Charity's Lists

Emmaline's Birth Story: Seven Highlights and Tips

2014-10-25T13:29:00.001-04:00

It's been seven months, yet when I close my eyes, I can vividly remember being draped over my birthing ball (i.e. stability ball) while in the throes of labor. Even seven years from now, I'm sure I will be able to think back with striking memory to those beautiful hours of purposeful pain surrounded by my amazing birth team who cheered me on each step of the way. Above all, the Lord was my Rock and my strength. All glory to Him for orchestrating every detail and sustaining me. Here a few highlights from this incredibly life-changing experience...

39.5 weeks

1. When are you due?

I was one of the firm believers that due dates are never right and only serve to give the desperate-to-be-comfortable pregnant women false hope. Therefore, I determined to forget the date associated with Emmaline's birth (to no success, I might add) and simply respond to everyone's questions about when she was going to be born with the safe and quite vague answer of "oh, sometime in March".

So when the morning of "the pie in the sky" day arrived and I had my first real contractions signifying the beginning of early labor, you better believe I was put to shame. Well, not really. I was actually too focused on the overwhelming excitement knowing that Emmaline was starting to wiggle her little way into this world. Furthermore, we were in Fayetteville and my plan was to give birth in Charlotte, which was a two and a half hour drive away. This was not the time to try and prove my "babies are not born on their due date" theory. Thankfully, my contractions were slow and far enough apart to allot us plenty of time to pack up and travel to my parents house in Charlotte. Little did I know my 30 hour wonder-filled adventure had just begun...

Tip #1 Choose a hospital that is supportive of your birth preferences and has a low c-section rate. Work with a midwife if you are planning on going unmedicated or as natural as possible.

On my beloved ball

2. Labor-aid by the Fire

On Emmaline's presumed date of arrival, Jared and I drove to Charlotte, ate a spicy meal at a Mexican joint (which only seemed to give me heartburn and not stronger contractions), and went to my 40 week OB appointment. Much to my dismay, I was only 1 cm dilated and the baby was not engaged. I promptly instructed Jared to go to the store and buy me a whole pineapple while I downed a large amount of raspberry leaf tea and went for a brisk waddle in the neighborhood. Nothing happened...until, you guessed it, I got in bed for the night. At 10:30 pm the waves started coming and this time they were ones I could not ignore. I took out my handy dandy contraction timer app and started practicing some different coping methods. I found that leaning over the side of the bed and making low guttural sounds was very helpful in handling the peak of the contraction. After several hours of this, I woke my sister, Bethany, at 4:30 am and asked her to make me a concoction called labor-aid while I worked through contractions on my birthing ball by the cozy fire. Tiger, my parents dog, kept a watchful eye on me from his position on the couch. It was all so peaceful and surreal. She was coming! I felt things were progressing quite nicely when all of a sudden after nine and half hours of 50 second contractions every 5 minutes the clock struck 8am and my contractions disappeared...
Tip #2 Labor at home as long as possible before going to the hospital to avoid unnecessary interventions and be put on the clock. It is important to have a calm and relaxing environment and to not feel rushed.

The drill that helped move me into transition

3. Climbing Stairs

Of course this is when my husband had to wake up and as sweet as he is, it was not easy convincing him that I had been in labor all night long when I seemed perfectly fine at the present moment. I suppose he had gotten used to me "crying wolf" so many times during the 3rd trimester that he just gave me a tight hug and said, "Keep trying to ignore those false labor symptoms, honey. You'll wear yourself out before it's the real deal." Now it had been perfectly fine for him to say that all those other times I had "been in labor", but this was the REAL DEAL. We decided to hit some hills to see if we could get things moving again. At noon, the waves were back and Jared kicked into gear as the most incredible coach and comforter. During this part of labor I watched some of Anne of Green Gables with my mom and sis (while on the ball of course), took another walk with my man, got in the Jacuzzi for a bit, and well, six hours later the time and pace of each contraction had not changed. Jared suggested I try taking a nap to prepare myself for the long night ahead, but as soon as a laid down, the pain quickly became almost unbearable. I jumped out of bed. At this point I decided it was time to call upon my dear doula, Carrie-the-Great (seriously, she was the greatest doula ever). I told her I wanted longer contractions and a shorter amount of time in between them. (Okay, maybe what I really wanted was for my baby to come out. It was TIME). Carrie arrived in a flash and after applauding me for the way I was using my coping methods effectively to manage the pain, she ~~suggested~~ challenged me to go climb my parents staircase to see if it would help me progress. As I was innocently thinking, ok, after this next contraction, I will try to climb a few steps she proceeded to clarify that I must climb the stairs during my contractions, not in between. As you can see, I could not have accomplished this feat without the help and encouragement of my best friend who took each step of the way with me--up and down. And well, folks, let me just tell you, less than a couple hours later my contractions were closer, longer, and stronger and we were confident it was time to go to the hospital!
Tip #3 Invest in a doula. They are worth every penny and will help keep things calm and normal for you and your husband, especially if it is your first child. Many doulas are also willing to negotiate their price, as well.

