venusfire503

That's wonderful news! Congratulations! Hubby and I are very happy for you!!!!!!!!!!

Now... what am I going to read every day? haha

venusfire

When I was 19 I was told I have PCOS Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom. The reason I bring it up is... women with PCOS are less likely to get pregnant. I think the reason is because your monthly gift doesn't always arrive on time or sometimes not for a few months. I am afraid that I might not be able to have kids. The reason I posted this in MENA is because my MENA man really wants kids and the MENA area seems to put a lot of emphasis on family.

So since we have a lot of MENA mamas on this forum I wanted some advice. I was on birth control for two months (which keeps the gift coming regularly). I missed a few days in a row and couldn't catch up, so I stopped. Since then I've been waiting to get my gift so I can go back on BC but it hasn't come in almost 2 months. I guess I'm just worried, I don't know if this is "my normal" or if I am pregnant. I should probably take a pregnancy test, but I'm scared.

I don't even know why I posted this. I guess I just need support. I want to wait a little more time before I have a baby but I don't even know if I have the luxury of planning that. I pray that I can have kids. Does anyone else have this problem? or have some encouraging words?

Leyla,

Maybe I'm totally off here, but it sounds to me like maybe you're afraid of being pregnant now, but also afraid that you aren't (and can't ever be). I can understand that.

I agree with what others are saying - take a pregnancy test to know for sure. In the meantime, relax - it's very possible you're just back to your "normal".

As far as wanting to get pregnant in the future, I can understand that too. My ex pressured me into getting my "tubes tied". I gave in because he was such a &%)*%) when I got pregnant with our third, and I couldn't imagine going through that again (being told it was all my fault, having him become more distant, etc) and I never thought in a million years I'd end up divorced and remarried. I would love to have a baby with my sweetie, but am concerned it might not happen. The reversal is expensive, not always successful, and I'm getting older....

My sister has PCOS. She had a little trouble getting pregnant the first time, but then was surprised with the second! I don't know the success rate, but it probably helps to hear about success stories!

What ever happens, I wish you the best of luck. If you are pregnant, I hope it all works out. If you're not, I hope you can become pregnant if/when you would like to in the future!

Good luck!

venusfire

Oh, I wish I had this information a few years ago!!!

VERY well put. I also agree with the part about things being rearranged. That was a sticky issue for us for a while. I understood his need to make the place his too, but also couldn't stand things disappearing! He'd take all my things and just throw them into a box, which would then be stuck in a closet or something somewhere. It helped when he saw how upset I got when I couldn't find things, but I think what really made a difference was moving to a new place together as opposed to him moving into 'my' place.

Poor guy.

It's good now.

venusfire

Kamal didn't take them to Casa for the interview, we needed it for the AOS. And when we first filed for the K1.

Thanks everyone. I'm thinking maybe to go there to help him prepare for the interview. I have a free frequent flyer ticket. I know we have a lot of expenses after he gets his Visa but maybe it's worth it to do everything I can to support him in getting it. Seems like a few fiances coming out of Casa lately are not getting their Visas. It would be my 6th trip to see him in 15 months so I'm also guessing that it looks good to the Consulate that I've been there so many time.

I would definitely recommend going there before the interview since you can. I went a few days before, helped him prepare for the interview, took all the required documents (like my birth certificate) that I didn't want to mail, and also had a copy of the packet I sent to him - good thing, since the one I mailed got there AFTER the interview.

If you want to go along for the interview, I have a little advice. You will probably not be allowed in the building (I wasn't), which means pacing around outside for hours. Make sure you have a little cash on you, and know how to ask for water and a bathroom. If you can order food if you get hungry, or take some with you, that is helpful. Also learn what you can about the money - how to figure out how much things should be, etc. I stupidly didn't do any of that because my SO always took care of the money, ordering, etc. We also focused more on improving his English than on having me learn French or Arabic. I also had no idea we'd be separated for several hours. This was totally unlike me - I'm usually the overly paranoid, overly cautious, overly prepared type. That day I had to hand over cash and assume they'd charge me the right amount and give the right change (and they did!). I even had a guy I had just met go order some fries for me (yep, just handed over money to a stranger and asked him to order fries for me) - well, we were both pacing around all day outside, so it's like we 'knew' each other. haha

Oh, also - there were Moroccans walking around outside, also waiting for people to come out after interviews. My SO said to be careful about talking with them too much. The police chased them away from me at one point.

Just a fun note - when we went back to pick up the visa, I took several bags of chocolate and handed them out to the police. They appreciated it!

venusfire

I keep thinking of more....

