Jaime will just have to all the way to mexico.....

Exactly my point. I told him I would never forgive him if something happened because of Jaime. I just can't believe Javier would want to risk it. He really wants his family here. He talks about it all the time. I know him and Jaime got really close while he was there but it's just a no brainer for me. It's not worth it. I know it would be hard for me to be away from my family and not know when I was going to get to see them again. I know it is hard for him. I just don't think Javier thinks the consequences are as bad as they could be. I think he thinks nothing bad would happen. I have tried to explain it. He just doesn't understand. Maybe that is where I need to start. Maybe I need to start with trying to explain the consequences first, then go from there.

Also point out that in a few years when he has citizenship he can file for his family too. Miguel got pretty close with his brothers again when he was in Mexico and we just try to point out that thanks to his status now, we’ll be able to go and visit whenever we can (well, depending on $$ of course) but that things are in such a better state because of all we have sacrificed. I imagine no one in Javier’s family (mom, sister, etc) would want him to jeopardize that and not have him return home for years at a time.

Another excellent point Stephanie!!
so.. when are you and Miguel planning on going to Mexico? (don't want to change the subject.... I just thought I'd ask)

Stephanie: That is a good point. I don't think they understand what a big sacrifice it was for us to do this. The whole time Javier was down there they kept asking about money and wanting him to pay for things. I think they think because we are here we have it made. I will remind him about bringing his family here after he gets his citizenship. The other side to this story is, I want his sister to come live with us because I think it would be a better life for her. But, according to his father, that is out of the question. He can bum his son off on us but not his daughter. It's just really aggravating.

So yeah, Stephanie, when are you going to visit? We will be down there Dec. 15th thru 23rd. What town is Miguel from? I don't think it is to awfully far from Huauchinango.

Oh I almost forgot. I love you guys! Thank you so much for your help. As always, it's nice to know we have someone to talk to about these issues.

The plan is at end of November. That is when his seasonal job ends. He thinks he will drive a truck down for his father (which is a whole OTHER topic for another day…because that sounds like such a bad idea to me…especially since he started nodding off when we drove to Chicago for his passport after 20 minutes. We are NOT a roadtrippen’ couple) and then fly back. I plan to just fly. I hate roadtrips. My butt always hurts from sitting too long. I need to put charmin in there like the commercials of the little kids putting toilet paper padding in their pants.

That's a hilarious picture! I love road trips. I am really upset we aren't going to be able to drive. It's just not a good time of the year. We will have to drive when we know we won't get caught in a snow storm or anything. I wouldn't want him to drive either if he can't stay awake. That could be a bad thing. Maybe you can talk him out of it.

Road trip! road trip! I will be in Mexico when you guys go..... SO maybe just maybe we can find somewhere and meet?

Maybe you can get one of those donuts that are used after surgery

Elvia: That's the best idea I have heard yet. Huauchinango is way down there though. Isn't Zacatecas closer to the top of the country? We will be renting a car while we are there though. Maybe we could still meet half-way. Too bad Stephanie and I aren't going at the same time.

We totally need to meet someday. Tell me when and where and I’ll arrive by plane and you two can drive.

Luv ya too. And when the truck issue comes up (if it does, I am slightly skeptical that everyone but us will pull the $$ together) I’ll be looking to you guys for ammo on “why this is a crazy idea to drive a truck from Mpls to Mexico in the winter”. We all got to stick together.

It is a crazy idea. Just for the simple reason of the weather. What would he do if he got stuck in a horrendous snow storm? I don't think he would enjoy sitting on the side of the road waiting for someone to come plow the road so he could get a move on. I know that may be extreme but it could happen. You never know with our weather these days.

Well if it doesn’t work to meet in Mexico next winter, we will have to plan something in the US (once Elvia is back, of course). Ummmmm, drinks. It’ll be mandatory we throw a few margaritas back, o.k.?!

Oh yeah, I also forgot to mention we still haven't gotten Javier's social security card. They said they mailed it on Monday so I am going to check the mail this evening. I hope it is there. It should be arriving any day now.

