The 31 Day of Writing Challenge continues. It’s Day 24 of my 31 Days of Gratitude 2015.

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Today was supposed to be my recap of this week’s #LoveYourLettering challenge but the week has been so busy that I haven’t been able to participate in the lessons. I will try to catch up so that I’ll be back on track by next weekend.

This morning I spent the day with Bella, her classmates and their parents working on a school/ community project. We were stringing Big Sur marathon medallions to leather cords in preparation for the marathon next month. My sisters B & J have often talked about running one of the races and I’d love to cheer them on!

Andrew, Matthew and John-Paul ready to start their warm-ups before running.

However, I have my own little budding runners in the house. I signed up the three boys for the local Just Run program. The boys run at least 1/2 a mile each day and a full mile on meet days and the weekends. I thought it would be a great way for them to get some exercise and have fun with their friends.

I am grateful to see them growing as they challenge themselves and accomplish their running goals. Even Matthew is managing to keep up with his big brothers. However, the one who has surprised me the most is John-Paul. I thought I would get the biggest complaints from him since he’s rather spend his days on the computer or reading a book.

John-Paul at the beach.

He is also the one that hates going to the beach for reasons such as… the sun, the water, the sand, the bugs. Sigh. But this running program has tapped into a whole other side of JP. He loves to run and he’s good at it. His long, lean body (he will soon pass his older brother in height) was made to run and his competitive side wants to be the best and he pushes himself to go faster and farther. I’m a little amazed.

I’m grateful for this opportunity to see John-Paul blossom, to see Andrew look after his younger brothers and push himself to run when his school friends feel like walking and talking. I am grateful to see little Matthew bursting with energy and enthusiasm for his running class. It’s good for me too since I walk the track with them and I get some exercise while I wait. (I’d run but little things like heart attacks scare me.) 😉 By next spring, we’ll hopefully be participating in the Big Sur Marathon Kids 3K race!

And if you are wondering about Bella, she is not a part of the running program but she made her own walking program that she has been following since the beginning of summer. She was never heavy but had some baby fat and in five months she has lost 10 pounds. She looks so fit now! My kids are inspiring me!! For that, I am truly grateful.

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