naturallyestes

Holy Cheez-Its!!!!

2012-02-01T21:19:00.000-06:00

Last week I had a product photo shoot Peas & Carrots with the lovely Kelly, Isabelle (her adorable daughter), and Paisley!

To tell you these pictures turned out great is an understatement! I'll leave you with a little sneak peak with some of the FABULOUS photo collages!!

NEW PRODUCTS!!!!

The Paisley Covered Button Earrings!!

The Lucy Headband!!

The Tabby!!

The Eloise Multi-Rosette Necklace!!

The Ruby Headband!!

The Hadley!!!

(the headband I'm wearing is The Penelope!!)

and....

The Capri Tuxedo Bow!!!

These are of course just a few of the fun pictures she took!!!
And I can't wait to show you the rest!!!

Thanks again Kelly, you're simply the best!!

It's just SO hard...

2012-01-31T14:15:00.001-06:00

...hanging out with this kid!!

NOT!

Here is a little impromptu photo shoot with Sweet Penelope from the other day. She was in SUCH a good mood, but really, she's always seems to be in a good mood!

THANK THE LORD!

I just LOVE this little girl!!!

Penelope is mostly call Nelope...because when she was first born that is how Titus would say her name! It was/is the cutest thing and it just stuck! haha!

Our sweet Nelope Kaye!

Even though she is a petite baby (I don't even know what to do with little babies, haha!) she doesn't really look like it. Penelope is also one tough little cookie though...she hats to sit, always wants to stand, and you can NEVER lay her in one spot and expect her to be there when you walk back into the room! She will most-likely be halfway across said room...she LOVES to roll!

Really, where has my baby gone?!?!

These days are SO precious with her and I couldn't be more thankful that God gave her to us!

And just because I know you want another Nelope fix...here she is!!

You're welcome!

To the Man...

2012-01-27T15:23:00.000-06:00

...With Huge Hands...

just

want

say

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I just wish you wouldn't be so serious all the time...geez! haha!

We Love you Gpops!!

Hit that Line, Hit that Line...

2012-01-25T15:05:00.002-06:00

Since I'm playing catch up on the blog, I thought I'd start with my Christmas present!!!

(via)

I CANNOT tell you how excited I was to get to go!!! I mean, it seriously was meant to be since we live in DFW and our Razorbacks made it to the Cotton Bowl.

How could I miss it?!?!?

Sam and I before the game!

(I was already declaring victory, ha!!)

So excited to see that Tusk made it to the game!

I follow "tusk_IV" on twitter...obviously not the real Tusk, but I like to think it is, because that guy is HI-LAR-IOUS!!!

In my book, I just took a picture with a celebrity!

Oh yeah, Felix Jones spoke to the AR crowd!!!

As well as JERRY JONES...you know, the OWNER of the Cowboys!!

OH.EM.GEE!!

I saw this little Arkansas crazed boy and I HAD to take a picture with him!

When I asked the dad if it was okay, he responded,

"Well you can take a picture of him, if you'll take one WITH him also."

Haha!!!

The dad was SO trying to hook his son up!

Now, here is the important part...especially to us southern ladies.

The attire.

Clearly, there were some hits and misses.

I'll let you be the judge.

The break down:

1. LOVED this shirt "If you call them, They will come." It's a play off of the movie "Field of Dreams"

2. This girl had on the CUTEST sweater with a sequined Razorback!

3. umm...okay. Sprayed red hair, cut off shirt, daisy dukes with black spandex underneath, and high tops.

4. & 5. This man had red dress pants on with white razorbacks...kinda digging that!

6. Back to the redneck AR fans...this man's shirt "If you don't bleed Hog Wild red then take you B*$%#H A$$ home." Oh-so-classy.

7. Here is the khaki version of number 4...and I REALLY like these!!

8. & 9. Not only did each piece of this lady's attire have a different red, BUT she was crazy drunk even before the game started!!! (per picture 9) Hog hat, sequin top, tight red jeans, and sequin Ugg boots. TACKY!

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But now onto the game!!!

I LOVED being able to cheer on my hogs in person!!!

Especially since WE WON!!!!!!!!

(via)

What a GREAT way to end our 2011 season and all I can say is,

BRING IT ON 2012!!!

Whatcha think?!?!

2012-01-24T14:14:00.002-06:00

So ummm....

It's been awhile since I've made it back to my little slice of the internet.

For good reason! I've been BUSY!

But what else is new, right?!? Haha!

Anyway, I PROMISE to update you on all the fun/crazy/unbelievable things going on in the Estes world, BUT I first wanted to see what you thought about my new blog design?!?!

I. Am. In. Love.

Seriously, the bright colors, fonts, and how can you go wrong with family pictures?!?! (You SO need to click around and see all the new features!!)

The FABULOUS Jessi Connolly from Naptime Diaries is to thank for this yummy blog greatness! She owns an Etsy shop where she specializes in scripture prints. (P.S. I totally ordered like 15 of her prints...no lie!) But she couldn't pigeon hole her talent so she expanded into blog and business design!!!

Did ya notice my business has a new look!!!

HOLLA!!!!

(Don't forget to grab my *new* blog and shop button for your blog!!...they are over on the sidebar!)

