Four Memories of Christmas 2013

This past week I became extremely sick with a dreadful infection that wreaked havoc on my sinuses . What started out as a common cold led to a ruptured ear drum, conjunctivitis, a throat full of knives, and you guessed it, lots of congestion. I felt like a giant piece of bacteria with red eyes living underwater (due to the hearing loss). My inlaws were gracious enough to let me stay holed away in their home and served me many cups of hot tea and breakfast's-in bed :)

Furthermore, I hit the belly-button poppin' phase of pregnancy where the most basic tasks, such as sleeping, breathing, and tying your shoes, suddenly became downright uncomfortable (or according to my more dramatic side, nearly impossible). Even my trusty snoogle is no longer coming to my aid!

Despite these 'light and momentary' bahumbugs, many fun memories were successfully made and it is these things that I want to remember when I think back to Christmas 2013...

1. Watching the Hobbit Part 2-During the week that we were in Summerville, one of the main topics of discussion was what day and time we should go to the theater to watch the Hobbit. Day after day went by and for one reason or another we would have to change plans.Finally we were able to make it a reality (much to my sister-in-law Abigail's delight).  We all thought it was much better than Part I and I was really quite proud of myself for staying awake the entire movie. Well, almost. I fell asleep the last five minutes:)

2. Game-Playin' and Story Tellin'-We had a lot of fun one night playing the game Whoonu around the kitchen table. Have you ever played that game? It's super fun and opens the floor for all sorts of stories to be remembered and shared. The Decker Family loves to tell stories. I've been in the family long enough now that I am familiar with the classics and can begin laughing at the opening line :).

3. Drugstore Dancing-On Christmas Eve night, Jared took me up to the drugstore to get some remedies for all my ailments. As I stood staring groggily at the array of pills and sprays, donned in the color gray from head to toe, with bloodshot eyes and a messy-bun-with-a-rat-tail hairdo, a Christmas song came over the CVS radio, sung from the time of my grandparent's generation.  I saw a sparkle in my man's eyes as he reached for my hand and slipped his other hand around my waist pulling my round pregnant belly in as close as it could be. And there we were in the Nasal Decongestant aisle swaying back and forth to the faint sound of the Big Band;  big cheesy grins on our faces and twinkles in our eyes. And the whole world stood still in that moment. My man gives me a glimpse..a small taste..of how my Father in heaven must love me. 

4.  Reading the Christmas Story-Every year on Christmas Eve night, my father-in-law reads the Christmas story to his family. As we gathered around to fulfill this special tradition, Jared asked if he could do the honor of reading the story since this was the first Christmas that his own child was present.  Danny passed the Bible to Jared and Jared placed his hand on my big round belly. When he got to the part where the angels sang "Glory to God in the highest!" baby girl jumped and kicked excitedly inside of me. It was a fun moment to share:)

Jared and I are so blessed to have families who love the Lord and each other deeply.  We are eager to bring our little girl into the world and surround her with people who can tell her all about Jesus and the great truths in the Bible. We can't wait to read the Christmas story next year with our little Munchkin all snuggled up in between us!

 May you cling to the sweet memories you made this Christmas season!
~Charity~

Seven Steps to Making a Gender Reveal Box

(Not interested in this post? Skip to the bottom and click on the link to watch a four minute film of life in the womb. It is the best one I've seen so far!)

For those of you who have asked how I made the balloon box for our surprise gender reveal, here are the directions! There are many ideas out there that involve spray painting the box, wrapping the box in paper, or using markers to draw the letters, but I like the method we went with the best. All credit goes to my better-half...I am just not very creative! 

1. You will need packing tape, glue, and scissors. 

2. I purchased some colorful card stock from Target, but you can also use construction paper. 

3. There are all different sizes of boxes that people use for this project, but I went with an Extra-Large cardboard box from Home Depot (labeled X-Large). This size fits a regular piece of poster board almost perfectly. Speaking of which, you will need to purchase four black poster boards. Don't tape them to the box until step 6.

4. To make the circles, I used three different sized objects- a bowl, a candle holder, and a mug. I cut these circles out of the cardstock and glued them on the poster. 

5. I am HORRIBLE at drawing bubble letters so I went to this website and printed off the letters I needed for my box. I used plain white paper for "it's a..." and traced letters out of the cardstock for "GIRL" and "BOY".  Once you have your letters cut out you can paste them onto your posters!

