4th Grade

(side note: my blogger website updated their platform and now I have no control over the underline.  I could quit writing, but I refuse to let 2020 have any more power so....there's that)Dear Lily,  This year you start your 4th grade year in the middle of a pandemic.  We always told you that we didn't want to homeschool, and yet, here we are, starting this year at home.  Its so not what we wanted for you, but we are going to keep moving forward and leaning into this challenging new norm because we Longmires can do hard things.I won't lie, I grieved us not being able to really do our back to school shopping.  It was hard to just get a few things and no new backpack.  I hope that we will be able to do that some day and I hope that we will see you guys riding your bikes back to school soon, but for now we are remote.

Lily, you are amazing dear.  You are incredible and have become such a mature young woman.  Watching you grow up has been such a delight for me and I look at you in awe so many times during the day.

I am so glad that I waited until our second week of school to write this because I am SO PROUD of you.  Between microphone issues, school with a screen, technical issues, a screaming sister, and frazzled parents, you, my dear, have managed to take all of it in stride and THRIVE.  You have steered into the digital platform, developed a relationship with your teacher, and done all of your assignments with minimal interaction from us.  You have taken charge and whenever we come in to check on you you look at us and smile "It's okay Mom, I got this."  YES YOU DO, and I am humbled, amazed and so so proud.

You were the first one of your class to finish your big About Me assignment.  You show up every day Lily.  This may be hard, but you CAN DO HARD THINGS.  Girl, you have no limits.

Lily, this situation is not ideal, and is most definitely not what I would want for you, but you are taking it in stride and having what I have always taught you to have, a GROWTH MINDSET.  Keep remembering that with challenge comes change, and that perseverance does in fact build character.  Your life will always have not ideal situations.  You can handle them.

Your Daddy and I feel so grateful for you.  Your 4th grade year is off and running little girl and we cannot wait to see all that you will accomplish this year.

You are amazing Lily Lou.  You just are.  You have compassion, kindness, and you radiate peacefulness.  Even in your angriest moments, the maturity you exhibit is incredible and I am so very very grateful for you.Keep growing and embracing challenges.  Because you dear girl are POSSIBLE!Love Mom.