4. Weight Watchers - This is my dream job. All my life I've struggled with being overweight. It has quite literally weighed me down. I always wanted to be thin and healthy but could never do it. I went to WW time and time again only to give up after a setback, giving up, not believing I could be successful. Then in 2005, something clicked - never give up! I lost 65 pounds and realized the only reason I hadn't been successful is that I stopped trying.

Now I lead 13 meetings a week. I've made over 300 new friends who I spend 30 minutes with each week. This is my gift - to motivate and inspire people who feel just like I used to feel - that they can't have the one thing they want most. The Lord has blessed me with the ability to speak clearly, to love and empathize with people. It is a blessing to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.

5. My children - my boys - in no particular order I'll cover them individually in future days. For now they are, collectively, my joy and delight. I never imagined I'd be the mother of 5 boys but it is perfect and I couldn't dream of anything better.

6. Dave - he is the perfect match for me - there are no words...

To begin a life of gratitude

I don't know if anyone will ever read this blog or if I'll ever share it but I want to start living a life of gratitude. I am a worrier... I can create things to worry about even if life is wonderful. I think I learned this from my mother who was also a worrier - she was always hoping that things would be better in some future day. It made me sad that she never seemed to be really happy. I want to remember to be really happy every single day.

Perhaps I'm not so much a worrier as I am always waiting for the other shoe to drop. When life is so good I think that it isn't fair that I don't have big problems. I know so many people who are struggling with major issues and I assume I won't be immune from that. Meanwhile I waste away my perfectly wonderful todays anticipating some future doom.

For whatever reason I am blessed beyond measure and I want to be grateful. So here we begin 1000 blessings. Since this is just for me I'm going to pay attention each day and write specific blessings that come my way. If my kids or grandkids ever read this know that I love you all so dearly.

1. I must start with my Savior - without Him life has no meaning. The rest of this list will be random but this number one makes all the 999 that will follow possible.

2. I love Sunday dinner with everyone around the table. Jim, Liz, Holly, JD, Doug, Cate, Steven, Johnny, Dave and I. It is heaven, filled with good food, laughter and love. This Thursday for Thanksgiving we'll add Matt and his friends to the table and my joy will be full!

3. Holly and JD - JD and Holly - which comes first - with twins I always want to be sure they know I love them equally but separately. They are a delight and pure fun! Being a grandma is wonderful and 18 months is a perfect age!!