a bit of sunshine

a special present from Pinhole Press

2012-05-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

While I was still in the hospital I received the most beautiful package from Pinhole Press. This custom mothers day journal I got to design with ten of my favorite photos inside. It is absolutely gorgeous and so special to me especially since I was missing my kids terribly. On the inside cover a reminder to rejoice in each day as a gift from God!

Pinhole Press is a really special company that makes really special things. It's not your average put a picture on a mug shop. They sell gorgeously made products. This journal is beautifully bound and the pictures are of the highest quality. Perfect for gifting, thank you presents (I have quite a few of these to make after the past month), birth announcements or something really special for yourself.

My kids have loved looking through the photos in my journal and I absolutely treasure it as the perfect spot to document my more personal mommy thoughts during this very full season of life.

A very special and heartfelt thank you to Pinhole Press for this generous and thoughtful gift I know I will cherish it forever. Check out all of the amazing things you can make with your photos too HERE!

mothers day

2012-05-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

Chris took this picture over the weekend. I wanted a capture of me with my four on mothers day but clearly nobody is looking at the camera. I don't really care though I am so very proud of this photo and what it represents. All these amazing little ones that I get to gather up into my arms. I know this space has been pretty quiet the past few weeks as we are still settling in as a family of six. Not sure how "settled" we will ever be now. I frequently ask the kids to "settle down" but yeah that doesn't really happen much. Truthfully it's wild and crazy and there is lots of crying and sleeplessness and laughter and running and playing and life being lived in our home. It's full and so is my heart.

And my heart is still wrestling a little too over the events of the past month and my almost two week stay in the hospital. Everything went 100% best case scenario but it just takes a second to bounce back after something like that not to mention bringing a baby home to a house already full of young kids.

But I promise you I am here and planning to continue to keep this space full too. I love the community of friends that I have made through blogging and all of you so very much - thank you for letting me share life with you.

Just wanted to pop in and say hello I hope you are having a wonderful week enjoying life to the brim too! xoxo

Ten on Ten :: May 2012

2012-05-10T22:31:00.001-07:00

Happy tenth everyone I hope you guys had a wonderful day I know we sure did!

I am so looking forward to seeing how your day took shape - if you haven't had a chance to add your set to the linky scroll down to the post below it will be open for the rest of the week! I will be back with my favorites from the month soon.

Find out more about the ten on ten project HERE!

Ten on Ten :: May 2012

2012-05-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy tenth everyone I hope you have a wonderful day capturing all that beauty and life around you. When you are ready add your set to the linky below. If you have never played along all you do is take a photo an hour for ten consecutive hours capturing the ordinary beauty in your day to day life. I look forward to checking out how your day takes shape, happy photographing!

reminder tomorrow is ten on ten!

2012-05-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

I am still settling in at home with theses four cuties but of course I couldn't forget about ten on ten, I hope you will join me!

Learn more about the project HERE.

PS. I just typed this post with one hand...:)

may I introduce...

2012-05-05T18:07:00.000-07:00

Zeb Anselmo Gough

May 3, 2012

5lbs 10oz 18.75 inches

Sorry to leave you all a bit hanging there. I had such plans to write a last post before this little guy arrived. As my luck would have in a last minute turn of events I was whisked away for an emergency c-section on Thursday night instead of the scheduled one we had for Friday.

The moment they pulled him up but behind the curtain I could hear a tiny little mousy cry. A huge grin took over my husbands face. The doctor had to nudge Chris to announce the gender but when I saw his face I just knew and burst into sobs of joy for our little boy!!! God had prepared my heart so deeply for a third son and I could not be more proud of the beautiful family He has blessed us with.

We are doing wonderfully after a rough 48 hours and Zeb has passed all the preemie tests with flying colors. If all continues to go well we hope to return home tomorrow. After twelve days I am so ready to get my little family reunited.

I will be back soon with many more details and the story of how we found his name. It actually took us by surprise and we feel God gave it to us, it fits him perfectly!

Thank you to everyone for your amazing love, support, prayers, emails, visits, text message I could not feel more blessed! xoxo

ps. Zeb looks a bit like his big sister Josie no? Her newborn photo HERE.