6. After your posters are decorated, tape one poster to the front, and one to each side. Cut the last poster in two pieces and tape them to the flaps. Don't worry about the back of the box as it will not be visible in the pictures :)

7. Okay, so now that the box is finished, you just need to fill it up with pink or blue balloons! My husband and I wanted to be surprised along with our family, so we had the doctor write down the gender of our munchkin onto a piece of paper after our ultrasound. We took the sealed envelope (it was hard not to peek!) to a local grocery store and purchased 12 pink or blue balloons. While we waited outside, they blew up the balloons for us and put them in the box--making sure to tape the lid tight!

It was a lot of fun to make a big deal over this milestone, since we had to be cautious with our emotions at first. However you may decide to announce the gender of your little one, never forget what an awesome privilege it is to carry a tiny life inside of you. If you have four minutes of time, check out this amazing video of life in the womb- 9 months in 4 minutes. ..."admire the perfect creation of God"...

Life is precious!
~Charity~

25 Gifts from My Gratitude List

(Warning: This list has a long intro!)I was first introduced to the book, "One Thousand Gifts" at a bible study hosted by my dear friend, Kathleen. During the weeks of the study, I was in the middle of meeting and falling in love with my husband, so as you can imagine, I was slightly distracted .  I picked up the book for a second time when I was going through my first miscarriage. This time the book deeply impacted my life and gave me a fresh perspective on the importance of living a life of thankfulness. 

"...gratitude truly is the foremost quality of a believing disciple precisely because gratitude is what births trust...the true belief." a.v.

Voskamp challenges her readers to start keeping a journal of all the gifts in their lives, as a way to slow down the busyness and acknowledge the Giver. You've most likely been asked at one point in your life to name ten things you're thankful for, right? If you would have asked me that question a year ago, my list would have consisted of general subjects (Parents, Husband, God, Food, Clothes, House) and I would have probably struggled to think of any more over ten. While a broad list like this is obviously not wrong, it didn't inquire me to "stop and smell the roses" so to speak. I needed to train my eyes to see the beauty hidden in the mundane; the little moments that rushed by in a full day.

"Gratitude for the seemingly insignificant--a seed--this plants the giant miracle. Do not disdain the small." -a.v.


Anne's challenge to record 1000 gifts encouraged me to become more detailed and descriptive in my thanksgiving.  I had to focus my attention on the seemingly "small"; things that before I would have thought of as insignificant. It seemed a bit child-like at first..you know, thanking God for blue hydrangeas, a spider weaving it's web and a sweet crunchy apple, but I began to realize that these were things that brought me delight when I paused long enough in my day to notice them. Beyond that, I began to recognize them as ways my Father was lavishing his love on me. 

"I pay tribute to God by paying attention."-a.v.

Furthermore, my natural inclination is to worry and fret over things, but it's pretty hard to complain and give thanks simultaneously...

"Every breath's a battle between grudgery and gratitude and we must keep thanks on the lips so we can sip from the holy grail of joy."-a.v.

Voskamp speaks to the suffering heart through words that are poetically and sincerely scripted. She encourages her readers to accept whatever God gives them with open hands and breathe out 'thanks' not only for the beautiful things, but the ugly, as well. 

"God is in the details; God is in the moment. God is in all that blurs by in a life---even hurts in a life." -a.v.

It's not that we need to adopt a Pollyanna attitude when calamity comes our way. It's not that we need to put on a fake smile, pretending all is well during the times that all is not right in our world. Rather, in the valley's and storms of life we are to focus our blurry-eyed vision on the Rock--the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He is sovereign...He is a Comforter....He has a rich inheritance stored up for those who trust in Him...He won't leave us or forsake us...He is our refuge and strength. It is for these things that we can and should utter thanks. Let me show you a real-life example. 

"To know how we can count on God, we count graces, but ultimately there is really only One."-a.v.

Around this time of year, most people try to be more intentional about having a grateful attitude. Some give thanks in order to generate a happy demeanor and optimistic outlook on life. Others strive to think positive thoughts in order to attain an inner calm. As Christians, our thanksgiving should magnify our Creator--the Sustainer of life itself! May we not simply vocalize our gratitude for the sake of the holiday, but may we purposefully direct our thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow. 

