Dear Reed

Your lunch is packed, your backpack and clothes are sitting on the table waiting on you. Breakfast has been prepped, and you are sleeping soundly in your bed.

I can hardly believe the time has come for you to enter kindergarten. I can vividly remember the first time I saw you look up at me from the stroller in Taiwan. You knew I was your mama, and I knew you were my son. You gave me the best job in the world, being a mom.

We've spent countless hours together, learning new things as we navigated life as a family. Your first steps, words, and thoughts expressed have all been with me. We've had many play dates, trips to the zoo, lunches with daddy, fun at the park, and time spent hanging out at home cooking, playing, and creating so many memories together.

Now it's time for you to begin a new chapter in life. I know you are ready, but I'm not! You are gaining some independence as you begin kindergarten tomorrow. You are so excited, and you were concerned I wouldn't wake you up in time for school. You are going to learn so much, and I won't be there to experience it this time. You will make new friends and have to make choices without me there to comfort you at times when I wish I could. 

I know you have questions and some unknowns in your head. This became clear when you asked me if you would still live at home when you started kindergarten. You are always thinking and processing.

Your Daddy and I are so proud of who you are. You are an excellent big brother who continues to show more and more care and concern for your little brothers. You are sensitives, caring, and inquisitive. I hope Mrs. Sarah is ready for all the questions you ask! I can't wait to hear all about what you learn in school.

You've taught me and your daddy so much as we've loved being your parents. We love you and are praying for you as you begin this journey. I promise to hold back my tears as you walk into that classroom, and just liked when we met you the first time, I'll even whisper to Daddy, "Get it together, you are scaring our son," if he tries to do the ugly cry.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift, privilege, and the honor of being chosen as parents for Reed. Thank you for his desire to learn and understand more about you and life in general. Be with him as he begins kindergarten. Help him to be an example of Christlike behavior for others. Give him confidence in his choices and his abilities. Allow him to be a good friend and encourager to others. Help him to get along well with all students and help him make friends. Help him to honor and glorify you in all he does. Help him to shine for You and point others to You through the way he lives his life during these school years. Help Jeff and me to be Godly parents who make good 
decisions for our children and honor You in what we do. May he and our family as a whole bring glory to You in all we do. Amen (or Ahmen as Reedy likes to say)
we do.  Amen.