January 5

I've been taking the kiddos to Black Bear Diner for brunch during school breaks for... well, several years now. Since the boys go back on Wednesday and Abby has a conflict tomorrow, we went this morning.

They were legitimately little kids when we first started going to Black Bear; I can remember them debating over which of their stuffies should come along to visit with the bears. So it's kind of surreal to sit with them there now, since Abby's an adult, Isaac will be an adult later this year (which is uber shocking to me), and Brady is a mid-teen.

I could be sad over the reality that they're now little anymore and part of me does indeed miss the sweetness of those days, but I'm more grateful that they're growing and maturing. And I'm most grateful that I get to be part of their lives because motherhood  is a huge blessing.