Eliana was awake the entire ride home! She was just too excited to sleep.
This is her first "step" onto American soil! She officially became a resident as she entered the country! When we walked into the Nashville airport the emotion was overwhelming! We were so excited, yet exhausted, yet blown away with the gravity of the moment! The paparazzi was in full effect over our little Guatemalan Diva! Thanks so much to all who came out to celebrate with us! Eliana just stood in the middle of the crowd and took it all in!
Check out Andrew Sellers "checking out" my girl! That's right, one of her Guatemalan friends who is also now an American was at the Airport to welcome Eliana home! Staci, thanks so much for bringing Andrew and coming to see us! That was so awesome! Eliana just squealed to see her friend again!
My Mom and Dad are IN LOVE with Eliana (of course)! They are super proud Grandparents!
A BIG SHOUT OUT AND THANKS TO DEANNA, BRENT & AURI FOR ELIANA'S NEW CAR! It arrived at our doorstep about ten minutes after we arrived home! The timing was so perfect it was like a movie! Eliana especially loves getting in and out and in again!I can't believe I'm writing these words but...right now BOTH my girls are HOME and happily taking naps! Thank you LORD for all that you've done! Thank you to all our readers who have prayed so faithfully and encouraged us so deeply! We are so excited now to introduce Eliana to her new home in Tennessee!
-Chris
121 comments:
I am so happy for you guys and so thankful! I have tears of joy in my eyes! Welcome to America Miss Eliana!
We are so excited for you guys!!! Congratulations, and welcome HOME, Eliana. It has been such a blessing to follow your story from a distance. We're rejoicing with you.
Love,
Andrew and Virginia Steger
YAY!!!! I love the pictures - especially the one of her looking up at the sign that says "Welcome Home Wheelers." I think I'd have to put that one on her wall. It's so cute!
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Congrats!! I had the chills the whole time I was reading your post. She looks like she has grown so much since we saw you in June.
I am SO ready for a homecoming party too!
It will not be much longer, just waiting for Orange!
Congrats again... Lindsey can now sleep!
-Tamara & Dominic
So glad that you are all home together...love the pics...Eliana is such a cutie
Can I get an "Amen!!" I am SO excited for y'all. Lindsey, when you come down off cloud 9, come visit Knoxville. We can have an Ancelet, McBride, Wheeler, Dempster, Wright ... party :)
Lindsey,
I am so thrilled for you guys. Wow. Congratulations! She is so beautiful and what an amazing family you have. We'll keep praying for her health and your transition. Love, Lee Ann
AHHHHH!! I love it! I still can't believe you're home!! Praise God, He is good!
Welcome home!!!!!!!
Praises, Praises. So good to see you finally home!
Delurking to congratulate the entire family. Welcome to the new chapter of your lives!!!
You don't know me from Adam, but I somehow came across your blog. I've been reading, following your story, and praying for almost a year now. I am so excited you get to bring Eliana home to the great state of Tennessee. I'm a teacher in the Memphis area, and I just love children and love to see how God works! Congrats, Wheeler family! You don't know how far your story will spread to God's glory!!!
In Christ,
Leah
Hi Guys,
I have never posted but have kept up with your blog daily. I must say your last post brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations and thank you for giving Eliana a loving home and family.
Take care,
Lucy in Georgia
Yippee!! What an incredible joy to have your daughter home at last! We are thrilled for you guys and hope to have the chance to meet Eliana one day. Congratulations!
Oh WOW, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE HOMECOMEING. It always reminds me of the day we brought Faith home, the emotions are overwheliming. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. You have a beautifull family and you are all very blessed.
Congrats! You brought tears to my eyes! Welcome home!!!
WELCOME HOME!!! It is so good to see all of you together at home!! I LOVE Eliana's homecoming dress! I am so glad you found it and it looks adorable on her! Where did her boots come from in the last picture? They are too cute!!
Our prayers have been answered! You are all home right where you belong!! God is SO good!!!
Congrats on your happy homecoming! Hope you come to T-town for a visit soon. :0)
Kerri, Medina, and Ruby
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Congratulations and welcome home.