May Day

2012-05-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

Reporting from the hospital again today. Still on bed rest but only a few days left until my scheduled c-section at the end of the week. It has been such a roller coaster of emotions the past few days. Not being with my family. Knowing that I will never again get to spend the night in our sweet home as a Mom to only three. Fear and worry about all that is to come and how we are ever going to pay for this long stay with surgeries and possible NICU visit...I have such a new and deep empathy for women who must stay on their back for long periods of pregnancy in the hospital. It so deeply exhausting being poked and prodded at all hours of the day and night and pumped with meds every time contractions start to increase. (praying for Diana Stone all of the time)

But I am so very thankful too. I know this is truly all for the best and that I am in the safest spot possible if something really bad should happen. The risks of this pregnancy to my health and the baby are pretty significant while he/she is in my uterus. Once the baby is born and we can begin the recovery process I know I will be so relieved.

Today a sweet woman came in from Knit for Life to offer me some supplies to keep my hands busy. It was a wonderful gift and reminder that God has designed this time for me to be still, to reflect on what is to come and to stir excitement and joy as I eagerly anticipate all that is about to unfold.

I made a few crochet flowers with my stash and smiled at the pretty bouquets around my room this afternoon trying to soak in the spring, new life and the little blessings I can find.

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, your the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3

Happy May Day!

a room with a view

2012-04-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

I have had so much fun reading all of your baby name suggestions and watching the little gender poll ticker these past few days. On Wednesday as luck would have it I showed up for my regular OB appointment and because of some complications and tests was not allowed to leave. I have been admitted into the hospital now for monitored bed rest until this little one makes his/her debut. Hopefully not until the end of next week so that we can clear the 35 week mark and get us a healthy little preemie to take home.

So I am laying in bed, in my new room with a view. I have been ridiculously blessed by my family and friends rallying around us sending well wishes and treats and lots of prayers. And my kids are in the safest care possible with my Mom and Dad in law at the moment taking a huge load off of this Mommies mind!

I wanted to check in and let you know that I will do my best to update my blog here and there if I can but the way these things can go can be so up and down. Feel free to follow me on twitter (@orange_poppy) or instagram (@rebagough) for more frequent updates.

And if your the praying type I do have a specific prayer request for sleep while staying here in the hospital for what could be weeks - you would think it would be so easy to finally get to take a long nap after five years of being a tired Mom to so many kids but it is proving a bit harder than I thought.

Now back to reading the Hunger Games I am halfway through the first book and just started this morning. The nurse keeps telling me to go slow I still have a lot of time to kill. :)

Happy Friday everyone I hope you all have a blessed weekend!

what is your guess??

2012-04-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been the most frequent blogger as of late. The demands as a Mom of three on this increasingly tired pregnant body has found me with less time for almost everything that is not essential. But I am still here and still hoping to post several more times before our fourth little bundle arrives.

We have successfully been able to keep this little ones gender a big surprise although I always seem to manage to convince myself one way or the other about what it's going to be I don't actually know and as the delivery fast approaches it is one of those things keeping me going with anticipation and excitement!

I have mentioned it before, we plan to deliver our little one about four weeks early to avoid some complications so that means that we have about two and a half weeks before we officially get to meet this little mister or little miss. So I am curious, what do you guys think it's going to be? I have added a little poll to the sidebar over on the left if you want to cast your vote...and for the record we haven't officially decided on names either so feel free to share your favorite girl and boy names in the comment section I would love some help!!

Hope you are having a great day I will be back soon!

{all the clothes are old navy}

{my april favorites}

2012-04-17T17:14:00.003-07:00

{one} - today is mine {two} - amy hershey's kisses {three} - cookie mondays {four} - alita jewels treasures {five} - historias minimas {six} - sometimes sarah writes {seven} - a pretty cool life {eight} - kuky ideas {nine} - live simply {ten} - stacy bostrom photography

I finished choosing my favorite photos from this months installment finally. It is always SO hard to pick, you guys just take such beautiful photos! Thank you to all who participated in the ten on ten project for April it is always a joy and gift to me - looking forward to next month...who knows I might have a new baby in my arms, we shall see!

Ten on Ten :: April 2012

2012-04-10T20:28:00.001-07:00

A sunny spring day here in the northwest quiet at home with my three. Thank you to all who participated in this months installment of ten on ten, if you haven't had a chance yet scroll down to the post below and add your set to the linky it will be open for the rest of the week. I will be back with my favorites soon!

Learn more about the project HERE.

