Life advice

From a five year old.

Yesterday my cousin's little girl says to me:

Addy: Are you marrrried?
Me: Nope.

Addy: Are you aboooout to be?
Me: Nope.

Addy: Are you eeeever gonna be?'
Me: ... Probably not

Addy: Bad choice...
Me: {silence}

I got reprimanded by a 5 year old! And she gave me this look like she disapproved, but she's 5. And what does she really know anyways?

I mean, seriously. 

I clearly need to start chatting with her more. She's cheaper than a therapist and she'll tell it to me how it is. According to a 5 year old. (:

Sometimes

you just have to let go.

Now, this sounds much easier than it actually is. Realistically, that is. How do you know when you're ready to do that. Are you ever ready?

Letting go means that you're forgiving someone, for something (or things) that they've done to you. To hurt you. To discourage you; trying to be your undoing. Letting go means you're accepting an apology that you never got. Okay, let's be real- you might never get it. Letting go means you're allowing yourself to be vulnerable again. That truly takes being the bigger person. How cliche does that sound, I know...

My journey thus far as a single mother has not been easy. With that being said, let me be perfectly clear that every single minute of it has been more than worth it. I am a completely single parent. Bryan has no interaction with Brylee, and I think when we first split he gave me $120. He hasn't seen, or attempted to see our daughter since last November. eleven months. No Christmas presents, no birthday cards... nothing. This breaks my heart more than it makes me upset. I simply cannot comprehend how anyone can walk away from their child. It took a very long time for me to let go of the anger that I had towards him for abandoning her. She deserves more than that.

I would be lying if I said that I didn't live everyday with a small amount of fear that he's just going to show up one day and want to wedge himself into a life she's created for herself. And I would never stop that if it were to happen. The fear part of that is that there's always the possibility he'll walk away from her again. How do I protect and defend her from that happening? The answer is I can't. And that scares the living hell out of me. I have enough terrible things in this world to worry about protecting her from. I don't need to add her father entering and exiting his life as he pleases. But, that's my reality.

Sometimes, you have to take it one day at a time.
And sometimes, you just focus on what matters most- this little mini:

This mom of mine

is cute. A little crazy, but she's cute. I mean, look at me, right?

She's going through this little funk right now. I'm pretty sure it's a lot of things mixed into one, but I know she's pretty stressed. So I laugh and coo and always make her smile with the silly little things I do and faces I make.

She looks at Pinterest ALL day to try and find cute craft ideas for us to do. (Really more her to do, but I sit and watch). She thinks that might help take her mind off of things. We're also watching the Nip/Tuck series right now every night before bed.

And "Whitney" definitely lived up to her expectations. She laughed hysterically.

She'll be okay. She always is.

In fact, Nip/Tuck is making her grimace and cringe right now. I think that's a good sign.

Quotes, quotes... and more quotes

I am quite the quote fanatic. I love them. And I'm always looking for new ones. And then applying them to my life, thinking: "They wrote this just for ME!" (Which is honestly not the case, but I just won't admit that).

My newest quote, well, it fits my life to a tee.

Please enjoy.

"Take chances... a lot of them. Because honestly, no matter where you end up- and with who, it always ends up just the way it should be. Your mistakes make you who you are... you learn and grow with each choice you make. Everything is worth it. Say how you feel always. Be you, and be okay with it."

I just love how other people put things into perspective. And then they publish them, so I can read them over and over again, enjoying it just as much each time as I did the first.

Thank you for telling my life story, only summarized, and in much prettier words.

The littlest things

Today I received a letter from a couple who became good friends of mine very quickly. Their sweet words brought tears to my eyes reading what they wrote, and that moment also helped me to remember that it is truly the small and simple things that make life count. It was also a wonderful reminder to me that I should be giving my thanks and gratitude for things that I really appreciate to loved ones or mere acquaintances. You really never know how much a simple thanks or friendly attitude can help someones day, or maybe go a bit further than that.

These words were such a relief to me. I always look back, questioning things I've done, or choices that I've made, and I can't help but question my actions. I don't know what a "perfect" life is, or who makes the "good or bad" list, but it's when I hear things like this that make me realize I've turned out alright. I live a good life. I have my own beliefs and values. And more importantly, I am truly happy who I am. There is nothing to regret, only so much more to learn.

I've realized the past couple of years that our choices and decisions will never please everyone. We can only be the best we know how to be, and those who really love us will love us no matter who we are.

