A waiting game update and a little more

It has been forever since I updated...

SO here it goes.

Visa waiting game update: At the end of october we received an email from ours lawyers saying that they received an email from the Visa center saying they are waiting for a reply from DHS about a waiver we applied for back in april. WELL. Apparently this waiver takes 6 months(which would be this nov.) to a year to be processed. When we turned in all the paperwork for the visa, including this waiver... we thought it all went together but come to find out that the waiver is something on it's own. Anywho, lawyer lady says they think we will get an answer from DHS after the new year but not any sooner because this is about the time government likes to take vacations to be with their families. Imagine that. Hm. Anywho, when the Visa center gets the answer from DHS they will contact Luis and he will be told when to go to the center so he can find out if the Visa is approved. The lawyers assure us that it most likely will be. Continuing to keep our fingers and toes crossed.

I'm still working at the Bistro. That is seriously a job you do not want to keep for years. Adore my boss, not the work. I do love my nannying job though. She is such a joy to watch and play with. She has such a strong personality already and is crawling and pulling herself up and thinking she can walk on her own and she's barely nine months old. She's a good baby fix, and i mean that in the nicest way possible.

Luis is still working at the car wash and cruise ships are back for the season. Things are a sketchy down there right now. If you aren't up for sad, I would skip this paragraph... A little girl that lived in the neighborhood, that Luis would see almost everyday walking with her sister, was kidnapped a couple weeks ago and held for ransom. From what I understand, after the little girls family agreed to paying the ransom when they were told their daughter was still alive, a couple days later they found her body. She had already been dead for 15 days. Unfortunately this is the type of stuff you can read about more and more these days. It's a shame we can't send Jenny(my sister-in-law) down to see her mom and I can't go see Luis even though I know if anything were to happen he would be there to protect us in any way he possibly could.

On a not so sad note, the twins are doing great. The letters the write and email each week are Awesome. When i'm not so tired I post some fabulous pictures.

My sister in law had her Quinceanera a weekend or two ago. I'd say it went pretty well. There was lots of delicious food and lots of people with a little bit of dancing here and there. I have pictures on my facebook if you are interested. We spent the morning setting up and blowing up balloons. Went and got her hair did extra curly. Stop to change and then off to get her makeup done at macys. Quick stop at subway to feed the teenagers. run back to the party spot to shove food down and wait for the limo. Take pictures of the birthday girl send them on their way. I run home and pretend to have enough time to get ready and gather everything I need, but when you only have 45 minutes with how long my hair is...not enough time... Run back to the party spot, set up food and cakes thanks to my Bff Katie, run around, take some pictures...and when i say some i mean until the cameras dies... There was a moment when she was about to blow out her candles when you knew all she wanted was her mom. Her god parents video taped everything so they could send it to her mom and brother.

Well I'm off to get ready for another exciting day in the bistro.

Jibberish and some cute Missionaries

I know I have said this before...and I will say it again...

My brothers are the cutest things ever!

Here is a picture that one of Devyns MTC teachers sent today. I love his blue tie :)



and here is one of Derek on his 1st day




We are still waiting on some pictures. Unfortunately the postal system got the best of us and someone snagged the first memory card Derek had sent us! Sad day! Next time padded envelopes and duct tape...

On another note...still no word on Luis' case. We are still crossing our fingers. Can't be anymore than 4 months now...but sooner than later would be great...whatev... ;)

I've been keeping myself busy with work...as usual...The bistro is...well...the bistro...oddles and noodles of fun...and I've began nannying...which I love! She's 4 months old and learning so much. It's a joy to watch and be apart of and she's such a chunk and a cute chunk at that :)

I have a little time off tonight so I thought I would dedicate some of my time to cleaning my room...the one thing I haven't been able to make myself do these past couple weeks...and of course I have already found something to distract me...I need to write to my brothers...Find some good music to listen to...Maybe find a drink...

Yeah...

Here it goes...

Here it goes...

