We're approved!

Out of curiosity, I decided to email the National Benefits Center on Tuesday to find out the status of our application for immigration approval. Much to my amazement, I got a reply stating that our approval had been issued that day and congratulating us and wishing us well on the remainder of the journey. Wow -- someone who seems to care and isn't just stamping documents! What's even more amazing is that she faxed the approval notice to me instead of making us wait for it to arrive in the mail; so I have already had it certified and sent it on its way to the Chinese Consulate for authentication. All of the other documents have already gone through this process and are at the agency's office waiting to be sent to China. This is the last piece of the paperwork puzzle, and it is being put in place ahead of schedule thanks to a kind immigration officer! Kind of makes up for the bad experience with the postal worker on Monday. Madison needs a new passport, so she and I went to the post office Monday afternoon to file the application. There was a male employee at the counter, and he greeted us with "We don't take passport applications after 4:00." It was 4:03. I thought he was joking. The rest of our conversation went something like this:

Me -- "It's only three minutes after."
Him -- "We don't take passport applications after 4:00." Turning toward Madison, "How old are you, Miss?"
Madison -- "13"
Him, directed to me -- "You'll need both parents here to sign unless you have an affidavit."
Me -- "I have the affidavit."
Him -- "Do you have a copy of your driver's license?"
Me -- "Yes, I have everything you need."
Him -- "We don't take passport applications after 4:00."

Give me a break!! Did I mention that we were the only customers in the building, and they don't close until 4:45? He suggested that we come back on Saturday morning. I think maybe we'll ALL go up there on Saturday . . . and maybe take some of our loudest, most irritating toys to pass the time!