Here is a copy of that letter to my sweet, sweet baby:

Hello Brylee,

This is David and Andi writing to you. Your mother helped me and my beautiful wife out with something very important to us.

You are beautiful. And you are so lucky to have Carly as your mother. If you follow in her footsteps, you will be as beautiful on the inside as the outside.

Please thank your Grandparents for us for raising such a sweet daughter that will not only serve you well but be a blessing on all she comes in contact with.

Your Grandparents must be great people; look at how your mother turned out. Even if it was only for a few moments, thank you for sharing your sweet mother with us.



We need more sweet people like these two in our lives.

Today I am grateful for two simple words: thank you

Keeps getting better

So, I am working on what I think is THE funniest post ever. If, when I post it, you don't at least laugh a little, you obviously don't know me very well, and we should probably re-evaluate our friendship.

Since it's so funny, and so fantastic, it's taking me a while. Have no fear! In the meantime, I'll post a tidbit about this little sweet pea of mine since she really is coming into her own person.

This ah-dorable love bug of mine loves:

§ Her grandpa. Still. A lot. Maybe even a little more than she loves me.

§ Ice cream. (Grandpa is the one who feeds her this most, maybe that's why she's so fond of him)

§ Apple juice. (Already trained my kid to drink from a sippy cup. Yes!)

§ The Country Music Awards? She never holds that still for anything

§ Patty-cake

§ Peek-a-boo with her burp cloths

§ Holding her own bottle (More like tossing it around)

§ Long drives up to grandma greats with mom, listening to Paramore

§ Bananas. Num, num, num!

§ Pulling hair

§ Giving mom a bath. Really, this should be the other way around.

§ Giving wet, slobbery kisses. Disclaimer: This usually includes tongue

And she just can't help but be so cute and loveable!

Also, thank you, thank you, thank you! to whoever blessed me with the greatest daughter ever. I don't know how I did it, but my advice to expecting moms is lots of diet coke, grilled steak salads from Cafe Rio, sleepless nights, and back pain. That seems to be a pretty cocktail for producing a perfect mini-you.

Future Hubby Application

So... basically- I got tired of settling. Being the smart and witty person I am, I've created this little 'application' for any potential hubby suitors. I thought of requirements and traits of my "perfect" someone, and trust me, he doesn't exist. Therefore, this is impossible to pass, which means I can avoid settling down. ever. And now this lovely information is being handed out along with a short disclaimer about myself and the way I feel about men to any of them in the future here.

Purpose: Save them the heart ache.


[ ] Must {love} kids. No exceptions.
Note: If you did not check this box, please don't continue.

[ ] Must not smoke.

[ ] Must be a hard worker.

[ ] Must be at least 6'1.

[ ] Must be funny. Then again, it's not too hard to make me laugh.

[ ] Must have a good job- preferably a lawyer or doctor (anesthesioligist would be great) or a firefighter.
Please list other occupation here if none of the above apply to you. I will take these into
consideration. Other: ___________________________________________

[ ] Must play some sort of musical instrument OR own a motorcycle.

[ ] Must think I'm outrageously funny. Because, lets face it, I am.

[ ] Must accept my dorkiness.

[ ] Must be able to grill as well, if not better, than the current man in my life: My father.
*He grills a mean steak boys.

[ ] Must be fluent in sarcasm.

[ ] Must kill ALL spiders. Or any bug for that matter.

[ ] No pets. Except for my beta fish named Morris, and maybe a pet chicken named Izzy.
[ ] No trying to change my mind about ^this^ requirement either.

[ ] Must do the dishes after I cook delicious meals.

[ ] 100% support my obsession with Kyle Beckerman.

[ ] Must be an avid game player.
*I don't mean those dumb video games either.

[ ] Must rub my feet at least once a day.

[ ] Must accept the fact that I can't golf, dance, or do math.

[ ] Must give me a constant case of those dang butterflies.

[ ] Must be willing to go on crazy escapades and adventures!

[ ] Must send me periodic cute texts throughout the day that I can't help but break out in smile.

[ ] Must sweep me off my feet.
*No exceptions.

[ ]Must have the cutest nickname for me. Ever.
Nickname: _______________________________________

[ ] Must be fluent in a foreign language OR take me to lots of exotic places frequently.

[ ] Must use correct grammar at ALL times.
*This is a deal breaker, guys.

[ ] Must love me unconditionally and put up with my stubborness, independent-ness and self-reliant-ness.

[ ] 10 extra points just for making it all the way to this point even though you know this was impossible to pass.