WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELVES (YOU, SPOUSE, AND KIDS - IF ANY) ONE YEAR FROM TODAY?

One year from today, by God's grace:

• Our AOS application will have been transferred to CSC and Henry will have his green card
• We will have sold my home and purchased one together

• We will be parents of a healthy little girl (or boy if the Lord pleases)

• I will be strong and healthy

• I will have a viable home business so I can stay home with our little girl after maternity leave runs out

This time last year...I was heading down the JA for our interview. One year ago April 15...ahhh good times. Who would have thought we would have gotten denied and I'm still here with no JA man up here. YET!

Seriously, I'm surprised how fast this year went by. My day will soon come.

Most definitely - your day will be here before you know it. I remember I chatted with you on Yahoo messenger when you got back (they won't enable it here at work so I have to use MSN/Hotmail messenger now). Are you two gonna get married in JA or do K1 again?

We'll we still talking about that. He's always saying says...."I chat to much". I was really interested in Eric's latest story and see if he go approved and or what they said to him. Otherwise, more phone bills that are insane and more travel to Jamaica. Just not as much since I have the house now. The K1 or K3 route is still up in the air. Thats why I put that poll on the yahoo site. I'm leaning towards getting married down there sometime. But then again....we still chattin about that. We got nothing but time. Thanks to him.....

Hypothetically - So if you get married now in JA and file for him late 2006 - mid 2007, come 2008 once you get approved he should be able to come over right?

In the next year I am hoping and praying for a lot of things…

-Things will have equaled out a lot more between Andre and I and he will have adapted to an even greater extent so we can enjoy marriage even more than we are now
-I will lose all the weight I have gained since getting married…it is so awful
-Andre will have a steady good paying job that he is happy with and content at doing
-I will be going to school to further my education
-We will have become full members of our church and really grow and learned more
-We will have started to learn another language (probably Spanish as it is so prevalent)
-We will visit all the friends and family back home in JA over the holidays
-NO babies…not yet…give me another year or two...or three





I am so glad that it has helped so many people!



Thanks for the info...I know it was hard to talk about

Jamie I feel you on the weight loss - we joined the gym last week and go together it's sweet for me to be on the treadmill and look across in the other room to see him workin it out on the free weights

Awwwww

Oh my gosh, I have heard it all now Poor doggie! Hope he feels better soon.



Oh my God girl, You're killing me here You don't even want to know the funny pictures I have in my head right now

It's such an encouragement to go together...

Jill
Did you have a change of heart? I thought you had called off the entire Jamaica thing and decided to "move on" with your life? I don't know how you can do it. I wouldn't be able to. LDR are too hard. I couldn't do it for 3 years.

Speaking of Eric, it's cruel and unusual punishment to keep us waiting so long for details on how it went

Ditto!!!

We want to join a gym...we were even talking about it over the weekend. The hard part is the closest gym is 20 minutes from our house...in the opposite direction from our jobs (so no stopping on the way home from work). To spend 40 minutest just to get there and back and then however long you spend at the gym...

Then there is the gas prices that keep rising...

I know I am full of excuses

So after I get over all that we still have to wait til Andre has a steady job so we can afford it...gyms are crazy expensive

Damien and I joined the gym together months ago, it is fun going together. He motivates me. We're there 5:00 am most weekdays

I have a lifetime membership at Fitness USA that I've had since I was like 18! I haven't used it in awhile Sometimes I just go there to use the steam room, sauna, pool, and hot tub!

I bought an elliptical trainer for my house a couple years ago and I LOVE it It's very low impact and it works out the whole body. And it's so much easier to work out at home - no driving anywhere, paying for extra gas, etc.. I just do 20-35 min. on that, then I lift my 10 lb. weights, then do crunches. I used to be really good about doing this about 2x a week, but lately ......... No time and 100 other excuses I tell myself

Where I live now, the gym is brand new, country coming up in the world, it has all new equipment and it only cost $50 a month for family plan. The good thing is they let me sign Trevor up so I could get the family rate, but they only charge me $25 until he gets here. I've been trying to go at least 4 days a week, now if I could just stop eating as much as I exercise, then perhaps it would work.




Rhonda, are you still at work. I can't sleep, even the wine is not helping.