Chris, You and your wife have a way of bringing me to tears!!! I am so excited that you are all home!!! Can't wait to meet your sweet baby and to spend time with all 3 of you.
Love you guys and hope to talk to you soon!!!!
WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!
Praise God!!! You are home with your sweet little lady! I have been waiting to read this post! I got teary eyed I was so happy for you! This has been a LONG road for you guys! I am so very happy for you!!!!
Michelle
WOW! SO shocked and so blessed to know that you all are finally HOME!!! PRaise God..we know it was a long long wait for you, but also for us bloggers who loved to follow you guys and pray for your return home!!! PRAISE PRAISE AND PRAISE HIM!!!
Rachael, Chanan and Hope
www.adoptingbabyhope@blogspot.com
Felicidades!! I can't believe your whole family is finally home, it's been a long journey for all of you. You've truly blessed us all.
Awesome! Welcome home. Abe can't wait to come to Nashville and meet his new friend. :)
We are celebrating with you!
What a journey you've been on and what a great chapter in the story of the Wheelers!
Vicki N.
Welcome Home!!
I am crying tears of Joy for your guys. I know you have been through so much! Plus just seeing that God has brought you guys home encourages us to know our dream is going to come true too. Eliana is 2 weeks older than our daughter. I feel like we know you even though we have never met. When you get settled we would love to be able to meet you guys. We live in Hendersonville. Email us sometime. msbookingagent@aol.com. We are still in RENAP process and believing God every day for the miracle to happen.
We love you guys and thanks for sharing your journey with us all!
Love,
The Hollemans
WELCOME HOME!! Yay! It is so much fun to finally be able to type those words and know that y'all are finished with this long process. Eliana is soooo blessed to have you and Chris for parents. She is going to LOVE it in her new home!
Welcome Home Guys. I am so happy that your prayers have been answered and you guys are now home with your beautiful little girl.
Congratulations!!!!!! I've loved reading your blog everyday!!!! I hope you continue to tell us all of your blessings as Eliana grows!
Welcome home!!!
Congratulations, Wheelers! The pictures of your homecoming are just priceless and bring such joy for us, as your praying family in Christ, to share in! Welcome home! Jenn (OBUer in Dallas)
Welcome home...I am so happy for you all it is such an amazing sight to see you at your house with your little girl!! YAY!!!
Congratulations!!!! and Welcome Home. I am so happy for you. Cherish every minute with your sweet baby girl.
Pattie
I'm overwhelmed with such joy and so many tears as I read these words and look at these pictures! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! So glad you're all home, safe and sound. YEAY Rejoicing with you now!
Lindsey, this put a huge grin on my face (and tears in my eyes)! Eliana is priceless, and blessed to have you guys for parents. Enjoy being HOME!
Praise God!!! Congratulations and welcome home!!!!!!!
Congrat's, glad you are all home safe and sound. God is great, enjoy your beautiful little girl.
I have tears of absolute joy for you guys!! We love you all!
A breath taking moment...its wonderful to know you are all finally home. Thank you Lord for you faithfulness, never a doubt. God Bless your first week home and always. Susie
Welcome Home!!! I hope the transition into a life here is flawless!
Finally a post! Of course I have been stalking the blog and the moment I run out to send some more packages out to all my sweet housemates - you post! It is so good to see you all home!!! I love Eliana's homecoming outfit! Glad she likes the car (& what timing)!!!
Miss you all~Deanna
WOW!! I just want to cry out of gratefullness to God for bringing you through this long journey! But you're home now!! Praise HIM!!
Wow !! Welcome home !!
WOW.............What a great feeling. Congrats. I am so happy and excited for your family. It has been a long journey. Welcome home baby Eliana, you are so loved. Courtney
I am sure Lindsey is happy to be home and eatting American food. What was the first thing she ate to satisfy her cravings ?
Congratulations to your family. What a beautiful story that God put together in His perfect timing. May God richly bless your family and Eliana.
WELCOME HOME!!!!
Praying works! I belive it is the only way to get through this battle of adoption and everyone is a MIRACLE, A BLESSING AND alot of PRAYER WARRIORS!
