Today's Quote 

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up.

I am a Christian

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should

Have to seek him first, to find her.

When I say...I am a Christian I'm not shouting I'm clean

Living. I'm whispering "I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say..."I am a Christian, I don't speak this with pride,

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... I am a Christian, I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... I am a Christian... I'm not bragging of

Success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my

Mess.

When I say... I am a Christian I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... I am a Christian... I still feel the sting of

Pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say...I am a Christian I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner.

Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as pretty does...but beautiful is just plain

Beautiful!

If we could save ourselves, then we wouldn't need a Savior! 

Today's Quote 

“Stay” is a charming word in a friend’s vocabulary.

Quack! Quack!

These little darlings where walking across the parking lot, and I stopped to admire their little wiggles and snapped this shot with the good faithful camera phone.  Aren't they precious? 

(click image to zoom)

Daily Christian Wisdom

She who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life.

Date Night with my Honey!!

 I just wanted to say that my husband and I haven't had anytime to ourselves in a very long time (10 months).  We (I) had a really hard pregnancy, we have had some struggles in our marriage and with the new baby and an active 7 year old.  We just never seem to slow down or stop.

I got a call on Monday night while Mark was driving from work. To my pleasant surprise,  I got asked out on a "date".  A real date!!! He said that he liked my list I posted a few days ago "How to have Fun with Him for Free."  And that he wanted to give #5 a shot, so to find a sitter and get out my 'Rolling Stones' shirt.  

So last night he picked me up after work and took me down to Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale. We had dinner at 'Big City Tavern'.  I had Veil with french fries (my weakness) and he went for the Pork Chops.  It was delicious. 

After that we went over to Riverfront to 'Tarpon Bend" for a couple of drinks and appetizer, since Mark didn't get one at the last place.  After that we headed over to 'Coyote Ugly' and played a game of pool.  The place was so empty, that we pretty much had it to ourselves. 

It being a school night and work night, we didn't stay out long.  We went home and snuck into the rooms of the kids to kiss and sniff their heads, one of favorite things to do before bed. Then off to bed we went ourselves.  

It was a perfect "first date" that I have had in a very long time.  Thank you very much honey for my date! 

I do have to say I am a bit upset that I didn't get a picture of us, considering I took my camera just for that reason.  But you can't blame me for I was actually there "with" my husband and lost in the moment of getting to know one another again.  We smiled, held hands, kissed, talked and laughed.  Just what a girl like me needs with the one person that matters the most to her. 

Since I know it is "a secret rule" to not post on blogs with out photos.... I found these via the internet for you!!!! And yes, I know that was not really a "free" night. However, it was a simple date just for us to get away by ourselves as a married couple. We didn't have to get all dressed up or make reservations.  We were on our own schedule, just the two of us.  And the bright side is that we did have a "FREE" sitter.  Thanks Val!!! 

Sweet Peas!

Morgan had Sweet Peas with her rice today.  Her first attempt of some real food (sort of). Although I didn't read the bottle where it says "to warm the food up".  She didn't seem to mind it much at all just as it was.  I mean come on look at her face, what is that saying to you? LOL

In these next two shots, she has this big smile on her face.  Why? Because she was making some, um, I don't know, some strange noises???.... and when she saw me looking at her and I started to laugh at her, she cracked up too.  This went on for a few until her "business" was done!!!!  

Speaking of "business".... do husbands really have a clue as to what we mommies manage at our day/night jobs? My husband sent me an IM saying "I hope you have a good day!" the other day. Just when this happened: AN EXPLOSIVE DIAPER!!!! Sigh!!!! 

 

My baby is getting mobile

It seems that when ever we have a visit with Morgan's doctor and he asks if she is doing such-n-such (i.e. rolling over in full, eating cereal, sleeping through the night).  Most of the time the answer is "yes, she already doing that and that and that." 