Please, do yourself a favor and check her out!!!

Also, how could I NOT thank the lady behind my amazing family pictures?!?! Kelly, you REALLY are the BEST!!!!!

Christmas Recap in Pictures!

2012-01-03T09:45:00.001-06:00

Because I am SO far behind on actually posting about Christmas, I figured I'd just let the pictures speak for themselves!

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The weekend before Christmas, Penelope had her acting debut as baby Jesus!

(Mary and Joseph happened to be my parents, haha!)

And here is our tree on Christmas Eve...

Presents on the left our for our "little" family of six, and the presents on the right were for when the rest of my family came over on Christmas!

Big difference, huh?!?!

Let's just say we were all blessed by an abundance of gifts! ;)

Gifts from Santa...using their new stockings I made!!

(P.S. I didn't get them all the way finished...and the kids didn't care, ha!)

Now for presents!

I forgot to take pictures of Penelope's gifts, probably because I was the one to open them, ha!

But here is some of our little cutie!

Sam pulled off the surprise of a lifetime with his gift!!!

He is well known for not being able to keep gifts a secret...but this year he held out!

Great job honey!

This is what I received:

(Though he is SO sweet, and I love his effort on creativity...I don't think he'll be opening an Etsy store for his artwork andy time soon! ;))

It reads:

"There once was a Princess with heart.

(A Christmas card for Brittany Estes)

She made beautiful works of art,

Loved the 'backs & her family.

Even her sister who doesn't fart.

*Side Note: I'll let you guess which sister, haha!*

Her family loved her,

Especially her lover."

"Even to the point of doing things under cover,

Planning, saving, doing everything they could

Because she always seemed to put them above her.

So they came up with something GREAT!

Planning since November,

And setting the bait.

Making it just right,

They are ready to reveal the Date..."

(the number part of this kinda confused me, basically 1 + 6 + 12 = 19...1 - 6 - 2012)

"If you add the numbers together you'll get 19.

Minus off twelve (the year) you'll be thinking keen.

Just seven left, now you're thinking right?

Your final hint:

Not our mattress,

Or box spring...

But in between.

GO..."

And this is what I found:

We're going to the COTTON BOWL!!!!!

Does my man know me or what?!?!

.........................................................

We had a great Christmas and were immensely blessed with gifts, but the greatest gift of all was the one long ago. The birth of Christ our Savior!

*More posts to come as I play catch up!*

All I Want For Christmas....

2011-12-28T21:29:00.003-06:00

...is my ~~two front teeth.~~ front tooth.

A little over a year ago we (I mean Ethan), had a little mishap.

Since then we have monitored his teeth, making sure they weren't loose (he's not supposed to lose them yet), discolored, or forming abscesses on the gums.

So for the past year this hypochondriac mother OBSESSED over those little suckers...we even took a trip back to the dentist a week after his accident because I noticed one of his teeth were getting darker. (We were told that could mean the tooth was dying.)

I had visions of him losing both front teeth and being a walking redneck joke, ha! Or paying out the wazoo to have a root canal done with implants that would ultimately be taken out when his big teeth needed to come in.

Both sounded like nauseating options to me!

The dentist said it only looked like his tooth was bruised, but we wouldn't know for sure until up to a year. However, the tooth would always stay dark...yuck! (he looked oh so classy!)

As the year passed, we thought his teeth were in the clear....until last week when I noticed a pimple like abscess on his gums.

My heart sank...

...and I called the dentist. He was so great to get us in on the Thursday before Christmas. But because of scheduling both Sam and I couldn't go with Ethan...so I decided Sam should go. It ripped my heart in two to not be there with him, but I thought Sam would be more level headed and really grasp what the dentist was saying, as well as make the right decision if needed.

After an x-ray it was clear we had lost the battle with one tooth. (I know, it's such a dramatic thing..."lost the battle", haha!) That meant he would need it pulled......and they did it that day. Sam text me and told me the decision and I started to panic, sweat, cry, freak out. I was a HOT MESS!! (Obviously it was a good thing I wasn't there, ha!)

Here is my brave boy moments before ~~they ripped his tooth out of his mouth~~ he lost a tooth.

Sam said he wasn't nervous at all, partially because Sam coached him on this being a possible outcome. (The dentist was even impressed with how calm and knowledgable Ethan was about all of this, ha!)

What a good daddy!

Apparently Sam had to sign a waver saying the he wouldn't take photos during the procedure...so he snuck some quick pics right after!

That's my man!

For what I hear it only lasted a few minutes, but being at home waiting to hear what was going on seemed like HOURS!!

Ethan never cried once, as a matter of fact he was watching cartoons while the dentist was doing his thing. He actually asked the dentist to move because he was blocking his view, ha!! And after it was all said and done, Ethan was insistent that I posted about his tooth on his blog...yep, that's my kid!

And this is what my FIVE year old looks like now.

Yeah, you may be thinking what I'm thinking,

"I thought the dark tooth would have been the goner."

Nope, we weren't so lucky...that tooth is still hanging on.

For now!

So not only does this huge hole in his mouth where a tooth should be draw attention, but after that shock wears off you're drawn to the nasty dark tooth beside the hole.

