tomorrow is ten on ten!

Just a little reminder that tomorrow is the May installment of Ten on Ten and I am so hoping you will join me so don't forget to charge those camera batteries. Also I want to wish you all a very happy Mother's day weekend, I am looking forward to celebrating with my four on Sunday and I have a special guest post lined up for Mother's day as well that I can't wait to share…TGIF guys see you tomorrow! xoxo

how I create a gallery wall

Chris helped me hang up a new gallery wall in our bedroom last night and it's gotten me all kinds of excited about a ton of other house projects I have bookmarked in my mind. Does anyone else get excited about the summer months coming because, hello it's perfect house re-do weather - ha! Maybe that's just me but all I know is sometimes moving around a few key pieces or adding some color to a corner is a sure fire way to get the juices flowing.

I often get asked by friends how I go about hanging a gallery wall and although I don't have any secret tips I do enjoy shopping around my house for things that remind me of each other, similar colors or shapes, and then I start laying them out on the floor to find something that really pops out. I had forgotten about these three vintage flower prints I'd stashed away from our move several years ago and uncovered them as well as the black matting that I had bought but never used for a different project all just laying around in the garage. I wasn't sure how I wanted to frame and display my new favorite woodland print by my friend Cole (her fun etsy shop) and as soon as I found the black mat this whole area just came together for me in my mind! The adorable rabbit hooks were a Christmas surprise that Chris found on a trip to NYC and the Garden print by my friend Lesley (her cute shop) tied the soft peaches, greens and blacks together perfectly!

All that to say sometimes you're sitting on a goldmine with the perfect set waiting to be discovered in your very own home. I love re-imagining things and changing things up often...when I opened my eyes this morning I looked up to see this newly decorated spot and smiled so big. I just love it and can't wait to tackle a few more things around here soon! What are some projects you're dying to tackle or a space you've just refreshed?? I'd love to hear about it! xoxo

zeb turns two

Our littlest guy had a birthday this past weekend and we hosted a small family breakfast to celebrate. I didn't take many pictures but it was such a blessing to be together to mark the special occasion - and by the way, can you remind me again how it's even possible that my baby is two years old? Gah!

Everyone pitched in and brought food and treats - like seriously an amazing spread I wish I had taken a photo. Cinnamon rolls, candied bacon, breakfast burritos, fruit, donuts, pastries, cake, it was incredible! And instead of presents we requested donations for a plastic indoor slide because Zeb really loves slides. After Dad did some heavy research though an indoor slide turned into a plastic roller coaster, a bit extravagant even for a Craigslist find but oh my gosh so much fun! It was a huge hit with the kids - I posted a silly video via Instagram (here) of Zeb's inaugural ride...he was a little timid at first but has gotten the hang of it and we can't keep him off of the thing!

So a little confession while we are on the topic of plastic roller coasters. Yesterday while the older boys were at school and Zeb was napping, Josie and I were out in the yard. The constant temptation got the better of me and I had to experience the coaster for myself. My buns barely fit in the tiny green car but I squeeze and as I was sailing down the slope I totally thought it was going to be incredible until I hit a huge divot at the bottom and was catapult into the middle of the yard landing on my face, getting grass burns on my knees and elbows and seriously bruised my tailbone. I was dying in a fit of laughter and pain and look up to find my three year old daughter absolutely mortified just starring at her grown mother after an epic fail! So in case you are ever curious if these hold adults let me spare you the suspense...it's not worth it...or set up a video camera first because I totally wished I gotten that on video, ha!

Oh little Zebbie how we love you so. Your incredible, bright spirit and awesome vocabulary keeps us laughing all day long. What a huge gift and blessing you have been to this family since the day you were born, all five and a half pounds of you! May this next year be even more fun and full of adventures and dancing and music and trucks and slides. We are thanking God for putting you in our family bud - you make each day so much brighter!