Because I am super forgetful I wanted to jot down all my thoughts, but also because it is 12:30am and am running on about 2 hours of sleep from the night before...it all may not make sense...so when I have a chance I will go back and fix what needs fixin'.

Derek became Elder Stott today. And Devyn is soon on his way! What a feeling! I think of my brothers as the cutest/handsomest things that walked this earth (minus my husband and father of course...but only for this occasion)...and they are...because they are my brothers... and they are hilarious and caring, responsible...when they need to be... they are laid back when they can be. Protective and smart, worthy and manly...I could go on but this would be a really long blog... To watch the process and progress that my brothers have been going through in just the past few months is amazing. Long story short, the feelings that I have experienced today is a reassurance that the Gospel that we know today is truly the word Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. As Derek was being set apart I felt like every right word had been spoken and that they were inspired by the Lord. I was tearing up even before they got started! Devyn and Derek have been such a great examples to me. I wish that everyone(including myself) could have the same enthusiasm that they have exhumed over the opportunity that they have to serve the Lord.
One other thing I had a chance to witness today was the power of the priesthood. Both Dad and Devyn had the opportunity to stand in on Dereks blessing and later that night Derek received a fathers blessing with Devyn by his side. I feel so blessed to be apart of a family that has worthy priesthood holders and they are able to exercise that privilege on any given day. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that the Lord is on your side no matter what happens. For this, I am truly thankful for.

The waiting game. We're really good at that.

Luis had his Visa interview today. BIG sigh of relief. He says it went well as far as he could tell. Now we wait. Some more. Again. But the wait won't be long, so it doesn't feel as tough. It's more just annoying...all the waiting...but soon it will come to an end. Soon soon. I feel like I repeat myself over and over again. But that's all I got. I'll let you know when we find out whats coming next.

That's right...I have...

TWO Amazing brothers. Devyn received his call yesterday (Saturday) saying he is to serve in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Spanish speaking mission! Whoo! So...for those keeping tabs...that's TWO wonderful, not so young anymore, men serving missions on the east coast...both spanish...both will be in the MTC at about the same time. Derek reports May 20th...day before my birthday...Devyn reports June 10th. It's fun to see where life is taking them and to see the decisions they are making along the way. I feel blessed to know that I have willing and able brothers to do the Lords work, and even if they didn't choose that path, I have a feeling they would have served another way.
I'm just so excited! Also...a little sad...2 years is a long time...BUT, as you know...time and I are best friends...and I think it will be a little easier to say see ya later this time around. I just pray that they will be safe and healthy and have a good experience.

One some other news, Luis has a doctors appointment for his visa on monday. That is just another step closer to having him home. So close. After a while you think...this is getting so old...and you have a lot of "really? did that seriously just happen..." moments. or at least I do but they are slowly coming to an end...I hope.
I finally had enough money to send Luis for his glasses...he is pretty much blind and scares the jeepers out of me when he is driving...the fact that he drives a motorcycle may have something to do with that...ANYWHO...he now has glasses and I think he looks pretty darn cute. Yay for not blind husbands!

Well spring break is over. I worked the whole time. Awesome. Back to school tomorrow and a fun filled week of work. Can't wait. Hold me back.

The Big Day!

Sooo....kinda got some good news...

Luis has an interview scheduled for his visa on April 22nd! Whoooo!!!

He goes in, gets evaluated and then of course...our favorite part...wait...but just a little bit longer. It could be a couple of days to a couple of weeks before he gets called back and told whether or not he has permission to immigrate to the U.S.
Our lawyer says we have a strong case so really we shouldn't worry, and I'm not to worried, but of course I can't help it.

Things are starting to look up!

Did you hear?!

J. Derek Stott has been called to serve in the Morristown, New Jersey spanish speaking mission! Whoo! I may be slightly biased...but my brothers are a stud muffins. It's amazing the things they (derek and devyn) have accomplished. Devyn is almost done with his paperwork and derek will be jetting off may 20th...the day before my birthday...
I'm so excited!