Seventeen.

 To the best young man I have ever met,

I am the luckiest mom in the world. 

Hallie is FOURTEEN

 My most precious girl. Fourteen of the most amazing years. You’re a dream. 

Jovie is NINE

 My most precious Jovie Kalei,

You *just* officially turned 9 a few minutes ago and I am absolutely blown away. Right this second you are watching Zombies 4 in the incredible backyard oasis tent that your big kids set up for you complete with lights, blankets, speakers, popcorn, and a large monitor for your viewing pleasure! 

Sixteen.

DUDE! SIXTEEN!!!

Sweet boy…

Sixteen. I can hardly believe it.

How did we get here so fast?

It feels like just yesterday you were curling up in my lap, building LEGO towers, racing Hot Wheels through the kitchen, giggling with that little-boy laugh that I can still hear if I close my eyes. And yet, somehow, you woke up this morning a young man — standing tall, full of confidence and humility, and walking into this new chapter with the same quiet strength that’s been in you since the beginning.

Sixteen years ago tonight, you were placed in my arms for the very first time.

And in that moment, everything changed.

There you were — real, alive, mine — and somehow still completely a gift from Heaven. I remember crying, laughing, whispering prayers over your tiny face. In that instant, I knew my heart would never be the same. Because God, in His grace, chose me to be your mom. And since that day, it’s been one of the greatest joys, deepest honors, and most sacred privileges of my life.

And today… well, today was one for the books.

It started with what could’ve been a frustrating disaster — a massive line at the DOL, people talking about 4- to 5-hour waits. But of course, in perfect Zack fashion, you took it in stride. Calm. Patient. And somehow (God wink), we were ushered into a different line and done in 10 minutes flat. Just like that — you were official.

The look on your face when they handed you that license — I’ll never forget it. Pride, joy, freedom. You’ve been waiting for this for so long, and you earned it every step of the way.

And then — in true Zack form — your very first drive was to take your sisters to Target. No flex. No solo joyride. You brought them with you. You always think of others first. And in that moment, I saw again just how deeply you love — how much it matters to you that the people around you feel seen, safe, and included. You’ve always been that way.

Then came the surprise: your very own Tesla Model S.

And oh my goodness — your face. Pure shock, followed by the biggest, most genuine smile. It was like every birthday and Christmas joy rolled into one. You’ve worked so hard, Zack. With humility, with focus, with such integrity. You’ve never expected anything — but you’ve earned everything.

You took the girls to Starbucks next, soaking up the moment, and then went for a hike with McKenna — a beautiful walk that led to a big, brave moment. You asked her to be your girlfriend. You were respectful, kind, confident. And she said yes. My heart swelled watching you step into that with such care and intentionality.

And then — life being what it is — you tripped on a rock and gashed your leg open.

Your perfect birthday turned into three hours in urgent care and a handful of stitches. And you handled it all with that steady, even-keeled spirit of yours. No complaining. No dramatics. Just calm strength and a grin that said, “Really Dude. Of course this would happen today.”

You came home sore, stitched, and a little worn out — but still smiling.

And to end the night, you curled up on the couch with McKenna and watched Cars 2.

Only you, Zack.

Only you could live a day like this with so much grace and grit.

As I sit here tonight, reflecting on the sixteen years I’ve been blessed to be your mom, I am completely undone with gratitude. Zack, you are extraordinary. Not just because of what you do — although your accomplishments amaze me — but because of who you are.

You are filled with strength, but you are gentle.

You are funny, sharp, clever — and yet grounded and kind.

You lead without trying, serve without needing recognition, and love with your whole heart.

You are a protector, a dreamer, a hard worker, a faithful son.

And you love Jesus.

It’s quiet, but it’s real. And it radiates through your choices, your words, your character.

And now, as you step into this new season, I pray this over you with every ounce of my love:

Lord, thank you for the precious gift and miracle you have blessed us with in giving us Zack. I pray that you would raise Zack up to be a Mighty Man of God and a warrior for your kingdom. That he would love and serve you and love and serve your people and honor and obey us as his parents. And Lord, that you would give us great wisdom to be parents worthy of his love, honor, obedience, and respect! God I pray that Zack would be a man of integrity and great character. That he would be strong and courageous. That he would tenaciously seek you and your will, but that his heart would be tender in the pursuit of your people. Lord, I pray that your grace and mercy would pour out over his life and that he would accept your amazing gift of forgiveness, every single day. And please work in our hearts to never take this weight of parenting lightly. Lord, we are raising your precious child. He is not ours, he is a child of the Most High God. You have created every speck of sand on the shore, every star in the sky, and know every hair on his head…he is yours. But thank you so much for giving us the amazing opportunity to be his parents and love him every day of his life. Lord I pray that you would protect him from injury, disease, and illness. Protect his heart from heartache. And Lord, please help me to be his greatest fan and encourager. This year he rocked high school. And before I know it, he will be driving, graduating, and heading off into the world. All too soon I will hear Zachariah David Pentz announced as he walks across the platform and is handed his diploma. Lord, I pray even now for Zack’s future spouse. I pray that Zack would lay his life down for her as you did for your church. And on that day, on that altar, you would join them together forever in a union that only you could create. And one day, when he becomes a father, may he gaze into the eyes of his child with the same awe and love I feel right now. God, continue to shape him and form him into the Man of God that you have called him to be.

