Fall

Two days this week I had the mornings just to Braedyn and Cooper while Jordan was at school. I am still training for my 1/2 marathon in a couple weeks and so they come along and train with me. They bike while I run. Usually pushing me to run faster and keep up. Those mornings this week, we did 5 miles each day.
This time of year is so wonderful for running. I could run for miles. It is cooler and crisp, with wet mornings and leaves covering the pavement on the trail. The leaves are falling from the trees as they are beginning to turn beautiful shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown. I love this time of year. It reminds me of the fall mornings back in Minnesota. That is the time of year I loved in Minnesota and I miss most of all. I loved the smells, the colors, going to the apple orchard, picking out pumpkins, the hayrides,the cooler weather, and of course football.
As we bike down the trail this morning, I just take in the sight of two brothers enjoying a morning bike ride talking, joking, laughing, racing and just having fun. They slow down for the squirrels in their path and comment on the smells in the air (which were not so pleasant a few times).  A sense of joy comes over me as I watch them and I forget I am even running 7 minute miles. I love having them by my side and enjoying exercise and the outdoors as much as I do. The time we share together means so much to me and them. They look forward to it. I treat them to a Frosty at Wendy's after their hard work. It is their special time with just mom on break. We chat about things they like, their thoughts on different topics and about their friends. If I had been a teacher and had the patience I would love to homeschool but I am not cut out for that job. I love having them home. Time goes by so fast! Jordan gets a lot of mommy time these days so this means a lot to Braedyn and Cooper and to me as we can talk and reconnect. We can be together without having to run from one place to the next with throwing homework and dinner in the mix.  I love having this fall intersession break that year round school allows us to have.
The fall we can slow down just a bit. It's a time to pause and look at all the change happening around you and take the time to enjoy it with each other. As the change is happening outside it may also be changing the way we shift our thoughts and lifestyle. We are inside together more often, the holidays will soon be approaching, there will be no lawn work to be done every weekend. Time to relax. That's the way I view fall. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, and pumpkin spice latte's are another view!
In a couple weeks I will be coming into my fall/winter months when the Ramblin Rose 1/2 Marathon is complete. I won't be so hard on my joints and body and will be more about focusing on relaxing and rejuvenation!
I can also say the boys have had a hand in helping mom train for a her race and they will always be my littlest but biggest fans. They keep me going!