[quote name='Dee&Dav' date='Apr 12 2006, 01:42 PM' post='125700']
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELVES (YOU, SPOUSE, AND KIDS - IF ANY) ONE YEAR FROM TODAY?


One year from Know..
Finishing up the CR-1 Visa Route and Dwain being almost here
Maybe a new teaching postion is a higher paying Chicago Suburb
Maybe Pregant by December??? Still thinking about that one...
Being an Aunt for the first time





Sounds nice working out at home. I just joined a new gym in Feb and it only cost 19.95 a month so to me thats cheaper than buying equipment. But now I belong to Cardinal Fitness and Curves. I got to both each day. I have weight to loss before the wedding. When u have goals I think your more motivated. I think when Dwain gets here he should join its only 12 dollars a month for an additional family member. Good luck with all the work out things. Hope you find some workout that will work for u.


[quote name='rhondapayter' date='Apr 12 2006, 05:07 PM' post='126117']
[quote name='ChristineJames' post='125950' date='Apr 12 2006, 04:48 PM']
We'll we still talking about that. He's always saying says...."I chat to much". I was really interested in Eric's latest story and see if he go approved and or what they said to him. Otherwise, more phone bills that are insane and more travel to Jamaica. Just not as much since I have the house now. The K1 or K3 route is still up in the air. Thats why I put that poll on the yahoo site. I'm leaning towards getting married down there sometime. But then again....we still chattin about that. We got nothing but time. Thanks to him.....
[/quote]

I totaly understand I have been waiting 8 years. He finnally just got his act togther and paper work. I gave him an ultimatum. I wouldn't go down until I saw his birth certificate and had seen that he applied for his passport. He got it all togther and where getting married down there. After 8 years and 8 months. Please dont wait as long as me lol. But, I wouldn't change anything and he is older now to and not a crazy teenager. Good luck ChristineJames with everything best wishes.

Hey everyone thanks for your help with the hotel and AOS information!! I really really appreciate it!!! I am sure this is stupid, but I am guessing I only pay 1 biometric fee, right? I pay the $395.00 for the I-495 including biometrics. I dont have to pay for the EAD $180.00 plus another $70 for biometrics right???

Just want to make sure I have everything right....

Good Morning!

Correct...you only pay 1 biometrics fee

Hello everyone,

Well I just got everything together for Adrians interview, I have been waiting for a letter from my Credit Union. Last week I went to the credit union and waited an hour to talk to someone till I finally left since they were too busy and I didnt have time to keep waiting, so I decided I would call thier 800 number and ask if they could mail or fax it to me, so last night when I got home I had the letter on my fax machine. I hope a faxed copy of the letter is Ok? I also did what Mindy did and printed off my statements off the internet and totaled up the deposits, although the letter from the bank has my total deposits on it (better safe then sorry)

Oh about the question, Where do I see myself 1 year from now?
Well 1 year from now Adrian and I will be happily married, I will hopefully have been promoted to Asst Supervisor at my job and Adrian will have a decent job that he likes and I will either be pregnant or trying to get pregnant and by this time next year we will be beginning our search to buy a house and get out of this apartment. Oh and living life to the fullest!!!

Joanna

Any comments will help.

Lately I find when I have to leave the kids home with David, they run over him. in other words are not obeying his orders, for instance if he tells them ( mainly my 12 year old daughter) to clean their room ,take a bath, wash dishes ect. esp after they have been to see their Father. David and I had a conversation this morning and he basically said that he doesn't feel comfortable living in a house where the children do not mind . For the most part my children fear me and will do what I ask the second or third time at least I'm not sure what I'm asking, but I don't want to be too hard on my children because I feel that they have gone through a lot in the past few months, Right now I feel like hanging the oldest one cause she just doesn't listen. I told her to clean the kitchen before I left for work, he told her again, again her excuse was she needed to do her homework, the same homework that she told me was complete before I left. So David is saying that he is backing off because he doesn't want confrontation form their father, he feels that he must be telling them not to obey him as it happens, like a said when they have been around him. I just want everyone to get along. It's not so bad for the boys, they are okay for the most part, but the other day my three year old said, "Jeffrey didn't have a home and now he dose", I'm like where did that come from?? I love this man so much, he is trying so hard and I want my children to see him for the man that their father is not. I don't like to see him hurting because of this, I feel like I'm protecting them from each other. I think it's beginning to affect how he treats my children, the same day he caught my daughter rolling her eyes, he told her not to look at him like that, that he has a daughter as old as she and she doesn't disrespect him like that and neither would she. I say nothing a pray that this will pass, but it keeps coming up...Anyways this is getting long, I think ya'll know where I'm coming from.I was open to any suggestions or comments anyone may or may not have. Things were going so good, I'm sure that it will pass but it scared me when he said he not comfortable, well, how do you think I feel

