Our NY vacation--The Beginning

It began at 5:00 in the morning...Jason and I woke up to run the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon before heading on our vacation. After running (I do have to mention that I only came in 22 minutes after Jason, I was quite excited), we collected our medals and finally found our car (we forgot where we had parked) we headed home, took a shower and met the kids and Grandma at church before we set on the road to Toledo, Ohio. We stayed at the Baymont Hotel, enjoyed a late night swim in the pool and got ready for the rest of vacation.

The next morning we got up and headed to Niagara Falls, NY. During our car ride we enjoyed listening to Arthur's 12 Anniversary CD and learned to tie our shoes, the girls I mean, I already know how (just in case you were wondering). Since we got there in good time we decided to head to the falls after dropping our bags off at the Hotel. We decided to start our adventure so we went to Cave of the Winds (by the way, if you go on this they give you some great souvenir sandals). Here is a picture on the hurricane deck.

We had been looking at an advertisement in the hotel lobby and realized that Canada was having a holiday and were celebrating by having fireworks over Niagara Falls. It was a great evening and the lights on the falls were beautiful! When else do you get to see fireworks over the falls. It was a pure treat!

13...Lucky or Unlucky?

13(.1) was a lucky number for me last week for it meant the END of my 1/2 marathon! And boy was I ever glad to see the number 13. I have to say for being an unlucky number mile race, God sure came through on making it a very lucky (and enjoyable) day. First off, the weather was the exact tempurature I LOVE to run in. Second, I had a great friend to run it with. Third, it was not humid (my asthma thanks Him!). Fourth, Jason and the kids were able to make it down in time to see me run (they had to get up at 5:45 to make it, the race STARTED at 6:30). Fifth, my ingrown toenail game me NO PROBLEMS! Sixth, my knees NEVER HURT! Seventh, I ran the whole time. Eighth, I FINISHED!!!It was a great run. Jason had them text him at the 5k, 10k, 10 mile mark and finish. At the beginning I had about a 10 1/2 to 11 minute mile, but around mile 10 I ended up slowing it up a bit. I think that was the best run I have had EVER! But, I will admit, I was ready for it to be over and especially them putting a hill at the very end. There were a few during the race, but right at the end, UGH! At least at the top I was able to see the finish line so I pushed it! The best part is I was able to pray for the 13 kids that are over in Africa and who I was running for. When I started focusing on how long I had to run, I would look at the list I wrote on my hand and I would pray. They go through such hardship every single day, I can do it for them today. And I did. For them. Yes, I can say I am a 1/2 marathoner now, but I know I did it for them. I have raised fourteen percent of what I set out to do, but every little bit helps. Next year, my sister is joining me in this endevor and I can't wait to do it with her. Will you join me? If you think you can't just remember that you can do anything with Christ who gives us strength. Last December, I couldn't even get a 1/2 mile down. Less than a year later, I complete 13.

You can do it! I know you can. Join me and World Vision next year. I would love for you to join our team!!! Here is a video of me at 4.5 miles and some pictures during the race. Thank you!

After the race, Jason had promised the kids a trip to the beach. So we walked over to 12th street beach, enjoyed a few hours there and then headed home. This is a picture of the kids as we waited for dad to go and get the car parked elsewhere in Chicago. I love Chicago!

Meet Lota

Lota is eleven years old and lives in the Musele community of Zambia. He says he wants to be a doctor when he grows up, so that people may have life. In Zambia, the average life expectancy is 37 years. 37! Like many communities in Zambia, Musele feels the impact of poverty and the AIDS pandemic on a daily basis. But Lota has hope for his family and community. Because of help from World Vision, Lota now attends school and receives proper health care. His family and entire community benefit from things like clean water wells and AIDS education. Many children like Lota live in desperate situations, but they are not without hope. As you tie your shoes this week, think about Lota and children like him, and remember to pray for him and World Vision as they seek to serve his community.

She is why I am running! Check out my website: www.firstgiving.com/tplatt on how you can help Lota and others like her out!

My plan is to have a list of 13 individuals that I will be running for. Each mile I will be praying for those individuals while I am running. Lota will be my mile 1. Check out my donate box to the right if you would like to support Lota and my mile 1 of the race. If you can't suppose financially, please pray for her while I run, Sunday, August 2nd! Thanks!!

It is official...I will be a Marathon runner, well a half of one anyway!

So I have officially signed up for the Chicago Half Marathon!! Yes, those that know me know I am not a runner, but I will be by August. I found this picture that says it is on the 9th, but it is actually on AUGUST 2nd for those that want to come and cheer me on or maybe join me for that matter! I will be officially signing up to run for World Vision to raise money for kids in Africa. What better way to get energized to run!!! Come and join me for a great time and to help kids in Africa, and for nothing else so I won't be doing it alone!!! 8-) Click the picture to link yourself to the website.