Mandatory for sure. I love me some margaritas. According to Javier I am a barracha! He is so funny. I can only drink one drink before I am just plain silly. It is really sad. I tend to laugh uncontrollably too. It's really a pretty funny sight.

Mexico this is a map of Mexico and we can maybe find somewhere in between. Stephanie you are too funny... but when it does come up in conversation and you are ready for the ammo just come on and post.... we are willing to help you with anything....

Stephanie, Charity, Benita, Melissa, and Ashley I am glad I can count on you!



OH my we will sound like hyenas!!

Yeah, maybe we can find a happy medium. I love to travel so I wouldn't mind seeing as much of Mexico as I can. It would be nice for Javier too because he hasn't been very many places in Mexico either.

Well girls, it's time for me to go home. I will check in when I get there to see if you all are still around. If not, have a great night and "see" you tomorrow. Thanks again!

Have a great night and thanks to you all for being totally awesome.

Yes we are!
I'm sorry I got really busy and couldn't post right away. Have a good evening! Have to do some stuff before I leave.

Hey girlies! Sorry I didnt get in today. I had to take an 8 hour med class! Boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! anyways I wanted to tell yall to keep yzuniga in your thoughts she still hasnt gotten in farther in her quest in getting a visa for her other half.

Hello all! Hoy es viernes!!!!! Thank goodness. Although, the weekends are going by so fast lately they are almost not worth getting excited over. We already have all kinds of plans for this weekend. Not that I want to veg out in front of the TV all weekend but it seems like we run all weekend long. We don't get any rest at all.

I talked to Javier last night about the Jaime thing. He is really torn up about it. He says he just can't stand not being able to help his family. I told him I would try to find Jaime an apartment or a trailer. He could still come eat supper with us some and stuff. I told Javier, Jaime will be fine by himself. He is an adult and needs to start acting like one. Hopefully, it will all work out okay. Javier tried to call Jaime last night but he was at his girlfriends house. I am hoping Javier will talk him out of coming all together.

Well it has been a hell'va morning here at my place there are only two of us manning the phones the door and the shelter. iwill be back

I was wondering if something had happened to you. Glad to hear you are just busy and it wasn't anything worse. Talk to you soon, hopefully.

Okay got a break..... Much needed I might add.
Happy Friday!!! I am glad you talked to Javier last night. I am glad that this is now out in the open and that he knows where you stand. Do you think it will cause you guys future problems?

I don't think so. We talked some more about it today at lunch. He still says Jaime is coming but I don't know where he will live or whatever. Javier wanted to get him a job working with him but I don't think that is a good idea either. I just told him we would have to really sit down and talk about it. I think his brother has run out of money and his dad doesn't want to give him anymore. It's not over by any means. We will just have to decide what we are going to do. I feel really bad because I know how I would feel if the roles were reversed. I would want to do anything to help my family.

On another note, I found plane tickets today for our trip in Dec. They are, for both, $815.50. It has taken me this long to find times and prices that are okay for us to pay. Now the problem is, we don't really have the money to pay for the tickets right now. I am wondering if we wait, will they still be there and will they still be reasonably priced. I am not sure if we should just put them on the credit card now and pay it when Javier gets his money for this side job he is doing or should we wait and possible end up paying a lot more for them or not be able to find them at all.

I found this on unvision.com I guess this means that if you have conditional visas that you do have to wait five years for citizenship cause the 3 years dont count till you have your permanent gc.




El tiempo como residente condicionado no es válido para pedir la ciudadanía. Debe esperar la Green Card y contar 5 años. [/size]

Ashley: This is straight from the USCIS website.

Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Generally, certain lawful permanent residents married to a U.S. citizen may file for naturalization after residing continuously in the United States for three years if immediately preceding the filing of the application:

* the applicant has been married to and living in a valid marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse for all three years;

o the U.S. spouse has been a citizen for all three years and meets all physical presence and residence requirements; and

o the applicant meets all other naturalization requirements.

I feel like I am in slow motion today. I just want to go to sleep and I want my stomach to stop feeling sick. I am sure I am more sick with this one than with Emily, the only good part of this is knowing that if I feel sick then the baby must be doing ok.