Dee I am sorry to hear that you're having problems w/ the kids and your hubby. It is a big adjustment - I remember when my mom got engaged (after she raised us as a single mom for almost 13 years)...it took us (me and my siblings) some time to warm up to and get used to her fiance being around. She allowed him to correct us and she told us to obey him as he were our father. We definitely rebelled at first but came around.

I say stay in prayer and have a talk with each of your kids individually to see how they feel about him, and ask them what you can do to make things better for them. I know that some may say that they should just listen to your rules, etc. - but if you show them that you care about how they feel and what they say, it might make things easier. We were definitely jealous (and scared) when she got engaged, but communication helped us to come together as a family. If that doesn't work, I say try counseling (either at church or private practice). Good luck

Hi All,

Jamie have you tried the local park district or the YMCA? I go to the Y and only pay abt $20 a month.


Dee - I would have to agree w/Jonesie for the most part. Try talking to them FIRST then go from there. You will need to discipline them when they go against him. I know you probably don't want to but they have to see that you are serious if not it can get worse.

Yeah the site is back- been down since after 2:15 wow-

Good news I got my I797C.
I htought the reciept number would be VSC- ##-###-##### it is not it is EAC- ##-###-#####. I got my notice yeah.

I thought something was wrong with my computer. Glad to know it wasn't just me. I needed to hear some good news. Congratulations on your good news. I have to pay federal and state taxes UGH! I need my hubby to get an EAD or AOS pronto. Last year it was just state.




Has anyone heard from Eric? I have not read all the forum. Woggie, are you still planning on going to DC?

I agree with Jonesie, but I think that you need to talk with David to and have him clarify what he meant and what he intends to do about it. Things like this take time, a lot of time and patience. All kids are not the same and he needs to understand this. kids are creatures of habit and when you throw something new into the mix, it takes time for them to adjust. Who knows what their father is telling them. Give it some time, talk to your kids and if time doesn't seem to be the answer, go see a counselor, therapist, or your pastor. We'll always be here to talk to also.



Yes, but I won't get there till Monday, my Mom expects all of us to be around on Easter Sunday. Plus I have to board my dogs and less amount of days, the less amount of money. Will you still be there on Monday.

Dee, don't worry to much....trust me it's the age!!! My son is 12 1/2 and does NOT listen or follow directions. Ya gotta jack her (them) up a bit and put your foot down. Have a heart to heart...maybe girls day out and then maybe a "family meeting" of how to respect and what to expect. Keeping the lines of communication open are key....but seriously, this too shall pass. I wish it would pass SOON !! This age is killin me right now.

Keep your chin up - I know for a fact that I'll go through the same thing.

Congrats





Dee - I agree with the others, sounds like your daughter needs some one-on-one from you. Lay it out for her that this is how life is going to be so all of you have to make the best of it, and see if there is anything you can do to make that change easier for her. This transition is hard for adults, I can't imagine what the kids are thinking/going through.

One Year From Now:

I want to meet my healthy baby boy , I want Michael to be at a job he enjoys - I don't care about money at this point, I just want him to like his job, and I want to get through our Jamaica wedding and have some fun, then get us all calmed down and settled in as we enjoy our new family.

Yep....that's my hypothetical plan!



Well....lets just say....we've had a rocky road since the denial in April 2005. We've been on again-off again since then. Each time I go down there and we spend time together...all the feelings rush back and it feels right. My financial situation has changed a ton...since the purchase of my home in December 2005 and my ex-husband lost his job the past 10 months...I was taking care of the full financial load of the kids and a mortgage payment!! So, needless to say its much MUCH harder to have a LDR now more than ever. But time has flown by and we still "chattin". So who knows....only time will tell. I'll keep you all posted!

