WE ARE IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sign at PGN....

The sign at PGN in Guatemala basically says that cases are not being released. A lot of people are freaking out right now.....but I am just begging the Lord for a miracle. We knew that this would not be an easy process.....but I really think it makes getting our kiddos home that much sweeter!!! Pray for the families that have been stuck for months and months....I can't imagine. Chris and I will be making some big decisions in the next few weeks.....pray for wisdom for us. We miss our sweet girl like crazy!!!

Love y'all,
Lindsey

P.S. I think we might be getting the coolest stroller ever! The store I work at is selling Bugaboos....we might get the "Bee"!!! :-)

New Necklace from JUNK POSSE!!!

Her words:
This Organically shaped Heart I have added the words "I Chose You" over and over again. I added a special circle tag with the name of a Sweet one on it. The Heart measures just over 1 inch and hangs from a 20 inch Beautiful Sterling Silver chain & clasp.

I cannot thank you enough Tracy for all that you have done for us and our sweet Eliana!!! YOU are SO GIFTED!!! Every time I go onto your web-site, I am blown away by your talent. I really have to restrain myself....because I could literally buy every single necklace!!!!!

Go visit her site on Etsy if you haven't already....click on the link on the right-hand side of our blog...called Junk Posse! You will be AMAZED!!!

Love y'all,
Lindsey

"I don't like formula....."

We just got this picture and an update from our agency this week. They switched her from whole milk back to formula.....and she doesn't like it one bit. Our little sweet girl is losing weight.....she is already SO TINY!!! Please pray for her health and weight to improve. She definitely likes what she likes. Like I said before, she is our Mayan Diva!!! Oh, I miss her face.

Love y'all,
Lindsey

A day in the life of my sweet hubby....

We set up Eliana's bed tonight!!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! It is so much better than I ever imagined. We spent some time praying over her bed and dedicating it to the Lord....it was really sweet. I will tell you about all of the room when it is ready. This weekend is dedicated to decorating (one of my favorite things). I can't wait to show y'all everything!!!


Chris and his friend Greg went kayaking today on their "solitude" day from church! Just thought I would let you know why his hair is SO FLAT in the baby bed picture. Chris is reading a book called "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters".....and is loving it. I can't wait to watch him be a father. He is such an incredible husband!!

Love you all,
Lindsey

News for all of us in PGN......

"The new Attorney General Baudilio Portillo Merlos took over yesterday. The new Sub Attorney General (replacing Barrios) is Attorney Flory de De Leon and she has already moved into the office. It appears she may be holding off making any critical decisions until the Constitutional Court rules. The new AG has requested an audit, as well.

What does this mean? Short term, cases that were simply waiting for Barrios' signature are going to be delayed because of the way the review process works and the audit. With a change of power comes delays in about any business or government entity. Expect an impact on all cases currently in PGN. Long term, we cannot predict what this will mean. As always, we hope that this appointment by Colom will mean a more efficient PGN."


Please be praying for Eliana and all of the other children in PGN!! Pray for a miracle!!! I am trying to give this to the Lord (like every other step), but it is a discouraging.

Love you all,
Lindsey

Update: I am feeling so much peace right now!!! I KNOW the Lord's timing is always best....so many times I think it should be one way, and His way always is better. It may not feel good at the time. But, I am just praising God today that Eliana is our little girl!!! It is going to be one big celebration when she comes home whether it is 3 months away or 8 months. Thanks for the verses and encouragement!!!

We love "The Biggest Loser"!

Yes, Chris and I are obsessed with "The Biggest Loser"! We both laugh and cry.....we love watching the transformations (WAY TO GO ALI!!!...this season's winner). The last few weeks I hit a low with my weight gain. Since June we have dealt with a lot....and I tend to eat when I am anxious. I want to be healthy for my sweet girl. So, I am really trying to change my habits. It has been tough but worth it.....it is a daily battle for me. Yesterday, Chris found out that Bob Harper (the trainer on the show) was doing a Q&A and book signing in our city!! YES!!!! It was just what I needed. He was awesome....and so encouraging! He told Chris he looked like he was in a band....and told us we looked like we were going to be very fun parents!! We had a blast. I am going to post the picture of Bob and me on my treadmill for motivation (since I can't afford a trainer)! Be praying for me.