Precious.

Really, I'm destined to live in a trailer park, in rural Arkansas, with dead animals as decorations.

I pray it will at least be a double wide, thank-you-very-much!

A Picture Is Worth a THOUSAND Words!

2011-12-19T21:18:00.003-06:00

Really.

When you think about it, if you don't take the time to photograph loved ones, events, etc. then you will NEVER remember it the same way! Slowly but surely all the details will fade away and be lost.

Just like our trip to this local farm last month. Even though I didn't have the time to blog about our trip and share pictures...I sure did take some! We had a blast, and here are a few of the MANY pictures I took:

I love looking back on these pictures and laughing at all the fun we had, embarrassing moments, and sadly the stressful outbursts I had. Oops! But the point is, I remember it all...because I took pictures.

And for a ~~crazy, I-don't-know-what-I'm-doing point and shoot girl~~ photographer like myself it's nice to have a camera that can take great pictures. One that I don't have to be a pro to work, but makes me feel much more talented then I really am, ha!

Olympus recently came out with a camera that does just that!

(via)

And, I'd have to say that my favorite part is how compact it is...I'm a ~~bag lady~~ mom, so I carry lots of things with me. I don't need a ten pound camera to whip out at each adorable, embarrassing, unbelievable thing my children do. But I don't want a small camera that will force me to sacrifice quality either.

I need both!

So to show how easy it is for everyday people to take amazing pictures, Olympus gave over 1,000 people a new Olympus PEN® E-PM1. It's all part of The PEN Ready Project—more than 1,000 cameras, over 1,000 people, 6 cities. To see what they shot, go to http://penready.com.

(This post is sponsored by Olympus)

What Matters?

2011-12-14T08:38:00.003-06:00

This past weekend I took a trip up to Poplar Bluff, Missouri...the land of no Starbucks and Targets.

Lord help me.

The trip came about really fast actually. Wednesday afternoon my mom text my sisters and myself informing us on my grandma's condition. I don't know whether I just chose not to really sit and let myself comprehend what was going on or if I just really understand the weight of what my mother told us...but honestly, as I read through her text I felt like I was reading a "terms of agreement" clause. They usually list the facts you're required to agree to in order to proceed on with whatever it is you're trying to do. If you're like me, then you really just skim the terms, hurry and "agree", because what you want to do is pending on the agreement.

So here were the terms:
* her cancer had spread a finger's length
* they wanted to start chemo today
* my mom and her siblings didn't feel my grandma would survive chemo

There they were...laid out right in front of me. All I had to do was "agree" with them and move on. Because let's face it, this is a busy time of year. I have a house to decorate, Christmas presents to shop for, Cards to send out, and a business to keep afloat. Ha! I just laugh at myself even typing this, but it was true...and oh so easy to get caught up in. So you know what I did? What most people do when reading a "terms of agreement"; just skim it and accept.

Don't lie...you do it too! haha!

So whether I liked it or was ready to deal with it didn't matter, I had to accept it. So I pretended to so I could move on about my busy schedule.

My mom however, focused on what really mattered...her mother. When things finally started to set in about her mom's condition she wasn't okay with just continuing on about her day. So somehow we all dropped everything we were doing, all the work, decorating, and shopping, and went where we really need to be...with my grandma. For one last time.

Our weekend consisted of little sleep, crazy kids, laughter, and tears...many tears, but I wouldn't change a moment of it at all.

When you or someone close to you is facing their last days on Earth, you realize what really matters. I spent a lot of time soaking up everything about my grandma. Her smile, sarcastic comments, the pictures she displayed, our shared memories. And as I walked in her room I noticed a few pictures on her dresser. First, I took a picture of the photos to use as blackmail on my mom (ha!), but then I studied them. These were significant to her...she had them up for a purpose.

Like this one:

When she looks at herself sitting on the steps smiling down at her four children (at the time), does she remember inevitable sibling fighting, punching, setting hair on fire (oh yes, it happened) that occurred amongst these kids? Does she remember how fast she wished that year would pass with all these crazy little kids? No, she remembers how sweet, ornery, and little they were.

This picture here:

I wonder, how many times did it take to get everyone smiling and not blinking at the same time. I can imagine frustrations were high at the end of that photo session, and I could see myself thinking of how next year's picture would be better. But what my grandma didn't know is that her time with my grandpa was limited. How was she to know that he would die so suddenly? So when she looks on this year, this picture she remembers her life with him...and not without.

Oh goodness:

I really wish I had some deep thoughts on this picture, but I don't. Unless my grandma knew that years later this photo would make great blackmail, ha!

*disclaimer: somehow I missed taking a picture of my Aunt Chalisa (she was born much later then the other sibings)...so here she is.*

Those pictures made me want to live my moments with my grandma in that fashion. So what if everyone was looking for a picture, if I hadn't showered, or if my kids stayed in pj's all day. We were there to enjoy each other and that is what we did.

Though the cancer may be robbing her of future years and birthdays...we still have these moments. Moments that I'll always treasure. Because this trip was her first time to meet three out of four of my babies. And boy was I proud to introduce them to her, and my heart was full of joy to see her enthralled with them.

