The visa process

Getting clear answers on this topic has been impossible! To be safe, we've sent an application to the Italian Consulate for a Schengen visa that will allow us to travel through the Schengen states for more than the 3 months allowed to US citizens. Today I missed 3 calls from the Italian consulate!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed that there are no issues -- we only have about 8 weeks before leaving and these things sometimes take time.