Love you all,
Lindsey

P.S. We think we are in PGN but have not gotten the official word....we will let you know!! :-)

Miss you

Eliana,

Tonight, your daddy and I went to an amazing worship service outside.....it was so amazing!! There were a group of kiddos at the front singing and dancing.....and it made us long to have you right beside us. Get ready, we are probably going to embarrass you with our dancing (well, maybe your dad's dancing). We can't wait to watch you twirl around and sing to Jesus. We can't wait to have picnics with you and watch you chase around Polly. We are praying so much for you. You are about to head into PGN....and we are praying that you don't stay in their long. You turn one on July 6.....and I am praying that either you are home or we will be in Guatemala with you. We love you baby girl. We can't wait to have you home. We walk around always feeling like something is missing because you aren't here. WE MISS YOU!!

Love,
Mommy

Eliana at the Waterpark de Guatemala!!!

She has the goggles on one arm and the straw in her hand! How many 9 month old babies do you know that wear goggles at the waterpark??!! I love it!



No floaties....YIKES!!! Good thing she has that safe float to hold on to. :-) She is thinking.....where am I??? Her foster mom and daughters are great....they sent me these pics!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GETTING SO EXCITED FOR US ABOUT THE PA!!!!! Y'all are the best blog friends EVER!!! Her room is finally coming together....I can't wait to do the big reveal.

Love y'all,
Lindsey

TWO WORDS........PRE-APPROVAL!!!!!!!

We love you baby girl!!! You are almost home.....WE MISS YOU!!

Thank you for all of your prayers....next step is PGN.

Love y'all,
Lindsey

This picture is PRICELESS!!

This picture was taken on my sister's camera....IS IT NOT THE BEST??!?!?! Look at Eliana's smile (and my sister's smile is great too)!! Oh, I miss her so much!!! Keep praying....we have still heard nothing on the pre-approval.

Love y'all,
Lindsey

My New Ride

Well, here it is! Thank you to all who prayed we would find it! I am so excited...I love driving again! I'm a Jeep Man again! This photo is special... My Granddad Wheeler gave me my first Jeep (the green one the deer took) when I graduated High School. He and I took a photo together sitting on the back of it the day he gave it to me. He's gone to be with Jesus now...so we took this shot in his honor!
-Chris

Here's the story......

Rewind to Friday night....Chris and I decided at the very last minute to drive to Atlanta to buy his Jeep!! So, after working all week....we make it to Atlanta by about 12 or 1 in the morning. On a fun note....I LOVE priceline.com. I called my sis to priceline it for us....and we ended up with the Hyatt for $40. We got there...and the lady was so nice....oh, and she upgraded us to the penthouse suite. Yep, it was the NICEST hotel room we have ever been in.....and we were there for 7 hours (including sleep)! We wake up the next morning after sleeping 4 hours....and head to the car dealership. THE CAR IS INCREDIBLE!!! I will get Chris to tell you about it later; he is pretty proud of it!!!

It literally looks like no one has ever sat in the back seat EVER and it is a 2000 model. It is a HUGE GIFT from God!!! We paid our cash for it (from the wreck)...and headed back 4 hours to Nashville. Another side note, I love clothes and design. The night before I threw an outfit for work in my bag and forgot my shoes. It looked ridiculous. A black skirt....and cool shirt.....with BROWN flats........ON THE DAY I MET NICOLE KIDMAN!!

So, I drive into work EXHAUSTED!!!! Then, about an hour later, the door opens and I always look to say "hi" to the person. There is no telling what my facial expression was because I knew instantly it was Nicole. I started praying in my head over and over to not act like an idiot (I have been known to do that with celebrities...I will tell you about the Wynona Judd story some day)! I calmly walk over to her and start asking her what she is looking for. My hands are literally shaking. I realize she is human and a normal person.....but it still felt surreal. I have watched her accept an Academy award!! She told me that she needed jeans.....I told her perfect...that was my specialty!!! So, we found her about 4 different pairs of designer jeans. Her stylist was with her....I started just grabbing clothes. She is seriously BEAUTIFUL!!! No, I did not talk to her about how Keith was or how I am so glad she is not with Tom Cruise any more....but trust me, I wanted to. I had to be professional. These were her first maternity clothes to buy.....I told my family it was my finest moment as a retail manager.

So, the story does not have a lot of details.....but I woke up today feeling like it was a funny dream. We have had "stars" come into the store before....but she is the REAL DEAL! Congrats on your baby Nicole!!! :-)

Love,
Lindsey

Guess who I just helped at our maternity store?!!!!!!!!!........NICOLE KIDMAN!!!!!!

NICOLE KIDMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM STILL SHAKING!!!!!!!