She was weak and easily tired, so went over to her house in shifts. My mom pretty much stayed over there the whole time. At one point my mom could tell my grandma needed to rest so she told her to go take a nap and my grandma responded,

"No. I can always sleep later, but you're here now."

She knew how precious this time was as well. Nothing was going to stop her from soaking it all in as well.

This last picture makes me bawl like a baby. It didn't at the time I took it; I just thought Paisley looked so cute staring out the window...but now it has a deeper meaning.

On the last night we all said our "goodbyes". That was definitely one of the hardest, surreal moments of my life. How do you hug your grandma goodbye and walk away knowing that is the last time you will ever see her on Earth again? As I hugged her, clinging to the years we shared, memories I cherish, and living just for one more minute in her presence, I quickly let go and turned to shield her from my tears. My mom told me to go ahead an head out and she would meet me in a minute. She spent her last minutes with her mother then it was time for her to say goodbye. My fragile grandma, got up out of her chair, stood at the door, and watched as my mom waked down the side walk.......up the hill......until she couldn't see her any more.

She savored those very last seconds to carry with her forever.

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So grandma,

Here's an early Happy Birthday celebration in your honor...just one last time.

*This post is sponsored by American Cancer Society*

Game on, Santa

2011-12-06T14:53:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite things about the Holiday season is the commercials.
C'mon, you know you like them too!

A lot of times they are cheesy, but I like to see what each company comes up with to try and "sell you" on their store and product. In years past I have ALWAYS loved the Target lady...quite frankly I want to BE the Target Lady. Let's be honest, we all know I'd do a stellar job! haha!!!

So with all of her greatness, I didn't think there could ever be a commercial that came close to beating it.
Well, this year Best Buy had their game faces on and came up with a series of commercials called "Game on, Santa". Seriously...they make me laugh SO hard!!

I know, right?!?!

Do you have any favorite commercials??
Which ones are they?

Makes My Heart Go Pitter Patter!

2011-12-05T18:00:00.005-06:00

The other day I got new fabric for the shop in the mail!

When I ripped open the package, I immediately fell. in. love!

I figured my lovely customers and blog readers would as well!!!

Frankly how could you not?!?!

It's pretty FABULOUS!

So in honor of the GREATEST fabric around I am offering a deal to you tonight!!!

..................................................

FIRST DEAL:

and you pick what fabric

for only $10 (FREE SHIPPING!)

Go HERE to take advantage! (use coupon FREESHIP to get your shipping free)

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SECOND DEAL:

You get this

and pick two of these!

(one headband and one clip...all options can be made in both!)

Plus you have your fabric options!

for only $25 (FREE SHIPPING!)

Go HERE to take advantage! (use coupon FREESHIP to get your shipping free)

So jump on these deals FAST, because they WILL be gone soon!!!

*Plus, ALL orders tonight WILL ship on WEDNESDAY!!!*

**(Free Shipping coupon is ONLY good for these two deals. Also only good for the United States. Thanks!)**

Taking Care of Business...

2011-12-05T13:54:00.001-06:00

Okay, last week I announced the winners of my Thanksgiving Giveaway Galore...but I had a few people not respond back.

Sad, sad day...for them...but not the NEW winners!

YAY for the NEW WINNERS!!!

So could Tina, and Nicole email me please!!!

....................................................

Also, we have a Shutterfly giveaway to attend to!

and the two winners are:

Tiffany from No Faint Hearts

and

Shannon from Finding Church

So if you ladies would email me at naturallyestes(at)hotmail(dot)com I will hook you up with your prizes!!

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And on a separate note, I just got NEW fabric in for the shop that I am SO excited about!!! So in honor of that I am having a Kick Off sale tonight!! So be sure to check back on my blog around 6 pm (CST) to take advantage of the deal!!!

Christmas Cards and a GIVEAWAY!!

2011-12-02T14:57:00.001-06:00

Guys I am SO excited to share with you about my Christmas Cards this year! Just ordered them today...and I CANNOT wait to get them and send them out!

Last year I took part in a promotion through Shutterfly and was able to get 50 FREE Christmas cards!

Can't get any better than that, right?!

Well this year they contacted me again and offer me the SAME deal...how could I turn them down?! That's right...I couldn't, haha!

Anyway, I headed over to their site to check out their variety of Christmas Cards. Can I tell you that I was quite impressed?! While I LOVE traditional Christmas cards (and they have some good ones!), I REALLY love contemporary, out-of-the-box cards! To me they are more fun AND as the recipient, they are more memorable. Let's face it, you know if you received a card from me, you'd never want to forget, Ha!

Here are a few of my faves:

I LOVE the bright colors in this card, the fact that I can put all four kids pictures on it, and the message is wonderful!

I LOVE me some red and aqua...it is SO in right now!

Plus I like that I can just load that card up with pictures!

You know one picture just isn't enough, ha!

TO. DIE. FOR.

So untraditional, but SO fabulous!

Love that the ribbon pops on this card and that the entire card IS a picture!

Again with the black and white...I'm in love!

You can't tell me that you wouldn't smile if you opened this Christmas card?!?

So great!