[quote name='AnnTaylor' date='Apr 13 2006, 05:40 PM' post='127624']
[quote name='desperatewife' post='127527' date='Apr 13 2006, 07:29 PM']
Yeah the site is back- been down since after 2:15 wow-

Good news I got my I797C.
I htought the reciept number would be VSC- ##-###-##### it is not it is EAC- ##-###-#####. I got my notice yeah.
[/quote]


I thought something was wrong with my computer. Glad to know it wasn't just me. I needed to hear some good news. Congratulations on your good news. I have to pay federal and state taxes UGH! I need my hubby to get an EAD or AOS pronto. Last year it was just state.

[quote name='AnnTaylor' post='127624' date='Apr 13 2006, 08:38 PM']
[quote name='desperatewife' post='127527' date='Apr 13 2006, 07:29 PM']
Yeah the site is back- been down since after 2:15 wow-
Good news I got my I797C.
I htought the reciept number would be VSC- ##-###-##### it is not it is EAC- ##-###-#####. I got my notice yeah.
[/quote]


I thought something was wrong with my computer. Glad to know it wasn't just me. I needed to hear some good news. Congratulations on your good news. I have to pay federal and state taxes UGH! I need my hubby to get an EAD or AOS pronto. Last year it was just state.
[/quote]


Me too...I couldn't figure out what was wrong!

Congrats on your I797!!! Any step in the process is worth a celebration

Good Morning everyone!



Sorry I screwed that up...this new system is confusing sometimes!

Hey Joanna...how is your dog doing?

Thank you you all for the replies.

We have talked about several times and for the most part my little ones are fine. I never ignore it when it comes up I do correct them if I see anything, I know it takes time, but I want it to stop. After finally getting my daughter to talk to me yesterday. Kelly you are right I am sure that most of this because of her age. She feels that the break up was all my fault, she feels sorry for for her father blah, blah...He lives in a one bed room blah blah..He trying blah working, he misses you blah blah. He's wroking blah blah. David feels that I sugar coat things when it comes to her so I told her flat out why I left, how things are and how things are going to be. Again that disrespect will not tolerated. David states that he is "uncomfortable" telling her what to do and she rolls her eyes ect. and not to over react he just won't discipline her at all. He assure me that he is not going any where but doesn't want to say anything that her father will overreact to. I have given him acceptable ways to discipline her if I am not there to deal with her and she know what they are. Have no problem with him discipline the other two, He even spanks the smallest one, she has the nerve to tell me she feels the he should not be hitting him, I put her in her place right away. So I think we made lots of progress yesterday

Something David said did that kind of bothered me. When my daughter said that her father was working and "trying to help" so to speak he laughed, you know, to show disbelief calling her father a workless mon bela, bela well my daughter started crying even more. I tried to tell him that this did not help the situation at all. In Ja we do this blah and blah. We don't allow out chidren to blah blah, I would have knocked my daughter on her backside by now blah blah My daughter has never been a problem child and hasn't gotten very many spankings ect. so I don't feel comfortable breaking out the belt now and beating them (her) for every thing....hopefully our family talk helped I will continue to pray about it, It will one day pass.

Sorry so longs thanks again for the replies.

How do you track your AOS online

He is doing better, he is still at my mom and dads house and mom said the his wound is healing very well, I have to work tonight and tomorrow night and I will go pick him up Sunday morning when I get off work...He is living like he is KING of the house over there..they feed him everything and he has a yard to run in...but mom says that he keeps running outside the front door like he is looking for my car... I miss him it is very quiet around my house with out his barking at every noise he hears, but it was best for him to stay at my parents house so they could give him his meds.

Anyway, Tenika and Rohans interview was yesterday!! I cannot wait to hear how it went!!!!

Adrian is leaving the ship Monday and returning to JA to get things done before the interview and then I will be there May 7th...I cannot wait to see him again and start our life together.

I cannot wait to hear from Eric...I am having a feeling that things didnt go so well now since he has not let us know what is up??? Hope him and his wife are doing well

(((DEE))) Like you said...keep praying, it will get better with time.

You track your AOS online just like you did the K1...go to uscis.gov and enter your case number into the system.




Glad to hear your dog is doing well. I can't imagine if something were to happen to ours.

I can't wait to hear the good news from Tenika and Rohan Keeping my fingers crossed.

I am starting to think the same thing about Eric. It has been a week