"Every time you feel in God's creatures something pleasing and attractive, do not let your attention be arrested by them alone, but, passing them by, transfer your thought to God and say: 'O my God, if Thy creations are so full of beauty, delight, and joy, how infinitely more full of beauty, delight, and joy art Though Thyself, Creator of all! -Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain 

As we focus on all of our many blessings this Thanksgiving, I pray that they would direct our attention to the great and mighty Gift-Giver and cause us to glorify and praise His name. "Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you." (1 Samuel 12:24, ESV)

25 Gifts from My Gratitude List:

1. Looking through old photo albums with my mom

2. Surprise reservations to a bed and breakfast 

3. Staying calm during bloodwork

4. Sprinting up a hill and feeling good at the top

5. Scripture, framed and hung on walls

6. Dancing in the kitchen with socks on

7. A Savior who endured the cross

8. Jack & Oakley's smiling faces peering from the window 

9. Hot coffee and cozy bathrobe on chilly mornings

10. Reading the Bible with Jared

11. Music that magnifies the Lord and His promises

12. Fresh cucumber from the Calvary Baptist garden

13. Flirting with my husband at the gym

14. The sound of birds chirping in the morning

15. Date night to Sweet Frog

16. The ability to be transformed by God

17. Running stadium bleachers

18. The opportunity to carry a life

19. Hymns turned up loud in the kitchen

20. Waking up beside my best friend

21. Overcoming public speaking fear

22. Prince of Peace to rest in

23. Masculine husband

24. Reminders of Truth

25. New mercies in the morning

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Charity~

**Special Anniversary Edition**Three Reasons I Am Thankful for Facebook

Last weekend my husband surprised me by taking me to Boone, NC to celebrate our second year of marital bliss.  We had a fabulous time strolling the old streets and reliving memories of being in Boone for our honeymoon. (This time, pleasantly accompanied by our little Munchkin, of course). If you ever pass through the Boone area, you absolutely must eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or all three) at the Dan'l Boone Inn.  They serve a family-style meal that is simply scrumptious. Oh, and save room at the end for the peach cobbler--it's divine! 

Jared's Post-Dinner Picture

I Definitely Ate for Two!

And now on to the topic of today's post: Why I am thankful for Facebook. (I promise you, it is not as random as it seems). 

3. Facebook keeps me up-to-date on the lives of old friends and those that live miles away. I'm sure this is the top reason why most people have facebook...

2. Facebook keeps me informed on weather conditions and current events.
How would I know when the first snowflake hits the ground or when it's extremely hot outside without seeing someone's status update? Also, since we do not have tv, I rely solely on Facebook to keep me updated on Miley Cyrus escapades and college football scores. Ok, I really could care less about these things to be honest :-)

And the #1 reason why I am thankful for Facebook?:

1. Facebook connected me to Jared Decker.

On March 10, 2011, I received my first letter from my future husband. His buddies had set up a facebook account for him while he was deployed to Afghanistan. One day, Facebook decided it would be appropriate to suggest me as a potential friend to Jared. He saw my picture and remembered me from our college days (I was a junior and he was a freshman during college...we barely knew each other) and he decided he would casually "check in" and see how I was doing. No big deal, right? I now know that it took him several days to write and send this "simple" little message :) I knew enough of his reputation to eagerly respond to his friendly greeting and the rest is history...

For about a month we corresponded through letters alone. Since then, I have compiled all of our messages and emails during that first month into a book--it was such a special and exciting time learning all about each other.  It didn't take long for me to see that this man loved the Lord and was striving to walk in a an honorable and upright manner. People talk about the things they love... Jared loved (loves) Jesus. He didn't just have head knowledge about God and know all the right Sunday school answers to impress me; he had a living and active relationship with his Savior. And from 5000 miles away, he began to steal my heart...  

In April, I called him for the first time while running a half marathon (I was actually returning his call;-) I had waited until then because I thought it would be a good opportunity to try to impress him, haha. It did. Jared thought he would clean his guns to impress me. Even though the background noise was extremely loud from his gun-cleaning, he still managed to impress me too. 