But after a GREAT deal of time agonizing over the best card for us and figuring out which would accommodate my rather large family...I went with this one!

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Because nothing reminds you more of the Esteses, than the Arkansas Razorbacks!

WOO PIG SOOIE!!

So then I thought...what else could I plaster these precious pictures of my family showing our love for the Razorbacks on?! There HAD to be something! And there was; Shutterfly has some pretty AWESOME photo gifts!

How perfect would the photo coasters be with our Razorback clad pictures on them?!?

Might have to send these out to my Texas A&M, Auburn, LSU, and Alabama friends.

I'm sure they'd be a real big hit, ha!

Now my family loves to play poker.

Yes, we like to sit around the table drinking IBC Cream Soda, snacking on cigar sized pretzels, and winning chips...instead of cash.

It's called family bonding, my friends.

So wouldn't these cards be SO cute with a pack of Cream Soda, pretzels, and poker chips as a Christmas gift?!

When I cam across this puzzle, I thought Ethan would LOVE to have piecing together a puzzle!

Especially if it was a super hero picture of himself!

Don't these make you want to just jump on over to Shutterfly and start making your Holiday cards or finishing up your Christmas shopping with gifts that have a personal touch to them!?

Well good news for you!! Shutterfly has offered to give TWO readers 25 FREE Holiday cards!!

How awesome is that?!?!?

Here's how you enter:

***you must follow my blog to enter the giveaway***

*Then head over to Shutterfly and tell me which Holiday/Christmas Card you would pick if you won!

***You may only enter one time***

The contest ends tonight at midnight (CST) and I will chose and announce the winner in the morning!!!

GOOD LUCK and ENTER FAST!

Warning...

2011-12-01T09:29:00.001-06:00

You won't be hearing much of me today.

I will be attempting to decorate for Christmas with my handy little "helpers"!

Real interested to see how this goes, haha!

While I'm away, what are a few of your favorite Christmas decorations and crafts??

MERRY CHRISTMAS

(...almost!)

The only Throne I'll be close to...

2011-11-29T13:00:00.001-06:00

Potty training.

It's enough to drive a person crazy.

As parents, sometimes we luck out and our child initiates the whole "I'm a big kid now" tinkling in the potty process. Your heart leaps with joy as you envision your life with a whole now found freedom.

No longer will it be necessary for you to impersonate Tom Cruise, as Ethan Hawk, and attack those poopy diapers like Mission Impossible. (Let's face it, sometimes they seem like they could be, ha!) Oh and my personal favorite is when you go to change a diaper and find out you've been ambushed. Somehow the nastiness had gone undetected until this point, but now it's out for vengeance...and finds itself on your child, the floor, your arm, and...your face.

Precious, precious moments in parenting.

Anyway, once your child has decided to no longer need a diaper, it only seemed like a smooth and natural transition into underwear. There had never been anything easier in your life!

Parents, if this is you, congratulations..... and I hate you.

Because the rest of the world lives like this:

You finally decide that your obstonate 3 1/2 year old should really be over this diaper business. As a matter of fact, if something doesn't change and fast, you've even considered rationing his allowance or charging him per diaper.

Now you have to break the news to your child.

"Well Titus, ..... there's a time in your life when you must..... become a man. And that includes you not peeing in a diaper. Now, even though all the commercials make diapers look SO cool, they aren't. Nobody wants to see their favorite Razorback linebacker in a 3 point stance with an Elmo clad diaper peering out of his jersey. So you know that room in our house with a tub? Well it also has a toilet ..... and we're all going to become best friends."

Terror fills his eyes, panic sets in, and right as he turn to run away...you grab him.

As you drag him down the hall, arms are flailing, legs convulsing, and high pitched screams can be heard from 3 houses down. Plus your child's pretty upset too, ha.

Once in the bathroom you explain the wonders of this incredible contraption that takes your "deposits" and transports them to a far away land. You ask, "Wouldn't you like to be apart of this amazing system?" With a slight twinge of fear, he stares confused like you are speaking Mandarin Chinese.

After realizing your story might have slightly scarred your child for life, you promise him that the toilet will not in fact suck him in and he shouldn't fear sitting on it. Little did you know that you would spend the next TWO hours sitting with him while he worked on "depositing" something....ANYTHING in the toilet.

As the 1 hr. 59 min. mark hits, you begin to rethink your decision. Why did I tell him that he needed to sit until he went potty? This kid is totally calling my bluff. Then the inner genius pops up with a thought. I know I can sit here longer than he can hold his "deposit", I just know it. So after a brief inner monologue with a tough love pep-talk you decide that you can sit a bit longer. And it's on!

Then a minute later ...... he goes potty.

Whew!

Thank goodness, you were about to call this business quits. I mean the kid could really start a trend as a diaper donning college student...right?!

Days, weeks, and months consist of hit and misses among the potty going success rate. Finally he seems excited to go to the bathroom! Did he realize how cool it is to wear underwear with Buzz Lightyear's face plastered on your hinny? Nope, he realized mommy was desperate and now offered candy after each successful bathroom trip. This decision came after a fun Fall Festival which resulted in a massive stash of candy.

What better way to motivate?