4. A Dream Come True

Christmastime prebaby

Since my husband was a young boy, he has dreamed of driving a woman in labor (preferably his wife) to the hospital. (Now this dream may or may not have included traveling at speeds of above 100mph and overly dramatic screams of "HURRY! THE BABY IS COMING!" from the back seat, but that is besides the point.) Needless to say, at 10:30 pm on the night of March 13th, 2014, Jared's dream came true. I crawled in the back seat of our Chevy Cruze, mentally preparing myself to embrace the horrors of the next 25 minutes. My sister took the passenger seat and Jared put ~~the pedal to the metal~~ the flashers on. Surprisingly, my contractions, which had been consistently thirty or so seconds apart, tapered off the minute I got in the car and I only had to deal with two of them during the whole trip! This was such a blessing and quite unexpected. Jared drove so smoothly and didn't even have to go above the speed limit (much to his disappointment). We got to the hospital safe and sound and Bethany and I walked in to the lobby to get some assistance. Thankfully, it was not crowded because I had to groan pretty loudly through a couple of contractions while leaning over the front desk. It would have been embarrassing had not my sister been there to put her hand on my shoulders and whisper "just close your eyes and pretend you are still at home". She was so comforting! We followed the nurse to our special birthing room equipped with soft lighting and a huge tub. Mom, Carrie, Jared, and Bethany were all there continuing to encourage me, but they were a bit nervous thinking that my labor may have stalled. I decided to get checked, but didn't want to know the number so that I wouldn't get discouraged. However, by the way everyone's disposition suddenly changed and huge smiles of excitement were glowing from ear to ear I concluded that I must be close to the finish line. Mom spilled the beans by suggesting that I get in the tub because "people in transition find the tub very soothing". Could it be true?!
Tip #4 Try to have a good handle on your contractions by way of practicing your coping methods before you head to the hospital. The goal is to not get frazzled in the change of environment and forget what breathing methods and positioning work best for you.

5. Jared and the Jets

My mom and Jared giving me a pep talk

I wasn't going to argue. I had been looking forward to this moment ever since I decided on pursuing a natural birth. No, not transition, people, the tub!! The tub!! The hot water.... the massaging jets.... the temporary relief from pain.... I just knew this would be the best part of my birth experience. Scratch that. The tub was definitely not for me. I couldn't find a comfortable position, the water was lukewarm, and my dear husband accidentally turned on the wrong jet nozzles that were above the water shooting cold pressurized water at me from all directions. I screamed for the first time during labor. Then we both shared a good laugh. It definitely distracted me from the pain for a brief moment and it felt so good to laugh. Soon I was about to face the hardest part of my daughter's birth, but soon I was also about to see the precious little face that would make the struggle worth it all...
Tip #5 If you decide to use the birthing tub, make sure the jacuzzi jets are pointed down

