We just received some wonderful news from my dad! A letter just arrived (to my parents' house) stating that David has been deemed a lawful permanent resident of the US, and will soon be receiving his new Green card (which is valid for 10 years)! We are totally thrilled to hear this, as we have been working on getting this since we got married (a little over 4 years ago). It makes all the paper work and expensive fees seem worth it all now!
About a year after we were married, David received a conditional Green card, which was only good for two years. So, before moving here, we returned to the US in order to apply for a renewal of his Green card. They told us to expect to be called for an interview in a year (which would be this November), and they would then determine if he would be able to receive his new Green card. Well, we disliked the thought of having to return to the States this November, just for a short interview. Yet, we were kinda hoping that only David would need to go for this interview. About a month ago, I looked on-line, and discovered that, if David was called for an interview, the whole family needed to be present. Our hearts sank, as we just did not want to travel that long distance again as a family, for just a couple of days! Well, the next paragraph caught my attention. It mentioned that if the officer of David's case determines that our marriage is 'real' and not just a means for David to get his Green card, then there is a possibility that they would waive our interview, and approve of him receiving the card! We were really hoping for this, and this is what happened! We are SO very thankful!!!!!
We received some other good news today. David and I have been debating back and forth in our minds for several weeks now if we should get an ultra sound done of the baby. On the one hand, we didn't want to as we didn't have such a good experience having one done with Nina in U-U. On the other hand, we thought that having an ultra sound may be helpful in us determining where our little one should be born.
Well, it worked out this morning for us to go! Our co-worker, Erin, graciously agreed to watch the girls (thanks Erin!) and David and I headed to the local "raddom". (A raddom is the name they give to a hospital that is just for women. This is where prenatals are given and where babies are born.) Well, after about half an hour of walking back and forth, getting a certain paper from the doctor and then paying for the ultra sound (which cost us a whole $12!) we took our place in line. It was quite the cultural experience, for sure. David and I were the only non-Tuvans in the group. (Of course, David was the only male there. Bless his heart, he goes through being in embarrasing places for men in order to help me!) So, as about a dozen of us ladies sat/stood in line, my ears were able to hear a lot of Tuvan being spoken. It struck me again, how important their language is to them, and how crucial it is for us to learn it if we want to 'fit in'.
Well, as I sat there on the skinny wooden bench with no back, I began finding myself getting fearful. As I looked around at the condition of the hospital and being surrounded by ladies speaking a different language and practicing a different culture, I thought, "what am I doing here?!?!" Then, as I felt the baby move, fear raced through me again! "What am I doing here pregnant??? How is all of this going to work out?" I glanced over at David, who was standing in a corner agains the wall, and he gave me a wink. And then I began talking with my Creator, and he calmed me down with his peace. :)
After about a two hour wait, it was finally our turn! The doctor graciously allowed David to be with me during the ultra sound (something that isn't normally allowed). Unfortunately, the tv screen was positioned so I couldn't see the baby, but David was able to see everything. I loved watching his face as he saw our little one! The doctor was also so nice (something we didn't really experience in U-U). She about had a fit when she heard that this was the very first check-up we were doing this far along in pregnancy! She asked me how old my youngest child was. When I told her 'almost two', she shook her head and said, "so young". Then I told her that our oldest just turned three, and she could hardly believe her ears! She just kept saying, "oh, it's going to be so hard for you, so hard". I just smiled and said, "yes, but fun too"! (It just depends on how you look at it.)
We received a positive report that everything looks normal and fine with with the baby! We are so very thankful!!!! (No, we still haven't made the decision about where s/he will be born, but we are getting closer!) Oh, and the doctor confirmed what I've been suspecting all along... we are actually a week further along in pregnancy than we had thought! (So, that means I'm just beginning the 26th week.) We are so thankful that we received a positive report about the baby, and that overall, the ultra sound was a good experience and we are glad that we had one done. We would still appreciate your thoughts as we continue making the decision about this little one's birth place, as well as for a continued healthy pregnancy and baby. Thank-you!!!
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