OFFICIAL INVITATION

Down here in Australia - missing you...

Deanna came to visit when Justice turned one.

Jim (my brother) came to visit when Justice turned three.

My Dad came to visit when Justice got chicken pox (at 10 months old), the week before we bought the bakery (22 months old) and when I turned 30 (I am not saying when that happened!).

So, we have both been spoiled by people who made the HUGE effort (and time and expense) to visit - while also being bereft of company.

So, officially, all friends invited! We've saved you a spot...

THE AUSTRALIAN DRAMA

So, I have been in Australia a long time. It was five years in April.

I have been married to an Australian a long time. It was five years in June.

I have been going through the resident/citizenship paperwork process for a long time. It was five years in July.

Of course, the day we submitted our paperwork the first time (after thousands of certified photocopies and endless time spent sorting and filing our "evidence") they raised the fee. Fine.

We had to have an interview. Nothing like what we had been expecting (anticipating scenarios from the movie "Green Card"), she just wanted to know "how we knew". Honestly, it was just weird. "How did you KNOW?" and the meeting was over. Stamped, except...

Delayed because I needed xrays but was pregnant. Fine.

Went in for the demanded xrays and medical exam when Justice was just days old. Thus my medical exam (specifically breast exam) was worrisome - so they demanded more (at our expense) medical tests... Fine.

Mammogram. While breast feeding. Fine.

Finally, all clear and temporary permanent resident visa came through. Excellent. Except a few months later we visited the States. So, since I stepped foot in my home country after filing my paperwork, I had to get ANOTHER FBI background check. Fine.

Two years later, I had to compile a record of photos, bills, witness statements, supporting testimony and on and on and on that OVERFILLED a huge mailer in order to progress to the next stage. Another FBI check. Australian Federal Police check. Where for some reason they did the check on me in the UK (huh?!) But, all's well - granted permanent residence.

And then, eligible - finally - for my citizenship since October 2007.

Except of course my being eligible that year meant that was the year they introduced a citizenship test. More hoops. No worries. Except then there was a backlog for the test. So I waited. Finally took the test (six months after I was eligible) AND got a perfect score. (Okay, I sound proud - but truly, that sucker was PATHETICALLY easy!!!)

Then, VERY excited, I did my citizenship paperwork (warned by staff there was a four week waiting period) in MAY.

They charged my credit card the processing fee in JULY.

To date, I have NEVER received a letter or ANY correspondance regarding my citizenship. And if it doesn't come through in the next two weeks, once again I will have to pay FULL university fees with NO DISCOUNT all UPFRONT. Now, if I were a citizen, I could attend for lower fees, pay upfront for a considerable discount, or wave the fees until I am quite gainfully employed... So, THIS IS DRIVING ME NUTS!!!

I was so excited. I wanted the ceremony, a decorated shopfront, a giant cake for all our customers, a party with my friends and in-laws - a big hoopla... But the excitement is gone. Its all wearing very thin and I just want my piece of paper!

So seriously, if anyone can pull any strings, I 'm on a schedule here...

Play DATES

I have been trying to make more time for Justice to play with his classmates after pre-prep. Of course, for the most part this is limited to Monday afternoons. He has been lucky enough to play at Gus' house several Thursdays, but otherwise we have just snuck in a few Monday afternoon play dates after school.

Last Monday, Justice, Gus and I went bowling. Bumper bowling. I barely beat them. I haven't been bowling since the broken foot date in Provo, so it is OK that I barely bested two four-year-old's, right?! Justice, his first time ever bowling, posted a 63, Gus made 64 and I creamed them with a whopping 79! WOW! The boys had a blast, and we went because I was sussing it out for Justice's birthday party in October... He is very keen to have a bowling party, so I thought we should at least try it out!

Now, when I started asking him who he would like to invite to play, I used the term play dates. When he chose to invite Gus, it was "come to my house for a play".

This week Justice wanted to invite Jennalyn. She is a totally cute classmate, and the daughter of one of his two teachers. Suddenly, the focus was on "DATE". Justice raided his piggy bank, asked if they could go for milkshakes (and cupcakes). They sat on the same side of the booth - and asked me if I could sit at the next table... It was so cute, and unexpected... I tell you, this kid is always so keen to grow up - he isn't giving me time to get ready for ANYTHING before he springs it on me!

Today, he went home with Jennalyn and her mom. I didn't pick him up until after dinner, and he SO did not want to come home with me! I think he is falling for Jenna AND her mom (with the clean house, backyard, home cooked meal and the new games - how can I compete with THAT?