It’s been a long while since I’ve felt drawn to blogging here, and as the time passes, I am less and less pulled to this space and more reflective about why. It has been nice to guard my heart a bit more, to not be vulnerable, to hold some things closer to my chest, but mostly to respect my children’s privacy as they grow older.

There is this point, and I’ve certainly reached it with Milo in particular as he comes closer to turning ten years old, where my children’s stories no longer seem like mine to tell. There’s an awareness within him that I want to respect. The other two are not far behind. It’s an interesting thing, to experience looking back on this blog while sitting right next to them. They enjoy laughing at the interviews and funny stories, and sometimes ask to look back on a particular post to read or peruse photos. They never express embarrassment, but I feel that if I continued sharing them with the world in this way, they would come to resent it. Listening to that mother’s intuition has always been my way to navigate these things, so I will go with it, even if it means pulling back from this space.

All in all, this blog has been a good thing. It has helped me through some trying times as a mother, has connected me to so many wonderful people. It has opened doors for me I never even realized were available. It has helped me see my own life through new eyes. I will always cherish it – not only the physical evidence of it, but the process of it all.

My heart is so full. I often look at my life – my husband, my family, my community, my beautiful children, my job, my friends – and can’t believe my luck. It’s a beautiful life, and I will not take any of it for granted. Andrew and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this Saturday, April 22nd. 10 years married, 18 years together! This blog will turn 10 years old in October. It feels like a good place to stop.

Thank you for reading along after all these years!