If my life in 2012 was a wine, it wouldn't be a good year. In fact, it would've had more in common with vinegar. But vinegar has uses too.

What would fish and chips on the beach in the packet be without lashings of salt and vinegar? What would salad be without balsamic vinegar? And what would sweet and sour sauce be without rice wine vinegar? And salt and vinegar crisps are my favorite! Right!

Enough with the vinegar references!

This was the year that nearly tore Daddy Flower and I apart. It was the year that's also seen us grow more than ever before. It was the year we nearly lost Flower and Bear over a stupid argument that shouldn't have happened. It was the year that saw me reach the lowest of lows. And it was the year that my health decided to have its say.

But it was the year that Flower learned to talk, and Bear scared us and made us smile. It was also the year that I've found who my truest friends are and who my family really are.

2012 was the year that made Daddy Flower and I stronger; our marriage is stronger for this year. And the year we learned to be better parents.

It was also the year that I learned to ask for help and forgiveness.

I've learned a lot this year and cried a lot too. Part of me died this year, but fortunately it was a part of me that I didn't like anyway! I'm stronger, fitter, and more able to take on challenges because of this year, but boy am I exhausted - I need a holiday to get over it!

Daddy Flower and I have learned so much about each other this year. We've learned to respect each others opinions; to laugh at ourselves.

It was a horrendous year, but a lot of good things have come out of it. It was a year that made me learn a lot about myself. A lot about how strong I am and what means the most to me. My children and Daddy Flower are the most important things in my life and they are my family. No one else matters, just them.

I recently learned that there's only one HAVE TO in life: death. Everything else we do because we want to or because we can see the benefits. For example, I really don't like doing my tax return but I do it because I know it'll save me a fine. I don't like disciplining Flower but I do it because I want her to grow up to become a responsible young woman that I can be proud of. Because of this I want to file my tax return and discipline Flower.

I think my year can be summed up in the comment that the lady that runs Busy Bees made at the end of term before Flower left.

"You're still in one piece and after the year you've had, that's reason enough to be happy."

So I'm happy. I survived last year, but please make this year a better one!

What was your year like. The Band?