Love Is A Battlefield

C'mom y'all, sing it with me!

We are young, heartache to heartache we stand

No promises, no demands

Love is a Battlefield

Yes, thank you Pat Benatar for that lovely song.

She got me thinking, should love be a battlefield?! I see people all around me giving their hearts freely to anyone who walks by, or clinging to relationships that shouldn't be, and abandoning commits made to each other in front of God. Things like this sadden me. It's not what He intended for Love and marriage to look like? We have made love a battlefield. While I am no shining example of a pure, godly marriage, I do feel like I can look into God's word and help shed light on where I and many others have gone wrong on this thing we call "love".

So I'd like to start a series about love, dating, and marriage. Just a week to step back evaluate you, your relationship, and your marriage. (and by "you" I am TOTALLY meaning myself too!) I think I may even see if I can get my hubby to do a post...you know for a man's perspective!

I truly do want this to be a series that will bless all of us. Maybe none of you need to hear it, honestly is could just be me, ha! But feel free to join in, read along, share your heart, let me know how I can pray for you, your relationship, or your marriage! I'd LOVE to do that...seriously!

Do you have any questions, topics you'd like covered, or tips (please, ha!)?? Please leave them in the comments section or email me at: naturallyestes(at)hotmail(dot)com. Maybe you feel like the Lord has put something on your heart to share regarding this topic...feel free to email me about it and maybe you can help with this series!


So watch out! Next week will be a blast!

If I were a Drinker...

...Today would be a day where I would pour myself a stiff one.

But since I am not, I'll stick to this nice glass of ice water. So when you see me aggressively chugging a glass of H2O...just know it's been a day...and Brittany is dreaming of "greater" things. haha!

Any time there is bad weather, they are contractually obligated to disobey. Really, I think they know that there is NO escaping the four walls of our blessed house so they run a muck. On top of all their "activeness" (as my mom prefers to call their trying moments, ha!), I needed to run a few errands.

So let me break it down for you:

*we took Sam to work today

*Came home put Penelope down for a nap

*She whined and cried most of that time...because she was hacking up a lung! That poor girl has a cold!

*Paisley whined and cried....and whined and cried.....and whined and cried....

*I jumped into the shower

*Ran to meet a friend and drop off a Peas & Carrots necklace to her!

*The kids screamed and whined the whole time....as a matter of fact I may or may not have let my two boys tinkle by the car because they were screaming they needed to pee SO LOUD and I didn't want to try and maneuver 4 kids through a store just to let them go, ha!

*We deposited a check....scream, scream, scream (I'm thirsty, I'm hungry, Where's my baby?! WWWWAAAAAAA!!!!!)

Then if I hadn't tortured us enough as it was I ran to the post office...I had a death wish.

*shipped of six rather large packages, my son smacked a lady's butt, pulled on her pursed, and the kids crawled all over their nasty floor! It was a good time.

*we came back home for lunch and a nap...which didn't happen.

*then we ran to pick up Sam from work.

As you can see this day has left me a little crazy. I can honestly say that I have had many a parenting fail today and need to seek major forgiveness for my attitude and actions. YUCK! But while I was driving to pick up Sam from work my mind drifted to a heavenly place.

A place I like to call my summer sanctuary.

The tanning salon.

Yes I know the tanning bed is bad for you, but just follow me for a second.

As a teenager I LOVED going to the tanning salon. Of course for the obvious reason of getting a glorious tan, but also for the 20 minute nap time. That lock yourself in the room, music blaring, fan blowing, warm glowing nap time is what I craved. Just those few minutes by myself with NO interruption where you are forced to lay still.

Heaven.

But how was a stay at home mom of four supposed to run to her "hiding place" when she needed it the most?!?! Then it hit me.

A tanning salon day care.

Oh yeah baby.

Can you image checking your children into a daycare for the 20 minutes it takes to tan?!?!

"Parents, we know your tanning needs are great and we want to help you succeed, so please feel free to use our salon day care. It is complete with our finest bronzed coconut smelling employees and mock bronzing bed toys. Your child is sure to enjoy his/her stay while you burn your buns."

I think it's a real winner there don't you!?

While purchasing tanning credits you can just tack on an extra few for the Bronzing Babies Room. I'm sure only the most certified care givers would be hired, ha!

So excuse me while I escape to my current sanctuary, where I'll chug my ice water, lay in bed, and pray to fall asleep quick!

....Because let's face it, there aren't going to be Tanning Salon day cares any time soon. ha!

On My Mind...

I have SO many things on my mind lately and it seems like I can't sit down and actually get them out!

Ugh! Is that not SO frustrating?!?!

So to make it short and sweet, I'll share the top TEN things that have been swirling around my brain!

1. My sister is getting married!!! How exciting, and I was even more excited when I thought it wasn't until next March...BUT due to a lot of scheduling issues, school, etc. she is now getting married in August. ...THIS August. So we have been running around like CRAZY trying to get things accomplished for her big day!!! (Did you know that I'm helping design the wedding, making the bouquets, boutonnieres, hair pieces, etc.? While this may add some stress to this mama, I wouldn't have it any other way!)

2. I STILL have 30 pounds to lose before my sister's wedding (see number 1)...that is NO easy feat! PLUS I seriously need to get my tan on before then as well! The dress is a pale pink...and not so flattering on fat, white skin! ha!

3. For THREE weeks now I have been waiting on some VERY important news for my shop! Patience is SO not my thing...yes Lord, I get it!

4. In about a month I am working in my church's VBS! This is always a fun time...and this year I am leading crafts! Who would have thought?!? Again...CRAZY BUSY!