6. The Love in the Room and the Man behind the Curtain

After the epic tub fail, my midwife arrived on the scene and asked me if I felt the urge to push. I did not, but I thought I would go ahead and practice different pushing positions in hopes of igniting the urge. Unfortunately, the one position I did find the most comfortable caused Emmaline's heart rate to go down significantly, so I had to quickly move to my back. Ugh. I didn't like the feeling of being in bed, but at that point, my midwife thought it would be best. (Looking back I am so thankful she made me or she would not have been able to easily cut the umblical cord that was wrapped tightly around Emmaline's neck.) So anyway, I'll keep it short and sweet even though it was long and sweaty and the most exhausting and difficult part of the whole journey. I believe one of the reasons for this was that I did not prepare for this phase like I prepared for the rest of labor. I just assumed it would be the easiest phase and wouldn't take much concentration. Boy, was I wrong. For many of you, this may have been true, but in my case, I had to really focus on breathing in coordination with my contractions and pushing. This is truly when I lost all track of time and place. I knew that God was going to take care of me and that He was in control of that very moment. He was gracious to give me several minutes between contractions where I could actually close my eyes and sleep. I also realized no one could help me push this baby out...no one could relieve me from the race and carry me across this finish line. It was up to me to exhort enough physical energy and force to bring this baby into the world and it felt nearly impossible. However, it was simply beautiful and thrilling at the same time. I remember looking around the room at the faces I loved...my husband whispering in my ear how much he adored me....my mom squeezing my hand and praying...,my sister's smile of reassurance...my doula's calm confidence in me...and then there was the voice coming from behind the hospital curtain shouting, "C'mon Chi-chi! You can do this!" It was my Dad. It was so special hearing him in the background cheering me on. "Here she comes! Here she comes!" My midwife caught the slippery little bundle and placed her on my chest. I was at the finish line and it was glorious!
Tip #6 Prepare to push! Read stories of how it feels...learn about the ring of fire...get an idea of how to breathe...watch educational videos...every little bit of learning could help make it easier for you!

7. Getting Acquainted
At 4:34am on the morning of March 14th, little Emmaline Joy made it to our arms at last.

Peaceful

Giving Daddy a Hug

Sleepy Smiles
from l-r Dad, Mom, Jared, and my sister

She was seven pounds and one ounce and had the biggest, brightest eyes you had ever seen.

After my family went home, the nurse escorted us to the room where we would try to rest for the remainder of our stay. I will never forget the feeling of being wheeled out of the birthing room down the hall with my little bundle of joy. Emotionally, I felt victorious. Physically, I felt like I had been hit by a Mac Truck.

Family pic as we transitioned to our new room

This is the look she had on her face when she came out

Spiritually, we were overwhelmed with thankfulness to the Lord for His provision and care.

Leaving the hospital

Soon our little family of three was headed home. Our life would never be the same...

Miss Emmaline Joy Decker

Tip #7 Be sure to have snacks on hand. I was ravenous and ate several granola bars immediately after she was born. Also, have your husband be ready to do skin-to-skin in case you need to focus on delivering the after birth and recovering.

Seven of My Favorite Pregnancy Resources

2014-10-16T23:39:00.003-04:00

Are you anxiously counting down the days in anticipation of your little one's arrival? If that is you, remember to use your precious time wisely during these months of waiting. I cannot stress enough the importance of preparing for your baby's birth and gaining full knowledge of what your body is about to go through. (Yes, I just might be suggesting you use this time to create a birth plan, gasp!) Alright, alright, let me be clear. I know that it is impossible to know every detail of the journey that lies ahead and regardless of how much you plan, the sovereign Lord will "determine your steps" (Prov. 16:9). BUT that doesn't mean we should forgo developing goals and making future preparations. It is wise to make financial plans ("live like no one else now so that you can live like no one else later"--thank you Dave Ramsey); wedding plans (when you're engaged preferably), and trips-to-visit-the-in-laws plans. The difference is as Christians we hold our plans with open hands and trust that God has the best plans for us no matter how our story unfolds. Of course, this is much easier said than done and must be a mentality that we ask God to give us and embrace on a daily basis.

I know there are soooo many blogs and books out there on bearing babies, but I thought I'd get you started in your research by sharing some of my favorite resources that best equipped me for the arrival of our sweet little Emmaline. You may notice these suggestions are primarily geared toward my preference of having a natural childbirth in a hospital setting, which, I might add, was not at all something that interested me until well into my pregnancy after watching an enlightening and just-a-bit-too-dramatic presentation called...

1. The Business of Being Born

2. Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds

3. Passionate Homemaking

4. Mama Natural

5. Your Best Birth

6. The Humbled Homemaker

7. Wellness Mama

Welcome to Charity's Lists!

2014-08-10T16:02:00.001-04:00

Hi and thanks for stopping by my blog!

Feel free to check out the most recent post below or start at the About tab and then peruse through any topic that interests you.

