Who likes Rollercoasters?

On Sunday, Tyler will be thirteen years old....13!!!  I still cannot believe Aaron and I will have a teenager in just a few days.  I've been doing alot of reflecting over the last few days.

When I found out Tyler would be born with Down Syndrome, shocked does not even begin to describe the emotional roller coaster that followed.  While the coaster has gotten a little tamer, I don't feel like I have ever gotten off of it.  Only those parents who have dealt with having a special needs child can fully understand.  The ride has leveled out.  There are more fun sections, more exciting twist and turns.  However, every now and then, you are taken to the very top of the highest hill and plunged into a scary free fall taking your breath away and leaving you terrified.  When Tyler was three, he was on life support when his airway suddenly collapsed.  At one point, the doctors came in to talk to me about making decisions no parent should ever be faced with.  There were times I wondered if Tyler would ever make it to thirteen.

Yet, here we are!  I am currently working on Tyler's birthday letter.  I took a moment tonight to look at some of the letters I wrote to Tyler when he was smaller.  I spent some time in tears.  Happy tears for how far he has come.  Bittersweet tears because the time has flown by too fast. 


 

Joey goes to Kindergarten!

“I will not cry.  I am not going to get overly emotional.  I have three kids, for crying out loud!  I have already been through this with the other two.  This is just another day of school.  I WILL NOT CRY!”

This has been my mantra for the last few weeks.  I have said it to myself, my husband, and other people.  I have said it strong and proudly.  Yesterday, it hit me full in the face.  I walked around bursting into tears over small things.  What am I talking about?  SCHOOL.

This year is a monumental year in the Campagnone household.  My oldest is starting middle school and my baby is starting Kindergarten.  Today was their first day.  

 It did not help Joey absolutely insisted on riding the bus!  I spent most of yesterday trying to convince him to let us take him.  He would have none of that. 

 Finally, he squared his shoulders and very firmly said, “  MO-OM, I am not a baby.  I am a big boy.  I have been waiting to ride the school bus for years!!!” 

My husband looked at me and said, “Let him ride the bus.  He’ll be fine.”  

Then, Logan chipped in, “I’ll show him where his class is!  Trust us, he’ll be fine!”

I relented since I was so outnumbered!  

This morning, I tried once more to persuade Joey to let me drive him the first day.  Again, no luck.  So I took him to the bus stop.    He squealed with delight when he saw the big, yellow bus come over the hill and proudly hopped on board.  

What a big boy!