Ten on Ten :: April 2012

2012-04-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy tenth everyone I hope you all have a wonderful day today capturing all that beauty and life around you! When your ready add your set to the linky below and if your new to the Ten on Ten project all you have to do is take a photo an hour for ten consecutive hours and then link up here for all of us to see. I am looking forward to checking out all your sets later this evening!

Easter snapshots + a Ten on Ten reminder

2012-04-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

A wonderful holiday including a surprise egg hunt just for my three after they thought the Easter bunny forgot about them this year! Sunshine, yummy food, fellowship and dark chocolate of course. All four of my people were snoring before I even got the van unloaded last night. Could have been the 5:30 wake up call and the four church services Mr. Gough got to lead...a very full and wonderful holiday for the memory books indeed!

I will be posting more snapshots tomorrow for Ten on Ten and hope you will join me too - learn more about the project HERE!

paint chip easter egg treats

2012-04-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

I have a silly little last minute Easter craft to share with you guys today. I will confess I have a bit of an addiction to the free paint chips found at every hardware store I visit and so my colorful collection has grown. I wanted to find a way to use them in my Easter basket making - these eggs are so quick and simple and a fun quirky twist on the traditional candy eggs!

Paint Chip Easter Eggs

Paint Chips

Egg Template

Scissors

Glue

Exacto and Ruler

Tape or Stickers

After cutting a front and back for each egg score the center of just the top piece with an exacto knife and ruler being careful not to cut the entire thing in half. You want to create a slit or pocket into the egg.

Next glue the two pieces together and let them dry completely.

Stuff the eggs with jelly beans, little notes, gift cards and goodies.

I added some decorate tape to hod them closed but it's not necessary. Hand them out to all your favorite people they are sure to make them smile!

I also wanted to thank you guys for indulging me to expose my heart a bit to you in my last post. Sometimes it is hard to know how to share more than just the pretty things but you always know how to encourage me and I am so blessed by you - so thank you!

cherry lime soda

2012-04-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

Today I drank cherry lime soda like it was going out of style.

I am not quite sure what the deal was maybe the surprise sunshine attack that we got here in Seattle caused it? Or it could have been the very active baby in my belly who is lying transverse and posterior...this equals a lot of legs and arms constantly pushing out. I have developed this painful hernia because of the four pregnancies in five years thing and my poor abdominal muscles never making their way back to where they belong and those little limbs they are pushing on it. Oy. The things our bodies can do it's crazy and amazing but I feel like I am crawling to the finish line on this one not going to lie.

Simon is really starting to feel better after his tonsillectomy though praise the Lord. It has been a weary few weeks around here not a ton of sleep for Mommy and Daddy so I think I needed the sodas...

And when Simon got home from School this afternoon he seemed tired too and he really wanted a chocolate milk for his healing throat so I obliged him with a yummy one. Lots of syrup and ice cubes just the way he likes it in his new special cup with the big lid and straw that I bought him after his surgery to keep him hydrated. I don't really drink milk but it look good and his eyes were so bright when I handed it to him.

Folks the boy somehow accidentally knocked the entire 16 ounce cup of milk over into a drawer full of all of our DVDs...this is proof that he is my son because that takes skills and that is some kind of crazy move I would have pulled as a kid but oh.mah.gosh I needed more soda after it happened to keep me from saying what was actually going through my mind. I might have had to excuse myself to the locked bathroom for a bit too...a drawer FULL of chocolate milk and movies was not really how I wanted to spend my afternoon. Oy is right.

So many times as a Mom lately I find myself grumbling about how exhausting it is. How painful this season of sleepless nights and tantrums and third trimester miseries can be and I shake my little fist at God. Asking Him to come and relieve me. In fact one night recently one of the boys was up really sick with the flu and I am on my hands and knees literally in tears that it's three in the morning and I am scrubbing the floor and washing sheets and I asked God to please take this exhaustion from me. He reminded me ever so tenderly that He loves me but He is far less concerned with my comfort level than my character and that He promises to never give me more than my weary body can handle.

It doesn't make it easier at all but I hear God speaking to my heart and I do feel His strength when I get to the end of mine. This is kingdom work and it's hard work and it's rewarding work and so I won't feel super guilty about the number of cherry lime sodas I drink. It's all worth it because He is shaping my character and that to me can only be good.

So I am raising my glass to another week, a sunny Monday around these parts. I will take it, the good the hard and the drawers full of milk it's what God has for me and I know there is always more there than I can see.

