Shredded

So, is it just me, or do you think Jillian Michaels might be a little evil?

I guess I'm pathetic, but workout #1 on the 30 Day Shred was not a piece of cake for me today folks. The best part of the work out may have been when I did jumping jacks to the kitchen to pre-heat the oven for my lunch.

Oh yes, I did.

The workout was certainly not fun, but, I did it. And that was the goal, right?

Baby steps.

Baby steps people.

This morning I mentioned to Sassy that I needed to do "my exercise" and the sweet thing said she would do it with me. I honestly didn't think much about it until she got up from rest time and asked if I was ready to do my exercise.

Say what?!

There was no way that I was going to do it again, but I didn't want to "deprive" her of the experience. So, I turned on Jillian again and watched/helped Sassy through the workout. She actually kept it up for much longer than I anticipated.

My massive 3 lb weights were a little heavy for her, so she used princesses instead.

At one point, Chilli wanted in on the action.

After a while though, she was ready for her snack. I found it rather funny when she said to me, "I'm gonna sit and eat my snack and just watch that girl do the exercises."

I think she may be on to something.

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So, I had a crafty moment yesterday. I had seen this idea on the Crafting Chicks Blog several months ago and had even gone so far as to purchase a frame from Goodwill and some fabric from Hobby Lobby. But, after that, I kinda stalled out.

Anyway, I have been frustrated by a lack of gratefulness in my kids lately. Some days it just seems that they lack the appreciation I desire for them to have for all that we are blessed with in this life. As with most things, I am sure this is yet another area where my own sin has trickled down. It is my earnest desire to demonstrate a thankful spirit, but I know I complain, gripe, whine, and throw temper tantrums... but I just do so in a more "sophisticated" manner than my kids. Usually. Anyway, I decided it would be good for all of us to "Count our Blessings" and thought this might be a fun way to do it and keep a list in front of us.

Here is the picture/frame I got from Goodwill:

I know. I know. It was tempting to just keep this picture "as is" because I am uber into smoke-billowing river boats. But, instead I did this:

I wrote on the glass with "bistro" markers that I got from Hobby Lobby. As I understand it from the Crafting Chicks, the bistro marker is key if you want to write on the glass and be able to read it.

I intended for Sassy and me to come up with the list together today, but every time I tried to talk to her about it, she wasn't really interested. The only item I could get her to share was, dog food.

Weirdo.

So, I wrote down some of the things I am thankful for and that I know she has told me she is thankful for on days when she has not been fixated on dog food.
Anyway, the plan is to erase and make new lists from time to time. I think we'll also use it for memory verses and other things that we want to keep in front of us.

Do you have any good ideas for keeping an "attitude of gratitude" and helping to foster that value in your children as well? I'd love to hear your thoughts!



Maranda