A little ditty about me...

When did you start blogging, and why?

My blog commenced shortly after my oldest daughter Sophie was born. We adventured out of state when she was four months old and I wrote primarily for our family to watch Sophie grow and to be able to hear about our day. I also have always loved journaling. I love to read blogs and journal entries from my past and be carried back to a time and place in my life.

What are some of your favorite sites on the ‘net?

One of my absolute favorite sites is undoubtedly Pinterest. This little slice of heaven is my go to for everything crafty. Whether I need a quick fix for the house, entertainment for the kiddos or I am at a loss in the kitchen and in dire straights for a new recipe, I know I will be in good hands. And the icing on the cake…I can browse this lovely site all while sitting comfy in my PJ’s with a delicious glass of wine. Ahhhh bliss.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Coffee. That hot cup of Joe is how everyday begins over here. I would hate to see it any other way. I imagine if there was a morning we had no coffee, the kids would be pulling me out of bed and no one would be getting anywhere and absolutely nothing would be accomplished.  That said, we are off in the morning, picture Home Alone after they have slept in, yep it isn’t pretty. Two days a week my youngest little mooshie face, as we call her, Gia, goes to preschool for a couple hours and during that time, I complete orders for Stamp Haven, I write, get groceries, followed by more coffee and on to pick up my punkin (OK I’m realizing we have a lot of nicknames for our babies). On most nights, after everyone is home sweet home in the evening, we sit down for dinner together. We go around the table talking about our day and for the first time all day the four of us our sitting in one spot!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/StampHaven1

What advice would you give someone who wants to blog or share his/her story?

My answer in short is yes, write; write your heart out friends, I can’t wait to learn more about your story, but I also know it’s tough to open up and leave the pages of your heart exposed for the world to see. I struggle with this decision with the memoir I’m writing, Gift of Grace. But, I pray often and something I try and pay attention to.  If your gut is speaking to you, and you keep coming back to it, than go for it!

To me writing about the past is therapy. I have dug deep and discovered it has helped me close the door on things I was still beating myself up about. As far as opening a blog, I think at times social media can be a distraction from what is really important, but the very best perk for me is learning about others. Shared experiences and relatable moments, they help to bridge the gap between those who may feel lost, hurt, broken and others who were once in their shoes ready to encourage them as they cross over for a new beginning.

In my early to mid-20’s I thought I had my life figured out. I was a professional dancer after college and I wasn’t budging for anyone and as a result, relationships were damaged. What I am proudest of is that despite the heartache my late 20’s brought as a result, it had to happen. That’s the crazy thing about life. There are just some things that have to happen in order for God to get you where you need to be. For me I had lose everything in order to really appreciate what He had in store in my future.

Sophie is my saving grace. She is His miracle. Because of her I knew I would do everything in my power to keep our family together. Even if that meant going out of my comfort zone and moving to places I had never been so that she could be with her Mom and Dad. I have never looked back at that decision.  “Look how far we have come,’ is what usually crosses my mind. It also hasn’t been easy, but it’s the story God has chosen for me. I have grown as a mother, spouse and woman of faith because of this journey and that makes it worth it for me.

How can people follow you?

You can follow me at mysavingrace818.blogspot.com or on facebook.com/tiffany.campione

Thank you for spending a few minutes of your time to get to know me, I really appreciate it and I am excited to learn more about you as well!

xoxo,
Tiffany

A summary of my memoir 'Gift of Grace'

“What if I show up on your wedding day, will you still marry him?” 

Tony’s question haunted within as I stood with my beautiful white blusher veil delicately covering my freshly dolled up face.  I was twenty-six and marrying Ryan, the man I loved, but as I stood on the cement church steps, my body started to shake. Could I have been second-guessing the decision I had made when I said “Yes,” to Ryan while simultaneously saying farewell to Tony?

When we went our separate ways, I numbed the pain by collapsing hard into the arms of Ryan, the perfect charmer. Tony made attempts to change my mind, but I pressed on in my professional dance career. Determined not to live in his shadow as an NFL quarterback’s wife, I kept the hurt for him buried silent in my heart.

Meanwhile, complacency in the present had me desperately creeping back to my past with late night phone calls and an unexpected visit.  But when I arrived at my destination, I was too late to salvage what I had come for and consequently my marriage was ruined.

I wanted to run away. I dug deep into faith and began pleading for God to take over the tangled reigns of my life. God began a new work in me and by God's graces I was given the most precious life changing gift; a second chance.  

I trusted God with my future of the unknown and could feel His presence giving me confidence to embrace this new beginning and learn to grow in Him along the way.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17

For those who are new to becoming a military spouse, I write these words to you in hopes you will find comfort.

It was inevitable that if I wanted a life with Jake, I would eventually have to leave all I knew behind.  On January 1st, 2009, with the inception of a new year, I too was starting fresh. Moving away from family and friends was something I swore I would never do.  So it took me by surprise, when I decided to not only take a graceful leap of faith that this new path paved out for me be the right one, but more accurately I went full throttle landing into a life of the unknown.

Now, those of you who know me know that I am a planner.  This uncharted world of constant change was giving me anxiety, but because of my missteps in the past, I resolved then to give the reigns over to God.

A life as a military spouse was foreign to me.  To be honest in all my years, I never envisioned this type of lifestyle for myself, but God has a clever way of knowing exactly what we need when we are feeling lost.

I continued fervently praying that God's hands were wrapped around our 4 month old, Jake and I.  This gave me confidence as we packed up our things that although I was scared, this was what He had intended for me.

This leads me to present day, almost 7 years later...