I'll be posting something new every Monday! If you would like to be apart of the Guest List where you can contribute one of your own lists to the blog, email me at deckerswife11@gmail.com to get on board.

Blessings!
~Charity~

9 Months in Review: Letters to Emmaline

2014-03-25T19:15:00.001-04:00

19 Weeks

I was sitting on the couch feeling slight little movements and told Jared that you were awake- so he came and placed his hand on my stomach and started talking to you. Within seconds you gave the most powerful kick you had ever done. Your daddy jumped back in shock and sheer delight. We laughed and kissed and thanked God for this moment.

21 Weeks

Today we found out that you were a little girl! We went to the dr for our ultrasound and asked her to keep your gender a secret. We enjoyed watching you wiggle in front of the camera. Then we took the piece of paper with your gender on it to Harris Teeter and had them fill up a box of balloons for us. We had a party over at Da and Honey’s house to announce your gender. Everyone was so happy and excited and we were especialy surprised because we had thought quite certain we were having a boy. We couldn’t be happier that you are a little girl- our precious Emmaline Joy.

25 Weeks

You have always been a wiggle worm, but this past week has been your most ACTIVE week so far! Your kicks and punches have gotten stronger too and sometimes startle me. Daddy puts your hand on my belly during church and smiles. He tells you how much he loves you and asks you to come out and play with him. I have been staying active in the gym and working out an hour each day. My belly is growing a lot now!

29 Weeks

I have not had many strong cravings although my new favorite food is applesauce! I love anything apple-y. I have been reading a ton of books on natural childbirth- my favorite so far has been Natural Childbirth in a Hospital. I pray to God that I can give you the best birth possible and that you will be cooperative ;0) Most of all, I pray that you are healthy and for you to love Jesus with all your heart.

30 Weeks

You got the hiccups for the first time at 31 weeks! Aunt B and I enjoyed listening to how cute you soundedJ Daddy still has to hear you! I had my first Lamaze class today! Daddy couldn’t make it to this class but he’ll come next week

32 Weeks

Over Christmas, your Grandmommy and I went shopping for all of your first year clothes. We got you so many cute outfits for such a good deal. Daddy also read the Christmas story to you on Christmas Eve. He put his hand on my belly and you wiggled and squirmed when he read Glory to God in the Highest!

33.5 Weeks

36 Weeks

I can’t believe you are almost here! I dream about that first little kiss I get to plant on your cheek. Daddy and I can’t wait to cuddle you and tell you how much we love you. You are moving very consistently and that helps keep me from getting worried about you- so keep it up!

37 Weeks

38 Weeks

I have really been feeling great lately. Yesterday I took Honey’s cycle class and today I walked at the stadium with Daddy. I’ve been eating lots of pineapple, spicey food, red raspberry leaf tea, and figs. I’ve been going to a chirorpracter every week which I think has been a HUGE help in keeping things comfortable during this last trimester. What more does a mama have to do to get her little girl to come out?!

39.5 Weeks

Emmaline! You can come out now, my little Spring Chicken! It’s yours and mama’s birthday month. March is a great time to be born. I’m sitting here on my bouncy ball with the back door wide open and Daddy is out reading and listening to a sermon on the porch. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and we are SO ready to hold and kiss you!

1 Week!

My precious little girl, your daddy and I love you more than you could ever know. You have overwhelmed our hearts with joy and thankfulness. "Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome are Your deeds!" Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man's behalf!" Psalm 66

Four Memories of Christmas 2013

2013-12-31T22:02:00.003-05:00

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

2013-12-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

(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

2013-11-25T08:49:00.000-05:00

(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 EditionThree Reasons I Am Thankful for Facebook

2013-11-18T07:42:00.000-05:00

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!

2013-11-14T15:43:00.001-05:00

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

2013-11-03T17:32:00.001-05:00

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

2013-10-28T21:37:00.003-04:00

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

2013-10-21T08:15:00.000-04:00

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...

2013-10-18T19:03:00.001-04:00

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!

