Happy Halloween!!

What a perfect weekend it was! Gotta love Halloween weekend. We love any excuse to dress up like idiots...or act like one in Brent's case. ;)

Friday was pretty low-key. We went to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, then called it an early night. Brent outdid himself on the pumpkin carving!

Saturday was the annual Memphis-Mid-South Race for the Cure, which I got to run with my Dad! This race holds a special place in my heart, as I run it in memory of Aunt Michele. I placed fourth in my age group, which I'm pretty proud of seeing as how it took almost 5 minutes to get through all the walkers...

That afternoon, I went with my sister Laura to Merry Marketplace. It was my first time going, so I was super excited. They had baby and holiday stuff galore...Laura and I were in heaven! Sadly they didn't have the right size holiday-themed clothes for baby girl C, so that was a bummer. But we did rack up on some ornaments, of course!

That night, Brent and I went to a Halloween party at one of our friend's house. We didn't want to spend money on costumes this year, so Brent went as Mr. Clean and I recycled an old Oreo costume. He was sad we didn't match, so I just told him he could follow me around pretending to clean up the Oreo crumbs. :) But back to the party - the decor, the people, the food, the cocktails...everything was awesome! Thanks again to Brian and Alicia for hosting!

1/2 Oreo, 1/2 witch :)

Our friends Brian & Rebecca as Juno & Paulie Bleecker (best costume of the night!)

Sunday was just as fun. The day started with a wonderful message at church and watching my Sis and her hubby become members. After that, it was the usual trip to the grocery store followed by a quick house cleaning. And then we headed over to our annual neighborhood potluck. My Mom came by and brought sweet Bailey, and even Brent's brother came over for a bit. I just love our cozy little area in East Memphis!

Buster dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow!

I'm slightly obsessed with scary movies, and luckily I had AMC's FearFest and Halloween movie marathon to keep me occupied in what little down time I had this weekend. This week is shaping up to be pretty insane with another trip to the urologist for a CT scan today, a possible second trip there on Wednesday (depending on what what we find out from the scans), eye doctor on Thursday, and OB-GYN on Friday. Oh yeah, I've got to fit in work sometime this week, too. And then I head to Nashville for the CMAs...whoop! :)

Happy Halloween!!

Thankful Thursday: I'm thankful for today!

With all the craptastic things going on right now, I can't think of a better time to bring back Thankful Thursday. There is so much to be thankful for!

I'm thankful for my husband, Brent. With all the health issues I've had lately, he's been my rock and has spoiled me like crazy. I love you!!

I'm thankful for Autumn, one of my closest friends and running buddy. We joked on our {short-lived} run this morning about how we couldn't run with anyone else with all our sporadic ailments. :) She's also been my running inspiration for longer than I can remember...she's the reason I decided to run my first full marathon this year. Thank you, Autumn!

I'm thankful for my job and my wonderful assistant, Leslie. It's an incredible feeling being able to do what you love every day. And now I have someone to help me do so on a daily basis. So thankful!

I'm thankful for today. There's something so calming and at the same time exciting about knowing a new season is upon us, bringing out the fall/winter wardrobe, and watching the leaves change. I LOVE the fall!

I'm thankful to be able to participate in Race for the Cure in Memphis this weekend. Aside from the St. Jude Half Marathon (check out my Heroes page!), RFTC is my favorite race. It's my way of honoring our sweet Aunt Michele, who we lost to breast cancer last year.

What are you thankful for?

Another month, another stone...

{NOTE: This is a highly personal post and might be TMI. Just letting you know.}

Seriously…we're back here again?! Last Wednesday, I went to my urologist who informed me of what I already knew...ANOTHER kidney stone. Awesome. But instead of going ahead and removing it or giving me a real plan of action, he just said, "let's wait until it passes and then run some tests." Or in my case, "let's wait 'til it gets stuck again and you end up in the ER for 8 hours on a Sunday."

This is now my third episode with stones. Yesterday I was so thankful to have started feeling better, as the intense pressure subsided a bit. Over the weekend, I had to go back on prescription pain meds, which was SO not fun. The nausea, extreme tiredness, and lack of motivation don't really make for a great few days (especially when you have a wedding and shower to attend).

Now, however, I'm starting to think it was just because the pain meds had left my body and I had a little more energy. As I was getting ready this morning, I all of a sudden felt incredibly lightheaded, and then came a huge rush of pain. I had to sit down on the tile floor and just breathe for a few minutes. After a glass of low acid OJ and two Tylenol Extra Strength, I started feeling a little better. Could've been a combination of low blood sugar, what's supposed to be a certain time of the month, and the stone moving around...or it could've been something else entirely. Whatever it is, you can imagine the frustration of having no answers.

