Nine.

Zachariah David Pentz! 

How in the world are you NINE?!? I just tried to hold you like a baby the other day and I realized at that moment that you are closer to the size of a grown man then a baby. For a split second, I flashed back to when you were small and then I thought about how amazing it has been to watch you grow. These last nine years have been incredible. From the moment that I first held you in my arms, to that day that I tried to hold my now 4'11", 100 lb NINE year old in my arms like a baby, I have never stopped giving thanks for the incredible person you are becoming. And how delighted I am that I get to go on this adventure with you. I love being the one cheering you on, giving you high fives as you excel in school and sports, snuggling you each night, listening to all of your crazy ideas for inventions and projects, seeing your lego creations and learning about every part that you designed, and being the first one to get my morning hug as soon as you wake up. You are so strong, so determined, so organized, and detailed, and crazy smart. You are also incredibly kind, and sweet, and oh so handsome. 

This year you have ROCKED third grade! Ms. Denton (your teacher) has got to be one of your biggest fans (behind myself and Dad, of course). Your intelligence and leadership make you any teachers dream and a greater son then I could have ever possibly dreamed up. You also rocked soccer, basketball, and are in the middle of rocking track. Your work ethic is unmatched as you consistently give you all with very minimal complaints. You are creative, you're a dreamer, and you're super detailed - a combination that is so rare and so fun to watch. You are a super fun big brother AND just got the craziest 9th birthday gift ever in Thunder the dog! He's been with us for almost 2 weeks and it has got to be the cutest puppy I have ever seen...and loves you SO very much! Every part of your life and our family gives me excited butterflies in my stomach as I envision our future. This life is so rich and so beautiful and you are one of life's greatest and most wonderful blessings!

At this moment, we are vigorously trying to fix every single project in our home on Daniel Place as we prep to sell it to move to our new lake house. I anticipate there will be a lot of work in for us to do in the coming months but those crazy times will definitely be balanced with a whole lot of play time.  We are currently waiting on our new boat "Max" to get delivered. I can't wait. Not only for the boat and the lake, but just to see you smile and laugh and live this life to the fullest extent of its richness and blessings. Son, you are and always be my greatest adventure.


So again today, on your 9th birthday (and everyday), I pray this prayer...

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 3rd grade. And before I know it, he will be off to Jr. High...and High School! 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 alter, you would join them together forever in a union that only you could create. Man, it makes my heart happy to think about the day that Zack will hold his baby and gaze into its face just the way that I did eight years ago today. God, continue to shape him and form him into the Man of God that you have called him to be. 

AMEN!

Dude, you are my best. And your spirit and your love continually make me want to strive to be better. Your are one incredible kid and I love you with all of my heart.

Love,

Mom