Houston....We have been Submitted!

Yes, it is true.....We have finally been submitted to the US Embassy for final SIGN-OFF and the infamous PINK SLIP!!!!! We have been told that we were submitted on Tuesday, and now Bianca is scheduled for her 2nd DNA test on Monday. I have been seeing Pinks coming out about 2-2.5 weeks after submit....Though it is taking her a bit longer to go for the DNA appointment. So, once her DNA sample is taken- then it is shipped to the US...and a few days to a week later approved and once again shipped back to Guatemala....I think we are looking at getting our pink if all goes PERFECTLY 2 weeks from today....then we will travel the following week (Around the 15th?)Please do not mark my words here. I have had way to many people lately see me and ask about when Bianca is coming home....I then say, "It looks like it will be 3-4 weeks"....And then I of course hear..."That is what you said the last time!"...Like I do not understand their frustration!!!! Please people! Of course, I am not speaking to ANY of you, as you I am sure are so faithful to the blog for your Bianca fix...So you have the inside scoop anyway. Hee Hee (Does anyone really say, hee hee?) I write that sometimes then try to imagine that EVER coming out of my mouth.
As you might have guessed by my nonsense, it is late and my brain is beginning to fog. I guess I might as well get this out in the open....It has been bothering me for a few days now....Okay I am just going to say it and then it will be out there...
My name is Bianca's Mom and I am addicted to Ebay....Please do not judge me....
Those of you who know me well also know that I am a very competitive person....I LOVE to WIN...hence my major affinity to Ebay....It is not that I have been winning ALL that much...But I have learned a technique to winning that I am pretty sure I could market. It is invigorating to WIN...just hard to remember at times, that we PAY to win...What a concept.
Let's move on to another less sensitive topic. I have been thoroughly enjoying myself lately. I have really been taking in my free time and enjoying my alone time with Eric. I am really trying not to rush this last part of the adoption process. Now we know that Bianca is coming home and no matter what in a matter of a few weeks we will be going down there, to bring her home FOREVER! Makes me emotional just thinking about it.
I cannot wait for Bianca to meet so many of you who have been such a fantastic support system to us. To our awesome family, friends, community, and forum friends, I say thank you! I am running out of steam so I will sign off for now.
Peace & Love-Chantelle

No Bianca Update Today...And Other Stuff on My Mind

Hi everyone...Nope this is not a photo of Bianca today. I did not hear from our attorney today, but he was supposed to submit her paperwork to the US Embassy....At this point, I know God is in control of it all....Like it did not take long enough for me to figure this out! I am of course totally in love as is Eric with our little lady. I have been thinking so much about her life and my own, and I wanted to share something a bit off topic of the adoption journey.
As many of you know, I have traveled to several countries in Africa learning about the AIDS crisis. I have spent time with AIDS orphans, living daily life at an orphanage with over 60 babies, and at a refugee camp...All in different countries in Africa. I have been changed by this time overseas and I am always looking for avenues to educate people on the crisis happening there.
I finished a short documentary a few months ago with footage of my trips, that is an educational video to take into schools. When I look at my own life, and now at Bianca's I think of all of the millions of lives, on the other side of the world that are in desperate need of food, water and medical treatment...And that is the tip of the iceberg. I guess more than anything this post is to remind us all of our responsibility to be aware of what is happening in our world....and at whatever level, to take action. If you would like to learn more, start at these websites:
www.one.org
www.data.org
www.hrw.org
I live a life FULL of freedoms, and I know we all take these for granted. This is an opportunity to learn more about life for people like you and me living under very different circumstances. I want to do more. This is just a step. I want Bianca to grow up being a part of the change in this world, and how awesome would it be to see this pandemic end? What a great thought to ponder. God Bless-Chantelle

It's Only a Matter of Time Now!

Today we received an email from our attorney in Guatemala. Just as we had heard, the US Embassy is closed this week for training purposes....(God is STILL trying to teach me patience!) So, as of Monday we will be submitted to the US Embassy. I loved his email....He said "Your adoption is final in Guatemala. You are legally the parents of little Mayra" (her given birth name)...Now that is HUGE! Now it is only a matter of time on the US side to get her home!!!!!! Is that phenomenal or what? I think back to the days when I was so sad, or just kind of bummed wondering if these days would ever come...I would think, how will I feel, what will it be like???? Well, let me tell you, it has been the most beautiful time in my life. I have been able to really take it in and focus on what God has done for us.
I know some of you who read this blog might think my God comments are over the top, but I must tell you, now more than ever I believe ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE when you believe and have faith. I cannot stop talking about it....and I probably never will! Yee haw! Okay, refocus...So now it is looking like 3 weeks until we travel. If we are submitted on Monday and it takes 2 weeks for new DNA and approval, then the 3rd week we will be in Guatemala!!!!!
For those of you still hanging on, I must also inform you that I did "WIN" the carseat on Ebay....That site is addictive...Little does Dr. Becking know, I have also "WON" many other things since I learned how to use it! Yikes!!!! Stuff for Bianca of course, and you all know how much she NEEDS it! Ha Ha
Okay, that is about all I have to report tonight.
Much Love going out to you all-Chantelle

Oh Happy Day.

Well, here she is..LIVE!!!! She was sooo hilarious when we were there last. She gets so easily tickled it is fun to watch. Here is a little taste of what we are in for. This is a short clip of her laughing hysterically! Too funny!

Bianca is ours...legally!!!

We have an update people!!!! Just got confirmation from our agency today that Bianca has been issued a new birth certificate and a new passport....Hope she smiled for her photo..Hmm I wonder how she signed it? Foot print maybe...I mean she does have a great set of little pigs. This is a fantastic step forward. Legally she is our daughter. And we could not be happier or more humbled by the fact that her birth mom's choice gave us the chance to adopt Bianca. I will never forget who Bianca's birth mom is, and I will always be grateful that she gave us this gift. It was a selfless choice really. God works in such mysterious ways. Something that could have been so different has been such an amazing blessing in so many people's lives. Some day we hope that Bianca will be able to meet her birth mom, and I will look forward to that day myself.
As for now, we can hardly wait to bring her home to meet her new family. Okay, so the next AND FINAL step will happen on Thursday....We will be submitted to the US Embassy...Wouldn't you know it, they are closed until Thursday for staff training of some sort...What timing! Anywho, no big deal. Once we are submitted the little short stack will have one last DNA test and within about 2 weeks we will get a PINK slip....This will have our Embassy appointment date. MUSIC TO THE BECKING'S EARS! And from my current calculations, it should be about one week from the pink slip date and we will be bringing her home....THAT MEANS SHE WILL BE COMING HOME ASAP!!!!!! What a freakin' party we will have!
We will continue to keep you posted as we learn more, but this gets you up to speed. Everything has gone smoothly so far. We have been out of PGN for 2 weeks today and they have accomplished a good deal of things...Her new Birth Certificate, Passport, and translation of her documents. So guess what...now we wait....Sounds familiar! Much love to you guys!!!!! Chantelle

Change Your World

This song has such a great meaning for us espeically at this time in our lives. God is truly so good....And watching the video is so moving. Kids just need someone to love them...It is that simple. Wow, I can hardly believe we are nearing the end of this journey....I guess only a matter of time before we start again! It is so cool what God can do in our lives. What a great life!