After completing several successful phone conversations, we decided to move forward in our relationship and talk via Skype--it was getting pretty serious now!!! Seriously though, it was love at first Skype ;-). He was even more good-looking than in his pictures, which I had browsed through several times (ok, more like millions of times). Thankfully, the fact that we were in different countries and confined to a twelve-inch screen kept us from getting too physically distracted and our dates consisted purely of face-to-face conversation- no movies, no board games, no dinner- just talking. The ten hour time difference made it tricky, but we still managed to talk for 2-5 hours each day (unless he was out on mission) and continue our letter-writing. We kept our families very involved in our budding relationship and were thankful to find support from each side. We both had a feeling that this was something worth investing in. And it was... 

On July 27, 2011, I met Jared's family at Fort Bragg to welcome home their son and my soulmate from the battlefield. A new chapter began that day as we experienced life together in 3D. It was clear that God had designed us for each other. We told each other 'I love you' for the first time not long after his return and thirty-six days later he put a ring on my finger...

The First Day We Officially "Met"

On November 12, 2011, I married the man of my dreams. Well, actually, that's not true. He is more than I could have dreamed up. The Lord knew what type of man I needed, though, and I am humbled at how He wove our lives together in His perfect timing and by His awesome sovereignty. I am blessed beyond measure to have the privilege of doing life along side this man. 

So you see my friends, this is the story of how I became Decker's wife. And it all began with a Facebook message... :).

To God be the glory great things He has done!
~Charity~

90/60/30 Second Drills!

This is a workout designed for you to use indoors or outdoors-- no gym or equipment needed!

Photo from Penrith City Council 

These drills are in an A/B format which means you would do Exercise A for 90 seconds, then Exercise B for 90 seconds. Exercise A for 60 seconds, then Exercise B for 60 seconds. You get the point:) Try not to take a complete rest until after you have finished the 30 second round!

So grab a watch, your shoes, and some water and get ready to sweat!
Are you ready?
GO!

90/60/30
A. 8 Jumping Jacks/8 Pushups
B. 8 Traveling High Knees (count every other knee)/ Back pedal to start

Bridge:
1 min R Leg Walking Lunge
1 min L Leg Walking Lunge
30 sec Sit ups
30 sec Crunches
30 sec Bikes

90/60/30
A. 4 Skater Lunges (L leg goes to 4:00 & L hand touches ground-vice versa)/ 2 Burpees
B. 8 Squat Pulses/ 8 Shuffles (3 quick steps to one side is 1 rep)

Bridge:
1 min R Leg Knee Lift (bend the left knee as you lift the right knee)
1 min L Leg Knee Lift
30 sec Sit ups
30 sec Crunches
30 sec Bikes

90/60/30
A. 8 Plank Jacks/ 8 Lunge Taps Side-2-Side (count every leg)
B. 8 Tricep Dips (use a chair or step)/ 16 Plia Pulses (wide squat with toes turned East and West)

Bridge:
1 min Squat Kick R
1 min Squat Kick L
30 sec Sit ups
30 sec Crunches
30 sec Bikes

FINISH LINE!

Cooldown/Stretch

Ten Grocery Store Staples- Part 1

Do you look forward to your weekly trek to the grocery store? The shopping, the spending, the loading, the unloading, the putting away...Maybe you try to make it a monthly event! I don't know about you, but grocery shopping usually takes me at least a couple of hours from start to finish and I'm just shopping for two. What a blessing grocery stores are, though. I am very thankful for the convenience that they bring to modern-day life.

I have found that when I make a list (you know me), it cuts back on the amount of time and money I spend. Back up. I have found that when I make a weekly meal plan and then a list, this really helps me shop with purpose and resourcefulness. 

On Saturday's, I usually sit down and come up with dinner ideas to last us through the next Saturday. I try to search a blog or website for one new recipe that I can incorporate into our weekly dinner lineup. Wednesday's and Saturday's are usually our leftover/soup/tuna days and we enjoy a meal out about once a week. After I have created my meal plan, I proceed to make my grocery list. 

Here are some of the items that I typically put in my shopping cart. You will see I am in the process of changing our diet to reflect a more wholesome/clean/natural eating style. Note I said, in the process :) It is not always easy to find the purest items without a Trader Joes or Wholefoods nearby, nor am I always willing to pay the heftier price for an organic item! Thankfully, the commissary is doing a tremendous job stocking their shelves with healthier, reasonably-priced items, which I have enjoyed hunting out and discovering.