He isn't afraid to try to try anything. That's usually, but not always, a good thing. He always says "whether I fix it or break it for good...". That used to scare me, but I've gotten used to it by now.

venusfire

I took a few boxes of mac & cheese to Morocco for our visit last year - kind of like a joke. Surprise, surprise - the whole family loved it! I ended up paying more for shipping some over there than it cost to buy it. Oh well.

The interesting thing is that now my children are now starting to pick up his speech habits - such as "take my promises".

Oh, and as for food... he goes through his phases. HAD to have Bertucci's bread for a while, then suddenly didn't want it anymore. We went through the Taco Bell phase for a while. When he heard that some of the things might have gelatin (amazing how many things do - certain gum, sour cream, etc), that was the end of that.

When my SO first got here, he lost weight - wasn't used to the food. I bought him french or italian bread, laughing cow creamy swiss, and whole milk (he adds tons of sugar and honey - sometimes chocolate syrup), so he could at least have a familar breakfast. The children started eating that instead of cereal. Then I got him on 1% milk somehow, and we went to toast. A little better. I'm just amazed at what he'll put on his toast. It started with jelly, then peanut butter, then Nutella. I didn't realize it was a slippery slope. Now he uses whatever he can find. Some examples are hershey bars, other candy bars, chocolate covered cherries, cookies, cake, chocolate chips... He's definitely a chocoholic, and it's all my fault. He had never dared to try it, so I took a huge bag of it every time I visited. Enough to hand out to kids on the street (can't do that here).

Oh, and I find it interesting not just how he phrases or pronounces things, but how he can hear certain sounds that I can't and visa versa. For example, I can't figure out how to tell the difference between the Arabic Ts, Ss, or Hs. At the same time, he doesn't hear the difference between cup, cap, and cop. Also, I can't tell if he's saying "shirt" or "shorts" half the time....

But I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. He's so amazing.

venusfire

P.S. I told him about this thread, and said I wouldn't post anything embarassing about him. He said he didn't care, though. He just walked in and asked if I was writing about the chocolate. heehee

My husband knew that a quiz was coming up at school but he wasn't sure what night of the week it would be. He went up to the woman teaching the class and asked, "could you tell me please when you will give the squeeze?"

Luckily my husband has thick skin 'cause the kids always making him say english words over and over and they crack up. He laughs right along with them though.

He's stopped saying piss thank God. Not that my kids don't know all the swear words but I was afraid he'd say it in front of my parents or something. He still says azz though even though I try to tell him to say bum instead.

My kids often ask my husband to say "belly button". He says it the right way now, but will still say it the 'old' way for their sake when they ask.

venusfire

Just wondering who in each couple does all the evidence saving. Is it mainly the USC or the 'beneficiary'? Or is it broken down more by gender? Or do they work on it together?

(can you tell I'm procrastinating about something?)

For us, I'm the female, the USC, and I'm the one who generally saves everything.

venusfire

Yes

example

Bobby_Imit,

Wow. I just wonder if anyone has been denied without any of those types of complications. I've never heard of it, though. There will always be those unusual cases, but I imagine as long as the couple is still together, or is divorced but shows that they did have a life together, then the worst that can happen is a delay (RFE, interview, just taking 'forever', etc).

At least that's what I hope!

venusfire

Hi Venusfire503,

I know what you mean about keeping stuff throughout this whole immigration process, just to "prove to the government" that we are "geunine" through paperwork. So until we are all "done" with this process (whether to citizenship or 10yr green card), we still have to "keep on saving things", in case they ask for it. Think of the USCIS as kind of like the IRS, as they can "audit" you whenever they want to, and if you don't have the paperwork that they want, you can end up in a lot of trouble because of it.

So yes, do keep on saving the paperwork that you have, regardless of when you sent in your I-751 package. And do keep on saving additional paperwork too, in case they do ask for such through an rfe or interview, and for the next stage of the immigration game (citizenship) as well. It's good to "think ahead" in these type of situations and "be prepared for anything and everything".

Funny, I'm a bit of a "packrat" myself too, and find myself saving paperwork, regardless of if it is for immigration or not. I guess this sort of worked out as a good thing, as it sure came in handy when I have to submit stuff for immigration too. I find that using big accordian-style plastic/paper folders (which you can get at any office supply store) helps in this organization, especially when I don't have a lot of room. As well, big plastic storage bins help (which you can get at any department store) with paperwork and other items in the house too.

Keep on gathering the paperwork and other information, as in the long run, it will be worth it!

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant (Still waiting for Baby, Still waiting for I-751...)

Ant,

Good - I'm not the only one with the big plastic storage bins! (haha) I still have all the K-1 paperwork and everything. You should see my basement....

