happy 11th birthday, rebekah!

the night before, grandmommy and granddad stopped by to give both girls a birthday gift (bailey's bday is next wednesday)

had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, i packed her a *FUN!* lunch (she said even her friends were amazed by it! score!!) and dad came home early from work for a fun evening together!

dinner: beef kabobs with pineapple, rice, salad and green peppers
quite a request, huh?? it was yummy!!

 at dinner (early) we let her open 1 gift - earrings!

the girls headed to the mall to get her ears pierced!!! while the boys took joshua to his first flag football practice.

she was so so nervous. at one point i literally thought she might faint (can you see it in her face??)

 but, we had the BEST lady!! she was so great with rebekah's nerves!!

 done! whoo-hoo!

 we all met back at home for a few more gifts (some precious ones from bailey!) and cake (red velvet)

 yes, a couple are missing. don't ask. they "got" to go to bed early.

 one of rebekah's teachers asked us to write "in a million words or less" about our child. this is what i wrote and it pretty much sums her up on her 11th birthday:

Rebekah is our firstborn. She changed us from a couple to a family. We've added to our family (with 5 more kids!) as the years have gone on. We try everything on her first and she's the first to try things on us. We've all learned a lot and grown a lot and loved a lot. She is an amazing big sister to her 4 little brothers and 1 little sister. They look up to and adore her. She was born with a confidence that I've rarely seen shaken. If something doesn't come easily to her (and this happens more often than my mother's heart thinks it can take), she will work HARD until she figures it out. She loves to create, loves her daddy, loves God, loves her friends and loves to laugh. Her heart is soft for the poor and orphaned; her eyes are always looking for ways to love them. She is a joy to our family and to everyone she meets. We are excited to watch her as she enters this new chapter in her life!

we could NOT be more proud of her! happy 11th birthday, rebekah faith cassada!