The people that got us through

I am thinking the Deee Lite video worked. Not only did it cheer me up, but it brought about fantastic things.

We got our pre-trial date this morning!!!!!!!! It will be August 1st. This is along with Jamie & Suzanne and Kathou & Paypay. The Washington contingent of AIA families is doing the collective happy dance today!!!!!

Of course the pre-trial doesn't come without a price for us. During my phone conversation with Olga earlier this week she asked us to do some FBI fingerprint checks just in case. She said that of the 3 families that have pre-trial on the 24th only 1 got asked for the checks. She said it would not likely happen to us, but just in case get it done. Guess what? We got asked for fingerprints. Fortunately, we don't have to have FBI checks. We can get them from our local police department. Whew!

So now I am frantically phoning the two local police departments to ask if they will do this. Of course I get a recording. I kindly leave a message at our city police department. Like always I am waiting for a return call. If I don't hear in the next hour or so I will try again and also try the county police department. They have to be in Alaska by Wednesday in order to get to Khabarovsk by the 31st.

Holy cow, I can't believe that this is finally coming to an end.

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* In my utter excitement I forgot to mention what pre-trial means. The judge in Khabarovsk is doing this new thing where she schedules a pre-trial date. According to Olga this is just a date for her to confer with herself. From what we can figure she sits down to do a final review on all of our paperwork and actually schedule the court date. So assuming our fingerprint request gets there on time we will know our court date some time between July 31st and August 2nd. I say the 31st because remember Khabarovsk is 18 hours ahead of us. So it is tomorrow there now. The pre-trial doesn't mean we need to start packing, although with my unorgainized state of mind I should really start thinking about that.

An update on the fingerprints:
Our local police department said I needed to phone the City of Tacoma police department and what I need is a Visa Clearance letter. Isn't it nice that they seem to think they know what I need? I already have a Visa Clearance letter. So I phone CoT. The rude lady there tells me the quickest turn around on a fingerprint check is 4-8 weeks. And no amount of begging or offering of "expiditing fees" will sway her. I ask if the county does it. No. Is there a local buerau of investigation. No. What about the state? Well... they do it. Can I have their number? Well... I suppose. Thank you, you have been no help to me.

I phone Washington State Patrol. Recording. For Criminal Background checks press 5. *5* I'm sorry I did not hear your request. *5* I'm sorry I did not hear your request. (Arggghhh) *0* Ahh, magic 0 always works. Get the lady at criminal background, Lynette. Lynette is my new best friend. I explain what I need.

Lynette: Well that will take 2-4 weeks.
Elle: Can I get it any sooner? I will pay an expiditing fee if I need to.
Lynette: Well you can get it within 7-10 days.
Elle: any sooner than that? I have been waiting for 18 months and this piece of paper is standing in between me and my son. You are about to have a crying mommy. I need to have this piece of paper in my hand by Tuesday.
Lynette: Let me check with someone for you.
Elle: Please do.

*hold*

Lynette: Well... it seems that if you come in today and come back to pick them up we can get them to you by Tuesday.
Elle: Thank you Lynette. I'll be in as soon as I don't stink.

Mad dash to Olympia. Fingerprinted and $96 poorer mission accomplished! Thank God I didn't have to ask my social worker for anything. Otherwise you might find me face down in the not so hot tub.