Princess Half Marathon 2013 and 30th Birthday Trip Part II

MK Opening Show

After the opening show I gathered park tickets and walked with purpose to get fast passes. I waited for my cheerleaders at the middle of Fantasyland and watched the step sisters gather little ones to ride the carousel with them. They are hilarious every single time! We got to ride the new Little Mermaid ride - absolutely precious. We did all of fantasyland that we wanted then headed to meet Donald. I am still bummed that he is not in his traditional costume anymore - anywhere at WDW. 

There were too many awkward photos taken with this duck. It was really funny at the time and the cast members were all great. 

After this picture I could finally change into regular clothes!! 

We tried to eat at BOG but the line was long and we were all tired at that point so a quick lunch at CHH (a family favorite) and off to the room to rest. I doubt I actually rested! Oh wait I didn't because I had to meet up with some friends! 

Just hanging out with friends at GF. 

We had an early dinner at CRT for a pre-race meal so we went back to the MK for the evening. 

It was so fun celebrating my birthday at WDW! Cupcakes at almost every meal! 

Love having a seat by the window! We also got to sit by someone famous! :)

Before leaving the park we got a quick picture with Mickey because my nephew loves "Hot Dog" and would love seeing us with him! 

We caught the last of the Main Street Electrical Parade and then were on the boat to get ready for the big race in the morning. 

Princess Half Marathon 2013 and 30th Birthday Trip Part I

I had so much fun last year, I decided to go again and celebrate my big 3-0 birthday at one of my favorite vacation spots. This year my mom and one of our dear family friends joined in the fun. Also met up with some running friends.

My cheerleaders for the weekend! On the Magical Express!! So excited to get to our resort!! 

We tried out the Wilderness Lodge Villas this time and loved them. Always enjoy staying at the WL. 

We dropped off our stuff and were off to the expo. It was crazy this year. I did not stay long. :( I did however get the runDisney shoes and LOVE them! So fun and comfortable! There had been a long line for them but no lines when I went so Happy Birthday to me! 

Ready for the 5k and the Half - more races. more character pics. more fun! 

After a quick rest we headed to Epcot for dinner. I was able to get a pizza without the cheese at Via Napoli! Yum!!!!!! After that we headed to a dessert party. I didn't take any pictures of the desserts but they were all so good. :) We also had a great view, so I was able to practice my photography skills during one of my favorite shows.

We went on as many rides as possible during EMH then headed back to get a few hours of rest. 

Saturday morning was 5k time! It was so much fun!!! I picked Daisy since she was my favorite when I went to WDW for the first time - I came back with her hat that year. 

Running with friends is the best!! 

We found some of our friends from across the pond! 

Donald was so excited to have 2 Daisy Ducks! 

Because every race photo needs a guy wiping his nose in the background. 

Our time was so bad since we stopped for pics - totally worth the wait. The lines were definitely slower with the 5k compared to the other races I have done. 

  

One down and one more to go for the weekend!

Next stop was the monorail x2 then to MK for the opening show. My cheerleaders actually made it to the opening show in time! 

St. Jude Marathon Weekend 2012

So back in May I decided I would run the St. Jude Half since it would be several months after my last half or race and a couple of months before the Princess Half. I had thought about signing up as a hero but wasn't sure I would be able to raise the money. Well, turns out the race filled up in record time and if I wanted to do it I would have to sign up as a hero. With the support and encouragement of some friends, I registered to run 13.1 miles for the children of St. Jude and also raise $500. One thing about me is a really don't like asking people for money but I took the challenge and ran with it - literally! I probably drove several FB friends crazy with my constant postings about raising money but it was totally worth it. This experience was probably the highlight of 2012 for me. It was definitely inspiring. I had the privilege of running with and for Team Ingram. Ingram is 4 years old and fighting brain cancer. His family's faith in God is inspiring. His sisters raised over $200,000 for St. Jude together - these girls are under 12 years old! Amazing!! Team Ingram raised over $412,000 this year! Here is Ingram's page to learn more about this amazing kid and his fight to overcome cancer - http://ingramdismuke.blogspot.com/

