On this day 15 years ago, we were given a very special gift:
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On July 10, 2001, we welcomed Rebecca Claire into the world.  She was absolutely perfect – another beautiful daughter.  A few hours after her birth, our pediatrician gently informed us that Rebecca had been born with Down syndrome.  The next 48 hours were a real emotional roller coaster.  We cried, we asked ourselves, “Why?”, and we prayed.  A lot.

While we mourned the loss of the child that we had been expecting, we very quickly came to realize that we had been given an incredible gift.  Rebecca is remarkably healthy.  She appears to have none of the major medical problems associated with Down syndrome.  Her heart, respiratory, and digestive systems all appear to be normal, she has good muscle tone, and she can see and hear.  We won’t know about developmental delays until later, but we are learning that we have to take things one day at a time.  Rebecca is the sweetest baby, and she already has everyone in our family wrapped tightly around her little finger.

Many of you have asked how we are doing and I can honestly say that we are going to be fine.  We said from the beginning of this pregnancy that this child was meant to be.  We simply asked that she would be healthy and happy and God answered those prayers. We are now stepping out on a journey of faith and we have to believe that we will be given the strength that we need for whatever may happen along the way.  We have been given a very special gift and God trusts us with that gift.  It is a humbling thought and an awesome responsibility, but with His help we know that everything will be all right.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  – Jeremiah 29:11

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Fifteen years ago today, we thought that we would never laugh or smile again.  How very wrong we were.

Fifteen years ago today, we thought that God had made a mistake and given this precious little girl to the wrong family.  If God ever figures out that he really DID make a mistake, he’s not getting her back.

Fifteen years ago today, we thought that life as we knew it was over.  And in a way, that was true – our lives have never been the same.  We are the richer because of a sweet little angel who was sent down from Heaven to brighten the lives of everyone around her.

Happy Birthday, Rebecca!  We’re so very glad you came into our lives –

Love, Mommy and Daddy

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(This is a re-post, changed to reflect the correct age)
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