And some how we got on the subject of the crib, that it probably is about time to remove the blankets and stuff from the crib, because before you know it she will be rolling all over in her bad in her sleep and when awake.  You don't want her to get twisted in the blankets. Well she ended up not feeling well that afternoon and wanted to sleep and sleep, probably due to her shots she had.

I hadn't had the chance then to get her some long pj's, she normally sleeps in a onsie with a blanket.  I went in while she was napping and sure enough this is how I found her.  Later on that day before bedtime I put her in there while I went to get her bottled warmed up, she had destroyed her entire bed, taking down the mobile, her blankets and stuffed animals.  When I looked over at her with the camera she game me that look.  LOL

So needless to say, everything is out of her crib and I got her some long pj's.  Speaking of....these pj's I got her from Walmart are a size 6 months.  I thought for sure they would fit. I get home, open them up and then after the fact they were already open, I noticed it says weight "10-16 lbs".  What?  At six months, 10-16 lbs!!!  Morgan just turned 5 months and is 18.7 lbs already.  Well they fit her, but fit her REALLY snugged.  They will have to do until I get her some more.  

PS:  For the last 5 nights now she has been waking up several times during the night because she rolls herself over while sleeping and it scares her.  In which in return scares me, for I jump to my feet before my eyes can even open when the scream comes through on the monitor. Makes my heart race!  I am feeling REALLY tired lately!!! 

I tried to let her put herself back to sleep, but she just ends up really mad and yelling.  Any suggestions? 

Her feet are where her head started! 

Here she some how wiggled her way to the other end of her crib! 

Just pics from day at beach last Sunday -

Just when Val was about to take our picture, this lady walking by

stops and says "what a beautiful mommy you are and your kids are precious"

as you can see we all had the same response HU? 

I have to admit I like the picture above, because I got about 5 

other shots that looked similar to this one.  Sigh! 

Finally, after a little threatening to ground him from his DS he smiled for this one shot.

Isn't he beautiful? Horrible shot me of though, O'well! 

Although Payton is smiling here, she was pretty tired and cranky this afternoon,

like a rockstar she stayed up late at a friends house the night before! 

Morgan is surely a girl, seems she always has something to say

and she says it with such conviction, look at that face.

Just chill'n and tak'n it e-z

So far I am very fortunate that Morgan can relax enough to eat....

and fall asleep at pools and the beach.  JUST PRECIOUS!!!

Hunter's "Ball" Talent

Hunter is all around an athletic kid.  I mean look at these pictures. He has a body of a 18 year (well okay no really), but his is defined like any other kid his age I know.  Crazy! 

At the beach this weekend, he was showing off some of his foot and head talent with a volleyball.  

After getting Morgan to sleep we played a little volleyball back and forth!  He loves volleyball (that's my boy).  We sat next to some of my volleyball buddies (2 on 2 beach style) and he just loves to watch them.  I miss playing so much. I think it's time I get back out there a couple times a month at least.

Bakugan Brawl Part 2

Hunter came home from school Monday and we were doing homework, talking about his day at school and his upcoming birthday. I pretty much know already what he is asking for this year on his birthday (anything related to Bakugan). 

During our conversation we decided to go online and look at some Bakugan items that he is interested in, one being the actual Bakugan battle tray.  I didn't even know it existed because Hunter is so creative he actually designed his own, cut it out of paper, taped it and colored it himself.  

As we were looking over things, my blog page popped up because it is set as my "home page" when you hit the internet browser. He saw the name Bakugan Brawl and the picture I posted for that post.  He quickly stopped me in my tracks to go any further, for he had to see what that was he just saw.  I told him that I shared with everyone on our family site our Bakugan battle, and told everyone how he beat me.  He asked me to read it to him and so I did.  When I was finished he had such a proud smile on his face (I love that look on him).  He said "great story mom, and its okay if you didn't win, you played great." Gotta love kids!