It has been so awesome to be a witness to your BATTLE and I know that God has been glorified!
Love to your new and forever FAMILY!
I have tears in my eyes right now! I remember our homecoming! It is so sureal...especially when you are in Guatemala picking them up for so long! Congratulations! Yay, God!
Welcome Home!
So happy, so thankful -- praising God for bringing you through this journey to its joyful end!
Congratulations Lindsey and Chris...
I'm sure it's still feels like a dream. You are quite a woman to go through all of that for Eliana. What a blessed little girl to have parents that love her so much. Yay for her being a TN girl :) We are the best...haha.
Take care and enjoy being home...love, Forrest, EJ & Walker Williams
Welcome to the good ol' USA!
Also delurking to say Congrats! I have been following your story for a while now and I have chills not to mention tears of joy.
I know you will enjoy every last minute of having her here in TN.
okay so its killing me but im giving you your space. get all that "family" outta here so I can come play with my niece! My beautiful baby girl is hooooooome!
Congratulations! I am so excited that Miss Eliana is home at last!
WELCOME HOME!!! So excited you all are finally home. Your time in Guatemala was such a blessing to spend the time with your precious baby girl!!! Keep us posted on life in Tennessee with sweet Eliana... We aren't too far behind you, just found out today that our 2nd DNA sample is at Labcorp!!! Wahoo
Shari
Oh HAPPY day!!!!! WELCOME HOME!!!!!!
Amen and Amen!!!
God bless your family!!
Debbie
Lindsey and Chris, I stumbled on your blog about a year ago and have been following your journey. I am so happy that you were finally able to bring Eliana home. These pictures brought me to tears. Congratulations and God bless!
Jennie
Washington, DC
WELCOME HOME WHEELER FAMILY OF 3!!!! What an amazing blessing and journey! Thank you so much for allowing us to come along!
We are SO very excited for you!!
Stacie
Congratulations!!! We brought our two little beauties home on the SAME day one year ago, October 2nd. I also fostered in Antigua for about three months, so this has been especially fun to read your blog with our stories being so similar. Best of luck to you and so happy you are home and under ONE roof!
Chris, Stephanie, Gabriella & Emma
I don't know you in person, but I feel like I do from reading your blog so faithfully for such a long time now. I can't tell you how happy I am for you that your prayers have been answered. Congratulations on bringing your little girl home. While I was reading your post I couldn't stop grinning. I hope you have a wonderful and fulfilling life together. I love how you two talk about each other and how in love you sound. Eliana will be lucky to grow up in wuch a loving environment. Congratulations again!
WOW, WOW, WOW,
I am SO excited for you guys!!!!
Congratulations!!!!
And WELCOME HOME ELIANA!!!
It is just wonderful news to hear that your sweet girl is finally home with you!!!
Enjoy every moment and thanks for sharing your journey with us!!
God Bless,
Anna
(ohhh that was so sweet of Deanna, Brent and Auri with that great car for Eliana...really praying it will be their homecoming for Auri soon too!)
Praise the Lord!
So excited for your family. It's been great following your journey. I looked forward to seeing this little beauty grow just north of me!!!
Welcome Home, Eliana, Lindsey and Chris
praise the LORD!! and congratulations!
rejoicing with you in this awesome homecoming!
WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Praise our precious Jesus for uniting this family. Finally!!! Absolutely beautiful pictures!
I've been following your blog ever since someone pointed me to it when Eliana got sick. I've been praying for you, and I'm so excited and happy for youall that you're finally all home together - congratulations!
Amazing! I'm so thrilled for yo all!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Couldn't stalk any longer! Welcome home Wheeler Family! God Bless your happy home!
Debra in Texas
I am beyond thrilled for you guys!!! XXOO Welcome home, Eliana!
Welcome home!
hope to run into you at Target sometime
I am so excited to hear that you guys are finally home! I have been reading your blog since the beginning, so I feel somewhat a part of your journey. God is so good!! Congrats!!! :)
Love,
Bethany and Caroline
Lindsey, you look great, did you walk yourself slim???
