I-800 Blues

On Tuesday we received two letters from Homeland Security-United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding the form we filed, called I-800. Apparently, despite the dozens of documents we sent them, they still had some questions for us! They were confused as to why we filed our taxes separately, if we were married. They wanted to make sure that we were indeed married. And they had some confusion over our address change due to our recent move. Additionally, they wanted an addendum written by our social worker to support the above changes! Needless to say, we hit a bump in the road in the first step of bringing Asha home, and it doesn't really feel good at all. There is such a need for this process to go quickly, and even thought we know rationally that obstacles are unavoidable, it was still upsetting to be delayed. Fortunately, our wonderful adoption agency and most fabulous social worker were quick to respond, and this morning we mailed off the requested documents overnight mail. The docs should arrive at Dillon Monday morning, and then be sent back to USCIS asap. Hopefully, this time, they'll have what they need to assure that we are who we say we are, and that we live where we say we live. Just when you think you've provided every shred of paperwork possible....

On the flip side, we received this wonderful new sleepy photo from a family that just picked up their daughter. I think Asha may be holding on to that tan blanket with elephants on it. As I've imagined the toys and decoration in Asha's room, elephants have always been an important symbol. Of course, there is the connection to Hindu spirituality and Indian culture. We sleep with a little blanket that has an elephant head on it. Our hope is that one family who may be traveling soon will take this little blankie to Asha, and smelling our scents may help her in the transition process. I wear a necklace that I call my Asha necklace. It is a source of strength and grounding for me, like a talisman. The necklace has a little charm with Ganesh, a round symbol of the sun and moon representing the goddess, and a carnelian stone. So you see, elephants are already a part of the way we connect to Asha. How fitting for her blankie to have elephants on it too!