Cherry Lime Soda

Sparkling Water

A Splash of Grenadine

Fresh Lime Juice

(extra yummy with a splash of soy creamer or cream)

*PS. Emily Peck from Peck Life you won the $25 gift certificate from Oh My Crafts!!! Congrats girl I will get you all hooked up with your prize! Check out Emily's blog if you get a chance it's adorable!

almond flavored cold brew coffee

2012-03-29T09:42:00.001-07:00

Cold brew coffee is one of my favorite ways to drink my daily cup when the season changes a bit and iced coffee starts to sound good in the afternoon. I have made this many times but usually use vanilla and cinnamon along with the brown sugar and coarse grounds but this time I decided to try a little almond extract instead. I really loved the subtle almond flavor with a bit of soy creamer over ice.

Cold brewed coffee is simple and inexpensive if you have never done it before all you need is a small pitcher but I prefer to use my french press so that I don't have to strain out the grounds with a fine sieve or paper towel. But either way it's super yummy and fun!

Almond flavored cold brew coffee:

3/4 cup of coarse coffee grounds

3 Tbs brown sugar

2 teaspoons almond extract

a sprinkle of cinnamon (optional)

3 or 4 cups of cold water. 

I just fill my french press but if you use a pitcher I think 3 to 4 cups should be good.

Pour everything into your french press and mix then let sit in your fridge over night. When ready strain out the grounds and enjoy the coffee concentrate over ice with a bit of your favorite creamer.

enjoy!

HERE is a more extensive article on cold brew methods in case you like a little more info.

easter bunny in the grass vase and a giveaway! (closed)

2012-03-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

The girls at Oh My Crafts were so sweet and sent me a little package of fun things recently. My most favorite was the Martha Stewart fringe scissors. I could not wait to get my hands on them and instantly wanted to cut everything in sight into the perfect fringy mess.

I have a few fun projects in mind with these but couldn't help but whip together this silly and whimsical Easter project using a recycled soup can and simple tissue paper. I thought these would be a great way to present a friend or your kids teachers with some pretty flowers this Spring.

Ingredients:

1. soup can

2. pipe cleaners

3. tissue paper

4. fabric stripes

5. fringe scissors

6. double sided tape

7. packing tape

8. doily or other decorations

9. flowers

Make some little bunny ears using two pipe cleaners and then tie a knot at the bottom with the fabric scraps and wrap up the entire length of the ears covering the entire thing.

Next measure out a folded piece of tissue paper to fit around your can and using the fringe (or other) scissors cut fringe along the top to make the grass.

Tape the tissue paper down and then add a bow with more fabric scraps or a doily and bow like I did in the finished project.

Lastly I taped the bunny ears inside the can with some heavy packing tape to keep them secure and protect them a bit from the water.

Fill the can carefully with some water and pretty Spring flowers and your all set. Could be a cute center piece for an Easter brunch too - just a silly little Easter craft to get your juices flowing today.

And as an added bonus Oh My Crafts also sent me a $25 gift certificate for one lucky reader to purchase some fun crafting supplies too. To enter you need to "like" the Oh My Crafts facebook page HERE and sign your name in the comments below. Extra entries given to fans of A Bit of Sunshine so let me know in a separate comment if you "like" my page too or if you follow via google friend connect or reader. Contest will be open through the end of the week and a winner chosen and announced on Sunday April 1st! Good luck everyone and happy Spring!

Oh My Crafts Site, Facebook page, Blog

make something monday :: mason jar easter baskets

2012-03-26T09:34:00.002-07:00

Happy Monday! I am so excited to share these little mason jar Easter baskets I put together recently they are super easy - you most likely have all the ingredients sitting around your home right now! Perfect size for little ones to carry around too! Head on over to Beautifully Rooted HERE this morning for the full tutorial...I will be back soon with another silly Easter craft to share!

Hope you have a wonderful day Friends!

my little patient

2012-03-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

My sweet little Simon had his tonsils out last week. It went well but I feel so bad for him with his big crocodile tears constantly asking me if the pain will ever go away. I remember my sister and I having ours out years ago, it was the worst but the best thing in the long run and at least I feel lots of empathy for him. Chris and I are pretty wiped out I didn't really consider how we would be needing to get up throughout the night to administer meds, bring him water and bites of food and lots of hugs and snuggles....needless to say this pregnant Mama needs a nap!

