It takes a village

Whoever said this parenting thing is easy clearly didn't have any kids. I won't lie and say that I wasn't ever once one of those foolish and oblivious people. I vividly remember watching from afar kids throw massive tantrums in the grocery store, and thinking to myself that my kid would never do that. HAHAHA...yes, I see all you parents reading that statement right now laughing hysterically at that thought. It is quite easy as an outsider to look at a situation and so quickly judge or jump to conclusions, when in reality you have zero idea what it is like. But let me just say, I get it now. And to the mom who just gave her kid candy in the store so they would get up off the ground and stop their screaming, I salute you.

People always warn you that the newborn phase is the hardest. Whatever you do, do not listen to them! The newborn phase was the most undemanding. All my daughter did was sleep and smile at me so sweetly. Now I am lucky if I can get a nice smile out of her after bribing her with a million and one things. Best of all, she couldn't talk back to me. If I had a dollar for every time she tells me no or you do it, lets just say the Easter bunny would of been able to bring her a real unicorn. You know the one she has been asking for according to her since was a little girl (which was literally just a month ago).

And may I just add those terrible twos everyone talks about, yeah that still isn't the most challenging year. Sorry to break it to ya, but just as you breathe a sigh of relief and thank the Gods above you didn't have to throw in your towel, the threenagers phase plows right into you. You thought tantrums were bad at two ha, they have nothing on a threenager tantrum.

Most days you spend ripping your hair out or battling a never ending war with your three year old about the dumbest things. Don't even get me started with the horrendous back talk and shameless loads of sass. And oh brother look out for those mood swings. I swear my three year old has worse emotions then I did when I was pregnant.

Being a single parent, yet alone one with horrible anxiety, each day can bring on a daunting amount of difficult situations. This parenting thing isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It is exhausting, challenging, emotional and more days then not a real struggle. As much as you say you can, you cannot embark on a journey of this magnitude alone. It takes a village.

So here is to our village. To the ones who have been there from the start, thank you. To the ones who have left us and didn't believe we could do it, thank you. You made me stronger then I ever could of imagined and you lit a fire inside of me that will never be put out. To those who supported us in any way, shape or form when Addie endured multiple hospital stays, thank you. To those who love Addie like she is their own, thank you. And to those who take time out of their busy life's to come and support Addie or spend time with her, thank you. You all are showing Addie what love truly means.

Our village is nothing short of beautiful, amazing and empowering people. If there is one thing I am certain of, it is that Addie will always feel nothing but love and support from those who matter most. When she looks out into the crowd during a school performance or dance recital, she can always count on her village to be there. So to that, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know no matter what twist or turn this roller coaster ride throws at us, our village will always be there to catch us when we fall. Thank you for always showing up, even when you don't have to.