Blessed BIG!

I woke up this morning just thinking about life. It seems that events can happen in life in the blink of an eye and just forever rock your world. As I write this I am thinking about Jason, Eric's brother. And if you are reading, we love you man.
Also, just this past weekend Eric's best friend from high school was involved in a terrible accident. His friend's name is Mike Carlson, and many of you who read our blog locally already know his situation, but for those of you who do not, he and his family need your prayers. He is in critical condition in Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, suffering from a brain injury in addition to other medical issues. If there is a guy who can make it through this, it is no doubt MIKE! To his family and especially his wife Dawn, we are thinking of you also every day and praying that guy well.
This blog has been a powerful thing, and literally people all over the US have come together in support those in need.
Now I look at my charmed life, at least in this moment, and I almost feel guilty for not taking in every moment with my loved ones.
I cannot wait to bring another little life into our home and to think of Bianca becoming a big sis just blows my mind. I feel so blessed that God would allow Eric and me to be the parents of our babies who are coming from such different parts of the world. It is amazing how God works in that way. Just a few years ago I could never have imagined having a large family, but after what God has done in our lives through Bianca and now her little sis to be, I can hardly wait to grow our family even more....Okay, just to cover myself for future reference...I guess I should see how I can handle two!
I love seeing all of the places that are checking in with us also. I did not put a counter on our blog until yesterday, I am not sure why...I am thinking because I was not all that blog savvy at first!
I want to add a link on the sidebar also for all of our fellow bloggers, so comment if we can add you...Some of you already know who you are! This has been such a cool way for us to connect to other families going through adoption, and also to just keep up with old friends....because you all know I hate to talk on the phone!
Much Love
Chantelle

WE ARE DOING IT AGAIN!!!!!

Yes, it is true! We are adopting again! This time Bianca will become a big sis! We are adopting a baby girl from ETHIOPIA!!!!!! We are SOOOOO excited!
I know I have not posted since Sarah's death, and it has just been because I wanted to give her memory time on our blog. She will always live on in our hearts.
And now a new day for us, and a new chapter to our lives. We have begun the adoption process for Ethiopia. I have gone back and forth trying to decide if we should start a whole new blog in honor of little sis Ethiopia style....And it is a good idea, but now the part none of you blog lovers will want to read....NO PICS will be posted of her until it is official.
Ethiopia has strict rules about this...So as so many of you checked in on the many many trips to Guatemala, to see Bianca's latest photos, this will not be the case for little sis.
So sorry.
We will keep posting all new Bianca pics and major updates on our adoption process. Please join us as we move into a new place in life! We so appreciated all of your support while adopting Bianca and we are just as excited this time around! The process should be much faster and smoother than the Guatemalan adoption process.
We are paper pregnant!!!
We have never had a counter on the site to see how many people check in, but in honor of our new chapter in life I am going to add one.
Love and thanks to all of you who keep up with us, and we thank you in advance for your support!
Chantelle, Eric, & Bianca
Here are some new photos of the BIG sis to be! She is almost 21 months now!

Thanks

Hi all. I just want to say THANK YOU on behalf of the Becking Family. I know I can speak on behalf of the Becking crew by saying a huge thank you for all of your prayers and support for Jason, Adelaide, & Jack. Though I know this time is so difficult for them, I have been amazed at how many people have read our blog and have committed to pray for them. God is big and I am thankful for people with big hearts who reach out in times of sadness.
To Jason, Adelaide, & Jack, I hope you check in on the blog. We LOVE YOU GUYS.
After spending a good deal of time in Columbia last week, I kick myself for not putting family first...ALWAYS. And Jason and Sarah seemed to be a good example of people who really did put family first.
Jason is just an awesome brother to Eric, and I know he really made Sarah proud over the weekend. What a tribute to an awesome woman....People showed up from all over the place to give some love to her family.
I am still not sure what to say about it, but know that your prayers were appreciated.