Amen.

Zack, you are one of the most beautiful gifts I’ve ever been given.

Watching you grow is the honor of my life.

And I will love you — forever and always — with everything I have.

Happy 16th birthday, my sweet, strong, amazing boy.

I love you endlessly.

Mom

Hallie is THIRTEEN

My Dearest Hallie Belle,

Welcome to thirteen—your very first year as a teenager. I can’t believe we’re here already. Part of me wants to freeze time, to hold onto every piece of the little girl who still curls up next to me, but the other part of me is in absolute awe of the young woman you’re becoming. And I am so, so proud.

For thirteen years now, I’ve had the incredible joy of being your mom. To walk alongside you through your brightest moments and your hardest ones. To cheer for you louder than anyone else in the room. To witness your kindness, your courage, your sparkle, and your strength—day after day after day. You are a gift I never could’ve earned and one I’ll never stop thanking God for.

This past year has been full of incredible highs, unforgettable memories, and a few unexpected bumps along the way. You competed Level 8 gymnastics again, and poured every ounce of your heart into it. Your commitment, drive, and love for the sport continues to blow me away. And you ended your season with an incredible 3rd All-Around at Regionals—what a way to finish!

You were even invited to the prestigious USA Gymnastics DEVO Camp—a huge honor and such a testament to your talent and potential. But then… life had a different plan. A broken toe meant you had to sit that one out. And I know it was disappointing—I know how much you wanted to be there. But Hallie, the way you handled that setback with grace and perspective? That was its own kind of victory. You never let it steal your joy. You never let it dim your light.

Instead, something really special unfolded. You and Dad are headed on an unforgettable adventure—just the two of you—to New York City to see Hamilton on Broadway. I mean… what a plot twist, right? From the mat to Manhattan. You may not have made it to DEVO this time, but you’re about to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll carry in your heart forever. And I have no doubt it will be filled with laughter, late-night chats, and a thousand little moments you’ll never forget.

And that’s you, Hallie. You live life fully—whatever it throws your way. You bring joy with you wherever you go. You’re the girl that makes everything more fun—at youth group, at the gym, at the mall, at home, with your friends, on vacation, in the car belting out songs, or curled up with a book. (The Hunger Games has your whole heart right now—and honestly, you kind of remind me of Katniss. Fierce, loyal, brave, and full of heart.)

You’re stepping into these teenage years with strength, confidence, and grace. And I’m right here for it. I will walk with you through every high and low, through every moment of discovery, growth, and transformation. I’ll cheer for you louder than ever, cry with you when it’s hard, and always, always remind you of who you are and whose you are.

You are absolutely incredible, Hallie. You’re the kind of girl people want to be around. You’re smart, stylish, thoughtful, hilarious, loyal, and full of life. You have a presence that lights up the room, and a heart that reflects Jesus in the most beautiful ways.

And again today, my dear girl, I pray this prayer over your life:

Jesus, thank you so much for this gift of life that you have blessed us with. What an amazing honor it is to be her mom. I pray that your grace would pour out over Hallie’s life and that your Holy Spirit would invade every part of who she is. I pray that she would know and truly understand that she is amazingly beautiful. She is the picture of perfection created in YOUR image. You created her as an artist creates a masterpiece and looked upon her and said, “It is good!” Jesus, I pray that Hallie would grow to exude confidence and grace. That she would be amazingly strong, courageous, and dignified, yet incredibly gentle and kind. I pray against any outer influence that says that she is not good enough, or that she is lacking in any way. Lord, I pray that all of her worth would be found in you. God, I pray that Hallie would dream big and love deeply. And be loved deeply in return. And Jesus, please guard her heart. Set her apart for you and your will. I pray that your love would envelop her and consume her and she would find herself in you. Lord, protect her heart, her mind, and her body. I pray that your protection would follow her all the days of her life. I am so excited for the days ahead and to watch my baby girl grow into a woman that is chasing after your heart. Before I know it, I will be walking her into her first day of middle school…and then High School. And I am so excited to hear her name announced as she walks across the stage to receive a diploma. And see her Daddy walk her down that aisle - glowing with your love as a beautiful bride. Or to watch her hold her baby in her arms for the first time, and gaze into his/her eyes as I know it is at that moment that she may finally get a glimpse into how much I love her. Jesus, thank you for this precious gift! Please give me wisdom to be her mom…To love her every single day of her life, to encourage her always and to be her biggest fan. I pray that you would be apparent in all of my words and all of my actions. Lord, help me to strive to demonstrate your love for Hallie in a tangible way in hopes that it will give her the smallest peak into who you are. Just as her name means “Praise God”, all I can do is praise you for this precious life. May Hallie grow into the amazing woman that you have called her to be!

