seriously!!!! this waiting SUXXXXXX!!!!!!!!

[cranehand]

Man do I wanna hear SOMETHING from USCIS.  For those of you who have you beloved woman beside now.  How did you handle the waiting game?  We are both so very anxious to be together again that somehow the words just don't do it.  We both have separation anxiety.  USCIS has only had the docs for 33 days how long does it take to do a background check ppl.  I know I know 5 months but we are both missing eachother CRAZY .  I have about the next 45 days on 7 12's and that should eat up the better part of the next two months.  Alesya is working also and passing the time as best she can.  We are both praying and staying positive and know that the end of the rainbow will be here soon.  Dammit man!!!!! every day people come to this great nation illegally and make a life, why do they make it so hard for ppl to immigrate through the propper channel's?  Is it about the money?  Is this truly a genuine source of revenue for the government?  Or is it about selection of those ppl they see as potential productive members of society.  Help me be calm friends because patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait. 
Alesya and I thank you all for you wisdom and support through all of this.  Sorry I have not posted any more on the trip report I am trying to stay sane here and writing about the wonderful time we had together just dose not seem appropriate at this point.  I am considering writing a book with her collaboration when this is all said and done.

[Dave13]

Cranehand, I know your pain, it was a eight months for us, but every day I realize how lucky I am to have Anna beside me. Best of luck!

Dave

[SomeGuy]

Yeah, waiting isn't much fun, at all.  We're in the same boat. 
Did you file with Vermont or CA?  CSC seems to have turned a lot around in a month, while not so amusingly, skipping some earlier filers.  Vermont best guess lately is running around 3 to 3.5 months-ish to NOA2.

If I look at the reasonable side of things, I can say there are many things to be done before she comes home, and once we're there, it will be easy to look back on and laugh.  Of course, that's meaningless compared to wanting to be together NOW.     I'll be going back for another month or two once we have our interview date, but until then, sigh, a whole lot of Skype and emails until then.   It could be worse, as we make sure we carve out a few hours every day, and at least webcam quality is generally OK.

Yeah, I'm trying to put it all in a semi-positive light, because otherwise, I would agree with you whole-heartedly, and be pissed off that it takes several months to do a checklist of your package, and do a background check that should be nearly instant in today's world. 

Good luck and best wishes for a speedy approval. 

[I/O]

'Twas over a year 'tween skin sensations for us at the same stage, we survived.

[viking]

Waiting can be a pain, but it is worth it. I filed our K1 on Sept 9. Her interview was late December. 4 months. Took a bit longer to actually get here, but that was our choice. Try skype with a video cam. Really helps to pass the time.

[kievstar]

I visited 2-3 times a month so not a big deal on wait time.

Just make sure you have everything to go once she arrives.  Have her start driving right now with teacher in her country and obtain international driving license.  Enroll her in English classes in her home country right now (advanced if needed) and know when and where English classes start in your country. Maybe even have a car already bought for her.

Figure out where all the local Russian stores and restaurants are.  Clean the house by paying experts. 

[minn-uk]

Cranehead,

I was just let off your boat and now in a whole new one.  We filed our K-1 I129F application on Feb 22nd (received at the California Service center) and just 2 days ago April 12th received email notification of APPROVAL !!!!!!!!!!
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis   
After I file  ... then ..   chose sign up for updates ... you will know before they send it in the mail.
Skype, emails everyday and a some calls have just gotten us through.  We have many more little hurdles to overcome, but this one has made up both very happy 
It is very hard to be so far away but we flirt and always say how much we miss each other and always look to our future.  She even ends her letters with different expressions of love and your wife Vera.   Vira on the Ukraine documents ... due to translation of her birth certificate into Ukrainian.

Be confident ..... it will happen ... the 2 (or more for us we both have children .. not quite the Brady Bunch .. she has 1 and I have 2) of you will be together forever !!!!!  That is what is keeping us going !!!!!
Good luck !!!!!!!   

[SomeGuy]

I visited 2-3 times a month so not a big deal on wait time.

Just make sure you have everything to go once she arrives.  Have her start driving right now with teacher in her country and obtain international driving license.  Enroll her in English classes in her home country right now (advanced if needed) and know when and where English classes start in your country. Maybe even have a car already bought for her.

Figure out where all the local Russian stores and restaurants are.  Clean the house by paying experts. 

These are good tips.  An international DL, if she can get one, will allow her to drive in the US, and presumably others.  Whether or not she is comfortable doing that from the start or not will vary, but it's a good idea to do regardless.
English is a non issue for us, but making sure she brings translated copies of her education for evaluation and assessment, a copy of her DS3025 (I believe that's the right one?), and a growing list of other things I'm slowly putting together during the wait.  EU/Russian food store - check.  You can also order some things online if necessary.  Professional cleaning - not a bad idea.  I think I'll do it myself, followed by a pro.

I'm fairly sure there's a few checklist type posts out there for preparing for her arrival, anyone have any favorite links saved off already?  

[Dave13]

 My wife enrolled in diving class during the wait, it was a great help when she arrived in the US.
 Also you may consider this; Anna purchased her wedding dress in Russia, did save some money but the biggest plus was her mother had the chance to take part in its selection.

Dave

[cranehand]

Thanks everyone!
 I needed to vent a bit.  Seems funny that you all mention the things we are doing, so I feel her and I are headed in the right direction.  I would like to be there with her she just had some serious wisdom tooth surgery and it is very hard to not be able to have the physical sensation of touch especially when one or the other is in real pain.  She has a DL already and continues to study english.  We are gathering all docs to present when the time comes AOS and such from my end and medical and other from her end.  I have plans to be there for the interview but not sooner.  I guess we will see how long it will be and if I can get time away from work before that then I will surly jump a plane and fly over again.

The future is bright but is is a bit difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel now.  Before this it was all up to the two of us and now it is out of our hands. 

God bless and thanks again.
Dallas

[Enot]

Man do I wanna hear SOMETHING from USCIS.  For those of you who have you beloved woman beside now.  How did you handle the waiting game? 

Just keep telling yourself it's going to happen and be patient.  Try to get into a routine, it will make the days go faster.  Believe me it is worth the wait, something you also need to tell yourself.  Also take this waiting time to visit her again and get to know her better.

Best of luck.

[I/O]

I needed to vent a bit. 

Hold that thought.......................for years to come.