Photos Galore!

"Excuse me...I don't think this kid is a real doctor. Look at my leg!"

So much has happened in the last week. We're on quite a roller coaster ride. I'll post more later about that. For now, I am content to enjoy looking at an abundance of photos of this little beauty. She looks to be standing quite comfortably. Several families are traveling now and have their children in arms. Wonderful to see. One was kind enough to deliver a toy with our photos in it to May. (Thank you, Shula!) If you look closely, in some of the photos, you can see my image looking up at May from the toy! In the midst of their own joy and celebration (and probably a little controlled chaos), these families took the time to take photos for all of us still waiting. (Thank you, Shula and Cara!)

RFE

RFE
Really Fantastic Effort. Rather Flat Egg. Rough Feather Easter. Really Fun Experience. Reason For Enthusiasm.


My wishful musings...

Any of these phrases would be preferable to the email we received this morning from USCIS (Immigration). Request for Further Evidence (RFE). The good news is that US Immigration reviewed our case to classify May as an immediate relative in roughly 37 business days. The bad news is that they had a choice to approve our petition, to deny our petition, or to investigate it further. They are further investigating it. We should receive the packet via Fed Ex by Friday to know more of the details. I am holding out hope that it is something simple. The vast majority of these cases are eventually favorably resolved, but often after months of waiting for review. Some cases have languished for the better part of a year without resolution. The burden is on us, as the petitioners, to provide evidence that this little girl fits the US definition of an "orphan". It's a daunting prospect, but our agency says it will assist us. And we have the support of a great group of people. We're crestfallen to think that the email could just as easily have read "approved".

With the looming closure of the Vietnam program on Sept 1, there seems to be pressure on USCIS to clear cases. (It's so frightening that the future of our family is just another case report to clear off of a desk.)

SO, our dear family, friends, and fellow travelers...if you can, please send some positive energy, prayers, incantations (?!), our way.

Look at the size of those pins!

Thankfully, Luc is recovering very well at home after having two pins removed from his arm today. Surgery #3 was a breeze compared to the 2 prior ones. Would you look at the size of those things?!? Yikes! Luc has a new brace which he can take off for PT and to shower, but Luc is just ecstatic to be able to scratch his arm at last. He'll have the plate removed in about 5 months. Now, let the healing begin!