INS

Today was a stop at the INS...not so bad - for those of you who wondered and have never been there. But, of course I am a US citizen so the hassles of a lot of the people in the waiting room I will never have to deal with. I am sure a few of them hate that place. I went in this morning at 9:20 am (actually, a little late - 9:22 am) and sat down for about 30 seconds until they called my name. I went through the door to the window and slid our notarized homestudy to the INS officer. He was a Polynesian man about 50-ish - with an accent that was hard to understand through - especially considering there was a shatter-proof glass window separating us. The communication was a tad difficult. I asked him how long he thought it would take for us to get the paperwork pack from INS - "Oh 3 months at least." My heart sunk - I basically shouted in a high pitched whine - "WHAT?!?!?" He stood there expressionless, while I fought off tears. I left, got in my car and made some phone calls. First I called Carrie to ask her if this info was correct. She wasn't there. Then I called my neighbor Kelly to see how long hers took to get to her. She wasn't home. Then I called Suzanne Stott - the agency director - and she of course was not there. Needless to say I was in a complete panic - as if I could even do anything about it. We're talking about the US INS - you have to jump through fire blazing hoops with man eating piranhas waiting for you before you can even bring AN INFANT or SMALL CHILD home to raise. OK -I know it is for the greater good of the nation - but, honestly, does an INFANT really pose a terrorist threat to the country? Realistically, I know it is more than that - it is the system and apparently it works - I am just feeling a little cranky about the whole thing.