tested yesterday and passed

I continue to feel so thankful for all the feedback I've received this past week. Honestly, without it, I don't know I would've made it to Sunday sober OR have made it to my first AA meeting. There are certain things sticking in my head that really help. Someone said "don't romance alcohol". And it's true. It's like it's up on this pedistal of this WONDERFUL rewarding thing that I deserve. It's beautiful, it's sexy and it makes me feel good, relaxed and like I can take on the world. WRONG. Completely the opposite.
So, I'm really trying to take things one day at a time, but of course my mind wanders to events ahead this holiday season with tons of parties and people drinking, drinking, drinking. Yesterday we were supposed to go to TWO back to back Christmas parties. Our afternoon started at our very close friends house. These are our close friends who DRINK. I mean DRINK. They throw down every weekend like no ones business. Well, yesterday it was a test to be in their house without having a drink. I made sure to bring some of my seltzers with me to keep my cup filled and just told them I'm dieting and I'm off the alcohol for a long while. They had no problems with it and didn't bombard me which was cool. As the afternoon progressed and the kids were playing and everyone was having a good time, I needed to run out to the grocery store to make a dish for a Sunday gathering. They asked while I was out to pick up some wings for everyone. At Buffalo Wild Wings. So, by myself, I went into that restaurant, sat at THE BAR and ordered some to go food. As I sipped on my diet coke, I looked around the room, at 3 o'clock, to see people drinking. I counted the number of draft beers, I looked at all the flavors of different alcohol all over the bar. I normally would've went in there and probably had ATLEAST two drinks while I waited for the food. But I didn't. I remembered not to romance the alchohol. I got my food and left. Was it "hard", yes. I got back to the house where EVERYONE was drinking (but my husband who has been supporting me all week and not drinking) and I just felt a little blah. He said, we are not going to those parties and we will just stay put here. The kids are having fun, we'll make a nice dinner and just hang here. So we did. Of course everyone was drinking BUT I found that I was awake a lot longer. I made dinner for everyone. It was a wonderful evening. We ended up staying the night at our friends house and here I am this morning. The only adult awake. I've been in the kitchen cooking since 8 this morning. A couple of my kids are up and playing and I know that the adults will drag themselves out of bed eventually, and they will all feel like crap.
I feel great this morning. I'm very proud of myself that I got through a saturday night at "the drinking house" with no problems. Yes, it crossed my mind. Shit, there is a bottle of vodka on the kitchen counter right now and I know I don't need it.
It will be one week tomorrow with not a drop of alcohol and I'm enjoying my new life. I have my moments but I know they will get weaker and weaker. I already see the better wife, mom and friend I'm being in such a short time.
I'm early in on my sobriety, but I'm IN! I have support of people who have been there... who have been sober for a long time. I'm looking forward to my next AA meeting AND I'm hopeful that I could possible help and encourage someone else who struggles with this shitty disease.