2009 was the worst year of my life.

I lost my dad suddenly and unexpectedly 7 days before I was flying home with my 2 year old and 3 month old baby for a visit. I had already started packing. It has been much harder to cope with than I could have ever imagined or try to describe here.

Just over 6 months later I was brimming with a ton of nervous energy and needed something to do, something positive to focus on, something to help my mind escape, something for me, to help me heal.

That was when I decided to approach Erica and Sharon about writing a blog about my life-long passion for the Yummy Mummy Club. I was thrilled {and kind of shocked} when they agreed to give me a try. I can’t thank them enough for opening up a whole new world to me at a time when I needed it.

2010 has been an amazing year for me because of this blog. It is often still so hard, but writing my blog, along with my amazing family, has brought happiness back to my life.

I’d say the biggest change it has made in my life is my weight loss. I have always struggled with my weight. After having my second son, losing my dad and breaking a bone in my lower back, I had a hard time getting back in shape. When I started getting out again {thanks to YMC events} I was inspired by the women I met. I didn’t want to be the frumpy, chubby woman of the group. I stopped eating chips and I started running again. I have lost 64 pounds {since the last week I was pregnant}. I am now 21 pounds lighter than when I got pregnant and 18 pounds thinner than when I got married. I went from this to this:

I feel so lucky to have had so many amazing opportunities come my way, such as:

- flying to New York City to be a part of the design blogger audience of The Nate Berkus Show
-interviewing my first design celebrities, Cindy Stumpo and Genevieve Gorder
-meeting the fabulous and charming Colin and Justin at the Fall Home Show
-attending a blogger audience taping of the hilarious and inspiring Steven and Chris Show
-meeting a group of talented ladies at the Canadian Design Blogger Meetup
-attending a taping of the always fun Cityline with some fellow bloggers, thanks to my new and talented friend, Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault
-making my first, of hopefully many, television appearances {producers are lining up, I’m sure ;)}

I look at this list, which I could add so much more to, and I am incredibly grateful.

There is something missing though: the amazing friendships that have developed because of YMC, my blog and twitter. That has been the greatest gift of this year.

I can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store for me.
I wish you all the best, next year, and always.