Well, after we were done Hunter went to his room to play, he came back to me about 20 minutes later with a note book.  He had wrote his own story of our battle that took place.  It so cute.  He asked me to read it out loud and two things wonderful come from this...1.  I can actually read clearly what he writes, he has beautiful writing and like his mommy he enjoys writing without leaving out details.  2. He feels so big and proud (as he should) knowing he wrote that and that I can read it.  It's like it confirms that he has reached "big kid" land.

It seemed no matter how I tried to get a picture of this letter he wrote (scanning, taking a picture of it), I couldn't get it to come out all that clear.  Here is what it says:

Bakugan's by Hunter #1 (that his his number in his homeroom class - its a habit to put it on his papers)

(page 1)

Bakugan brawl comes from the word bakugan brawlers

its a fun game

there are 6 types fire, water, wind, ground, dark and nonsens ( nonsense)

I like dark I have 33 bakugan and 37 cards I like to battel (battle) my mom

she is very good for a girl (thanks son) 

she has battel'd (battled) me 3 times she has beet (beat) my best bakugan 

thats so cool she likes wind types because they are strong and they are green

and the cards are medal inside it's cool.  

(page 2)

As you now no (know) me and my mom like to brawl

well we brawled last night

I won so what (underlined it) she is good for a mom

she almost beet (beat) me

she is so good. she is in my club (yes the Bakugan Club!)

she is a wind type she is so cool

she beet (beat) 3 of my bakugans she so good 

she use'es (uses) my bakugans she has straduges (strategies).

Daily Christian Wisdom -

You’ve got to believe that God is in control of your life. It may be a tough time but you’ve got to believe that God has a reason for it and he’s going to make everything good.

Bakugan Brawl

In case you are wondering what the heck "Bakugan Brawl" is, let me explain.  For those mommies with boys between the ages of 6-10 years of age, I can safely assume you have heard this phrase and maybe have had your own battle or two.  

Bakugan Battle Brawlers (爆丸バトルブローラーズ Bakugan Batoru Burōrāzu^?) is an anime series about the lives ofBakugan and the battle brawlers who have the deep power to wield them. A strategic card game played with magnetic, spring-loaded marbles created by Sega Toysand Spin Master.^[1] The series debuted in Japan on TV Tokyo on April 5, 2007.The show had its North American debut in July 2007; 2007 onTeletoon in Canada. The show had its USA debut on Cartoon Network on February 24, 2008. "Bakugan" airs on Fried Dynamite Saturday and Sunday mornings.^[2] The show is a co-production from Nelvana Limited, Spin Master, Sega toys,Sega Corporation, TMSEntertainment, andJapan Vistec, the last two of which provide the show's animation.^[3]

So I have had my own battle or two with my son.  I have never won, which is the way my son prefers it. He plays me as if I already know the rules, the names, the strategy, or the game all together.  Well, I don't! In fact I am pretty clueless when it comes to this game or Pokemon battles.  Google that one if you do not have a son into Pokemon's. Anyways, when Hunter gets hooked on something, it is all he is consumed with.  Bakugan on TV, DS, Computer and Toys.  You have to collect them all - mom! 

So last night we had a battle, in which by the way if I do not put a time limit on how long the game can last, strangely enough it can go on and on and on, because so many "new" rules some how come in to play as we go along.  Yes, his is very creative!!! So I put a 20 minute time limit on it last night before it was time for bed.  I have to say that typically when he asked me to battle him, I say "yea later honey" in hopes that he forgets and doesn't ask again.  I say he lets me slip maybe 1% of the time, for the most part I am reminded that I "promised" him.  Really, I said I promise, honey?  (smiling) Last night however, was actually pretty fun.  I was finally getting the hang of it, remembering stuff from previous battles, in which would catch him off guard and I would give him that look like "your not cheating me on this one buddy".  He would just smile. Its also a great game for math. You are always adding subtracting G's and powers.  Hunter can add these high numbers in his head pretty fast. I love watching his mind think.  He was very gentle to me with my lost, kept complimenting for winning the battle of his best Bakugan, giving me a high five, and telling me "great battle mom".  Yea I am cool, mom - - sometimes!!! 