2013-10-14T08:11:00.002-04:00

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

2013-10-07T09:37:00.004-04:00

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~

Fourteen Feel Fantastic Drills

2013-10-07T08:31:00.004-04:00

Every Thursday morning, I get to teach a Boot Camp class to a small group of awesome military wives. Last week we did the Feel Fantastic 14 routine, which consists of 14 drills that you complete as quickly and efficiently as you can for 3-5 rounds (we did other stuff before and after to fill up the hour). I suggest taking a mat and going outdoors for this workout, but you could stay inside and just go outside for drill #14 :)

Exercising outside is pure bliss ;)

1. Jumping Jacks- 32

2. Hover- 30 seconds

3. High Knees- 16

4. Squat Jumps- 8

5. Sit ups- 16

6. Push ups- 8

7. Squat Thrusts- 8

8. Bikes- 16

9. Hover- 30 seconds

10. Squat Jumps- 8

11. Scissor Jacks- 32

12. Push ups- 8

13. Butt Kicks- 24

14. Sprint!- 1 lap (around the track, your house, or down your long driveway)

*rest 1-2min and repeat the 14 Drills 3-5x

Get movin' and feel fantastic, ya'll!

~Charity~

Three Lessons I Learned from My Grandma

2013-09-30T08:35:00.001-04:00

My Sweet Grandma

My grandma was one of my dearest friends. She was smart and relevant. She was spunky and funny. She was authentic and bold. But what stands out the most about her to me and those who knew her is that Grandma was passionate about following Jesus and soaking up His Word. It seemed that no matter what the topic or length of conversation, she would always find a way to weave in a Scripture verse or truth about God's character. Talking about the Lord came naturally to Grandma, because she was talking about Someone she knew well.

My family had the privilege of living five minutes away from Grandpa and Grandma's house so, as you can imagine, there are many things that she taught me from our frequent interactions. I would like to share with you just a few of those life lessons:

1. BE A LADY

Grandma at age 19

Note: If you are a guy, read on! Apply this to your wife-search if you are single, and if you are a father, remind this to your daughter:)

Did you know that just because you are a woman, it does not mean you are lady? It's a simple concept, but one that my grandma used to remind me of often: "Charity, be a lady". Unfortunately, being a lady is becoming more and more of a rarity in this day and age and Grandma knew it. The media overwhelms us with countless messages concerning how females should look, dress, and act. There are women who use their gender as some sort of power to be used against men, or those who distort the definition of a lady to mean a mere sexual icon. I love the following definition of a lady: a well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior. This is the kind of woman that my Grandma was encouraging me to be and the kind of lady that is contrary to the common culture's definition. This lady does not use crude language or dress to entice. She carries herself with dignity and respect; she walks with a confident, yet humble disposition; she is laced with feminine mystery. In our striving to be a lady in the purest form and fashion, shouldn't we look to the One who came up with the whole idea in the first place? Grandma sent me to Him time and time again...

2. One Always Manages to Do Those Things They Consider Important

Grandma's Calligraphy

Grandma was really good at calligraphy. I have this framed quote sitting by my computer as a reminder from her that I will always find time to do the things that I deem necessary, no matter how full my life gets. Oftentimes a Christian's greatest excuse for not spending time in the Word is that they are just too busy. I have said this on more than one occasion, and then I find myself at the gym or on Facebook and the thought hits me that I am obviously not too busy to find time to accomplish those things! There are some seasons of life (such as being a mom of small kids) when having time to get it all done truly does feel impossible. If you are in this season, listen to what my friend, Heidi St. John (mom of 7) has to say to encourage your heart in this area.

3. APPLY the "ABC's"
Note: If you are not a follower of Christ or you are exploring the Christian faith, the following points may sound unfamiliar to you. If you are interested in a greater expounding, check out this fabulous sermon by John Piper (you can either read or listen to it).

One of Grandma's many illustrations

A. Put off the old man by consciously obeying Romans 6:11a. Agree with God that your old nature was crucified with Christ.
B. Put on the new man by consciously obeying Romans 6:11a. Agree with God that you are a new man, indwelt by God's Holy Spirit.
C. Obey James 4:7 and 1 Peter 5:6-7. Resist that Tempter in the power of Christ! Remember: the battlefield is in the mind!

What is something that you learned from your Grandma?

Love your family, ya'll!
~Charity~

GL: 20 Things I Want to Tell Engaged and Newlywed Women

2013-09-28T14:04:00.003-04:00

Today's Guest List (GL) post comes from Joy over at Grace Full Mama.