1. Ground Beef- This ground beef is USDA organic and does not have antibiotics or synthetic hormones. The meat comes from cows who live on family farms and are pasture-raised. It's not a cow share, but this is the best I can do for now:) 

Check out WHY eating grass-fed beef is worth your moo-lah. 

2. Chicken Breasts- These chickens were raised cage-free and contain no added hormones or steroids. While this is better than most of the chicken lining the shelves, it really is not the cleanest option. If you are a chicken-eatin'-finatic like we are, I would encourage you to search your grocery store for the most natural brand you can find. 

Watch this clip from Dr. Oz on WHY you need to know what's in your chicken.

3. Chicken Broth- Speaking of chicken, look what I found in Target recently! This is a no brainer for me and the price is super reasonable!

3. Milk- I like to drink Almond Milk, but Jared prefers regular milk, so I was thrilled to find this healthier option at the commissary. This milk is from free-range cows, free of artificial hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. Milk should be one of the first things that you research when you are striving to clean up your diet, rid yourself of stomach problems, or treat asthmatic issues. If anything, do your gut and general health a HUGE favor and switch from skim-milk to whole milk! 

                              Check out WHY whole milk is the healthier choice.

4. Turkey Bacon- Many will say no matter what the animal source, bacon is just not good for you, but Jared and I would respectfully disagree:) We love eating turkey bacon with eggs or in a whole wheat wrap for our breakfast. It also makes a yummy sandwich filler. Godshall's knocks Butterball out of the park! No slimey texture or funky aftertaste. Nice thick slices that cook up great on the griddle. MSG free too. However, I just discovered the Applegate Farms brand at Target the other day. I haven't tried it, yet, but after a quick comparison to my Godshall's brand, it has me converted.
 Farewell, Godshall...

Check out WHY I plan to say goodbye to Godshall's and hello to Applegate Farms.

5. Turkey Burgers- Have you tried these raw patties, yet? (Well, after you've cooked them of course, hah). We buy ours from Target. They are delicious! It says All Natural on the label, but Fooducate gives it a B+ for containing natural flavorings. It may be a slight compromise to some, but for us, it is a worthy one in order to satisfy our cravings for a juicy burger :) 

Check out WHY natural flavors are not necessarily natural. 

6. Chicken Sausage- Have you caught on by now that my husband is a carnivore? Alright I must admit, I really enjoy eating meat too. I was actually a consumer of chicken-sausage long before my husband ever was and now I have him hooked. We chop them up in the frying pan for breakfast or use it in a pasta dish; however, they taste the most delicious when Jared fires them up on the grill...

Check out WHY I buy this brand and all their other flavors!

7. Eggs- Since Jared and I go through two dozen eggs in a week, we want to make sure we are consuming eggcellent ingredients (yes, I did just say that). I know, organic, cage free eggs are more expensive, but why pay less for something that is not going to benefit your body and promote optimal health? At least, that's what we have to tell ourselves when making this purchase. Maybe one day we will raise our own chickens :) 

Check out WHY organic eggs are worth the cost.

8. Mayonnaise- Speaking of eggs, did you know mayo contains eggs? (You probably did, hehe). Lo and behold, this mayonnaise is made with cage-free eggs. We use it on sandwiches, in tuna salad/chicken salad, and various recipes. Oh and while we are on the topic of condiments, don't forget to look for ketchup that does not contain high fructose corn syrup. :)

9. Salad/Spinach- I bet you were wondering when something green was going to make the list. We LOVE eating salads- grilled chicken salads, Dharma Blue salads, taco salads, side salads.  I am so proud of my hubby for migrating from his traditional Iceburg + cheddar cheese + crouton mix to the salad concoction he made for himself the other day: spring mix + butter lettuce + spinach + yellow, orange, red peppers + tomato + cranberries + bacon + one whole apple + parmesan cheese + croutons + flaxseed + tumeric + chicken. Wow! Way to go, honey! I make it my aim to buy organic lettuce because it is something we eat a lot of and it is on the Dirty Dozen list. 

Check out WHY Spinach is on the Dirty Dozen List.