Amen. 

Keep shining, Hallie Belle. Thirteen looks really good on you.

I love you with my whole heart—forever and always.

Love,

Mom

Jovie is EIGHT

 My Dearest Darling,

I love you so. You are absolutely magical in every way. You captivate the attention of those around you and draw people to yourself. You’re an includer and a peacemaker, a hard worker and a silent leader. You’re kind and compassionate and beautiful and so lovely. Eight years ago today, I held you in my arms for the very first time, completely overwhelmed by the beauty and joy of who you were already becoming. And now—eight years later—I’m still in awe.

You are truly one of a kind. There’s a light in you that is unmistakable. You walk into a room and it’s like the atmosphere changes—brighter, lighter, more fun, more full. You are silly and wild and somehow also incredibly thoughtful, intuitive, and kind. You notice people. You care deeply. You say the funniest things and somehow also ask the most profound questions. You’re an absolute blast wherever you are—and wherever you are, people want to be too.

This past year, I’ve watched you grow in so many beautiful ways. You’re thriving in school—you love learning, you love being with your friends, and you show up with your full heart. You’re always quick with a hug, a joke, or a surprise bit of wisdom. You have this quiet confidence mixed with a contagious joy that makes you so magnetic to everyone around you.

And of course—gymnastics continues to be one of your greatest loves. You’ve been training hard for several years now, and it’s been amazing to watch your strength, your determination, and your passion deepen. You competed in national TOPS testing this year and did incredibly well, scoring 28 points—just two shy of making it to TOPS national camp. That is such an accomplishment, Jovie! But more than the score, I was proud of your heart—your focus, your work ethic, and the joy you brought to every single practice and performance. You’ve learned to love the hard work, the routines, and the process—and it shows.

Beyond the gym, you love life with such vibrant joy. You adore your siblings, and nothing lights up your face quite like being silly with Zack and Hallie. You’ve built the sweetest bond with Malia, your partner-in-crime and soul sister. You love climbing trees, swimming on vacation, school days, shopping, and all the little things that make life magical. And yes—even Penny, your adorable (and slightly territorial) furry rival—you love her, even when she’s growling in your shared pursuit of being “the baby.” You two crack me up.

You, Jovie, are a masterpiece. You are beauty and wonder and courage wrapped into one precious soul. You make our family richer. You teach us all to slow down, to dance a little more, to ask big questions, to laugh hard, and to love with abandon.

There is something deeply special about you, and I pray that as you grow, you never lose that wonder. That light. That Jovie-ness that makes you shine so uniquely and so brightly.

And today, like I do every year, I lift up this prayer over your life:

Jesus,

I lift up my sweetest baby girl to you. In my weakness and shortcomings as a mom, you are so very strong. You have created an absolute masterpiece in Jovie Kalei Pentz. I am constantly in awe at the wonder of who she is. She is wild and crazy, yet gentle and loving. She is gorgeous beyond words and precious beyond measure. Jesus, take her precious life and hold it so close to your heart. It is my deepest desire that she would come to know you and the power of your resurrection. That she would love and serve you and love and serve your people with every fiber of her being. And that she would be deeply loved in return. Jesus, raise her up to be a mighty woman that stands for the good of all and points people to you. May she fight for justice, mend the brokenhearted, break barriers, and love deeply. May you lead her, guide her, and let your amazing grace fall upon her as she fights back the darkness for your name. Jesus, give her incredible confidence and strength as she pursues the life that you have called her to. Oh Lord, it is my greatest honor and privilege to be her mom. I dream of the day that I will hear her name announced as she walks across the stage to receive her high school diploma, and then her college diploma and beyond. I can picture it now, seeing sweet Jovie in a white gown as the most beautiful bride. Jesus, I pray for her future spouse, that he would love her like you do and lay his life down for his bride. And I have tears in my eyes even now as I imagine the day that Jovie becomes a mom and instantly knows this crazy and incredible love that I feel for her. Jesus, thank you so much for her precious life. Thank you for the gift that she is to our family. Lead her. Guide her. Let your grace wash upon her. She is your beautiful daughter and I am humbled at this opportunity to love her every day of her life.

