Big Day

I do still take pictures of them, I swear.  But I always have to hide the camera or these darlings will THROW it to the ground so it's not just at the ready.  I want to update though because Anthony had a good week AND tomorrow is the big day when we are starting toilet training.  I am ... I am beyond nervous, but I'm trying not to be.  I told my sister today, it's not like *Anthony* is nervous and if he's not going to lose sleep over it tonight, why should I?  I have purchased all the stuff we needed (underwear (!), treats, etc.), and I am sending in extra clothes.  I am saying prayers and asking for prayers and that's it.  That's all I can do.

I'm grateful that we're starting the process.  I'm grateful that he's done well, and better than was expected, with the pre-requisites.  I'm grateful that so many people have given me information and sent books, etc.  I know that people are thinking of us.  I'm grateful that it's summer time, because there are less clothes to get dirty, ha!

We went to church today and it was my turn to go out with Anthony.  He did okay in church but as usual is TOO LOUD so we left after a while.  Everything was FINE, of course, until other people got involved.  I bet 20 people came in after we went out of the church, which is a lot, because Mass was 10 minutes underway when Anthony and I came outside.  Then some guy came out with his kid and the kid was merciless in following Anthony around.  The Dad, of course, did nothing and I felt like I had to watch pretty closely.  Anthony is not a person who would hit anyone unbidden, so far, but who knows?  He had his hanger with him and I don't know what he'd do if the kid tried to take it.  And NEITHER DID THE DAD.  So finally, it was making Anthony pretty tense and I took him outside.  Where it was extremely hot, but whatever.  I swear I haven't spent a comfortable summer since I've had kids anyway, who cares?  It reminded me of when Anthony was a baby and loved to be rocked outside.  I'd step ONE TOE in the air conditioned house and he'd start screaming again.

It wasn't that bad.  He was happier outside and he listened to me and stayed by me.  Then after a while, we went back in and the foyer was empty.  After a while, an older lady came out and she must have not felt well so she lay down on this pew that's in the back.  This happens a lot - people get sick in church - it's early, maybe they haven't eaten, God knows it's hot enough to feel sick, so it was not a huge deal.  In fact, I was jealous that she was lying down, ha!  Then that KID came BACK!, but the father held him this time.  We went to Communion when it was time and then we sat in church for the rest of Mass, soooo, not bad!  And as Mike pointed out, nothing we would have thought we could have done two months ago.

He's had a good weekend, he was super tired on Friday.  He was so sad and teary when I picked him up, it was heartbreaking.  No one at school seemed to know why, but I've seen it before - I think he just ... it just adds up, maybe several times he's wanted to communicate something and couldn't and it's hard, and sad.  Maria was so sweet with him, she held his drink and she said "ohhhhh, buddy, it's okay!  Don't cry, it's okay!".  He got better right away and then we had ice cream, so it was completely forgotten by the time we got home.  I hope.

So wish us luck this week - I am going to try to be hopeful for the best and prepared for the worst.  Even if we try and it doesn't work, I'm okay with that.  What else can we do with all of them but keep trying?

In other news, today is my seventh wedding anniversary.  I had such a great wedding, it was so much fun and I remember that right when we walked out of the church, I thought, we did it!  We got married!  I wasn't worried about anything and in fact, things that seemed like such a big deal to me THAT MORNING weren't anymore.  I remember thinking how STRESSFUL it all was, planning a wedding.  Good God.  I'd like to go back in time and smack that dumb girl in the face.  In a loving way, of course.  :)  But I am very lucky to be married to Mike, there is no one on Earth who I could do this with except him.  I am luckier than he is, for sure.