Welcome to Rebecca Bingham!

I love Rebecca! And I just know you will too. She's smart and creative and kind. Avid bloggers may know her as Bek from Ignore the Crazy. She leaves the best comments — thoughtful and full of information. And she's the ultimate connector. She knows everybody and makes introductions freely. Rebecca sincerely wishes success and happiness to every person she comes in contact with. She is a positive force for good in every way.

Rebecca was asked to write a bio for one of the (many) worthy organizations she's involved with, and lucky for us, she adapted it for her stint here at Design Mom. So, in her own excellent words:

I have to say that I was a bit surprised when Design Mom asked me to guest blog. You may have noticed a trend with her other guest posters. They are very talented. I am not the mom that has started her own business or is a trendsetting dresser. I don’t paint or sew or organize things. I don’t reproduce the front cover of Pottery Barn kids in my home with a can of paint, elbow grease and some furniture I found at a garage sale. I am FRIENDS with those people. My role is more of the appreciative audience. I am the consumer. Without people like me in the world, there wouldn’t be much income for the rest of you mega talented and fabulous women. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have anything to bring to the table though.

When I am asked to describe myself I immediately picture those chocolate oranges that you see in the grocery store during the holidays. You know, the kind that you crack to make each “slice” come apart? I am a chocolate orange. I feel like there are so many seemingly contradictory slices of me that somehow manage to coexist (sometimes more peacefully than others). First and foremost, I am a mother. I get to mother three very different, very bright and VERY attractive children (if I do say so). This is the slice that takes up most of my time and energy these days. The mommy slice works very hard to keep the house relatively clean and get everyone where they need to be at approximately the time they need to be there. In another universe, this part of me would also feed the kids homemade whole wheat pancakes and organic milk for breakfast every day, but seriously, who has time for that? My kids probably watch too much TV and have repeatedly declared their love and devotion to hot dogs and Mac and Cheese (the orange stuff, not the homemade kind). This offends the gourmet cook slice of me, but that is another story.

Two of our children joined our family through adoption, so we also have the adoption slice and the trans-racial family slice of me. That slice spends A LOT of time answering questions by well meaning, but often rude, strangers about whether my children were born addicted to drugs (no, were yours?) and if I plan on having any more “real” children (as opposed to the fake ones that currently keep me so busy) and if I am worried that their real mom will kidnap them (a thousand times NO). Please never do this. EVER! Ooops, that last part was from the angry slice that I usually try and keep a lid on.

Another slice is the part of me that wants to save the world. I feel so very strongly about my obligation to leave this world better than I found it. I stay actively involved with several charities and manage a few micro-loan projects in Africa. I am passionate about lending my voice and my talents to aid those that have one. I feel a very deep sense of obligation to the women and children of the world that need voices like mine. We have the ability to make changes. This is the part of me that is a fan of soapboxes and making long speeches. I struggle to find the balance between doing what is right for MY kids and doing what I can for the world’s kids. I take it day by day.

I can’t end before I mention the parts of me that are just for fun. These are the things that just make me happy. These things don’t make me feel that I am a wife or a mother or an activist or a volunteer. These are the things that make me feel like Rebecca. I pull these out when I need to recharge the batteries and indulge in a little bit of selfishness with my time and energy. I will watch almost any documentary on PBS and am nerdy enough to get excited when I see a new one appear on my DVR. I am a fan of TV in general and think there is something to be said for mind candy and something to listen to when I exercise (or not exercise). I am also a passionate cook. I find it relaxing and fun. I also love to eat, so that is handy.

I also love Design Mom (shameless plug). I strive to create beauty and order in my home and in my world. I want my children to see their home as a safe place that reflects who we are. I may not be able to come up with the ideas, but I can be inspired by those of you that do. I need all the help that I can get. I love that each day brings me a new thing to think about or treasure. It keeps me on my toes and inspires me to make my home and my life a more beautiful and harmonious place. We should never underestimate the value of that.
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Hooray for Rebecca!! We're so glad you're here!