It's going to be really weird one day if/when we can finally stop thinking "oh, I should save this for USCIS" every time I see a picture, card in the mail, etc...

venusfire

Just curious (haven't sent our I-751 packet just yet, but we're close) - will waiting more than a year for the 10 year card delay the citizenship process?? I think I read somewhere that you're allowed to apply even if you haven't been approved for the I-751, but does that mean the N-400 process will still be delayed?

Also, just curious - has anyone ever still been waiting for I-751 decision when the N-400 decision has been made? I might not be using the correct terms - sorry. I hope someone understands what I'm asking.

venusfire

No problem - once my question is answered (like it has been with this one), I don't care if the post gets "hijacked".

venusfire

You might want to post your question in the regional forum - talk with someone who has done it already. I know with certain countries, it's very difficult to do K3, especially if the marriage takes place soon after meeting and/or soon after a divorce....

Best of luck!

venusfire

Yeh, we are thinking of firing our lawyer. They have been completely useless so far. We did all the chasing at USCIS, my fiance contacted the Senator. Then, they didn't even know that you can call NVC to check if the petition arrived there. My fiance had to call NVC to find out if they had received & sent out out petition to embassy & they take a week to answer emails.

So today we talked about it & decided it's not worth the $1800 fee as we are doing all the work. My fiance called them & they were very defensive & refusing to acknowledge they have been in any way incompetent.

We are just worried that he will hang on to all our documents as long as possible just to be awkward. It may just cause more delays & we've waited long enough already.

MonkeyJuice,

I completely understand your concern - I had to 'fire' my divorce lawyer, but the courthouse still sent my divorce decree to her. No one told me that at first, though - I actually heard through my ex that he got his copy. After some BS, I finally got my ex-lawyer to send me the divorce decree - and at that point, that was the ONLY thing keeping me from sending the K-1 packet! I hope someone knows how to make sure that YOU, and not the lawyer, will get all correspondence....

Best of luck!

venusfire

P.S. I didn't have much luck with my immigration lawyer either - he was helpful at one point, but most of the time, I did a better job (such as filling out forms). Also, he gave me what I later found out was BAD advice that I fortunately did not need to use (what to do if the K-1 was denied)

Dear forum members,

I had 2 questions and wanted to know if someone can provide me with the right information.

1) If I go to US on a fiance visa and marry a US citizen, how long (average) does it take for me to get US citizenship.

2) Now if I want to sponsor my parents, I'm assuming I'll have to wait till I get my citizenship or can I do that before. So once I apply for their sponsorship - how long (average) before they can come to US.

Appreciate your help and time.

Thanks

gublooo,

Just a question - do you mean to bring your parents to VISIT, or to LIVE here? I thought you were asking about bringing them here permanently, but it seems some members are answering about bringing them here to visit...

venusfire

Don't go crazy.

Nowadays everything is retrievable.

Bank statements, credit card statements, etc etc. I don't even receive them by paper anymore. You can just go online and print them out.

The only things to be saved, regardless of any immigration process, are legal documents such as birth, marriage certificates, passports (duh) and so on.

Italian_in_NYC,

True... however, I find it much easier to throw things into my "save for _____" folder than to try to go back and print everything out later (and I know myself - I won't remember to keep up with it every month). Some companies only keep the stuff online for a certain amount of time, and then you have to pay to get the older things retrieved and copied by them - and it takes time, too.

It's good to know that these things can be retrieved later if necessary, though.

venusfire

Had you lived in a 400 sf-apartment in the city, you would definitely change your mind.... I don't know where to put my clothes, imagine several statements a month!

Italian_in_NYC,

That's probably true! I have a different situation, though - a house, but three kids. In other words, some storage room, but no time!

Also, I want to make sure to keep the things that can't be retrieved - letters, cards, drawings by the kids....

venusfire

Don't go crazy.

Nowadays everything is retrievable.

Bank statements, credit card statements, etc etc. I don't even receive them by paper anymore. You can just go online and print them out.

The only things to be saved, regardless of any immigration process, are legal documents such as birth, marriage certificates, passports (duh) and so on.

Italian_in_NYC,

True... however, I find it much easier to throw things into my "save for _____" folder than to try to go back and print everything out later (and I know myself - I won't remember to keep up with it every month). Some companies only keep the stuff online for a certain amount of time, and then you have to pay to get the older things retrieved and copied by them - and it takes time, too.

