Kindergarten Registration

Dear Joshua,

Daddy and I went to the Open Enrollment Fair this past Wednesday night to check out potential schools that we would like you to go to for Kindergarten. We narrowed it down to Lincoln Prairie, Hoover, Campanelli, and MacArthur (in order of preference). We were there last year, too - just checking things out and seeing what schools were in our district. I remember saying to myself, "I don't have to worry about this for another year."

Well, the year has come and gone, and we are in the process of applying to these 4 schools and praying that you'll be accepted into one of these (it's weird, but something tells me this is going to be like college applications!). We actually submitted one application that very night - to Campanelli. They have a good Chinese Immersion Program. We liked the principal, and were able to talk to him at length. Ultimately, we'd like you to go to Lincoln Prairie. But we know that God is in control, and He will have you where He wants you to be.

So, yesterday, the day after the Fair, I was sitting on the couch while you and Jenna were napping, and I was just looking at the picture of the two of you on the opposite wall, above the TV. Something inside of me just overwhelmed me, and I started to cry. I can't believe that my little baby boy is going off to Kindergarten! You are growing, and there's nothing I can do to stop it. I don't know why, but I'm just not ready to let you go.

When you're old enough to read this, you'll probably be thinking, "Oh, mom! Stop!"

But I think that I'm suppose to go through these emotions. I need to do so, so that I can grieve the end of this season well, treasure the wonderful memories, and start to move on.

Just today (and we stayed home and had a Pajama Day!), I was playing with you and Jenna, and lifting you both up and swinging you around, and just having a jolly good time. I never want to forget these moments of play with you. I know that there will come a day where I can't pick you up and swing you around anymore. So, I will relish every opportunity I can get to play and goof around with you.

So, my tears for you are those of gratitude, for loving me and letting me love you in all our goofiness! And for an impending end of your "baby years", as you start Kindergarten this Fall.

I'm so proud of you, and the boy that you're growing up to be!

And I guess I'm extra emotional because I'm pregnant with your baby brother or sister!!

Happy New Year!

Dear Josh & Jenna,

This is the first day of the new year - 1/1/11. And I am filled with gratitude for the both of you. I can't believe the year has flown by, and it was only last year that we were all in Australia for Christmas and the new year. Even though 2010 was a rough year for our family, in terms of all the transitions, you both did a splendid job adapting and excepting everything that came our way. Your resilence and "joy through the midst" were strengths that encouraged me and taught me child-like faith. Thank you for being my teachers through this season.

Joshua, I am so proud of you, and you capped this year off perfectly by professing your love for Jesus. I will always remember the few days before Christmas when you said to me, "You know what, Mommy? I love Jesus! And you know what else? Jesus is in my heart!".

Words cannot express how I felt after hearing those words. So, my tears did. Happy, joyous, grateful, Hallelujah tears!!

I pray that you will come to know the true meaning of your words, Joshua. That you will know Jesus in a personal and powerful way. That indeed, you will experience Him in your life, and that He will be your very best friend.

We have so much to learn together, about our great God, who loves us and gave Himself for us. Will you be my teacher? To remind me to have a child-like faith? To always be aware that God is with me and for me?

I love you, Joshua! And I'm so glad that you know that Jesus loves you and is in your heart!