I happened to land on Joy's blog several months ago and then revisited it again recently when a friend posted a link to her site on Facebook.

The following marriage advice list is chocked full of rich truths and wise reminders. Most importantly, it comes from the heart of a woman who is rooted in the Lord's strength and not her own. I pray that it will be an encouragement to you as it was to me.

So without further ado, here is Joy!

One Simple Way to Serve Your Man

2013-09-27T17:50:00.003-04:00

Fill Up His Cup- Now your husband's beverage of choice may be something different, but as for my Jared, he loves a nice cold glass of sweet tea (sweetened with stevia of course:). So, as a small gesture of saying 'I love you', I try to serve him by keeping his cup full.

In the morning, if I'm in the kitchen before he is, I'll pour him a glass and set it on the table...

In the afternoon, I try to make sure he has a fresh glass waiting for him when he comes home from work...

In the evening, I keep an eye on his glass at dinner and refill it when it gets low...

On the weekend, when he's reading on the couch or catching up on emails, I'll set a cold glass beside him on a coaster...

Now some of you may be thinking, "Listen, lady, I'm no waitress. Just wait until you have kids and you'll see how unreasonable this idea is." Well, I'm not a waitress either and you're right, I don't know what it's like to have children, yet. But I do know that it takes approximately 9.3 seconds to do the task I am suggesting (5.2 seconds if he prefers no ice) and there are multiple opportunities throughout the day to attempt it at least once.

Maybe you feel that you already spend an ample amount of time serving your man by cleaning up his dishes, washing his clothes, and buying his groceries. While these tasks are by all means good and servant-oriented, do they specifically show your man that you are attentive to him and care about his needs? Whether it's by preparing him a beverage or not, find something you can do that communicates these things to him.

As a follower of Christ our attitude should be that of a servant-- striving to meet the needs of others (i.e. you husband is your number one 'other') and not only look to our own interests (Phil. 2). This is not easy to do, but we serve "with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things Christ may be glorified!" 1 Peter 4:10-11

So ladies, go pour a glass of something refreshing for your man! I believe it will do a lot more than quench his thirst.

In what way do you "fill up your man's cup" ?

Love never fails, ya'll!
~Charity~

GL: 5 Ways to Sabotage Your Marriage Before it Starts

2013-09-26T11:56:00.000-04:00

Today's Guest List is an article that I ran across from the President of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly. The ministry of FOTF provides ample materials and resources to 'help families thrive'. Explore the website if you get a chance...there are many articles full of sound and wise counsel on a multitude of issues.

In the Fall of 2007, I had the opportunity to study at the Focus Leadership Institute, a branch of Focus on the Family. I attended excellent classes on Biblical Worldview, Marriage and Family, and Leadership Development. Furthermore, I got to experience the beautiful surroundings of Colorado Springs, Colorado! If you are between the age of 19-26, I highly recommend you check out this 8-12 week spiritually enriching program.

Without further ado, here is Mr. Daly!

Blessings,

Charity

Five Facts About Me

2013-09-25T08:07:00.001-04:00

My Amazing Husband and I

Hello!

I don't intend this blog to be a place where I reflect on events in my life or post daily musings. Partly because I am a slow writer and partly because I don't think I would have enough subject matter!

My blog posts will never be very lengthy (except for this one) and will always consist of some type of list-- sometimes light-hearted, sometimes informative, and I hope always helpful to at least one person out there :)

If you are interested in knowing a little bit about the "person behind the pen", here are 5 facts about me:

1. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior- I am a committed follower of Christ and strive to walk in daily obedience to Him--not in a desperate attempt to earn His love, but because I am deeply compelled by His love. "He saved me, not because of righteous things I had done, but because of His mercy" Titus 3:5. A person does not become instantaneously holy the moment they become a Christian. Although they stand before the Lord forgiven and cleansed from their sins through Jesus, the Christian's life is a journey of sanctification- the process of being made more like Christ. We may stumble and fall along the way, but two things are always evident in the life of a true believer: repentance from sin (James 4:7-10) and fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26). It is this journey that you will find me on today, by God's grace.

