Gerson & Elviz -- July 2008

I think these are some great pictures of these beautiful boys!

Cooper is OUT!!!!

This incredibly handsome little man got out of PGN this week -- Thank you, God!!!!

I tell you, Cooper Nelson is the cutest little thing. He's got dimples and a sweet smile . . . and a rascally little personality to go with them! I am so happy for him and his great BIG family!!! We are still praying for one more out to come for them very soon :)

Way to go, Cooper! You've blazed a trail right out of PGN, now hopefully your brother and my boys will follow your lead :)

Please continue to pray for all of the other cases that are waiting and waiting . . . I would love to see them all get good news just like Cooper!

June & July 2008

One reason why we may not be the best neighbors :)

PG's version of relaxation

Hanging out with Lillith

Cruising around the housePlaying at the park

Just having fun :)Giggling with Daddy!!!
Sitting Pretty :)

Giggling with Momma

Loving bath time!

Brayden's version of relaxation :)

Blog Backgrounds

Here are the sites that I used to figure out how to do my own free blog background --

1) www.thecutestblogontheblock.com -- I started here. I was going to use one of their free designs, but I didn't like it very much. . . so I read their tips and started trying to figure it out.

2) www.bloggingbasics101.com -- Lots of easy to understand directions for how to do things!

3) www.getpaint.net -- This is a free photo editing software that you can download. Getting comfortable with this software was the hardest step for me.

4) www.digiscrapdepot.com -- This site has lists of freebies. You can do an internet search for "digital scrapbooking freebies" and find lots of things, but this site has a large collection of links all in the same place. You can also purchase kits for small amounts, but I was trying to go totally free here :)

5) www.photobucket.com -- Free storage of your images.

Now, let me say that for silly ol' me there was a HUGE learning curve when I was trying to figure out how to make a header, background, and signature for the first time. Lots and lots of trial and ***error***. The second (current) style took much less time, but it is still pretty basic so maybe that is why. A couple of days after I did the second style, I had to change the background from the dots to what's there now b/c Michael said it made him dizzy. That was easy b/c I actually knew what I was doing :) However, I am sure that other people could have picked up on stuff much faster than me - especially the photo editing software!

I liked figuring it out on my own so that I can change it when I want to, but if you have a little extra $ to spend I still think it is worth it to go with the pros for a blog design!

I Couldn't Resist --

Posting this picture!

Brayden loves fish, and he has a serious jealousy thing going on about hair accessories. So when he saw this bow, he had to wear it!!!

Go to www.dahollygbow.com to get your own super cute bows :)

Thank you Holly G!!

Gerson & Elviz July Pictures

Goodness, these boys are handsome! I miss them like crazy. Oh, how I wish that I was there or they were here!!! I am trying to think positively and to believe that every day gone by is one day closer to them coming home. Tomorrow marks 9 months that we have been in PGN. Think good thoughts and say it with me -- nine months closer . . . nine months closer . . . nine months closer . . .

Gerson Misael

Elviz Eliezer

Brayden's Own Post

This is Brayden. He is sweet and gorgeous. He is apprehensive and timid, but once he warms up to someone, he will melt their heart forever. Brayden loves to run, jump, and throw. He likes music, and the boy has rhythm! His favorite movies are Cars and Happy Feet, and he loves to play with my hair when I rock him at bedtime. Words cannot describe this boy, because he is simply amazing.Brayden is curious and inquisitive. He likes to know how things work, and he works hard to figure things out. He can get into anything and out of everything. He out smarts gates, drawer locks, door knob covers, and his parents. He's a master climber and has really good balance!

I love my "Bear" more than words could ever say. He is my baby boy :)

Side note - Yes, he is eating a bowl of Cocoa Dyno-bites and a powdered donut . . . healthy, I know.

Parker's Own Post

This is Parker. She is wild and happy. She is unbelievably smart and incredibly cute. She giggles all of the time. She loves CoCo, shoes, and her brother. If her best bud happens to leave her sight, she wanders around calling out "Nuh-ner, Nuh-ner" until she finds him.

There has never been a picture taken that captures just how pretty Parker is. . . I think I said that when she was a baby, and it is still true today. I'm guessing it is because pictures can't capture her happy little personality :)

My little "Boots" is the sweetest baby girl, and I just love her so much :)

On a side note - I would just like to say that my family has given Parker some of the cutest clothes :) The outfits in these 3 pics (and many others on the blog) are gifts from her aunts!

(Early) FFF - I Miss These Guys

3 Things My Babies Love

#1 - Brayden loves Thomas. I don't think he has let this Thomas out of his sight since GG bought it for him on Sunday. My mom loves to waste money on toys get special gifts for the kids.

#2 - Parker loves Brayden's blanket. She loves anything silky or soft, so she always runs to this blanket when she goes into brother's room.

#3 - They both love the closet doors in their rooms. They play a little game trying to trap one another on either side of the doors. It is really funny!

Sometimes Brayden forgets that he is playing :)

Sometimes there is a timeout so that PG can make sure that she still has her adorable baby physique :)

And sometimes they just relax with a few of their favorite things :)