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!