Happy 5th Birthday, Rebekah

Five years ago on October 1, 2004 our lives were changed forever. God gave us the most precious gift we could ever receive when He gave us our precious daughter Rebekah. Before, Darrin and I lived in our own world as a young married couple of three years having no idea how much our family dynamics would change with the birth of a child. Middle-of-the-night wakings and feedings, diaper changes, figuring out our little one's cries, but on the other side of that was enormous love for someone we could not explain. Rebekah had her Daddy wrapped around her little finger from the day she was born, and she still does.

Now Rebekah is five years old and is growing up so fast. It's hard to believe that our little girl is now not so much a little girl anymore. She's a big girl in her own way. We can see how she is maturing. She's really handling her little brother better and not getting as upset with him as much, although they still have their quarrels. She is more helpful, more empathetic, and she is even taking on responsibility more because she wants to be more grown up. Her latest thing is making her own sandwiches (with help as needed) for lunch.

Rebekah is also maturing spiritually. She is learning about God and His Word, and she asks lots of questions about God, Jesus, and Heaven. She has not yet given her life to the Lord, but she will claim that Jesus is her Savior. There is still very important details about salvation that she does not quite understand yet, but she is learning and is very inquisitive.

Five years old sounds so grown up to me. I never realized it until my firstborn was fast approaching this day. Four years is still a little girl - a preschooler - and although Rebekah is still in preschool it seems like she's not so little now that she is five. It feels like a milestone from leaving little girl behind to entering the bigger girl stage. I don't want to say "big girl" because I feel that is left to older girls who are in upper elementary, but it definitely feels like Rebekah has hit a new stage.



Happy 5th Birthday my dear, sweet Rebekah! Your Daddy and I love your more than you'll ever know. And your brother looks up to you a whole lot. We are so proud of you and the daughter that you are.