Now I am just going to lay my head on my keyboard until time to go home....Okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Ok! That sounds good to me. I wish I could do the same. Sorry you aren't feeling well. Maybe the morning sickness won't last too long.

Benita I am soooo sorry you are feeling this.... but I bet Jr is having some fun in there

Charity... I am a firm believer that if you do not have cash to pay do not get it. It is totally up to you though.
WWED (what would elvia do) I would cancel the visit to Mexico promise and all!!! and tell them I am sending them $400 for any help they need in the quinceañera. they will be so money stricken and they really won't strike or like die of hunger or not have it cause you guys are not there.... *just my opinion though* It is way too much money to spend when you don't have any to spare. Plus big job or not Javier doesn't have it yet so I still say thank you but NO thank you! *Money on your computer will also tell you the same thing*

Elvia: I know, I know. After all this stuff with Jaime and all I don't really have the heart to tell Javier he can't go back in December. I really don't want to use the credit card either. I told him we would talk about it tonight so maybe we can discuss our options. I really don't care if we go or not. I would rather go at another time when it is cheaper. Plane tickets are outrageous at the time we are going. They would probably be cheaper at another time. We may have to discuss that option. We aren't even sure if his dad is going to have the party or not. He hasn't made up his mind yet. I know Javier though, and he is hell bent on going back to Mexico in December. If I even suggested we not go the crap would hit the fan. URGHHHHHHH!!!! Why can't I just be rich?!? This sucks!

Okay I've got an Idea..... tell Javier that you will consider having Jaime at your house for a period of three months and NO more. BUT that this will only happen if he decides not to go to Mexico. Use that as your leverage. Well have a feel for it first and maybe plant it in his little head. What do you think?

I don't know. He is really close to his little sister. I think he would rather go see her than have Jaime live with us. This is just a mess! Why can't life just be simple? I have mentioned to him before that maybe we didn't need to go and he says he will go without me. I don't know if it came down to it if he really would but I am not going to try it. I will not, I repeat, will not have him down there again without me. No way. Not just because I don't want to be separated from him either. It's just not a good idea. I just don't know how in the heck he thinks we are going to pay for everything. I mean the tickets are $800. The hotel room will be around $300 or something. Then the car rental will be around $300. Not to mention the money we will have to spend while we are there. Plus, I think I mentioned this before, he promised his dad $500 to help with the party. He thinks moeny grows on trees. We wouldn't be in this shape if it weren't for him spending so much money while he was in Mexico in the first place. I should tell him that, it's his fault we can't go. He should have been smarter with his money while he was down there. Okay, now I am just pissed!

Okay, I sense that there is also some underlying problem as to why you would not let him go alone???? Did something happen down there that you are so leary??
I would be mad... and not just mad pissed like you are. And when that happens I turn psycho...
WWED.... I would take away his resident card while he was not paying any attention... and believe me you will have a time for this... and then when time came.... well ummmm make him believe that he lost it... Oh well... no trip to Mexico.... Told you... I turn psycho

Sorry about my little rant there. I just got a little carried away. Thanks for the suggestions. Javier and I will just have to talk it over. I hope you have a good weekend!

it will all work out for the best... have faith Much love

Thanks! I am sure it will.

I just wanted to say thanks Ashley, for thinking of me. I know it has been awhile since I've posted or even looked at the site, I just couldn't. I was struggling to keep myself from going insane. I went through a major depression and was not able to even live life. I'm better now and about 20lbs thinner (that's the good part). I am happy for all of those reunited and I am still praying for all of us that are waiting. I also checked the website I2US, it is helpful.

I do have good news though, our rally-march here in Kansas City, Kansas was successful. We had a great turn out, and got media coverage on the local news. Also, watch Univision, we are making our voices heard, we want immigration reform! Other cities around the US were also united. We were encouraged not to buy anything no gas, food, no purchases at all to show that we can impact the economy. There are going to be changes, we have to united to make it happen. I encourage the people who have not written to their senators to do so. Tell them that you support McCain/Kennedy bill and oppose HR4337 it will only take 5-10 minutes at the most but do it, it will benefit all of us seperated from our loved ones.