Congratulations and Welcome home. America's Newest Citizen is just a doll in those little boots.
Sounds like quite the homecoming. You are lucky to have so many friends and family to greet and support you.
Enjoy this time!
Congratulations! Praise the Lord!!!!
YEAHHHHHHH YAY!!! Congrats!!! Its been a hard road, but GOD IS FAITHFUL!! Whoo Hoo!! :D
Oh, and I LOVE the pic of Eliana staring up at the "Welcome Home Wheelers" sign. That pic needs to be framed. ;)
God Bless you all as you settle into your new glorious life!
Welcome home! Awesome isn't it? There are no words to describe the feeling of being home FOREVER with your little one!! Wooowhooo!
THANK YOU LORD! So many prayers have been answered with Lindsey's and Eliana's homecoming. I am so very happy for you! (And this is so PERFECT as this is also our Family Day...we came home from Guatemala 1 year ago today).
I've been following your story for quite awhile now...I am just so happy for you 3!! Such answers to prayer, its great to see you all home and enjoying being a FAMILY. Congratulations!
We've never met and we probably never will... but for months I have been praying for your precious journey and I am rejoicing with you this week! What a blessing to have your baby girl home at last. Love, prayers, and blessings to your sweet family from The Tichenor Family in Texas!
you look so happy!! I am so sad I couldn't come up to welcome you! Hopefully soon I could come visit... I just seriously work ALL THE TIME!! But I can't wait to see you!! I'm so happy for your family!!
I'm next!!
Thank God for another answered prayer. I remember how that first night at home felt. Today, we have been home 5 months, and I can hardly remember life before Malaena-Sloan filled our house with so much warmth. Try to be in the moment, cause it goes by too quickly. I am so happy you are home. Blessings, Cheri
Welcome home, Eliana (and Lindsay)! Glad you guys are home safe and sound.
Wow, what a JOURNEY! The three of you made it and there is still so much more to come. May God continue to bless your family as you build a life of memories. WELCOME HOME BABY ELIANA.
CONGRATS!! PRAISE THE LORD!
Welcome Home Wheelers!!! I am thrilled for you guys!!
SO excited and I got all teary seeing that you guys are finally home with that baby girl!
Welcome to America Beautiful Eliana....
I'm so happy for you all.
Welcome Home Wheelers!! So happy you are home!
Love,
Gina (Rudy and Katherine's mom)
i don't know you guys but i've been following your story for the past few months. i was so excited to log on this morning and see that you are HOME. i'm full of thanks to God for the journey and the JOY!
So glad you are home. I remember very well the emotions and the relief of actually coming home and I was only there for a week each time. I am just so glad you are here and that you are together. I look forward to hearing more about Miss Eliana's new life in America!
WOW! I remember meeting you guys on the plane last Oct as we brought home Isabella. You were just beginning this adventure. It is so amazing to have watched God steer you both to this point and being able to rejoice with you in the homecoming of your precious baby girl!
Congratulations!!! God does make your dreams come true... in a BIG way!!
amanda and jeff
Congratulations, I'm so happy for you! I had tears in my eyes when I was looking at your pictures. I'm so glad that you're home! :)
YAAAAAY!!!! Little pixie dust is HOME!!!!! =)
...ok ...now it's time for a visit to Gauteamala...!!! =)
I am so happy for The Wheelers that all three of you are home, under one roof.
God is good. All the time.
Congrats! Welcome home, Eliana. I hope my two Mayan Princesas get to meet you one day when we finally move home to north Alabama.
blessings to ya'll,
terri in virginia
WELCOME HOME WHEELERS!!!!
dawn:)
Love you so much! CANT BELIEVE IT!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!! We will be coming through Nashville sometime on Tuesday from LR. Talk soon! much love... and welcome home!
This is the best post I have ever read!! Congratulations on your homecoming!!! I just cried looking at the pics of Lindsay and Eliana getting off the plane!
Lee Anne
Congratulations Chris and Lindsey, I am so thrilled to see the pictures of your sweet little Eliana home. I have been following your blog from the beginning and had to let you know how happy I am for your family.