On Friday night I was able to attend the pasta party for heroes with my mom and a friend who was also on Team Ingram. I knew it would be an emotional night when I had to fight back the tears walking into the room  with the other heroes and their families as St. Jude employees and/or volunteers were cheering for us and ringing cow bells or other noise makers. Ingram's family had the opportunity to share his story - well their story. The girls were honored with a special award for their fundraising success and Ingram encouraged everyone to "get your move on!" It was a special night for all involved. 

Saturday was the big race. There were tons of people out cheering us all on. Team Ingram was in full force around mile 3 and again at the end - pure awesomeness seeing the sea of green! There were bands and groups performing throughout the course. It was a beautiful day and a great run! Running through the St. Jude campus was emotional. Running throughout the course with families holding signs was emotional. Finishing the race and not being able to find my mom (for 40 minutes) who was without a cell phone ( but who is the best cheerleader ever) was also emotional - yet something to laugh about now! This was a great race and one I would do again and again and raise money for again and again. Already thinking of fundraisers for the next year! 

Thank you to friends and family who gave generously - I exceeded my goal of $500 with $865. Maybe next year we can reach $1000. Because of your donations - no family EVER has to pay at St. Jude. 

Team Ingram

Chi Omegas at the Pasta Party

Team Ingram

Get Set...To Run for Their Lives

Just a few Chi Omegas. 

Soon to be running the Princess Half!!! :)

Before the race waiting in one of the back of the pack corrals. 

Stopped for my mom to take a picture but she was too slow! ha! 

Finished! Best half marathon time, too! :)

One Year Ago Today

Saturday arrived a little earlier than expected. The stomach bug ended our week in full force early that morning. :( We all ended up getting up and getting ready to leave. Once we got on the bus and finally left, I was honestly worried we would not get to our flight in time and our friend was VERY sick, so we did not need to miss it. Well, God was in control of our trip all week and He didn't fail us that morning. Because we had a sick friend who needed a wheelchair we got bumped up to the front of the extremely long line to check in to our flight. We slowly made our way through security, etc. and made it to our gate as they were boarding. Our flight was uneventful - thankfully - and we made it to Atlanta. Unfortunately our next flight was delayed due to storms. We did finally board only to be delayed. I may or may not have almost cried. We did finally leave and landed safely! :) We did not have it is bad as the youth group who was rerouted due to storms and missed their connecting flight. They had to rent vans and travel a little ways to wait on the church bus to come get them - I think they made it home around 8 or 9 the next morning. :( While our travel home was not as smooth as we would have liked, we made it home in one piece and for that I am thankful!!! I have never been so happy to see the Memphis airport in my life! 

Happy to be in the USA! 

One Year Ago Today

Friday morning our Sunday School Class had a pancake breakfast for the college and career students at Casa. We could not keep up with them/make eggs and pancakes fast enough for them, so I guess they enjoyed the breakfast! :)

After the breakfast we had a little bit of cleaning to do...

Then had some time with the kids after lunch. :)

Spent time with the older kids before going to the baby dorm one more time. 

Too funny! 

:)

That night we had one of the dorms over for dinner and to give them shoes that a local school raised money to send each boy a pair of shoes. They were beyond excited about their shoes and cheered for each boy as he went up to get his pair. They all waited to open them at the same time - more cheers and smiles. 

I think everyone had to put on their new shoes. :)

They all danced around - did the "worm" and other fun moves in celebration.

Our group with the boys and their new shoes. :)

After that it was time to pack and get ready to fly home. Our class was leaving VERY EARLY the next morning and the youth group had a few extra hours to sleep. 

Many from our group had had the stomach virus that week, so we were kind of ready to get on a plane and head home at that point. It was an amazing week - one I will never forget. Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to go back.