10. Salad Dressing- I am a honey mustard connoisseur, so when Jared disclosed to me while we were dating just how much he loved honey mustard and had it as a side for nearly everything, I knew I had found the perfect match. I am hesitant to post this picture of Caesar dressing because I feel it is being disloyal, haha. Just kidding. But seriously. You should try Bolthouse Farms brand of dressing no matter if you like honey mustard or not!

Check out WHY it's important to be extra picky when selecting salad dressing. 

To be continued...

In the process of getting rid of processed,
~Charity~


Do you have any grocery store staples that you would like to recommend? 

Eleven Products in My Powder Room

This list is for all you ladies out there who are interested in finding a new product to pamper yourself with in the powder room.  Mind you, I am no beautician nor do I desire to spend long hours in the lady's room getting done up for the day (although, my husband would beg to differ).  I've never really figured out how to do my hair (the curling iron is not my friend) and I never really know what color eye shadow goes on what part of the lid (is it light to dark or dark to light?) Nonetheless, I've always sought out products that will add simplicity and ease to my morning routine, as well as fit my budget. Here are a few of the ones I've found:

1. Conair hair dryer- First off, I recommend you don't skimp when it comes to buying a hair dryer. (When I say don't skimp, I mean don't spend less than 20 bucks). Find yourself a hairdryer that's ionic, ceramic, high watts, and with a cool button (as in, not hot). I have enjoyed this one from Target.  A good hair dryer can take 10 or more minutes off of your stylin' time. Oh, and use your diffuser! It really does make a difference in the texture of your hair :)

2. Jumbo boar hair brush- I've seriously tried every type of brush, but the bristles from a boar are definitely best! Boar bristle brushes (say that 10x fast) are easier on your hair and redistribute the oils to create better shine. The bigger the brush the straighter you can get your locks. The one pictured below is actually enormous- I think I found it at Ulta some time ago and it has been worth every penny! 

3. Wide-toothed comb-This comb from Target or Walmart is great for detangling wet hair without hurting your head.

 4. Bath and Body Works Shampoo and Conditioner- I can't say enough good things about this line of shampoo and conditioner from B&BW. I've been using it for several years now after trying multiple non-expensive and expensive products. The Mango Mandarin and Coconut Lime are my favorite and smell simply a-ma-zing. They have a buy 3 get 3 free sale going on now so I usually stock up for the year! 

5. Precision Perfect- Err..I'm not going to discuss this item in detail, but you can find out more about it here and if you don't have one, I suggest you go get one. Like now :)

6. Babylips- There's lipstick, lip gloss, lip shimmer, lip liner, lip this, lip that. I really can't stand the way most of the stuff feels on my lips. I was happy to find this colorful chapstick-type-lip-wear from Target the other day. Oh, and your hair won't get stuck in it!

7. Eyeliner stick- So, this is really an eye shadow stick, but I actually use the darker part for eyeliner when I'm feelin' fancy. It does the job without tugging on my lids-uck, I hate that. 

8. Purifying Face Cleanser- Not only is this face cleanser paraben-free, but it smells sooo  wonderful! There are several other types to choose from in this line, but I like this one because of how fresh it makes my skin feel. My husband and I have switched from face washes that contain harsh chemicals to this more natural kind and we have really seen a difference in our skin. 

 9. Eye Makeup Remover Pads- Have you ever used an eye makeup remover that left you with temporary cataracts? These ultra-soft pads won't blur your vision or cause you to over-scrub. You wanna know a secret? I reuse each pad 3-4 times so that the container lasts me several months. Maybe I can do this because I don't wear a ton of eye makeup, but I definitely get my money's worth out of this purchase!

10. Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk- My hair is naturally frizzy, wavy, and out of control, so as you can imagine, I have tried my share of gels, creams, and mousses to tame these wild tresses. Surprisingly, this smoothing milk by Fructis Style has worked better for me than most of the shamefully expensive ones I have purchased. Add a nickel-sized amount to your wet hair and see for yourself!

11. Dove Dry Shampoo- According to my hair dresser, this brand of dry shampoo is NOT good, but since I use it so sparingly, I figure it is okay..?  I've tried other kinds, but this one works so well I try to keep a bottle on hand for those dire moments when I haven't had time to wash my hair and have to be out the door for church in 10 minutes. Aside from the overwhelmingly strong smell (not bad, just extremely strong, in my opinion) I enjoy it for covering up my blonde hair grease streaks. 