After day 3 of your child climbing the walls before 10 am from your "tinkle induced" sugar high, you decide to switch to single M&M's as reward.

Much Better.

.....and then your child stares you down and "deposits" a nice little treasure in his pants.

My joy is now complete as a parent.

And the winners are...

2011-11-29T10:18:00.001-06:00

Thank you all SO much for participating in the Thanksgiving Giveaway Galore!! I had a blast, and I hope you all found some wonderful new shops!

Now onto the good stuff...the winners:

Day 1: Xperience Days

ALENE from Positively Alene

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Day 2: KOP

FOR THE LOVE OF LILIES

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Day 3: More Than a Memory

TINA from Journalin' Gma

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Day 4: Yellow Desk Designs

KELLY from Spiral Pages

If the winners could email me at naturallyestes(at)hotmail(dot)com by Friday, December 2nd to claim their prize!

If there are any prizes unclaimed by that point I will randomly select another winner!

And check back Friday for ONE more fun Holiday giveaway!!!

Anyone interested in FREE Christmas cards!?!

Thanksgiving Giveaway Galore Day FOUR!

2011-11-18T15:58:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Day THREE of Thanksgiving Giveaway Galore! If you missed Day ONE, Day TWO, and DAY THREE, just head on over and enter those giveaways!

I have a blog friend named Emilie, and she recently opened up an Etsy store. I always get excited when people I know follow their dreams, put themselves out there, and let us fall in love with their handy work. You really get to know a person through their craft!

Anyway, Emilie's shop is called Yellow Desk Designs. The best part of the name is the fact that she actually does her work on an antique yellow desk!

Love it!

Yellow Desk Designs specializes in graphic design, and she can basically do anything you need her to do. As a matter of fact she has the CUTEST ABC books:

Can you believe that she designed these?!

Don't you just LOVE the bright colors?!?!?!

Each letter of the alphabet is paired with a scripture that begins with the same letter.

How cool is that?!?

I would LOVE to have scripture continually placed in front of my children everyday.

What a blessing that would be!

And for you homeschool moms, wouldn't you like to post the alphabet up on your walls?!

Yeah, well Yellow Desk Designs has you covered. You can now buy the pdf file of the ABC Scripture for Kids design and print it out on whatever and wherever you like!

How great is that?!

And today Emilie is letting me giveaway one of her ABC Scripture of Kids designs in pdf form!!!

Oh yeah, baby!

.............................................

Now how can you have a chance to get your hands on one of these?!?

Simple..

Mandatory:
* Follow my blog and leave a comment saying you did and one idea you have for Emilie to add to her shop!

Extra Entries:

* Follow Yellow Desk Designs' blog and comment saying you did.

* "Like" Yellow Desk Designs on fb and write on their wall saying, " Brittany from naturallyestes.blogspot.com sent me here!" then comment on my post saying you did.

* Follow me on twitter and comment on my post saying you did.

* Blog, Facebook, or tweet about the giveaway and link it back to this post. Also add the link to whatever you did in your comment for your extra entry on my post. (If you tweet say, " I want to win the Yellow Desk Design giveaway hosted by @naturallyestes http://naturallyestes.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-giveaways-galore-day-four.html " )

*Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!*

Good luck and spread the word!!

*All giveaway winners will be chosen on Thanksgiving Day!*

Thanksgiving Giveaways Galore Day THREE!

2011-11-17T13:15:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Day THREE of Thanksgiving Giveaway Galore! If you missed Day ONE and Day TWO, just head on over and enter those giveaways!

About a month ago I ran across this shop on Etsy..and I fell in LOVE! I have been looking for ideas on how to get my children involved in doing chores. I knew I wanted some sort of a system and I thought something other than a plain 'ole spread sheet with allotted duties where you checked the box once finished would be more appealing. (Sorry mom and dad, ha!)

Boy was I excited to find More Than A Memory. They have the CUTEST items, and a solution to my chores dilemma.

Look at this greatness:

Your kids grab a magnet with a chore and payment amount written on it, complete the task, and then place it on their magnet board.

How great is that?!?!

It gets your kids excited to complete their tasks, and they feel such accomplishment as they see their boards fill up with chore magnets that they completed!

You can choose from any of these colors.

PLUS you get to choose what chores you want on the magnets AND the price of that chore (or no price if you like).

Also, which is the case for my family, you can purchase more initial boards if needed, as well as more chore magnets.

Can y'all not tell I am bursting with excitement here?!?!

Can I win myself??

Please?!?!

So Tonya from More Than a Memory would like to give ONE lucky reader a Chore Chart System!

This includes:

(1) 7 7/8" x 12" Magnetic Chore Board with ribbon for hanging
(2) 5" x 8" Personalized Magnetic Board with ribbon for hanging
(20) Custom Chore Magnets with Chore & Monetary Value

Now how can you have a chance to get your hands on one of these?!?

Simple..

Mandatory:

* Follow my blog and leave a comment saying you did and which color you would choose if you win!!

Extra Entries:

* "Like" More Than A Memory on fb and write on their wall saying, " Brittany from naturallyestes.blogspot.com sent me here!" then comment on my post saying you did.

* Follow me on twitter and comment on my post saying you did.