Thank you Lord for bringing this family home.
Welcome Home!
Woo HOO! I'll bet that was one heck of a party! I had an opportunity to meet both Lindsey and Ariana while I was in Guatemala on a mission trip, but I couldn't bring myself to leave the kids at Hermano Pedro. Maybe I'll get another chance soon! I am so glad that this journey is over and now the real party can begin!!
Peace and Hugs,
Becca
Speechless...I have no words. All I can do is cry tears of joy!! Thank you so much for sharing your story. Praise God!
So excited for yall!! Welcome home sweet girl!! God is good!!!!!!!
With Love,
April & Mia
Welcome Home!
I am so happy that you finally have your little angel home!!! She will enjoy every minute of investigating all that you have and you will (of course) enjoy watching her! Congrats!!
Congratulations! We are so excited for you guys and can't wait to meet her!
Linds, catch up on that sleep and Chris I know you are going to love her like crazy! I'm so thankful the entire family is back in the US!
Welcome HOME Eliana~
PRAISE THE LORD and Congrats!! How exciting it must be to be home as a family! It has been amazing to read your story...a real testimony to God's goodness!
Wendi Cupp
Ohhh Chris and Lindsey, I wish SO much I had known!!! We would have LOVED to have brought another 'Guatemalan friend' to welcome Eliana home!!
SO! SO! GlAD to see you home safe and sound!!
hugs to all of you!
Betsy and Emily Belle
Congratulations and welcome home!! I am so happy for your family!!
Robyn
Chris & Lindsey,
I go to Fellowship and was introduce to your story & blog awhile back when you first shared about your adoption journey during church. I've never commented, but it just brought tears to my eyes when Bill Wellons brought you guys up to the front yesterday and I saw you had finally made it home with your sweet little girl. Congratulations!! And may the Lord richly bless your family as you continue this journey together. Welcome home, Eliana!
Blessings,
Kali
It has been a beautiful blessing following your journey. You have endured so much. This will only keep you forever humbled that together as a family you can do anything through God.
Best wishes to you all. We are glad to see you home ...forever.
Welcome home! I'm so happy for you all! Praise the Lord!
i so enjoyed the airport trip ... it is such a surreal experience ... God has been so good to bring them home and Eliana is just the most precious little thing i have ever seen and Lindsey has been changed forever ... I can just see it in her face ... I admire you both ... love ya
Welcome Home Miss Eliana!!!!
Looked like such an amazing homecoming!!!!
Enjoy every second of these first few weeks home!!!
I've been "blogstalking" you guys for awhile but just realized I've never left a comment! Congratulations to your precious family!! Eliana is such a doll. What an incredible story of God's goodness!
Mandy Osborne
This is so wonderful! Tracy and I are very happy for you guys. We can't wait to meet Eliana. We had our Embassy appointment today and get our visa tomorrow! Back in TN on Thursday. We can't wait. 2 1/2years on our journey to get our little guy home and it has been completely worth it!
Tim and Tracy Goodwin
familygoodwin.blogspot.com
An Amazing Journey! How awesome & Loyal God has been to all of you. I am so happy for each of you.
Congratulations on finally bringing your baby girl HOME! I check your blog daily. This will probably be one the hardest journeys you have overcome. But you HAVE overcome it and the reward is so great. The best thing is watching them sleep in their bed in their room. Cherish every moment as I know you will.
I've been following your blog for a long time and am so excited that this day has finally come. What a journey you've been on and what an amazing journey ahead!! So happy for all of you. And thank you for sharing your lives with all of us!
Anne Dicke-Griffin
(went to OBU with Chris)
Oh guys, how wonderful! I am so excited for you and have loved following Eliana's story! I know there is so much wonderful ahead! She is so so beautiful. I know your heart must be overflowing with joy!
Welcome Home!!!! I don't think I've ever commented but I link to your blog every once in a while through my cousin's to see how you are coming along on your journey and YEAH!!!! I was so excited to see this post. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Couldn't be happier for you two- can't wait to meet her! :)
-Mel
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