Starfish Dreams

Move where?!

We're starting to think about having to live overseas for two years to be able to get visas for our 3 little African daughters. It's a long, ugly story, but basically, the USCIS people here (United States Citizen Immigration Services, a division of the Department of Homeland Security) have decided that we are horrible parents and that they will never approve us. They claim that Moses' actions prove that we are bad parents.  (This would be the son adopted at 12, moved to a residential treatment center at 14, 1 year ago, because of delinquency on his part.)  They absolutely will not budge and will not allow us any appeal, so in addition to talking to another attorney, we are gearing up for a letter-writing campaign and then for the possibility of having to live outside the US for at least two years and maybe longer if they STILL would not issue visas. England is a possibility – but it sure is pricey! Can you imagine what it would cost for our family to live there?!  Guatemala is a possibility, several countries in the far east and much of Africa are possibilities.  Africa would probably win . . . .

It's been one of the most frustrating things we've ever had to deal with. It would be easier to just “cut our losses” and hope that we would see the girls again in the Millenium, but that doesn't feel right. However, one of the problems is that there is just no guarantee that after even MORE time, effort, and money that we would be successful in getting them home. There hasn't been a whole lot of inspiration once things went south back in the spring  but for the first time in months, I feel much more settled and happy.  There is a part of me (OK, a big part) that hopes we'll be able to work it out so we CAN live in Africa!  We'd help with an orphanage and with a birthing clinic.

Moving

08:22, Wednesday, December 5, 2007 .. Posted by Vicki

We have often thought of moving out of the country. I know you have way more kids then us (we only have 7), but how would you do that with all your kids? What about medical issues? I know this is personal, but what about finanacial issues?
Those are our concerns. We had thought od Canada, Netherlands or maybe Australia.

Answers

14:56, Saturday, December 8, 2007 .. Posted by starfishmama

Sorry to be slow answering, Vicki. Medical issues - we'll go with everyone fully vaccinated, I am a nurse (and a midwife, so can do things like suture if needed), there are private clinics with better care and if really needed, we would go to South Africa for "first-world" care. We'll also use mosquito nets, malaria meds, and be as preventive as possible while still letting kids be kids.
Financially, we would sell our home and live off the proceeds. DH might do contract computer work, or some combo of working here, then living there off and on for 2 years - we haven't decided for sure, but we would work it out. Western Europe (like the Netherlands) would be MUCH more expensive than Africa.

Thanks for asking - I'm pretty excited, actually!