2. I adore my husband- I married the most incredible man. He is godly, courageous, wise, diligent and my best friend. As you may have already guessed, there will be a list about him later:) We got married in November of 2011 after a whirlwind dating experience that began when we were thousands of miles apart. Jared loves adventure and is very skilled at riding motorcycles and shooting guns, among many other things. He currently serves in the Army and recently completed Ranger School. Here is a picture of us on his graduation day. I was SO proud! He was so sleepy :)

Together again!

3. We are going to have a baby- Jared and I have been looking forward to starting a family since the day we got married. We are very excited to meet our little Decker munchkin (as Jared says) in March of 2014. Check out our surprise gender reveal here!

Munchkin!

4. I am the Logistics Manager for Apologia- I have been blessed with a job that allows me to work from home and invest in something that I am passionate about. Apologia is a ministry that supports home school families by providing biblical-based curriculum, encouraging resources, and a whole lot more. You can find more about them on their website. Since Jared and I were both home schooled, we look forward to continuing this method of education with our own children one day.

5. I teach group fitness- Let me clear about one thing: I am not a Zumba instructor:) I started teaching classes my freshman year of college and enjoy teaching anything from Boot Camp to Kickboxing to Sculpt. No dance moves for me please, just good ole athletic conditioning.

Thanks for stopping by, ya'll!
~Charity~

Five Ineffective Ways to Lose Weight

2013-09-25T07:38:00.002-04:00

1. Using chopsticks- Seriously, ya'll, just because you replace your fork with chopsticks to eat that mac and cheese does not mean you will miraculously shed pounds! Although it may be a good way to make yourself eat slower, (as with the suggestion to hold your fork in your left-hand if you are right-handed), it will probably just be frustrating and lead you to emotional eat. Backfire!

2. Skipping breakfast- If you are one of these people, I'm sorry, but I just cannot relate. Breakfast is my absolute favorite meal of the day!! Research continually proves that it is imperative to eat a healthy breakfast (eggs, turkey bacon, oatmeal, fruit, etc.) in order to get your metabolism goin'. Furthermore, skipping breakfast only makes you more ravenous towards the end of the day and, therefore, much more likely to indulge on dinner.

3. Shaking a weight- Okay. If you have purchased one of these, I do not mean to pick fun. It's just, well, this is really not an effective way to build muscle tone and lose weight. No further comment.

4. Popping pills- Don't buy into the lie that diet pills will make your weight magically disappear...at no cost to your health! Educate yourself before you take the risk and most importantly, avoid pills that contain ephedra like the plague!

5. Drinking Diet Soda- In an attempt to lose some extra pounds, you sacrifice your real soda drinking habits to diet soda, and Voila! The weight falls right off, right? Wrong. Research has shown consistent evidence that ingesting that potent, chemical-filled liquid will actually do the opposite. Check out what Dr. Mercola has to say about the issue on his website here, and sign up for his daily newsletters, if you haven't already . I know getting off soda may seem daunting...it definitely was for me, too. Equip yourself with reasons why you need to avoid it and it will make staying away from it a whole lot easier.

Do you have any ineffective ways to lose weight that you would like to share?

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

Six Random Kitchen Tools That Make Life Easier

2013-09-25T06:42:00.004-04:00

1. Salad Spinner. At my house, we eat A LOT of salads. I tend to enjoy a combination of spinach and other leafy greens, while Jared loves fresh romaine. I purchased this salad spinner at Bed Bath and Beyond with a coupon, but you can find them just about anwhere. I chop up the lettuce, throw it in the colander to wash off, and then give it a whirl. It's good practice for learning how to start a mower if you don't already now how:) Ta-da! Clean, crisp lettuce that's at a much better price than the bagged kind!

Salad Spinner

2. Onion Chopper. I am an onion-lovin' gal. I could eat them sauteed in large chunks in any meal that called for them or simply suggested them, for that matter. Unfortunately, I married a man who is not as fond of them (that is an understatement) and will only eat them in minuscule pieces (that is also an understatement). Introducing, the onion chopper! I actually acquired this Pampered Chef chopper from my Mimi during her recent move. As you can imagine, it has made onion preparation much easier! It is super easy to disassemble and wash, as well--I usually just throw mine in the dishwasher. Look for it on Amazon!

