Adjustment of Status - I-485

So this is a long post, but I want to share my story for encouragement for anyone in a similar situation.

I came here as a child with my family under my parents student visa. We became out of status around 2002 and never left. I got married to my husband in 2007. I met him in high school. I never filed for anything because I didn’t understand that I was able and I was worried for my parents and brother. During this time my husband and I have had 3 children together and have had a great marriage. My brother married his long time girlfriend in 2017, and filed for adjustment of status immediately. He filed in LA California, and received it very quickly. I think his took around 5 months. I realized that I had no reason not to apply and that I was eligible to apply. At this point I have been married 12 years to my husband and have 3 children together.

We filed with a lawyer on 3/24/2019. I submitted everything together. My medical, all my entry documents, tax returns, joint documents, school documents, children’s birth certificates, marriage certificate, husbands employment information, husbands paystubs dating back to November, copy’s of my parents passports, my/my husbands birth certificates. My lawyer recommended sending everything I can to begin with.

This is my timeline:
3/26/2019case received and receipt notice sent
4/15/2019- fingerprint apt
4/16/2019- fingerprint review complete
6/5/2019- case ready to be scheduled
6/6/2019- interview scheduled
6/14/2019 received interview notice in mail. Interview scheduled for 7/19/2019
7/18/2019- interview day

Our lawyer was unable to come to the interview due to scheduling conflicts. Interview was very straight forward and IO was very nice. I was nervous because I was a overstay for so long. She made me feel relaxed and comfortable. She began by giving us a oath. After the oath she sat us down and went through all the questions on the i-485. They were really quick as they were all no except overstay. I was a child when the overstay happened so there wasn’t much to say about why. She reviewed my entry papers(had all documents submitted already). After this she asked why I waited so long I told the truth and said I wasn’t sure about the process and my family. She understood and moved on. She asked us how we met and how long we dated before getting married and how old we were when we married. We met in high school and married at 20 and moved in together at 19. So we were laughing how we were so young. She asked us about our kids and their ages. Then she asked what we brought. I brought a binder that was neatly organized with all the documents I submitted (I had the original with me as well) as well as tax documents for past 6 years, and 1 years with of my husbands paystubs, I have a section with copies of out health insurance and life insurance. I did not bring any bank documents.

She glanced at the health insurance and life insurance and said okay. Then she looked at our pictures. I brought about 50 pictures documenting our relationship since 2004. She looked quickly and said okay I don’t think I see any problems but your case needs a final review. We said good bye and wished each other a great day. She gave me the white paper that said your case is held for review. The whole interview was around 20 minutes.

I left a little discouraged because my lawyer said we should get approved on the spot. I went home and later that day I got a text message saying my case was updated. I went and checked and it said new card being produced.

This was the first time the Myuscis case status update since I filed.
Usually the other website would update for me. The other one is the one that was always updating for me
https://myaccount.uscis.gov/

The myaccount one was the one that kept updating after my approval.
This is the timeline after my interview

7/18/2019 new card is being produced
7/19/2019 case approved
7/22/2019 I-797 notice of action case approved/welcome to America letter arrives in mail
7/22/2019 card has been mailed
7/23/2019 tracking number received- scheduled delivery for 7/35/2019
7/25/2019 Green card arrives in mail.

Finally after all these years I have a peace of mind and did what I was supposed to do after all those years, I never realized I could have had my green card so quickly after I got married, but I know everything happens in Gods timing.