It's good to know that these things can be retrieved later if necessary, though.

venusfire

For the AOS, background check, how you met, legal marriage, how many times you were married, but not much for your financial relationship as you can't develop one yet due to the APA. Those two years while under conditional, require a lot of proof that you are sharing all of your finances and possessions, definitely do a joint income tax return and even have babies. The key word is joint for the I-751, joint home or lease, vehicle ownership, insurance, bank accounts, and any other proof you are living at the same address with letters of affaidavits to that effect.

With USC when applying for the 3 year marriage privilage, it's like you never showed up to the USCIS before, everything for the AOS, the I-751, and new purchases, updated tax returns for that extra year, and proof you were living in this country. Have to prove you live here for all but six months in that three year period since becoming a LPR.

NickD,

Thank you for the info. I figure I'd probably keep a bunch of that stuff anyway - I'm a 'packrat' at heart (it's genetic - haha). Then again, WHAT I keep depends on what I need to keep. Knowing that he'll need all of that for citizenship means keeping 'everything'.

venusfire

Hi Everyone!

What an interesting I-751 post topic, indeed! It's interesting to read all about your "unique" joint evidences that you sent with your I-751 application.

Thanks for starting this "entertaining" thread, Venusfire503.

I agree, this personal evidence provides a more "human" side to the story, and as such seems more "genuine and loving" to me....

Evidence-wise, this is a general list of what I sent with my I-751 as "joint evidence", in August 2008, which you can read about on this former VJ message thread here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=118868&hl

From that general list, my "cute, funny, unusual, unique, etc. I-751 joint evidence" are as follows:

-Miscarriage notes (well, at least we tried before even though it didn't work out then, I would have submitted the ultrasound photos for those pregnancies too, but found that too personal here...)

-Information explaining non-filing of income taxes (if we both legally don't have to pay taxes, then why should we?, and thus have to explain of such in great detail, with additional evidence about it too)

-Home renovation receipts (we would have sent in 'the actual bathroom sink and floor tiles', but it was too big, so I sent in the receipts for the bathroom repair bills instead...)

-Joint events: Bryan Adams concert tickets (lol...ok, I admit I'm a fan of his, especially being Canadian), Buffalo Bills Football Training Camp tickets and Buffalo Bisons Baseball tickets (lol..ok, my husband is a fan of these sports, be it that they are local teams here in NYS that he enjoys)

-Junk mail: Baby diapers and formula sample products and coupons (I need the actual products for the baby, so I just sent in the copies of the envelopes and coupons instead), Solicitations for baby catalogues and insurance policies (and no, I never bought from any of those companies), Arts and crafts catalogue covers (I got them in both names and delivered to my house because I was teaching sunday school at the time, even though my husband doesn't teach), Church flyers, YMCA 1 week free trial memberships (which we never used, as I was sick with the flu that week), Postcard from the dental clinic to remind us of our appointments (lol...funny, that local clinic closed down recently),

-Photos (ok, not too unusual there, but it makes me smile every time I see them... ..different locations, different seasons, different occasions...shows a 'variety' in our lives for many years)

It's too bad that I didn't send in evidence of my current pregnancy, as I was pregnant after I sent in my I-751 application. I figured that they were incompentent enough as it is, and to update them with more evidence while my case is processing would just confuse them even more, so I just left them with the evidence that I had already sent. However, if they ask for such, I will happily send them more information about that too....

Meanwhile, I'm still gathering evidence for my N-400 case coming up soon (in August 2009), and believe me, "I've got even more 'unusual' evidence up my sleve!"

Now, if only they can approve my I-751 case asap, with all this "unique" additional evidence!!!

I hope you all were "entertained" with my "unique list of I-751 joint evidence". Now it's your turn...What "unique I-751 evidence" that you have?

Lesson learned: Send in anything and everything that is "joint evidence", regardless of how "unique" it may be. You never know, as this additional evidence may help in approving your case. (lol..or at least it give the immigration officials with the idea of someone "human" to think about). After all, we are not just "case numbers and paper files" right? We are more "human" than that!...

Ant (Still waiting for I-751, Still waiting for Baby...)

Thank you - I'm so happy when someone enjoys my posts.

You have interesting posts - the kind I read to my husband since he's not as into VJ.

I was sad to read about your miscarriage. It's a hard thing to go through. Having things work out later helps, but it's still heartbreaking. Mine was about 10 years ago. I had two babies after that - and they both adore their stepfather.

I would love to find myself pregnant after sending my I-751 package...

Oh, more stuff to send - I found a binder my son had in a previous school year. He had to write letters to his parent(s), and the first one he wrote was to my husband. It's really cute! He's written several to him over the past few years. One was a "sorry for..." letter (my son is a sweetheart, but he likes to 'push it' sometimes). I also have several pictures from my little one - she draws pictures for us, and labels them as "from" and "to". I love how she's still learning how to spell, so we get some really funny things sometimes.

