First Tennis Match

 You played in your first ever tennis match this past Sunday. You were nervous, but went out there like a champ! Luckily we were matched up against other kids who were new also, so we all learned together. You played one doubles match with your partner, Clare. You guys picked up on everything so quickly and even though you lost, you looked so great out there and really learned a lot. You two also had the etiquette that a tennis player should have (unfortunately your very loud and talkative opponents did not). We could not be more proud of you and how you've stuck with tennis and put yourself into spots that are unknown and uncomfortable. We are so excited to keep watching you play and see where this goes! We love you!

Snow day!

 We enjoyed a fun day together in the snow. We were all so disappointed when our first snow day didn't happen, so we really crossed our fingers for the second round of storms that came through. School was canceled, but by bed time there wasn't anything happening besides rain. Andrew, you went down without a fight, but Maddy held out for a little while longer. Sure enough it started sleeting and then turned to snow about 9 pm. Maddy went on the back deck and felt it/ played around for a few before bedtime and it just kept coming down through the night. Ya'll were both up bright and early and ready to play in the 3-4 inches that stuck!! We made you wait until 8 am to not wake up all the neighbors too early and it was a challenge to get ya'll to stay in for that long. Other than coming in to warm up red feet and wet gloves (realized we need child sized waterproof gloves) we were outside a good chunk of the day. It was so much fun to hear you laugh and see you play together. Dad and I felt like little kids too! Great memories that we will cherish forever! 

Mid Fall Check In

 Madison- Fourth grade has been a rough year for you. You are settling in now, but there were many tears as you started the school year. The behavioral expectations are quite different from the "fun" school years from K-3. You thought your teacher was being mean and didn't like you, and that the material was so hard. For a minute, you wanted us to remove you from AGP, but we assured you that you could do it. Afterall, your grades were straight A's the entire time (even when you wanted to be removed). You just put so much pressure on yourself and it breaks our hearts. Your teacher, Mrs. Mayson, loves you and praises you all the time, so I think you've found a rhythm and are enjoying it more now. We are so proud of you and your achievements at school, but hope you won't put too much pressure on yourself and realize that your worth is not found in these things. You are a daughter of God, first and foremost, and everything else will fall into place from there. 

You are playing tennis two days a week and doing the "Run Hard" program at school twice a week too. You loved to be active and play football with the boys most days at recess. We love this about you (and love that it off-sets your desire to eat sweets all day long if you could) Ha! 

You are SUPER into football this year (especially Clemson) and have enjoyed going to the games with Daddy and cheering like a crazy person. I love the memories you are creating with him (and that we all are creating at the tailgates since Andrew and I don't always go into the games).

You are slowly developing a love for reading and doing less fussing. Your attitude continues to be sassy and your will strong. I pray that one day this is all focused for the good and have confidence that it will make you strong and successful in all that you do! In the meantime, it may kill me. Ha! As I type, you have lost your IPAD for the week for being sassy and talking back. As Daddy and I try to remind you daily, if we didn't care or love you, we'd let you get away with it. We love you so very much and want you to be the best version of you that there is. You make us proud (even though you don't always believe us) and you are a completely normal 9 year old! It's your job to push our buttons and our job to teach you not to. LOL. We love you dearly and forever no matter what!!

Fourth Grade

 Well we are back to school and you are in fourth grade with Mrs. Mayson. You have the same classmates as last year, with a few added in that are back from virtual school.  You were very excited to go back to school and see everybody and you are very excited about Mrs. Mayson. She showed ya'll her desk drawers on day one and they are filled with candy, so needless to say you are in heaven!! Currently, you want to go to Clemson and be an architect. Only time will tell, but you can do anything you put your mind to. I pray it's the best year yet for you, sweet girl!!

9th birthday!

 You told me that you’ve always wanted a surprise party when I asked what you wanted to do for your birthday this year. I knew we weren’t going to do a “real” party because of covid so I planned a different surprise. I picked up your friend, Ava and then came to school to pick up you and your other friend, Hannah. I took you guys to a cool ice cream shop way across town that makes these huge creations! You were so surprised and you and your sweet friends had so much fun! Happy birthday, my love! 

Christmas 2020

 We had a great time at Christmas this year. Grandmommy and Grandaddy stayed with us for a week. We attended Christmas Eve at church (strange since had to make a reservation and wear masks this year with COVID) and on Christmas day, Grammy and Grandpa Tom came over as well as Uncle Rob. Then, the next day, we went over and had Christmas with Uncle Mitch and Aunt Stacey and all the cousins. So much fun! 

Your favorites this year were: helping to bake and cook, your cook books and chef hat/apron, and your electric scooter.

Kindness Matters!

 You received the student of the month for kindness and it makes us so proud of you! You are so many things- smart, beautiful, creative, funny, etc. but the fact that you are tender-hearted and kind to ALL people is what makes us the most proud of you. You see the world through eyes like Jesus wants you to and treat everyone fairly and compassionately. We pray you always stay this way and realize that this is what makes you successful instead of worrying about worldly success and values. We love you big!!!