I helped her pick out tons (and I mean tons) of maternity clothes........I AM STILL IN SHOCK!!!!!! I'll post more later....got to go and help more customers!!!!

Love,
Lindsey

ONE month until Mother's Day.....the PERFECT gift!!!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11....that is one month from today!!!!! Tracy Hanson is seriously one of the most talented, most genuine people I know. She has been SO GENEROUS to Chris and me!! I wear my two necklaces every single day! When we were staying in the hotel in Guatemala....a woman stopped me to comment on how beautiful my necklace was and asked where she could get it. I love that it symbolizes my love for Guatemala....and the country that my sweet baby was born in. Click on the Junk Posse link....she has a lot of different styles (and different countries)!!

Junk Posse

SHE ALSO HAS A SPECIAL.....BUY A PRESENT FOR MOM....AND YOU GET A FREE PAIR OF STERLING SILVER EARRINGS!!!!

Update on Eliana's Case.....

I haven't really talked much about Eliana's actual case....and I'm not sure why. Maybe it is because I feel so far behind other blog friends....or maybe it is because I am constantly just trying to take it day by day and TRUST. That is really hard for me to do....but, the Lord has really given Chris and me an unbelievable peace after our last trip. I cannot tell you all how much I miss her. It hurts. I see other babies that are 9 months old....and I long to have her right beside me. I want to hug and kiss her non-stop. I want to sing to her (I am terrible....but she doesn't know that yet). I tend to get funny, silly with her.....and I love it!! I feel so alive....and know that the Lord knew that she would be ours even before she was born. AMAZING!!! I am so grateful.

Eliana is through with DNA and family court.....and we have been waiting for pre-approval for about 35-40 days. I check my e-mail constantly! The second she gets her PA translated....she will head into PGN. We have an incredibly pro-active facilitator....and I have a good feeling that he knows people. I know it sounds ridiculous to want to be in PGN....but I am ready. I am READY TO GET HER HOME!!!

I am working on her room....and will post pictures soon (it has a vintage, Antigua theme)!!! I have the ideas in my head, and I really hope it ends up like I picture it. Too bad my sweet girl will not have pink in her room....but she will have TONS of fun colors.

I love you all....and I feel so blessed to have so many friends I have never even met!

Love,
Lindsey

P.S. Many of you have asked about Xio (to make a long story very short....I have been asked not to write or talk about her on the blog). E-mail me if you have any questions. We pray for her non-stop....and still pray for a miracle.

Want More Photos?

Here's a little montage of a few of our favorite pics with Eliana! Perhaps you can... but I can't seem to watch this without wanting to cry! I love her and I miss her and man am I proud of her!
-Chris
(By the way the song is by Christy Nockels of Watermark...pretty perfect huh!)

My two favorite people!

Yep, I have the best husband and best daughter in the world!!

Dear Eliana....

Eliana,
I can't even tell you how much your momma misses you! The last few days I have been working really hard to not be sad....but today it hit me. I miss you more than I could have ever imagined. I am so glad you have a sweet foster mom....but she wrote me yesterday to tell me that you were sad and missed us. Let's just say that your momma couldn't hold back the tears. I can't tell you what a gift of God you are to us. The Lord knew that we needed YOU sweet girl. You are our daughter in EVERY way! I love the way you laugh and talk. I love your dark hair....and beautiful big eyes. I love your sweet spoken voice. I love that you LOVE to cuddle. I miss having you fall asleep on my shoulders....you fit so perfectly there. I love that you are sassy....you and I are going to have so much fun shopping together someday. Your daddy can't wait to take you on dates....and have tea parties with you. We are really trying to make your room perfect....just for you. Please, dear Eliana, know that we love you with all of our hearts. We can't wait to bring you home. What a day of rejoicing that will be!! Until then, know that your mommy and daddy are praying for you constantly.....and that we feel so blessed that God has entrusted you to us. What a little bundle of JOY you are to us!!!!

Love you sweet thing,
Momma

Welcome Home Isabel!

Isabel (Herlinda),

We love you so much and are so excited that you are home!!! You have the most amazing family ever.....and they are SO BLESSED to have you as their daughter. You are so beautiful....you are so strong and patient!

Love you girlie,
Chris and Lindsey

P.S. "Herlinda es increible!" (picture Chris singing this to you)

Volcan de Fuego!

Isn't this amazing?! We woke up in Antigua the first morning....and mom looked out the window and said "the volcano is erupting." We laughed and thought she was joking! But, she wasn't. Chris almost broke his leg jumping over things trying to find the camera to take pictures. I wish you could have seen him.....hilarious!