Here Come The Delays

I promised myself (and just about everyone else) that I wasn’t going to get cranky/moody/upset with the wait to go get Francis.  I was doing so well with that promise.  Until this week.  Yup.  Here come the delays.  I knew if we were going to hit any kind of major delays in the process to get Francis, we would encounter them after our NVC approval landed at the embassy. 

NVC approval was cabled to the embassy in Manila on July 3.  I was so excited because we were just about to the home stretch.  All we needed to do was wait for the visa and medical appointments to be scheduled and we would be off! 

Or not.  It turns out that while we were under the impression that everything had been taken care of with Francis’ passport, he had not made his passport appearance in Manila yet.  (This will make the first of two flights that Francis and his caseworker need to take from Ligao City to Manila before we get there.  He will be quite an experienced flier.)  In fact, there are some issues with the DFA and our agency’s liaison in Manila is hoping that news will come next week.  (Even if we hear on Monday, there will have been a full week with no news.)

So what does this mean? 

The passport appearance still needs to be scheduled.  Once it is scheduled and he appears, it will take 10 days to process the passport.  Only after the passport is in hand can the visa appointments be scheduled.  After that, we can go.

Realistically?  We’re looking at September travel now.  Maybe, if we’re lucky, the very end of August.  We’d just as soon look at September and be surprised if we get called early.  Either way, it’s a delay of about 3-4 weeks from our original estimate, and that’s a kick in the gut.  I just hope we’re with Francis for his birthday in September.

I’ve discovered that reason doesn’t sit well when the one thing you want is to hold your son in your arms – today.  I knew the delays were probably coming, but boy, I would love to know where we stand now.  How much time really is left?  Reassurance in that department would be nice.  Eventually just doesn’t cut it on a week like this.

In other news, Gregg and I are going through the anxiety-inducing process of finding a pet sitter for Lakota and the kitties for while we’re away.  Lakota has separation anxiety and is a big dog, so finding someone who is willing to take care of her is quite the chore.  Praying we’ll find the right person and they’ll be available on short notice when we go. 

Francis – Mommy and Daddy are coming.  We don’t know when, but we’ll be there as soon as we can.  We love you so much and hope you can feel the kisses we send you each day.  xoxo