Although I still lost last night, I was able to win and collect my first 3/6 of his Bakugan's.  Yea me!! Gotta love little boys!!!! 

 

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. 

I Believe in Us

Dear Mark:

I believe in hope
I believe in dreams
After all these years these sweet and bitter tears, do you believe in me
I believe in time and I believe in trust
so darling don't let go cuz baby all I know is I believe in us

All the things you talk to me or all the things that love should be
and I bless the day that you came to me 
I know sometimes we lose our way
and we say things we don't mean to say
you hold my heart within your hand 
I believe that life is full of twist and turns 
and baby all this pain
is just like summer rain
its the only way we learn
and I believe that pain will lead us back to love
so darling don't let go cuz baby all I know is I believe in us

Heaven knows where reckless angels go we fall so low
thats what it is to walk that far holding **** forever more 
Do you believe in heaven, cuz the best is yet to come 
and we have come to far to let it fall apart
Baby don't give up, 
darling don't let go cuz baby all I know is I believe in us

I believe in us
I believe in you, I believe in me 
I believe that we were meant to be 

Lyrics by: Amy Sky 

Have Fun with Him for Free

1. Park your car in a secluded place and kiss like you were in high school. Crank slow jazz, roll back the seats, and fog up those windows, baby!

2. Board games aren't b-o-r-i-n-g if you play them right. Put a naughty twist on a classic and invent something fun, like strip checkers — each time one of you jumps a chip, the other person has to peel off an article of clothing. Hey, everyone wins!

3. Does your city boast world's largest ball of twine or perhaps a chicken with a human face? Visit weirdus.com to discover strange stuff in your area. Then go eyeball the bizarre findings with your man. Bring your camera!

4. Peruse yellowpages.com to find the number of a local wine shop. Call to see if they offer free tastings (many do!), and then make a day of it. 

5. Put on a ratty concert tee and ripped jeans and head to a dive bar. While you're jamming to Bon Jovi on the jukebox, challenge your guy to a game of darts and, okay, spring for a $1 draft.

6. Flag your dream home in the real estate section of the newspaper. Then do a fantasy walk-through with "The Mister" during an open house.

7. Rock the house on the house. Type the words free concert along with your town and state into the search engine kaxy.com to find a gratis gig in your neck of the woods. Great bands play at no cost on occasion, so there's a good chance you'll get lucky.

8. Have an urban campfire. Fire up a hibachi on the front stoop or in the backyard; grab a box of graham crackers, a couple of chocolate bars, a bag of giant marshmallows, and two skewers and roast s'mores in the great outdoors.

9. Head to the court with your guy and play hoops. Practice free throws and three-pointers before asking him to help you perfect your layup.

10. Take an architectural tour of a nearby city. Spend a few minutes researching the buildings online and then go visit them in person. You may have passed by cool sites you'd never even noticed.

David Vance Photography -

Okay so it's that time of year again (for me and other models).  That time of year where we have to do photo 'test' shoots to have new updated photos of ourselves for new composite cards for the season and our portfolio.  Reason being, is that models will leave pictures on their comps from years ago (Im just as guilty), but some models will show up and not even look like their own composite card.  So therefore clients and agencies make sure you have current photos on your comp and in your books to submit to clients.

Anyways, I have shot with one of my all time favorite photographers, David Vance, for years here in Miami.  I try to shoot with him at least every 2 years.  We always have a great time, I always know my pictures will look great and I just love him and his work.  

Yesterday I came up with something a little creative, something I have always wanted to do, but never really thought to "do it". And that was to shoot something pretty and simple with a horse.  Trying to keep away from the typical "beach" photos you get here in Miami.  So I was able to locate this beautiful horse named Delilah.  She is a grandma horse at the age of 23 years old.  She was a true beauty, very calm and patient with us.  Here are just some of the shots we got from David yesterday.  Thank you David as always for your amazing talent.  