I have a picture of her also sitting on my husband's shoulders while he plays Wii (the racing one - I don't have to worry about her falling off!). I have an adorable one of her kissing his cheek, too.

venusfire

We've been saving things like crazy people ever since we decided to file for the K-1. First to send for the visa, then AOS, and now ROC. I don't know if we need anything for citizenship or not, but heard that nothing is needed (other than a form and - of course - a check) for renewing the 10 year card.

Now, the question I have is, should couples continue to save things (financial and social) in case they get an RFE for the ROC? I was just thinking, ROC processing can take a year. If we get an RFE, will we need to send in proof of a valid marriage from after the date the ROC package was sent? I'm guessing the best thing to do is continue to save everything until the 10 year card is received, or maybe longer (for citizenship? - I have no idea - haven't looked that far ahead).

Does anyone know?

Thanks!

venusfire

I have been married for over one year but my marriage didn't go well because of my wife irresponsibility and disrespect. While I was working day and night she was cheating on me and the result - child that is not mine the biggest shock for me 10 months after we got married. We did DNA and the kid is not mine. I left her 5 months ago we didn't file our taxes together this year because we both didn't want. We did it last year and that's it. I am so stressed my green card expires in april 2010 and I want to divorce before it is time to file I751 it is not my fault I didn't wanna file my taxes with her cause anyway we don't live together anymore. I wanna show that this child is the reason for my divorce -the full truth and even if I had filed jointly with her it will look fake after our separation caused by this child. I have never seen a divorce decree and I don't know if it's gonna say who has the fault for that divorce. She is 100% guilty. I want to prove that I had no fault for the dissolution of this marriage before USCIS and the biggest evidence is this child. Got a beautiful but stupid wife....

Do you have a copy of the DNA report that shows the child is not yours? I would think that could help prove that you didn't leave the marriage without cause, which (at least in my mind) would make it more believable that you "entered into the marriage in good faith". Either way, I can't imagine having that document would hurt your case.

venusfire

I hope to remember this when our turn comes (will be a while - still gathering everything up to send) - like in maybe a year....

venusfire

I love this idea! Anything to make this seem a little faster and a little less drab...

venusfire

I sent in a handmade anniversary card my daughter made. I also sent in a letter my father-in-law mailed to us when our daughter was born telling us how happy he was with the addition to the family. I also sent in a letter my sister-in-law in England sent me that discusses the planning of the large Christening party my husband and I planned and threw in England for family and friends. I'm sure the financial items play a large role- but showing that you have an emotional LIFE together is also important. These little things prove the true love commitment. Anyone can open a joint checking account for a few years and file taxes together...but a child's innocent writing about a step-parent, the process of a family Christening, the pleasure a grandparent has in the birth of a child and other sorts of emotional photos/letters/etc prove a true and real commitment. If they aren't looking for those sorts of items, the whole process is just a bogus financial exercise that can be faked by anyone.

Those sounds like nice things you sent.

I agree! When I first went to college, my dad put me on his checking account. I have custodial accounts for my nieces and nephews, which have my name on there with theirs. As far as listing each other as beneficiary for life insurance or retirement accounts - I can go online and change that in an instant. So what would stop me, if I was commiting visa fraud, from putting my husband's name on there, getting proof of it, and then changing it to someone else's name? Different companies and agencies can screw things up. I was very surprised when checking my credit report to find out that (you're probably not going to believe this - I sure didn't) my name was erroneously listed as an authorized user on my ex-husband's girlfriend's credit card! We were all quite surprised by that one. Oh, and my sister is an authorized user on my credit card, too. So... anything financial OR 'social' could potentially be faked. That's why I believe that sending in BOTH types of things makes for the STRONGEST case. And with USCIS, why take the chance? It doesn't hurt to send extra stuff, as we all know. And I still believe that making one of them smile a little can help. I know when I was a receptionist, I was bored with answering phones. When someone was actually NICE to me, I was much more willing to help them out.

Either way, I like hearing about the interesting things that people send in.

venusfire

I was just about ready to send my I-751 and was racking my brain, trying to think of any other evidence I could include. I thought of our 2 car accidents. Neither one was our fault. The first one I was driving and the other was about a year later and Hachemi was driving. Anyway the accident report showed that we were together in the car. I copied both of the accident reports and threw those in there too.

Meriem

Oh wow - I hope you were both ok!

Not a good thing, but hey - might as well use it for a good cause! Now THAT is taking lemons and making lemonade!

venusfire