Onion Chopper

3. Cutting Mat. Call me cheap, but I love my plastic cutting mats. They come in all different sizes and colors to help designate food items for each one (meats, veggies, fruits). I really like how flexible they are, which makes it easy to transfer the food from the mat to the dish. Just bend the mat to form a scoop and pour! They also take up minimal storage space (I stick my 5 or 6 mats in the rag/towel drawer for easy access). I can't remember where I found my set, but I know Target carries a cute pack. Go figure.

Cutting Mat

4. Kitchen Scissors. I know the ones in the picture below are not actual kitchen scissors, but they are scissors that I use only in my kitchen :) I did have some official kitchen scissors from Target, until I left them at a potluck recently. So I found an extra, unopened set of regular shears in my office and come to find out, they work like a charm in the kitchen! They are super sharp and I use them in place of a knife for cutting up raw chicken because for some reason, it's easier to handle. We also use them for slicing up our homemade pizza- that's one less gadget I have to fit in my drawer!

5. Mini Spatula. I love love love this mini spatula for so many reasons. It's not like those big plastic-made spatulas where the edges start to melt after the first few uses. It's small and durable and has a stainless steel blade to cut up chicken or sausage in the pan. It's perfect for flipping fried eggs and pancakes. I use mine every time I cook. In fact, I had to get two :) I'm pretty sure I purchased mine via an Amazon site a while back, but I did a quick search just now and found it here.

6. Sharp Knife. I grew up hearing my Grandma and Mom stress the absolute necessity of having a good knife in the kitchen. Good=Sharp. If you have ever worked with a dull-bladed knife, you know how frustrating it makes food prep. I used to work up a sweat cutting potatoes because of how much energy I had to exert. My mom actually found the knife pictured below at a Myrtle Beach flea market and gave it to me as a 'happy'. It glides right through those potatoes! Another great knife I would recommend is a ceramic paring knife. I have one of these too:)

Scissors, Spatula, Knife

What's a random kitchen tool that has made your life easier?

Work is a blessing, ya'll!
~Charity~

4 Canisters in My Kitchen

2013-09-23T22:44:00.004-04:00

1. PROTEIN POWDER! This is an all natural protein powder sweetened with stevia. It's low in calories and tastes delicious! I love the chocolate flavor best. You can find it at Vitamin Shoppe.

2. STEVIA! I don't have sugar in the house. If we need some sweetened tea or a yummy treat, stevia always does the trick! Just remember, a little stevia goes a long way compared to sugar. (We learned that the hard way.) I buy mine from iherb.com. I know Target sells some too, just make sure it's nonbitter. Buy some. It's worth it!

3. OATMEAL! No instant oatmeal packets in this household. (Check out the nutrition info on those babies and stay clear!) While steel cut oats is best, I usually just buy Old Fashioned Quaker Oatmeal. Add some cinnamon, stevia, blueberries, and flaxseed and you have yourself a yummy breakfast! Speaking of flaxseed...

4. FLAXSEED! While there are many brands of flaxseed available to you, I have enjoyed Bob's Red Mill Kosher Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal. The texture is fabulous and although it does not carry much taste, it is packed full of nutrients and health benefits. I add a tablespoon to greek yogurt, smoothies, protein balls, and as previously mentioned, oatmeal:)

What's in your canisters???

Eat real, ya'll!
~Charity~

Seven Things to Ask God

2013-09-23T20:45:00.002-04:00

Northwest Georgia- "God's Country" :)

How often do we come before the Lord requesting better health, greater wealth, and deeper happiness in life? While these things are not bad things in themselves, they are not God's main priorities for our lives. Above all else, He desires to make us holy, or theologically speaking, to sanctify us.

Here is a list of prayers that I have prayed for myself throughout the years and I would like to encourage you to do so, as well. Rest assured, God is faithful to answer our genuine prayers to be more like Him.

1. Lord, give me wisdom.

James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

2. Lord, help me to love what You love and hate what You hate.

Romans 12:9 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good."

3. Lord, give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word.

Psalms 42:1,2 "As the deer longs for the water brooks, so my soul longs for Thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God..."

4. Lord, point out anything in my life that is offensive to You.

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

5. Lord, may I desire Your will, above all else.

Luke 22:42 "Father if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."

6. Lord, give me a sensitivity to the whispers of the Holy Spirit.

John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

7. Lord, enable me to love others.

1 Corinthians 13:2 "If I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing".

What do you feel is important to ask of the Lord?

Be set apart, ya'll!
~Charity~