David Vance Photography 

www.davidvance.com

(click on image to zoom)

I'm making bloggie friends -

I am so surprised by how many people find your blogs through other blogs and you find blogs the same way.  Then you leave a comment or someone will leave one for you.... before you know you have made some blog friends.  I am loving it.  In fact I found this little prayer on another mommy's blog that found me on someone else's blog and left a comment.  I then checked her and found this and loved enough to share here:

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day

With little time to stop and pray

For life's been anything but calm

Since You called on me to be a mom

Running errands, matching socks

Building dreams with building blocks

Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes

And other stuff that children lose

Getting lids on bottled bugs

Wiping tears and giving hugs

A stack of last week's mail to read

So where's the quiet time I need?

Yet when I steal a minute, Lord

Just at the sink or ironing board

To ask the blessings of Your grace

I seen then, in my small one's face

That you have blessed me

All the while

And I stop to kiss

That precious smile....

Post #201

Daily Christian Wisdom

If you get busy serving God, you're too busy to sin. 

Dear Butterfly -

My Dearest Morgan (Butterfly)-

Today you are 5 months old. Where did the time fly, Butterfly? Look at this face in this picture. You have no idea the joy and the love you bring into the lives of those around you. You are so loved.

Today you weighed 18.7 pounds. That is in the 95th percentile in weight. You were 27 1/2 long, and the doctor says you are "off the charts" basically in your height. Way to go big girl!! We told everyone we were working on that 100th percentile, if there is such a thing. You have the chance to be really tall like daddy baby girl.

You are doing everything you are suppose to be doing at this age. You are so strong. You hold you head up really strong. You are rolling from back to tummy and back over again. You are laughing and so aware of what is around you. Ah... your laugh Butterfly, your laugh is joyful to hear. It is really one of my favorite things about you. I love the glow in your eyes when you are excited and the sound you make right before you know you are about to be tickled before letting out your giggle. Sometimes I will laugh from your laugh, and then you start to laugh even more and then I laugh more. That is how contagious your smile and laugh are.

You want to crawl so badly and you love to stand on your feet. One of your favorite games that daddy loves to play with you, is the game where he lays you on the bed, lets you hold his fingers and then we count "One, Two and Three" and pull you up to where you stand up on your own two feet. You always have this proud excited face with your mouth in a wide oval shape. You are such a happy baby girl.

You have been sleeping in your bed for a little over a month now and doing really well. Sometimes you sleep through the entire night now, and then there are still other nights you wake up just long enough to drink a bottle. I don't mind those 3 AM feedings, for you are so peaceful then, half asleep as I rock you and stare at you while you eat. Once you are done eating I could put you back in your crib, but sometimes I just sit there and rock you a little longer, just to hold you a little longer and smell you a little longer. One of daddy's favorite sounds are your little breathing sighs, the ones you do in little patterns, settling yourself in right before you drift off to sleep.

You still love your baths baby girl. However we do need to get you a new bathtub or come up with something creative, for you are no longer able to stretch your legs out in your little infant tub we have now. You really are such a big girl.

You have been eating cereal for over a month now too and doing really well with it. Your doctor gave us the okay today to start giving you real food. So I am looking forward to the messy feedings coming up when we try veggies (yes, veggies first Butterfly), although we know you already like popsicles (Thanks Daddy!).

Let's see, right now you are over there on your play mat reaching at the objects hanging from the top. You have two band-aids on, one one each thigh, for you were given two shots at your check-up today. The doctor said that you were boring, that everything was A-OKAY PERFECT. So that was a doctors compliment for a beautiful healthy girl. Although he says your heart murmur could still be heard, and something that may just be apart of your life forever. It is normal he says!!!

