If You Could Sum Up 2012 in One Word…

…what would it be?

For me, I’d have to say conflicted.

Initially, I wanted to say that it was “discouraging”.  It was disappointing, frustrating, sad.  I was appalled by the insensitivity of people who were supposed to protect me.  I lost my job.  Many of our friends separated and/or divorced.  My uncle was diagnosed with cancer.  Money was tight.  We spent over $950 on Prince Charming’s truck, our dog has ear mites, my medication costs went up, and our dishwasher broke.  When it rains, it pours.  Children died.  People were killed.  We lost some friends to vicious diseases.

BUT THEN…

I recalled that it was also a year of opportunity.  I was blessed with the opportunity to stay at home with my kids, to attend Polar Express Day and Kid Writing and a field trip to the fire station.  I joined Thirty-One–one of the best things that ever happened to me.  I got to see my grandpa and my aunts and uncle, and my grandpa met Tinkerbell for the first time.  Our kids did great in school.  Wendy and Rapunzel excelled ridiculously in soccer.  Cinderella matured SO much, and Tinkerbell, well, she’s Tinkerbell and she’s cute no matter what happens, the little stinker!  God gave us a year-end miracle with our finances and we were able to break even.

As I look toward 2013, I hope I can make it a much better and hopeful year than 2012.  If you could sum up 2012 in one word, what would it be?