Just wanted to let you'll know that I am leaving Sunday and by the time you read this I will be in juarez with my hubby on Monday at our appointment.I will let you know when we get back.Am hoping to meet glu-from I2US
I am so scared and nervous.Thank you all for everything.

Great advice for newlyweds who are in the process of building a marriage based on honesty, love and trust. Clmjmm7, I'm sure if you show your husband that you just do not have the available funds he will be understanding about it. If you only have the finances for him to go alone in December, you will just have to trust in his love for you.

I just re-read this, and Oh my.... I do sound psycho.... I told my husband that I typed this and he looked at me like what??? Thanks Devils advocate for putting it in perspective

Elvia: Thanks for the advice. We did talk about this over the weekend and decided to postpone plans to go. We are going to wait until we have the money. If we have the money in time to go in Dec. we will, if we don't, we won't. He did tell me he would go by himself but then took it back. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

Hope everyone has a great day today!

I am glad you talked it over. Other than that did you have a good weekend?

Yeah, we did. We went shopping both days. Didn't really buy anything, just went to look. Javier wants to do some home improvements, but we don't have the money. So we just looked around at some things, got some prices, to see how much it would cost us.

How about you?

We had to work on our car. fun! fun! fun!
I don't know if you know anything about cars but we had to change out both of our oxygen sensors! So we took apart our dash and console in the inside of the car just to find where to connect one of the sensors and then the other one was near the engine. So after all of that the engine light is still on and my car is running lean!!! I have to cold start it for a week and then if it is still on I will have to replace some more parts. Which are not cheap!

That doesn't sound good at all. I know a little about cars but not that much. I do know what an oxygen sensor is though. I couldn't imagine trying to change one myself. Hopefully, it will fix itself and you won't have to buy new parts. It sucks when your car tears up. They are so darn expensive to fix.

Morning all!

Cars are not cheap!! That is cool you did it yourself Elvia. Working on cars is pretty liberating. I am so ready for spring to completely be here. Saturday was crappy weather and got me depressed. I told Miguel we needed to move somewhere warm and sunny year round. It is very tempting about this time of year.

Did you all check out the march in LA?! Wasn’t that fricken awesome. I am crossing my fingers that a good humane law comes out. Some of the proposals are so damn draconian. I just can’t believe it.

Back to work I go.

Yes Stephanie! very liberating indeed. Oh and about moving... come to Texas!! It is always warm here. We either have summer or spring weather the rest of the seasons vanished.
Lonely from I2US posted that she was there... she stated it was awesome. So how have you been?

Overall I am good but I think a few wires might be crossed in my brain. Nothing serious...a little sun will fix it right away. Oh and 1 million dollars.

Stephanie: We all have some wires crossed in our brains. I feel that way sometimes too. So how is your weather supposed to be this week. Ours is supposed to be warming up by the end of the week. It's actually pretty outside right now. By Friday it is supposed to be around 60 but it is supposed to rain also. At least it won't be snow. It snowed all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There isn't anything still on the ground but just to have snow all weekend is a bummer. I can't wait for the sun and warm weather.

Cars, don't ya just love em----NOT.

Alex is not very mechanical, but if I can take a part out then I can replace it. He tries to help, but is mostly the muscle behind getting stuff done. I have replaced a radiator, a alternator, the drive accessory belt, batteries of course and many tires. My dad (a mechanic) made me change my first tire before I was allowed to drive a car.

Benita: That's awesome. Javier is pretty mechanical. He can at least figure out what is wrong with it. He isn't always able to fix it the greatest way, mostly because he gets annoyed if it doesn't work just right. He usually ends up breaking some little piece or something like that. He just put a new mirror on his truck on the drivers side. He broke the little piece that clipped the mirror on. He ended up gluing it on. He just gets in a hurry I guess. At least I am not worried about going somewhere with him. My ex couldn't have changed the oil in a car, much less fix anything else.