* Blog, Facebook, or tweet about the giveaway and link it back to this post. Also add the link to whatever you did in your comment for your extra entry on my post. (If you tweet say, " I want to win the More Than A Memory giveaway hosted by @naturallyestes http://naturallyestes.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-giveaways-galore-day-three.html " )

*Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!*

Good luck and spread the word!!

*All giveaway winners will be chosen on Thanksgiving Day!*

Thanksgiving Giveaways Galore Day TWO!

2011-11-16T14:13:00.002-06:00

Welcome back to my Thanksgiving Giveaway Galore!!! In case you missed yesterday's post, feel free to check it out.

Today I am SO excited to share with you about one of my most FAVORITE people EVER!!! She is a photographer, but not just ANY photographer...the BEST photographer around. Kelly of KOP can transform any photo session into something phenomenal and priceless! She not only has photographed my family since Sam and I got engaged (including all of my fabulous blog pictures...have you seen my about me page?), but she is a dear friend as well.

Think I'm a little partial?

Well check out her work for yourself. It will pretty much knock your socks off. Just sayin'.

And today Kelly wants to giveaway something from her new product line...yeah, the woman has a product line.

She is giving away a set of blank notecards with your choice of one of these designs! (all of which she photographed herself!!)

I have #4....and I love, Love, LOVE it!

Oh, and I TOTALLY want a HUGE print of #6 to hang in my kitchen...wouldn't that be amazing?!

This is what your cards will look like!

(P.S. that's a picture of Paisley's announcement back in the day!)

So are you not excited?!?!

I am and I must say that whoever wins this should send me a thank you note on whichever design they choose!

...Wait...too much? Okay, no you really don't have to do that, BUT if you want to win these cards you must:

................................................

Mandatory:

* Follow my blog and leave a comment saying you did and which design you would choose if you win!!

Extra Entries:

* Follow Kelly's blog and comment on here saying that you did! (TWO EXTRA ENTRIES)

* "Like" KOP on fb and write on their wall saying, " Brittany from naturallyestes.blogspot.com sent me here!" then comment on my post saying you did. (TWO EXTRA ENTRIES)

* Follow me on twitter and comment on my post saying you did.

* Blog, Facebook, or tweet about the giveaway and link it back to this post. Also add the link to whatever you did in your comment for your extra entry on my post. (If you tweet say, " I want to win the @KellyOlivares giveaway hosted by @naturallyestes http://naturallyestes.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-giveaways-galore-day-two.html " )

*Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!*

Good luck and spread the word!!

*All giveaway winners will be chosen on Thanksgiving Day!*

Thanksgiving Giveaways Galore Day ONE!

2011-11-15T10:13:00.005-06:00

I am so excited to announce that this week (Tuesday - Sunday) I will be hosting giveaways...one for everyday!

Shocked?

I know, me too!

This week is about about Thanksgiving, and I am so thankful for all of my wonderful readers! So here's to you kid! Not only am I thankful for you , but I couldn't be more happy with the great women who have decided to be apart of the giveaway, and I know you will enjoy each one!

So let's get down to business, shall we?

Rules:

* Each day there will be a different giveaway. So you should check back and enter all of them!!

* You do NOT need a blog to enter the giveaways!

* Each giveaway may have different qualifications to enter...so make sure to follow them! (BUT they are all really easy!)

* I will announce all of the winners once all of the giveaways have ended!

* Once I announce the winners (I will also tweet it and post about it up on Facebook) they will have THREE days to contact me (email) to claim their prize! If not, then I will pick a new winner...sadness!

* And last, all winners will be chosen randomly through a site called: Random.org

Ready to party????

I am!!!

...........................

Now onto Day 1!

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a company called Xperience Days. They specialize in unique gifts.

Now I must tell you that when I first heard "unique gifts" I got a little worried as to what I might find. Because let's be honest there are some creepers in the online world. Thankfully though, this was NOT the case with this company.

After searching through their website, I was so excited to offer you guys this opportunity! Since we are entering the Holiday season, most of us need to purchase gifts for loved ones. And how many times can we really give the same person another tie. That's where the unique gifts from Xperience Days comes in.

All you do is click on a metropolitan area around you, then possible activity ideas, and price range. Or if you're like me, I just clicked on my area and drooled over the options around my neck of the woods!

Here are just a few of the awesome gifts around DFW:

* Zipline Texas

* Creative Arts Glass Workshop

* Dallas Gondola Lunch Cruise for Two

* Drive a Stockcar

I mean seriously?!?!

These would be SO great for date nights as well!!

One lucky reader will win a $50 gift Certificate to use on their own unique gift from Xperience Days!!

How can you enter for your chance to win such a fun giveaway?!?

..........................................

Mandatory:

* Follow my blog and leave a comment saying you did!

Extra Entries:

* Follow me on twitter and comment on my post saying you did.

* "Like" Xperience Days on fb and write on their wall saying, " Brittany from naturallyestes.blogspot.com sent me here!" then comment on my post saying you did.

* Blog, Facebook, or tweet about the giveaway and link it back to this post. Also add the link to whatever you did in your comment for your extra entry on my post. (If you tweet say, " I want to win the Xperience Days giveaway hosted by @naturallyestes http://naturallyestes.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-giveaways-galore-day-one.html " )

*Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!*

Good luck and spread the word!!

