Adelaide Jane: 12 Years Old

 Dearest Adelaide Jane,

You are well past double digits today and three weeks into middle school. In some ways, 6th grade sounds so young. In other ways, you are now in your last year before being a teenager. I wish time would slow down, and I could go back to your days of roaming the aisles at Target with a cake pop to keep you content! The days before life seemed heavy and the smiles came easy. 

This year has been one of growing pains and growing attitudes. You are trying hard to figure this things called life out; some days it comes naturally while other days, I can see your struggles. But we are in this together my sweet girl.

                                                

You have retired from competitive gymnastics officially and are diving {literally} into swimming & diving full time. I am very proud of your decision to try something new but also walk away with your head held high. How similar we are in so many ways!

                                               

This summer you really took to both sports and worked hard to improve. You ended up 5th place at City Meet Diving. Then you rocked it in swimming with your relays and individual. You won 1st place in your individual backstroke as well as your freestyle relay. You placed 2nd in your medley relay and 7th in the 14&u medley relay. So proud of your growth and dedication to working hard!

                                                 

You are enjoying school~ educational travel groups, making new friends, having a Chromebook, and rotating with all three of the 6th grade teachers. You are even playing powder puff football with many of your classmates. You are a strong offensive and defensive player~ often playing the hiker position.

You have your first real crush that you truly are smitten with~ Wyatt Ruley. He is a very sweet boy and you get butterflies when you see him. You have gotten to have a few family "dates" over the summer where the two of you just enjoy each others' company. I hope that you are always as joyful in wherever life and relationships take you.

Adelaide, I hope that year 12 brings you happiness, blessings, and pure joy. You are a beautiful young lady inside and outside. Please do not let anyone dim your light. Always remain true to yourself~ it will be the greatest gift you can give yourself and give others!

I love you!

Love,

Mommy