Soon, we will be posting some very uplifting news, so check in now and again. We are looking forward to sharing some good stuff with you guys soon!
Much Much Love- Chantelle, Eric & Bianca

In Memory of Sarah Becking 1972-2008

It is with great heartache that I write this update tonight. As many of you already have learned, my sister-in-law, Sarah Becking died yesterday. She was the perfect soulmate to Eric's brother Jason for so many years and the phenomenal mom to Adelaide,age 5 and Jack Thayer, age 3. I still cannot believe it as I type the words. I hope many of you check the blog soon so you can begin to pray for this wonderful family.
My heart aches terribly as I think of what Jason is going through right now. Eric has been with him today and we are all planning to go to Columbia tomorrow to be with the family. How short life can be. I am not really sure what to write other than please commit to pray for Jason, Adelaide, and Jack as they face this enormous loss.
Sarah was a kind and loving person, a free spirit, a fantastic photographer and a lover of life.
She was 36 years old.
Sometimes things happen that we just cannot wrap our heads around...and clearly this is one of them.
So please go love on the people you care about and make sure they know how important they are in your life. And if need be, get your priorities in life straight...We all have so much "stuff" we want to obtain in life....And then something like this happens and opens our eyes. Please do not let it be for only a moment.
There is nothing better than family and good friends.
I want to say thank you for the people who have already shown so much love to the Becking family. We love you guys and appreciate your prayers for Jason and the kids.
If you want to learn more about Jason and his family you can link on to the family website at www.becking.com. I am also attaching Jason's last words about Sarah to this post below.
The pic above shows Sarah doing her thing for old Mizzou.
So much love to you all
Chantelle & Eric
Jason's email:
Sarah died yesterday afternoon, July 7, 2008, in Kenner, Louisiana. She was 36 years and 1 month old, and left us way too damned soon. She encountered more complications early that morning, which caused both lung and blood pressure difficulties. They were able to stabilize her a couple of times, but only briefly. Despite the fight she put up and the hard work of the nurses and doctors, we simply lost her too soon.

She was a loving wife, a great friend, had a happy spirit, saw the best in people, and was an outstanding mother. The kids and I are in Malden now, will be returning to Columbia tomorrow. Sarah’s mom and dad are en route to Columbia now to be with her brother and his family.

There’s simply nothing about it that seems fair or right, but I guess that’s why they call it fate. Perhaps the incident two years ago was simply a wake up call so we could fully appreciate these past two years, which we certainly did.

Arrangement planning has not begun, really, but I would expect services on Friday or Saturday in Columbia. I appreciate all the notes and phone calls of support and offers to help. I will clearly need help, as will the kids. They need their mom and I can’t do that.

I close this e-mail the way I’ve ended most phone conversations, go hug your friends and family.

Sarah loved you all, and I appreciate that love flowing back toward us now.

Jason

TWO POSTS IN ONE NIGHT!!!

Yes it is true! And there is a whole new look to the blog. Check out this fun site for blog ideas and FREE stuff www.thecutestblogontheblock.com
We went on a fun shorty vacation when Eric had some business stuff a month or so ago. It was Bianca's first time at the beach and it was hilarious to watch. I am doing another pic parade here...Let the party begin!




Typical morning of Bianca's Bed Head! We like to call it her Rocker look!

How about this suit? Our friend Kristi Banken gave this to us and it is Bianca's favorite!

How Long has it been???? TOOOO LONG!

Okay, I have been bad....Very Bad!!! I am so sorry that I have not been a good bloggin' momma. So, I have a pic parade for us all...These photos are all over the board. It has been so so long since I posted I thought I would get you up to speed.
Bianca is phenomenal. I still look at her most days and wonder what I did to deserve a child like her!
She is all over the place. 19 and a half months! Man, time flies! She is learning everything so fast these days! Swimming is her current favorite pass time and I am blown away by how great a little swimmer she is!
Okay, enough yapping! Bring on the pics...and some of Bianca's best friends.



Below is a pic of Bianca welcoming home her best friend from Guatemala! Miss Malaena-Sloane Harris came home from Guatemala 2 months ago. Cheri is like a sister to me and we hope the girls will grow up the same way. We me them at the airport when Malaena came home from Guatemala. What an awesome day! We celebrate it even now!!!

Here is Bianca with the Seabaugh crew. Tracie has been one of my best friends since the 7th grade and here we are all of these years alter with our kids growing up together. We LOVE IT!