*All giveaway winners will be chosen on Thanksgiving Day!*

Our Little Diva

2011-11-12T08:47:00.002-06:00

Sometimes she

just wants

to be

like

her

brothers.

Boy do I love this Luigi/Batman/Diva!

(Better come back tomorrow, because our week of giveaways start! I am SO excited!)

The Starfish Project

2011-11-07T16:42:00.001-06:00

I am SO excited to tell you guys about a little project I've started.

God has really been working in my heart lately, I wanted to share with you a little bit about it, and how you can help.

This month, in case you don't know, is National Adoption Awareness Month. I've been reading through this book:

(here)

A few months ago a friend read and suggested it. What better time to read it then during Adoption Awareness month, right?!?

Since reading this book, God has just opened my eyes to the wonderful families trying to adopt children of their own. I want to be apart of that. With that said, I was reminded of a story:

"One day, while walking along the shore,
the wise old man looked down the beach,
and saw a gracefully dancing human figure.
The wise old man wondered out loud,
“Who would be dancing all alone on the beach?”
He began to walk faster to catch up.
Getting closer, the wise man saw that the dancer
was a child, who was not dancing at all.
The child was reaching down to the sand to pick up
something, and was very gently throwing it into the sea.
The man called out to the child,
“Good Morning! What are you doing?”
The child paused, looked up and replied,
“Throwing Starfish into the sea.”
Surprised, the man said,
“Yes, I see that, but WHY are you throwing Starfish into the sea?”
The child smiled brightly, pointed upward and
with perfect simplicity replied,
“The sun is up, and the tide is going out.
If I don’t throw them in, they will die.”
“But, don’t you realize, “asked the man,
“that there are miles and miles of beach and Starfish all along it?
You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The child listened politely.
Then bent down, picked up another Starfish,
threw it gently into the sea, just beyond the breaking waves,
and joyfully declared,

“It made a difference for that one."

So even though it seems impossible to help HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of Starfish (orphans) all over the world, we CAN make a difference for just ONE.

And I think God has called us to do so;

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you,

whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for me.''

Matthew 25:40

That brings me to The Starfish Project.

This "project" is dedicated to raising money a sweet family trying to adopt. The details are not ready to be told, BUT they are in need of raising the funds. My plans are to hopefully open another Etsy store strictly for selling items that all proceeds go to raising their money...and I want you to be apart of that!

Don't you have Christmas shopping to do???

I know I still do.

So why not buy gifts for your loved ones and let them know that you also helped a sweet family grow.

What a blessing that would be!

Before I open the store, I have a product that I want to add, but I'd need to order at LEAST 24 of them to get the discounted price. (This allows the couple to get the most money to put toward their fundraising.)

Here it is:

(Black and White watches are not pictured)

Aren't these watches cute?!?

We will sell them for $30 and unisex! What a great deal!!!

My goal is to have my order placed THIS week, which means you need to let me know ASAP how many you want!

Please, let's start this Holiday Season off right and allow a child the gift of a family...a family he or she deserves.

Thanks in advance for your support!

Also, if you would like to just donate money, or get involved by donating products to be sold, let me know!

Because I CANNOT contain myself!

2011-11-02T17:57:00.002-05:00

Ever since I made these precious necklaces, I CANNOT stop looking at them!

And thankfully y'all have loved them as well!

So Blessed!

Well, the other day my FABULOUS photographer Kelly, took a few pictures of the Eloise necklace for me!

AND. THEY. ARE. AMAZING!!!

So in honor of these beauties I am selling the Eloise necklace for $5 to the next FIVE customers!!

How can you beat that?!?!

So jump on it fast!

Christmas is coming soon....and SHOP!!!

Happy Birthday...

2011-10-29T22:05:00.002-05:00

...To this pretty Lady!

(what is up with Ethan's face?! Ha!)

We LOVE you Sha Sha!!!!

(P.S. I think it's pretty cool we share a birthday. I guess you turned out to be a great birthday present after all! Ha!)

Sigh

2011-10-27T12:07:00.002-05:00

Pretty much the sweetest thing ever!

*sigh*

P.S. Our FABULOUS photographer won a competition with Miss Penelope's picture! Check it out.)

naturallyestes

Holy Cheez-Its!!!!

It's just SO hard...

To the Man...

Hit that Line, Hit that Line...

Whatcha think?!?!

Christmas Recap in Pictures!

All I Want For Christmas....

A Picture Is Worth a THOUSAND Words!

What Matters?

Game on, Santa

Makes My Heart Go Pitter Patter!

Taking Care of Business...

Christmas Cards and a GIVEAWAY!!

Warning...

The only Throne I'll be close to...

And the winners are...

Thanksgiving Giveaway Galore Day FOUR!

Thanksgiving Giveaways Galore Day THREE!

Thanksgiving Giveaways Galore Day TWO!

Thanksgiving Giveaways Galore Day ONE!

Our Little Diva

The Starfish Project

Because I CANNOT contain myself!

Happy Birthday...

*Sigh*

Sigh