My Butterfly, I just want to write here today for all to know and read. Something that I will print and save for you to one day read on your own. Morgan, you have changed my life forever. Forever in such a beautiful and blessed way. I thought I wanted boys, and could never imagine myself with girls (or a girl). And then here you are today. GODS plans are always so much bigger and better. When I look at you or simply just have a thought run though my head that "I HAVE A LITTLE GIRL", I get tears in my eyes. I love you and your brother so much. I love the fact that I can love you like my little girl, and your brother like my little boy. You both have such very unique and special places permanently in my heart.

Things are different for me raising you than they were when your brother was this age. When I had Hunter I was only 21 years old. Still a child myself! I was single, living far away from my own family and raising a baby on my own. I was doing all that I could for work to survive and be the best mommy I could be for him. Today, I have been blessed so abundantly. I have been blessed with your daddy. Your daddy loves me so much and he loves our family, our growing family. I have a beautiful family to love and live my life with. A family that loves me so much. So much that I often feel like I am being pulled in so many directions, struggling to make sure I give each and everyone of you my undivided attention and love when you each need it the most. It is hard sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. And because of all these blessings mommy gets to stay home and take care of you one-on-one. I love it! We have our little bond!

Did I mention that your eyes are a deep as the ocean and as blue as the sky? You are going to mezmerize so many with those eyes. I love the smell of your breath, even if you did just puke all over me for the 20th time of the day. Your drool is cold and wet, but it's you and I love it. You even look precious when you scrunch up your face when you start to fuss or get mad. I know when you are just fussing and when you are really upset. When you are upset you have this higher pitch to your cry. I would know it instantly if I heard it across the room. You are still experiencing some separation anxiety. However you love mommy, daddy, your brother and Aunt Val. I guess because you see these faces every day. We can't leave you just yet with anyone else. We tried the nursery at the church and it wasn't even 20 seconds I walked away and could hear you screaming down the hall. I stood outside the door for a couple of minutes where you couldn't see me to see if you would settle in, but you wouldn't. I ended up taking you inside with me and you didn't like the loud music and hid your face in daddy's shoulder and neck. When the music stopped you were comfortable enough to let mommy feed you a bottle and you sat with us the entire time with no fuss. I guess just thankful we didn't leave you in that room. (smiling)

I feel so protective of you little girl. You are strong, but you are still so fragile. A little miracle. Your hair is coming in more each day and looks like it will be a little strawberry blonde color. Daddy says you have mommy's hair, but your head shape and hair texture to me looks like daddy's. Its always funny to hear us talking about what you have from who? Daddy is certain you have my lips, but one glance at you and the first thing people say is "she looks like daddy". I mean both of my kids look like their dads, except for the blue eyes. Did I have anything to do with much of anything else other than delivering you guys?

Well my princess, you are now getting really fussy and so I can no longer focus on this letter. I just want you to know that I love you and I love your chunky thighs your facial expressions, your everything. Thank you for coming into my life, I am forever thankful and blessed to know you, my BUTTERFLY!!!

Today's Quote 

I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.

Lets Compare -- I'm 5 months old now!!!

We are going in today for our 5 month check up.  However I took some recent pictures of her in her bathtub and my mouth dropped once I noticed this difference.  What a huge difference from 2 weeks old to 20 weeks old.  

Morgan Paige Baniewicz 

Two weeks old

20 weeks old

My Photography -

This is Lauren.  She is the daughter of a friend of mine, Kelly and Barry Funk.  She is going to school full-time right now in Orlando, but has interest in modeling.  She made the National College Calendar, but turned it down because of the restrictions they were putting on the girls to sell a certain amount of calendars. Well, her mom got her in touch with me to seek out a better direction for modeling.  I told her I would shoot her and get her in touch with some agencies, for I wanted the experience with my photography and she needed to save money.  

Everyone thought the pictures turned out great. In fact I have now gotten her with 3 agencies, she has already worked one job and is booked on another job at the end of the month.  The agencies loved the photos as well and now feel confident sending me referrals of new models looking to test to get photos for their portfolio and composite cards.  I am very excited about this and yet I still have a very long ways to go with learning my way around my camera.  Check out my recent photography test.