Well, we've started our downward 'spiral' heading toward our trip home. Technically, we have less than 2 weeks left. We have done almost everything that needs to be done. Our layette shipment is off and running...we've sent multiple packages to ourselves...both Peter and I are now medically cleared to go back...Peter is officially on the orders...Peter has his ticket to return to Cameroon...Devin and I have done everything that needs to be done to be official Idaho residents (Driver's license, bank account...even a library card!). There is only one thing left to do, and quite frankly I am going CRAZY over this!!
The last thing left, is Peter's passport and visa. Ok, so on our 'checklist' for returning, it talks about not delaying starting the process for your passport and visa as that could delay your return to post. BUT, before you can start applying for the passport, the baby has to have his FOUR WEEK appointment. We then have to send in the results to have him cleared to return to post. THEN after he's cleared, we have to send those results to someone else to have him added to Devin's orders. Once he's added on, THEN we can send in the passport application.
Well, Peter's 4 week appointment was on the 9th of Feb. Right immediately after his appointment, we faxed the info in to get him cleared. Luckily, he was cleared that afternoon! Then, we contacted the person to add Peter to the orders. We had to call a few times. FINALLY on Tuesday afternoon, Devin went and checked online to see if the orders had been updated, and thankfully they had! So, since we had everything already filled out for the application, we printed off the orders and our flight itinerary (so they could see that we really need this ASAP...well, sooner than possible, actually) and ran over the the county clerk's office to have everything made official and send it off. We finally convinced the people there that what we were doing was really legit (umm, they don't get many diplomatic passport applications in there...yah, it took well over an hour just to fill out the papers...duh...but at least they were really nice people even if they had no clue). Then, Devin had to go over to the post office to get an envelope and pay for an express mail so we could overnight the application. We got everything into the envelope and left it there with them to send off. Whew.
Then we ran into a few more snags. We called on Wednesday to make sure they'd gotten the application and were looking into doing it. Nope. Hadn't gotten there yet. Apparently, if you send off an overnight express mail envelope after 1pm in the afternoon, it's NOT overnight. Stupid. Wish they used FedEx. So, we called on Thursday. Is it there yet. Nope. Ummmm, could you look up the tracking number and see if it's at least close? It's in D.C., at least. How retarded can you get??? So, we call yesterday (Friday). Is it there yet? What do you mean you haven't seen it??? So, they look up the tracking number... 'Oh, it's here! We'll have someone try to find it and start looking at it, then we'll call you back.' (One of those "Don't call us, we'll call you" things...blah.) They never called us back (I'm so surprised). AND to make things even better, Monday is a holiday. Oh goody. One less day to work on our way home...one more day for me to lie on the floor in a little purple puddle!
Now, dip passports can usually be done in a week or less, depending on the speed of the people working on it. That's not too terrible, considering that if they started on it, we might get it back by the 23rd or 24th. BUT, there's another catch. Peter still needs a visa. But, to apply for a visa, they have to send us the passport, we have to sign it for him, then we have to send it BACK with the visa application and wait for the approval (which can take a week or MORE) THEN they'll send it back and we're ready to go...only we don't have that much time. This is absolutely ridiculous!!! It's not physically possible!!! Who thought up these rules??????
So, my question is, why do they make us wait until the FOUR WEEK appointment for the baby (which, by most standards, they make a point to see the baby at 2 WEEKS and then again at 2 MONTHS...not 4 WEEKS)? How are you supposed to get all the paperwork done and all the passport/visa stuff done in less than 2 weeks? All the other stuff, we've been able to do. But the passport and visa, we have no control over! I WANT TO GO HOME!!!! I'm about this close \\ to calling up the passport office and screaming hysterically at them and then breaking down into a sobbing madwoman and seeing if that does any good.
Seriously, folks, this is silly. We've done everything the INSTANT that we were able to do it, and it still is just not enough. I've enjoyed my stay in the US...seeing family and friends, eating my daily dose of crumb donuts, seeing lots of snow... But quite frankly, I'm more than ready to be back in my house again. To be in the sun and let the kids outside to play on the swings or ride bikes...to take walks without 40 layers on...to go to playgroups and see other moms and my friends...to cook!!! *sigh* This is so frustrating! Anyone out there have any experience with this--and any advice or ideas?
I suppose it has been awhile since I've had lots of overwhelming things happen, so it's time again. I'm sure it'll all work out in the end....right?
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