And no (to those of you who I know will ask), I did not run this morning. There may be speculation of distance running playing a part in getting stones or not being able to conceive...but I am convinced - as are my doctors - that it doesn't play a role in either. Maybe I should cut back slightly on the races, but other than one completed 10-miler and two upcoming half marathons, my distance hasn't picked up at all. I'm still between 20-25 miles a week, which both my doctors strongly encourage.

Personally, I'm convinced it's the medicine I'm on to make me that's supposed to make me ovulate: Metformin. Not only is it a diabetic drug (which is obviously great for someone who's borderline hypoglycemic...yea, not so much), but there has been a lot of correlation between that and kidney issues. Not to mention the fact that I started the medication in late May of last year and had my first kidney episode in early October.

I was running long distances long before 2010. AND, not that I would ever be in this great of shape, but please tell me how doctors gave this woman the okay to run marathons (yes, plural) during pregnancy if running was so bad for you? Of course I know every person's body is different...but still. Anyway, I go back to my OB-GYN next week to get put on Clomid. Can't wait to see what side effects that brings on! ;)

I'm waiting to hear back from my urologist, but if I still feel like this come Monday, I'll go in for a CT scan and either have it removed by cystoscopy or hopefully get it broken up by laser treatment next week. Will keep you posted...

On a positive note, Brent has been AMAZING this past week dealing with me and my moodiness. So sweet, cooking for me every night, and just being there for me. And it's Halloween week!! The hubby and I don't have any set plans yet, but there are a few parties lined up for the weekend. We'll see what happens. All I know is, we're ready for 10/31 at the Wilson household - Buster included!

Continuing with the positivity, I got an iPhone yesterday...whoop!! I'm learning quickly, and I absolutely LOVE it!

Last but not least, I get to go to the 2011 CMA Awards!!! My company, Mahaffey Tent and Party Rentals does the red carpet tent for it every year, and this year I get to go...at least, I'll be there for the red carpet. I'll be there with our crew to film the set up (we're creating a super fab time-lapse video to use for marketing) and red carpet on the day of the awards. Still holding out for a ticket, so we'll see! I also get to spend a few days with my fabulous new friend Whitney and her husband Michal. We met them while in Seaside, FL for our friends' wedding.

Lots to look forward to!!

I'm going to be an auntie again!!

I’m so thrilled to finally announce that my sister Laura, who got married in June (yes, just 4+ months ago) is just over four months pregnant! And…IT’S A GIRL!! That lucky duck found out before the average woman does. But as we all know, there aren’t too many people who won’t give Laura what she wants. Kidding…sort of. ;)

My Mom called it, just as she does with everything (and we LOVE that about her!). I think my Dad was secretly hoping for a boy, being the only male in a family of five girls (my mom, my two sisters, my niece, and myself). But he had the best reaction, saying, “I think it had to be a girl for you, Laura.” I think she felt the same way! Hopefully (God-willing) the first boy in the family is being saved for me. :)

Her due date is April 3, and we can’t wait till that precious baby girl arrives!!

Speaking of the women in my family, here's a pic of most of us (we missed you, Ashley!) at the SYTYCD tour last week. THANK YOU for the tickets, Laura!! Such a fun night!

Another Year in the Books...and Another Anniversary in Vegas!

Four years later, and we’re still happily married! It hasn’t been without its ups and downs, I assure you, but I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a single moment of it for the world.

I was already planning on being in Las Vegas for a conference, so we decided it was the perfect opportunity for us to spend the weekend celebrating another year together. My flight was already paid for, we got an insane deal on the hotel room at Encore since they extended conference rate for us, and we got FREE show tickets. What more could we ask for!

Brent got in town that Thursday afternoon, once the conference wrapped up. We immediately headed down the strip for a fun afternoon of sightseeing. We stopped for lunch at Diablo’s Cantina, did more sightseeing, took a ride on the roller coaster at NY NY, and barhopped…including one of my favorite places: Cabo Wabo at Planet Hollywood. After that, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for an anniversary dinner at our favorite Vegas restaurant Lavo. Perfect way to celebrate four years: a phenomenal dinner on the patio with an amazing view of the Sirens of TI show.

Friday, we had breakfast at the Wynn, lunch at the pool, and just lounged in the sun and at the pool bar all day. It was heaven! That night, we had dinner across the street at Ra Sushi, and then made our way to Le Rêve at the Wynn. This was the second time I had seen the show, and it was even more amazing the second time around…WOW!! If you haven’t seen it, it’s a Vegas must! We even got a backstage tour with Tim Johnson, a former UCA instructor who’s now in the show. Thanks again, Tim!!

Saturday we spent the day at the pool again and didn’t really do much besides drink and swim. That night, we went back to Lavo. Once again, it didn’t disappoint!

We left to come home early Sunday morning. It was a fabulous, relaxing trip, and a perfect anniversary weekend. See you soon, Vegas!

Fun on the Vegas strip!

Our view at dinner

After a few cocktails at Lavo :)

Tim and me after Le Reve!