5. My sweet Penelope will be ONE in 2 1/2 months! How did time fly SO fast?!?! Think we finally settled on a theme...and maybe I can squeeze time in to make it happen! (P.S. Titus will be FOUR in July, WHAT?!?!)

6. Ever since becoming a mother I have prayed that we would be back in NWA (my home town) for my children to start school. Well the time is approaching and there is no clear answer that direction. :( One thing is for certain, we will be moving before school starts...either to NWA or locally. The school district we are in is LESS than appealing. UGH! I HATE moving with a passion, ha!

7. I CANNOT believe that I am a mother to FOUR children and one about to start kindergarten?!?! No lie, some days I feel like I'm just babysitting them. haha!

8. Yesterday the FABULOUS Kelly took Ethan's 5 year old pictures! She ALWAYS does a great job! Tomorrow night I actually have a meeting with her and one of our discussion topics is a new Peas & Carrots photo shoot! SOO fun!!

9. If you are local and would like to model for my up coming photo shoot please email me at: naturallyestes(at)hotmail(dot)com (need infants, boys, girls, women) !!!

10: Lastly, I have a few ad spots left on my sidebar ----> so check out the info here and use code NEWBIE for 50% off!!!


Have a great day and I'll be back tonight for some REAL blogging!

The Time Has Come!

Today is the day ladies and gentlemen!

Who's going to be apart of "the N list"?

Here are all the details:

This is a monthly gift club exclusive to the first 20 buyers.

Benefits:

*on the 15th (or nearest business day of the month) your package will be shipped to you

*each month you receive FAB Peas & Carrots products (this includes NEVER BEFORE seen designs) $20 value

*receive holiday themed items prior to a holiday month (Christmas, Easter, etc.)

*an extra little treat will be sent your birthday month!

*included will be fun products, samples, and coupons from other FAB businesses!

*extra Peas & Carrots coupons go out to group package customers! (including some up to 50%!!!)

Customers will pick one for full membership subscription:

*Ladies products (sweet and simple)

*Ladies products (WOW me)

*Ladies products (surprise me)

*infant/girls products

*infant/boys products

*boy & girl mixture

*lady & girl mixture

*lady & boy mixture

*lady, boy, & girl mixture

(products will include, but not be limited to: hats, bow ties, jewelry, and hair accessories)

Be apart of the fun for a small fee each month.

Prices (which include shipping!):

* 1 month: $20

* 3 months: $45 (you SAVE $15)

* 6 months: $75 (you SAVE $35)

* 12 months: $185 (you SAVE $55)

(multi-month packages are paid in full)

****THERE ARE ONLY 20 SPOTS AVAILABLE!****

(After 20 spots we will have a waiting list for those slots that open up in the following months.)

Jump on over to here to claim your spot!

Hurry...do it now! 

Before they're all gone! ;)

Y'all I die!

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people ask me when I planned to offer boy products in the shop. So the other week I FINALLY sat down and made it happen!

Made what happen?!?!

The greatness I like to call our Little Mister bow ties!!!!!!!

Ethan was DYING to try them on!!! Seriously, that kid could wear ties every day of his life and LOVE it! haha!

(bigger boy size!)

He said, "Let me make a crazy face!" 

....AND we are working on brother, sister matching sets! YAY!!!!!

(awkward, cheesy, sun smile)

Peas & Carrots has FINALLY extended it's cuteness to cover boys!! 

I cannot be more excited!

You?! ;)

the N list...

We at Peas & Carrots would like to introduce to you "the N list".

It is an exciting new monthly membership featuring "a few of my favorite things" for all those who know and love our products!!! Here's the catch...we will only have 20 spots available!

What exactly IS "the N (naturallyestes) list"? 

So glad you asked! ;)

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


Here's the break down:

* on the 15th (or nearest business day) of every month I will send you a bag full of goodies!

* The retail value of Peas & Carrots products alone will be at least $20!!

* we will also have other vendors/businesses add products, samples, and coupons in your monthly packages!

* each month will have a different theme and will often feature NEW Peas & Carrots products BEFORE everyone else does!! We will also gift a holiday (Valentine's, Christmas, 4th of July, etc.) product the month before so you can have time to enjoy it!

* the month of your birthday you will receive a fun surprise for Peas & Carrots as well!

* you will have the option of selecting items for boys, girls, ladies, or a combination of any. **Did I mention we are working on some FAB bow ties for boys and some GREAT items just for ladies?!?**

* you will also be able to choose to pay a small monthly fee to me included in the club or buy group packages (3, 6, 12 month)!

* Friday, May 25th I will make the spots available and once they are full we will have a waiting list for as spots become available.

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

We want you to feel special and apart of a family, because without you our shop wouldn't be successful!

So if you'd be interested at all in joining the "the N list" or want more information please email me at naturallyestes(at)hotmail(dot)com with "the N list" as the subject.

If you are a business owner and would like to know how you can be involved and get some great exposure email me at naturallyestes(at)hotmail(dot)com with "vendor info" as the subject!

Bloggy Biggest Loser Check - In

Like I said, this last month has been CRAZY busy. 

Truly is seems like I have zero time to do anything!

And with all of this craziness may blogging and weight loss efforts have struggled.

*sigh*

But because I am being honest, here are the nitty gritty pics of me and my journey.

So about a week ago I weighed:

Which was down NINE more inches.

Can you tell???

Though my poor eating habits and lack of gym time has slowed me down; I am VERY proud to say that I haven't gained!

So let's hope this week I can be determined enough to go to the gym at 6 am...SO NOT A FAN!

Gotta get this weight GONE!