Yes, I have.   I’ve been meaning to before this, but, well, my focus has been a bit lacking for awhile.   If the immigration/waiting process doesn’t turn me into a self-proclaimed schizophrenic, nothing will.   And, well, that’s more good news than bad.

So, on the way home, I thought about what a good prayer for this point in my life would consist of, and came up with a few things:

There are people in the world suffering from homelessness, starvation, mental unrest, war and other terrible things.   Provide for them in their time of need.   Provide for them abundantly.

Watch after our petition at the embassy (now that it’s officially arrived).   Let it be reviewed and approved in a timely manner, so that we can all be together as a family.

Thank you for this man, who cares for me, listens to me, understands me, supports me and makes me laugh. Let me be what he needs, as well.   Thank you for my daughter, who you entrusted to me, after many conversations with You.

Thank you for my family and friends.    You’ve taken care to place some amazing people in my life.

Forgive me for all of my past mistakes.  Thank you for this chance to learn from life, myself and others, and become the person You intended.

Amen

Don’t worry, honey.  There are some in the freezer for you.  

The first one is called an Omaha hotdog and the second one is Ian’s favorite:  a “round rueben”.   It’s got a bit of corned beef taste to it, and sauerkraut/cheese inside.

This is also the shop that we’ve heard the English back bacon is sold from, although I didn’t immediately see any out.   I’ll have to ask about it sometime.

In the meantime:  Collecting sausages and other fun things, like jars of marmite, Tetley teabags and root beer for when the man of the house arrives, hopefully in early November.

Well, Mr. Ian has booked his medical appointment for his visa.   Yay!   We are seeing some progress and are hopefully to the very close end of it all.

Over the weekend, there was another move, closer to the office, where he would be able to not spend an hour on the road driving each way.   I’ll miss hearing Jen and Hayden in the background, and the Bouncer stories.

Bouncer is too big to pack in baggage.    I’ll be looking forward to seeing them, and lots more people on our next trip to the UK.  :)

Today was a slurry of frustrating technical issues, dropped Skype calls and not-so-good connection speeds.    We can still talk, so it’s not an entire loss.

Next: paperwork.   Lots of silly paperwork.   Then the interview.

Ever wait for a really good vacation?   Multiply that feeling by 10,000, and and it might be close to the “OMG, I can’t wait another minute” feeling involved in waiting for a visa process to complete.

On the plus side, at least we knew we were letting ourselves in for something like this process.  I know of a few people who’ve gotten married and then found out, when attempting to get into the US, that they have to have a spousal visa to do it.

Not pretty.

“Yes, you’ll need to go back to your country for at least 6 months, fill out your two pounds of paperwork, spend a few pesos, and wait.  And wait.  Get through a few hurdles and some frustration. Then, you can come back.”

Worth it in the end, though.  Totally worth it.

TLK is already planning on toboggan races.  ”When Ian comes, and it snows, can we all go sledding?”

Sounds like a blast to me.  

Use Somebody (love this song) 

Today is The Little Kid’s birthday!   She is sporting a new skateboard and various other things.   She is happily listening to Michael Jackson (or letting ME listen to Michael Jackson while she tests out the skateboard). 

We fired up the webcam so Ian could share in the gift-opening fun.     This is the last time that we should have to do any of this by remote!  (yay!)

Later, we are meeting 5 or 6 of her friends at a local pottery shop, where they will decorate a mug or photo frame and have it fired in a kiln for them.      Several of the girls have mentioned how much they are looking forward to it.  

Last night, I decorated cupcakes.    I think they turned out well.   I used to play with decorating cakes.   I would like to take a professional class sometime.   I think it would be fun.

from Todd Harrison, who was in one of the Towers in the WTC on September 11, 2001.