I have some things to share this week though I promise. A few silly Easter crafts and a recipe too. I know it has been extra quite around here lately. I suppose that is to be expected as my energy wanes and we prepare to welcome our new baby. I will be around as much as I can though! Hope you had a wonderful weekend I am off to catch a tiny bit of sleep before this little cutie needs me! xo

dear baby

2012-03-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Time is really flying these days, I am actually closer to 29 weeks at this point but these photos were taken closer to 28. I can hardly believe we will be holding you in our arms in less that eight weeks because of Mommy's funny womb. Not to worry we are watching you like a little hawk making sure you'll be just perfect before you come out into this great big world!

I still don't know for sure what your gender will be but I have my feelings about it all and just know that God has purposefully chosen you for our family so whether you are a girl or a boy you will fit more perfectly into our family than we ever could have imagined!

Mommy is more and more uncomfortable these days, lots of heartburn and leg cramping and practice contractions. But it will all be worth it and the amount of kicks and punches you give me during the day to let me know your in my tummy is so funny and crazy...you are a busy little bee aren't you!

I have my nerves about being a Mommy to four little ones and am pretty exhausted caring for your brothers and sister these days while searching for energy to do most anything but I know this season will end so soon and I will look back one day and feel so nostalgic and blessed by the years of child bearing that God allowed me to experience. What an incredible experience it has been.

I love you little one and can't wait to kiss your sweet cheeks so soon!

Love,
Mommy

These are a few images taken by my dear friend Stacy Bostrom in Southern California a few weeks ago. I am wearing a vintage 1970's Nordstrom dress that belong to my Mother before I was born. You can see more from the collection HERE and if you have yet to feast your eyes on the talent that she possess please take a look at her gorgeous and inspiring photography HERE!

{my march favorites}

2012-03-16T16:19:00.001-07:00

{one} - rosofam {two} - paint chip madness {three} - the ravenna girls {four} - toytulip {five} - the boonie life {six} - a pretty cool life {seven} - educated not so domesticated {eight} - live simply {nine} - annalea hart {ten} - cookie mondays

Thanks again to everyone who participated in this months installment of the Ten on Ten project it was so much fun looking through all of your sets. As per usual I was very inspired and blessed by all the beauty you found throughout your day!

I hope you guys are having a great week I am laying a bit low in the blogging world right now - needing to care for my family and tend to a very tired, getting very pregnant body. I hope to be back sharing more soon though. Happy Friday friends!

More about Ten on Ten HERE.

Ten on Ten :: March 2012

2012-03-10T23:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in this months Ten on Ten I can't wait to check out all of your beautiful sets. I will be back with my favorites from the month soon. If you haven't had a chance yet scroll down to the post below and add yours to the linky it will be open for the entire week - learn more about the project HERE!

Ten on Ten :: March 2012

2012-03-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

Happy tenth everyone I hope you guys have a great day capturing all that beautiful life around you! When you are ready add your set to the linky below, I am looking forward to seeing them all later on this evening! If you are new to the Ten on Ten project find out more HERE.

just a little reminder...

2012-03-09T12:31:00.000-08:00

tomorrow is ten on ten! If you have never participated find out more about the project HERE.

soaking it up

2012-03-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

I am off having a wonderful time with Stacy this week in southern California soaking up a bit of sunshine and working on some fun projects around her home.

She posted a tiny sneak peek this evening on her blog from the maternity shoot we did yesterday...she took me to a gorgeous secluded field and the sun popped out at just the right time - kind of like my 27 week baby belly. I swear to you there was a mouse following us in the tall grass though. :)

I am over on Beautifully Rooted again this week as well with a tiny tutorial for this pinwheel headband I made for Josie recently the full tutorial HERE.

Hope your having a great week friends,

xo Rebekah

a bit of sunshine

a special present from Pinhole Press

mothers day

Ten on Ten :: May 2012

Ten on Ten :: May 2012

reminder tomorrow is ten on ten!

may I introduce...

May Day

a room with a view

what is your guess??

{my april favorites}

Ten on Ten :: April 2012

Ten on Ten :: April 2012

Easter snapshots + a Ten on Ten reminder

paint chip easter egg treats

cherry lime soda

almond flavored cold brew coffee

easter bunny in the grass vase and a giveaway! (*closed*)

make something monday :: mason jar easter baskets

my little patient

dear baby

{my march favorites}

Ten on Ten :: March 2012

Ten on Ten :: March 2012

just a little reminder...

soaking it up

easter bunny in the grass vase and a giveaway! (closed)