forth between the same 2 post offices for the last 4 days now and because of the long holiday weekend along with a less than helpful customer service dept., are unable to get an answer as to why. I did receive a message from a friend who went through this last year and she said when she called the Colombian Consulate herself, they told her she could get her visa without the appostilles. If we don't get ours from the post office on Tuesday (they are closed Monday), I'll call the Consulate also and see what tell me about whether or not the apostilles are in fact still required. Hoping this is still an option like it was for her in case ours don't arrive in a timely manner!

Between the Federal holidays here and the Christmas break in Colombia, I'm thinking Nov/Dec just isn't the optimal time to get a referral if you're hoping to whip through your paperwork and travel in 6 weeks rather than 8. (the estimate they tell you to expect is anywhere between 6-8 weeks) Like I said though, we know we're in the homestretch and we're trying to stay positive and keep our eyes on the prize:) Mommy, daddy and big sissy are almost there sweet baby!!!