2010 was so up and down it’s a wonder we don’t all have whiplash.

My husband is a small business owner and if you are in business or are simply just a living breathing human who occasionally reads headlines you are aware that it’s been a tumultuous year economically speaking. Factor in a devastating flood of epic proportions almost literally in your back yard (less than a dozen houses away) and the trickle down effect on one’s clients and one’s bottom line and you’ve got one hell of an economic roller coaster. Even my husband’s biggest clients were affected by the flood’s undeniable effect on the local economy and of course there is that whole Great Recession thing.

There were honestly days when I worried that my husband was going to have either a nervous breakdown or a heart attack. He just about killed himself working to keep our family business afloat. His core group of employees is solid and wonderful and I’m sure they’re relieved this year is over as well, but it was certainly a year of attrition. We’ve tried to shield our girls from a lot of this stress, but even that is stressful.

Because God apparently felt like we could handle even more stress, the small publishing company I work for was unexpectedly bought out this year. This has proven to be a really positive thing and I have even better benefits than before, but if you’ve ever attended one of those impromptu company wide meetings that begins with your CEO calmly stating, “We have some big changes to announce…” you know the uncertainty can be unnerving.

I don’t write about our finances because, frankly, it’s no one’s business but I know how things appear on the surface when all someone writes about on their blog is their stalking of Hollywood celebrities and their butt. (Just a little reminder that any blog related trips I go on are all-expense paid junkets or I would not be able to afford to go on them…and yes I am very thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had, you’d better believe it!)

Despite all this we have a lot to be thankful for. So many in Nashville watched helplessly this spring as their lives were literally washed away but here at the end of 2010 we find ourselves still standing, a little worse for wear, but still upright.

With that said, over the last six weeks we have been very excited to see several signs that 2011 is going to be an incredible year for my blog, my husband’s business, and our family as a whole. My husband’s business is suddenly thriving, Bailey is still alive, Jack is a healthy boy, and the girls are loving life.

Here’s to 2011!

BRING IT.