To ask what the best thing is that's happened to you this year

[PennyPearl]

I can't sleep and thought we'd get some cheer from this thread as it's been an absolutely horrendous year for many so wanted to know the good things that's happened to you this year, it can be more than one:-

After a difficult unstable pregnancy, my beautiful daughter was born at 36+4 days and was absolutely healthy with nothing wrong with her and we got to leave the next day.

I reconnected with an old friend in January after a minor fall out and we've actually become best of friends.

My mum has been diagnosed with autism which doesn't sound good but actually it makes so much more sense now and she has access to the support she needs.

My DH has been accepted onto a university course he's been wanting to do to kick start a new career.

So please feel free to share yours, feel like we could do with a positive uplifting thread

My first grandchild was born and to my surprise and delight DS and DIL have made huge efforts to include us as much as her own parents. It’s been wonderful.

We moved into this house after making the decision to break the chain on our old house which left us homeless for 5 months and living with my DM in her tiny bungalow.

My son, he’s the best thing about every single day. He wasn’t actually born this year (Nov ‘21) but my goodness, we’ve had a fun year 🥰
Also got a new dog in June, she’s pretty cool. Old dog isn’t so convinced, baby boy, on the other hand, is obsessed with her and her him.

My DD3 had her tonsils & adenoids removed as well as having grommets fitted.

it’s literally changed her life, she can hear now and finally we’re all getting some sleep. She had horrific sleep apnea before.

I passed my OU degree, six years of work finished.

I got an amazing new job, as did dh.

Ds started school and is doing brilliantly.

Not a bad year :)

After 18mo living in a static caravan while building our house we rented an air b&b for Christmas. Last week it was -9 with ice inside my windows and no water and tonight I'm basically sleeping inside a stately home with unlimited heating and hot water!!!!

We are moving into a house after Xmas while the final build bits are completed.

Started weightlifting - lost an inch or two around waist and gained one on upper arms so far 💪

Got promoted and started leading a team at work where I seem to be doing really well.

Congrats to everyone here and if you can't think of a "huge" thing to share, remember that all the daily little things make a big difference too!

My little fosterling who, we were told when he came to us two and a half years ago, was unlikely to find adopters not only found a loving family but is absolutely adored and is settling fantastically. My heart broke a little more when he left but it is so lovely to see how much happiness he is bringing to his new family and how happy he is.

I stopped drinking alcohol.

My husband beating Covid which nearly killed him.
Having a healthy pregnancy (so far) after two miscarriages in quick succession this year.
Watching DD2 grow into her own personality.
The best part being that my autistic daughter is flourishing since starting school. She was only just starting to say odd words this time last year and had very limited understanding. Although she can’t have a full conversation she is beginning to verbally request things, can count to 20-10 confidently 😂, called for me at the stairs a few weeks ago by shouting ‘Mummy’ for the first time 😊. Then at her Christmas concert gushed ‘Daddy’ when spotting him in the crowd. She can also sing you a rendition of any popular Christmas song! She makes me so proud everyday.

Our DD has remained cancer free for another year - her 4th year since diagnosis now. We have finally started to heal from the trauma of it all and our baby boy arrived last month filling our home and hearts with a new joy. Life is feeling good again and I feel so fortunate and grateful.

We had a lovely holiday abroad

What a nice idea for a thread.

I got an amazing new job, lost the 15 pounds I'd gained when menopause started, and overpaid mortgage on my little flat.

I’ve lost over 50% of my body weight and have got a life again

Another joined the gym and lost 12kg person.
Also stopped drinking which helped with the weight loss.

It is lovely to hear everyone else's good news. Happy Christmas & I hope next year continues to bring you joy.

After years of scrapping the barrel, living hand to mouth, going without to ensure the kids had enough and fearing every knock on the door (thanks to a family member screwing us financially and all the family begging us not to go to the police and that they would help and then never helping) we are back on our feet, we have zero debt (apart from mortgage) and we have money in the bank - we are not well off by any means but for the first time years I feel like I can breath.

I feel bad saying this as I know the cost of living crisis has hit many hard, but I also know if it had not last heat we wouldn’t have survived it and good knows where we would be.

sitting waiting for the kids to wake up and it is the first Christmas in years, I feel genuinely happy and I am so dam proud of how hard me and DH have worked (multiple jobs each) to get here

We’ve had the craziest year of our lives!

Got married with a massive party with all our nearest and dearest after thinking first Omicron and then the massive storm would stop it. Followed by an amazing honeymoon.

My husband finished his degree after many years and I have been told this week that I should be awarded the promotion I’ve been working on all year.

We finally got to go to all the shows and events we had collected tickets from in Covid.

My best friend, who has always wanted to be a Mum, is celebrating Xmas with a tiny baby this year!

And the wildcard is that after planning to move “in a few years” we found a house that fitted the bill and went for it, ending up moving in right on top of Xmas.

it’s been the maddest year EVER and there hasn’t been a single quiet week and Xmas has kind of crept up on me this year but we will be spending a quiet one with my family, including my beloved Grandma and having had some ROUGH Christmasses for a few years, we will be feeling grateful for our good fortune.

We’ve become really good friends with another
couple. TBF, DH has known the guy since he was 8 but his wife and he only got together about 3 years ago. DH fell out of contact as his friend moved abroad but now we meet up regularly.

DH got a new job after being bullied and harassed for 12 months in his last month. After he got the thumbs up from the recruiter, we were literally jumping up and down and hugging in our home office.

We moved into our dream home.

I got a promotion at work.

*last job

Found a new hobby. I'm getting fit again, achieving things I wouldn't have thought possible a year ago, have met new people, and learnt new skills. I'm looking forward to seeing what another 12 months of progress will look like, given the difference I've made this year.

Finally having psychotherapy for trauma experienced over 25 years ago. I didn't think it would have much impact, but it has made a huge difference to my reactions in certain stressful situations, understanding of that period of time, and inner peace.

Went back to work full time after not being able to afford childcare due to twins.

Dh got a new job also.

We went abroad.

Becoming a Dad for the first time and getting to see my husband become a Papa.

My son finally settling into school and getting onto his chosen rugby team.

Celebrating our first wedding anniversary.

Amazing opportunities this year and a good year in general. One of my kids is an unstoppable force who is flying high. It is an inspiration to be around them and I have to ask myself where they get their power, determination, focus and maturity from. The others are also doing well albeit not in such an amazing way.
My creative juices have also been flowing. I love the feeling of being able to create amazing in my hobby - it’s incredible.

Same here!

Dd1 passed her A-Levels and got into her uni of choice (we did pretty much expect this to happen) and is really thriving being away from home. It’s also the best feeling to have her home with us for Christmas. Dd2 passed all her GCSE’s and got into her college of choice to study her dream course (this was entirely hoped for but unexpected, so many tears that day).
Ds has adapted well to big changes in his life. I got a new job which is far better paid than my last and way less stress. Dh and I have just celebrated 20 years of togetherness.
So much to be thankful for. Which is great because the list of shit is way longer and very upsetting. I do like to think of the positives though!