(ps. the backwards shoes in these last two :))

life lately

I feel so bad that I haven't been better about keeping up on sharing life here on my blog lately. I love my blog and blogging so I have no plans to quit, it's just been a full few weeks with not a ton of time to spare. I have been hanging out a bit more frequently on Instagram though and enjoying the community over there - that's really the thing I love about online life, the community. There are lots of pluses and minuses about social media but at the end of the day I love feeling like I am part of a community!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend I promise to be back this week with more to share! In the mean time find me on Instagram @rebekah.gough - I'd love to connect with you too! xoxo

eleven years together

We had our eleventh anniversary last Friday and decided to take the day and go on a little adventure with the kids to celebrate. We found our way to the Kingston ferry and stopped at the best little breakfast spot, over in Kingston called Oak Table Cafe. They were amazing with our busy crew, giving us such wonderful attention and help and a private little room and then when they brought the food out they spoiled us with a huge apple dutch baby on the house just for fun without even knowing it was our anniversary. It was such a fun treat for this family who rarely eats out!!

Afterwards we ended up in Port Townsend for a walk on the beach and through the little town and made another pit stop to buy an afternoon coffee. The Barista surprised the kids with chocolate milks on the house and when we left Simon looked at me and said "mom, whats with you getting all this free stuff today maybe we should get a lottery ticket" ha! And trust me I felt like I won the lottery, spending the day with my special loves - all five simply soaking in the blessing of all that has happened over the past eleven years!

Such a fun day indeed - and I am so looking forward to what the dozenth year with hold!

Ten on Ten :: April 2014

Happy Ten on Ten everyone I hope you have the best day finding beauty in all the little things around you, I am looking forward to checking out the linky party later this evening to see what you found! xoxo

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some things.

These past few weeks have felt a bit like a whirlwind around here. I had the chance to travel not once but twice to two different cities to share life with some of the most generous and beautiful women whom I have met and known through the online community and they've become real life friends now. I can't even express in words what these weekends have meant to me. I am sure I will be downloading thoughts over the next few weeks as my heart processes everything.

It was so nice to wake up in my own bed this morning though. Early risers around here so before seven we had our younger two squirming away with lots of kisses and giggles. Of course the moment I finally slipped into the shower my sweet three year old girl wanted to join me and so I obliged her request. She just loves a hot shower and was a happy little camper in there so I decided to dry off and get ready while she played a bit more in the steamy water. As I worked away on my makeup and hair she kept calling to me little thoughts and ideas. Requests for more cups and toys. Giggles. Mommy can I have more soap. Mommy what about a towel. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. I was listening and multitasking and basking in the glow of being home with my kiddos and feeling alive again in my spirit, something that has felt all too dry and parched for the last few years.

Mommy come look into my face, so I can tell you some things. 

Her words stopped me in my tracks and my heart in it's tender, stirred up state heard it again.

come look into my face, so I can tell you some things…

I dropped my brush and ran to the shower and got down on my knees to inspect her beautiful face. I looked into her gray eyes and with tears stinging my own I said I am here Josie and I love you and I am so very honored to be your mom and I want to listen to all the things.

Jesus spoke to my heart this morning through my little girl and reminded me of the biggest take away from these weeks of being stirred up and stripped bare and wrung out and poured over. He said, Rebekah just look into my face because I want to tell you all the things I have. I don't need you to multi task and go about your day doing what you think you are suppose to do to earn enough grace or validity or points to make it worth it. Just keep your eyes locked on mine and trust me that I love you and I am so honored that you are my daughter. Don't look around at what others are doing or look down and get lost in the vision you think you need to carry out. Come, look into my face so I can tell you some things.

I've got my eyes open in a new way and I am feeling the freedom and steadiness that we can find in our Saviors face.

Don't lose heart, don't lose faith. Keep believing in the things that He's called to you. When you're tired,  when you're faint, look deep into the eyes of your Savior's face  and you will find your resting place. You'll see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. -Jenny Simmons 

As you begin this new week may you know full well how deeply loved you are. Not because of all you do or don't do or how you think you might matter or don't measure up. But simply because you are a part of a family and there is a God who sees you, his child and He longs to look into your face too and tell you things. 

(Lyrics from The Becoming - I made a friend in Jenny Simmons this weekend at the HopeSpoken conference - her voice and heart are so big for the Lord you can find her blog and music HERE)