Amen.

Happy 8th birthday, Jovie girl. You are sunshine and sparkle and spirit and strength. I love you with my whole heart—forever and always.

Love,

Mom

Fifteen.

 Bruh.

Where in the world did 15 years go? It’s been the blink of an eye and yet I cannot remember life without you in it. Fifteen years ago this evening, I got to hold you in my arms for the very first time. Every emotion flooded my mind and my heart. You were an actual real life baby and you were MINE! And that moment changed everything. I was selected by Jesus himself to be your mom. And every day since then has been part of my life’s greatest joy and honor. You, my son, are the greatest blessing. 

But… I honestly don’t know how we got here so fast. Weren’t you just building LEGOs and racing hot wheels? And now—suddenly—you’re lettering in varsity football, starting as a freshman on JV basketball, and throwing discs like a boss in track. You’re navigating this world with strength, grit, focus, and purpose—and it’s awe-inspiring to watch.

As I sit and write this, you’re at the counter studying for the most challenging test of your life—AP Chemistry. And somehow, I already know you’ll rise to the challenge just like you always do. You’ll get a 5 on that test—because you’re brilliant, because you work harder than anyone else, and because you carry this deep inner drive that just doesn’t quit. And unbelievably, through all the practices, games, competitions, and leadership roles, you’re still holding on to a perfect 4.0 GPA. Zack, that kind of consistency, focus, and follow-through is incredibly rare—and it does not go unnoticed.

Just this week, you found out you’ve been elected sophomore class president, and it couldn’t be more fitting. You’re a born leader—not the loudest in the room, but the one people naturally want to follow. You listen. You lift others up. You lead by example. Whether you’re calling a play on the field, leading a class discussion, or helping a teammate stay encouraged—you’re influencing everyone around you in quiet, powerful ways.

And now you’re about to hit another huge milestone: your learner’s permit. You’ve been dreaming of driving for years—and now here we are. And while it makes my heart ache just a little, I can already picture you behind the wheel, cruising confidently toward all that’s ahead. This new freedom, this new chapter—it suits you. You’ve always been ready for the next step, the next challenge, the next adventure.

Zack, you are a gift. Truly. You’re hilarious and humble. Focused and fun. You still crack us up with your puns and one-liners, and yet you’re the first to step up and serve when something needs to get done. Your love for Jesus may be quiet, but it is deep—and it radiates through your character, your integrity, and your love for people.

Each year with you is a new layer of wonder. I’m so proud of what you’re accomplishing, but even more so of who you’re becoming. You carry yourself with confidence and humility, strength and compassion. You set big goals, and you attack them with everything you’ve got. You lead with heart. You give without expecting anything in return. You dream boldly and live purposefully.

So today, on your 15th birthday, I celebrate you. And I thank God—yet again—for the front-row seat He’s given me in this incredible journey. I am blown away by who you are. And I pray this, with all my heart:

Lord, thank you for the precious gift and miracle you have blessed us with in giving us Zack. I pray that you would raise Zack up to be a Mighty Man of God and a warrior for your kingdom. That he would love and serve you and love and serve your people and honor and obey us as his parents. And Lord, that you would give us great wisdom to be parents worthy of his love, honor, obedience, and respect! God I pray that Zack would be a man of integrity and great character. That he would be strong and courageous. That he would tenaciously seek you and your will, but that his heart would be tender in the pursuit of your people. Lord, I pray that your grace and mercy would pour out over his life and that he would accept your amazing gift of forgiveness, every single day. And please work in our hearts to never take this weight of parenting lightly. Lord, we are raising your precious child. He is not ours, he is a child of the Most High God. You have created every speck of sand on the shore, every star in the sky, and know every hair on his head…he is yours. But thank you so much for giving us the amazing opportunity to be his parents and love him every day of his life. Lord I pray that you would protect him from injury, disease, and illness. Protect his heart from heartache. And Lord, please help me to be his greatest fan and encourager. This year he rocked high school. And before I know it, he will be driving, graduating, and heading off into the world. All too soon I will hear Zachariah David Pentz announced as he walks across the platform and is handed his diploma. Lord, I pray even now for Zack’s future spouse. I pray that Zack would lay his life down for her as you did for your church. And on that day, on that altar, you would join them together forever in a union that only you could create. And one day, when he becomes a father, may he gaze into the eyes of his child with the same awe and love I feel right now. God, continue to shape him and form him into the Man of God that you have called him to be.

Amen.

Zack, you are one of the greatest joys of my life. I love you more than words could ever express.

Happy 15th birthday, my boy.

I love you forever.

Mom