Alright, I hope some of these ideas are helpful to you in your possible product decision-making process. While it's fun to be a girl and play around with our hair-do's and make-up, may we always remember that "beauty is fleeting, but a woman that fears the Lord is to be praised" Prov. 31:30. Praying this for my female readers tonight..be it 1 or 5 of you, hehe:)

~Charity~

ps. Got any favorite beauty products you would like to share? Comment here and let me know something worth trying!

Two Things Concerning Miscarriage

 Grave for Baby Blue

1. In August of 2012, I had my first miscarriage. I was 12 weeks along. As with most early miscarriages, the cause was never quite clear. We had hoped to leave our first ultrasound appointment in giddy anticipation; instead, we left in shock and sadness. Jared and I wrestled with the truth that God is sovereign and in control over every detail of our lives.  Eventually, wrestling brought rest and we found great comfort in the Lord's promises. We learned to give thanks even in the storm. What a loving and compassionate God we serve! 
I found myself pregnant again in late October and this time, the ultrasound screen showed a perfectly formed little baby- our precious baby we lovingly called "Blue". However, Blue's tiny flickering heartbeat could not be found and in January of 2013, I miscarried our second little one. Once again, Jared and I grieved our loss and disappointment...we leaned on each other and the Lord.  Once again, His faithfulness sustained and carried us. 
After my last miscarriage, my mom and I began researching possible causes and treatment (most clinical testing does not begin until after a person has had three miscarriages). Our research brought us to this website. I started using Dr. John Lee's progesterone which I believe has played an instrumental role in the stability of my 3rd pregnancy.  Ultimately, it is only God who determines the beginning and end of every life...He is sovereign; we trust our baby to His care! He is worthy of our trust.

2. If you are going through a miscarriage or if you know someone that is facing a miscarriage, I would love to be in touch with you. The death of an unborn baby can be  difficult to process. Many couples struggle to know how to handle the loss because while they never really "knew" the little person growing within, there is a deep and unique grief over never getting a chance to know the little person within. All the excited planning, dreaming, and gathering information on everything pregnancy-related suddenly comes to an abrupt end. The overwhelming joy one has from carrying life within her is snuffed out when she is faced with the hard truth that she is now carrying the dismal opposite.  Many women need surgery or medication. Others wait weeks for their body to trigger the miscarriage naturally. Furthermore, they are faced with the daunting question: "Will I ever be able to bear a child?"   

I would love to offer support, extend a listening ear, or help provide answers to questions you may have concerning the miscarriage process. Obviously, my knowledge is limited to my own personal experience, but sometimes, it helps to just know that you are not alone. Most important,  I want to comfort you with the comfort I have received through Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).  There are a few small gifts I would like to send you so please include an address in your message. You can send your message to deckerswife11@gmail.com. 

                     "Open my Hands" by Sara Groves ministered to me throughout my miscarriages 

He is faithful, ya'll...
~Charity~

One Surprise Announcement: It's A...

Trying to stay calm, cool, and collected...

We both were expecting to see a certain color...

....we were both completely SURPRISED!

Our little munchkin is a...

Can't wait to meet our Little Princess!

                                         

GL: 19 Natural Cleaning Tips!

Today's Guest List (GL) post comes from Katie over at Wellness Mama. I just discovered her blog the other day (thanks mom) and have had fun perusing through all the fun topics!

Katie is a home school mom of five, an adoring wife, and a doula in her spare time. Her blog contains tons of information on natural living, DIY projects, gardening tips and a whole lot more! 

The following list has some great tips for cleaning your house...naturally, of course!  

So without further ado, here is the Wellness Mama!

