30 days...

I wrote the US embassy requesting and extension and also sent our visa permit file number from our lawyer. It's been 30 days today (I had 30 days to respond). At the beginning of the week I just resent about 4 copies of that same email b/c they hadn't replied. I finally got an email saying " Your request and file have been forwarded to the Field Office Director for review. We will provide you with an answer as soon as the review is completed." There's nothing I can do if they deny my request for extra time, but I can't make our visa's come any faster. So we'll just have to wait and see. I can tell that CT and I are much more hopeful than we've been in a looong time though.

In the mean time, we are now empty nesters and pretty happy about it. It hasn't been just the 2 of us here at this house together... well... ever I don't think. Not since July of 2008, I think. Our interns left Wednesday, then Thursday our other guests left. So that night some friends invited us over for dinner (can't remember when that happened last either). Friday night- CT took me on a REAL date. Just me, him, calzones, and candlelight. Today (Saturday) we went to see our boys play Vapor Soccer (like upward). It was so fun! Now, we have church friends coming over for chicken tetrazzini, volleyball, and a movie. This is fun!!! I love having friends!

On the 18th of August CT and I are heading to Tanzania to serve with the Helsby's. Something else we've been wanting to do a loooong time. Woohoo! We are both so pumped. It'll be tough being away from the boys for almost 2 weeks, but at least we get to come back to them. Next weekend we are taking the boys to Ngong Hills for a picnic, then coming back here for dinner and play time. And of COURSE they are spending the night. They get to choose a "special treat" if they have at least 23 of stickers. It was either go to the movies and to eat chicken n' chips or go to Ngong Hills and stay with us. They were all freaking out about staying with us... i love it.