Five Effective Ways to Lose Weight

1. GET EDUCATED- In recent years, there have been many documentaries created on food and nutrition in order to inform the public and raise awareness. A few that have been helpful to me in my own journey towards a healthier lifestyle are Hungry for Change (see trailer below), Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, Food Matters (see trailer below), and Food Fight (actually, I have not seen this one, but it looks good). With knowledge can come the motivation to break free from poor eating habits and avoid foods that are toxic to your body. Once you decide what information you feel is important to apply to your own food choices, start making it happen one step at a time. Don't get overwhelmed by feeling like you have to change everything all at once. You might begin by switching your regular eggs to the cage-free kind and ditching the Crystal Light in your cabinet for some Tru Lemon.  Whatever it may be, changing something is better than changing nothing! (Please note that I do not agree with everything stated in the documentaries)

2. GET STEVIA- In other words, get off sugar and all other harmful sweeteners, such as aspartame, splenda, and nutrasweet. There are countless studies that prove these chemicals are dangerous to your health and overall ability to function. Remember, sugar is not just in candy and cake, but hidden in white breads, white pasta, and packaged snacks. High fructose corn syrup = sugar. Low fat = high sugar. As previously stated, educate yourself on sugar and sweeteners and discover healthier substitutes. In the Decker household, we use stevia to create chocolatey concoctions and coffee coolatta's; sweeten strawberry smoothies and yummy Greek yogurts; (ok, you get the point). Addicted to soda? Try these stevia-sweetened alternatives. 
On a side note, watch out for temptress Pintrest! Scrolling through dozens of pictures of delectable desserts will not only make your mouth water, but send you straight to the kitchen in the name of "creativity". It's fine to have a little fun baking every now and then, but if you find that sugary Pintrest treats are daily sabotaging you, just stay away from the site :).
 *Be the first person to share the link to this blog post on your facebook page and send  me an email saying that you did and I will send you 50 packets of my favorite stevia! 

*1 winner only--offer only valid to those within the 48 US states

3. GET MOVING- This is a pretty obvious one, right? Your body was not created to live a sedentary life! There are so many benefits of exercising in addition to weight loss that it deserves it's own separate post. You may find it difficult to get into a routine at first, but the endorphin's your body produces from a good, sweat-breaking workout will keep you coming back for more!  Don't stress about joining a gym or paying a personal trainer. While these are definitely beneficial, there are plenty of things you can do without paying a dime. Of course walking and running are the obvious free options, but if you can't leave your house because of kiddos, order a fitness dvd (Cathy Friedrich is my favorite) or check out websites such as Fitness Blender that provide great home workouts for females from start to finish. Here is a workout routine that I did with my Boot Camp ladies last week. No equipment required :)

4. GET REAL-

My Real Breakfast 

Whole, natural, clean, real; however you want to put it, these are the words that should describe the bulk of your diet. Look high and low when you are shopping the grocery aisles, as this is where the healthier items tend to be found. As a rule of thumb, stick mainly to the perimeter of the store where fruits, veggies, meat, and eggs are located. Now I know the first thing that comes to most of our minds when we see the italicized words above is the dollar sign. While all-natural, organic items do tend to be a bit pricier, my man and I try to focus on three motivating factors when we grocery shop: 1. Eating nutritious foods will keep us healthy, therefore cutting down on the cost of medicine and doctor visits both now and as we age 2. Eating nutritious foods will sustain us longer, while processed meals and snack foods are empty calories and make us want more (they are meant to be addictive) 3. There are some foods that have a higher pesticide-residue than others. There are some foods that we eat on a regular basis and in larger quantities than others. Let's focus on going clean with those foods first.  
Lastly, if you have a smart phone, download the Fooducate app. to help you "make better choices at the supermarket"!

5. GET ACCOUNTABILITY- Growing up, my mom and I helped each other make wise food choices; in college, my roommate and I encouraged each other to avoid the "freshman 15", and as a married woman, my husband is my nutrition teammate! He won't let me bring home frosted miniwheats, marshmallow whip, or brownie mix from the store and I must admit, I am thankful that he doesn't!  (I don't buy cheese puffs, pizza rolls, or hungry man meals for him, and I'm pretty sure he appreciates it too, but I'll let him speak for himself:) The whole point is, we keep each other on track and accountable to our lifestyle goals. Does this mean that when we go out to eat we stick to a grilled chicken salad, hold the cheese, with a side of edamame? No, we do splurge on occasion and enjoy Olive Garden's bread sticks  Red Robin's fried egg burgers, and Sweet Frog's candy bar toppings (as long as we put a strawberry on top). However, this is not the norm. We both strive to keep our home a haven from junk food and our overall diet a healthy one. It would be a lot harder for me to stick to my goals without my handsome accountability partner (i.e. Jared)! I hope you have someone in your life that can help you stay on track. 

Take care of your bodies, ya'll!
~Charity~