At the moment, Jake and I are raising our two amazing and beautiful little girls, in a small town in the center of the USA.  We have moved several times and never has it been somewhere I have ever been before.  In our future there may be more boxes to pack and a new place to call home, this is again unknown, but what I am sure of, is what I have learned along the way...

~Companionship.

As a couple we have grown to become best friends, family, significant other, shoulder to cry on and everything in between, because even when we can't agree on anything at times, there is no one to turn to but each other.

~Humility.

There is an immense amount of strength you gain when you have no choice but to do things you otherwise would have shook your head and said, "Absolutely not!" to before you embarked on this journey." i.e. Mowing the lawn with a 7 month old bun in the oven and a two year old napping inside the house.

~Friendship.

Let's talk Military spouses. These individuals are amongst some of the most amazing people I have ever met.  Providing meals for families in need, organizing charities, supporting one another when significant others are away, and best of all they can relate to all of the emotions you feel at times, because hey, you are on this crazy ride together!  

~Strength.  

I know hands down, that if we can survive living in Minot, ND, than we can live anywhere!

~Pride.  

Throughout the years we have lived temporarily on bases around the country. My favorite memory was a powerful one in that everyday at 5:00pm to show respect, all vehicles come to a halt at the sound of our National Anthem playing. Even more uplifting is watching children playing at the park, stop what they are doing to stand and raise their little hand to their heart, it truly is a magnificent sight.

~Independence.

Trust me when I say it isn't easy.  There are seasons of separation and unexplained absences that leave us lonely at times, but there is important work to be done and homecomings truly are the best.

~Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  

Missing my family and friends hurts just as bad now, as it did that first day we waved goodbye.  We try to always have a plan for the next visit, to give us something to look forward to.

~Courage.

Mostly, I learned that if I would not had taken a chance all those years ago, I would have never experienced all this life has to offer and for that I am grateful.

On Veteran's Day and always, I am proud to call the man in uniform standing by my side, my husband. For my Grandfather who served in WWII, for Jake's Father and Uncle who both served in Vietnam, thank you for representing what God and country exemplify.

Future spouses, hang on and enjoy the ride, you are in good hands. 

(Jake's homecoming 2012, Sophie was just a little excited to

see him:)

Fashion Frenzy Friday...

My name is Tiffany and I have a deep, borderline crazy connection with my clothing and accessories.  There are items in my closet that I simply can not get rid of, quite possibly because the sight of them brings me back to the event that I wore them to.  I know it's creepy, right?  It's as if I believe that getting rid of them will somehow simultaneously dispose of the memory right along with it. The dress I wore to my baby shower, yep 7 years ago, both outfits I wore to my girls 1st Birthday parties and don't get me started on the baby cloths I have in bins packed away...never getting rid of them, ever! 

Another detach issue I have with my wardrobe is the way it makes me feel when I where particular items.  I have a turquoise necklace that seriously gives me super powers.  Well, maybe that's a little extreme, but I definitely feel like I can accomplish so much more by merely slipping it over my head in the morning.

So this brings me to my most recent purchase.  Let me introduce you to my newest addition to my closet crazed frenzy.  These boots are by Naughty Monkey.  I am already addicted to them and I haven't even worn them outside of the house yet!  The detailing on these babies is perfection and I am just holding out for their first unveiling. 

Please tell me I am not alone in this. What's in your closet you can not live without??

That's my cup of tea...

We are talking green tea today ladies and gents.  An amazing addition to our daily regimen and it is so tasty too! These tea leaves are loaded with catechins, which are antioxidants that fight and may even prevent cell damage. There have also been studies shown that it may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and assist in regulating blood sugar levels in those who have diabetes.  I have hypoglycemia and have experienced less low sugar episodes since making this special leaf a part of my day. Researchers have also discovered that those who regularly drink green tea have greater activity in the working-memory area of their brain.  Who couldn't use a little help with that?  Mom brain forgetfulness, be gone! Green tea also has a calming effect.  Every afternoon when I lay the Gia  down for her nap, I put our tea kettle on the stove top and wait to hear the sweet sound of the whistle letting me know it is time to steep a cup of delicious green tea. I must admit I look forward to this relaxing moment everyday and to know that this little ritual of mine is actually good for me is an added perk.

Check out the article below for more information on this super tea.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-of-green-tea

Wacky Wednesday...

This is a fashion don't, but on this Wednesday anything goes.

Happy Hump Day friends!

xoxo

To my little girl...

Dear Sophie,

From the second I saw the butterfly wings dance to the very beat of your heart on the monitor, began a love like I had never known.

Over the next nine months you and I grew together.  You developed tiny hands to one day hold mine and little feet that I would one day hear tip toeing across the floor.  I gained strength that only becoming a Mother can teach you. I continued to create a safe haven for you to be comfortable in, providing you nourishment, anticipating the day I could hold you in my arms and see your beautiful face for the first time.

We spent every day together. We took long walks down the Fox River in St. Charles where Mommy worked and we had picnics on my lunch break at the park.  At times we would sit quietly listening to the beautiful sounds of Mozart and Bach in my car between client meetings.

And most of the time, after a long day at work, we would nap with one another.  My hands gently laying on your temporary home, it was the most at peace I had ever been and it was all because of you, my saving grace.

On August 18th, the day you were born, I felt a whirlwind of emotions.  I undoubtably felt pain, mixed in with fear and in the end when the nurse handed you to me I was consumed with love and joy.

I believe on that first day we met face to face, God had me feel all of this to introduce to me what Motherhood is really all about. At times I am fearful that I am not making the right decisions for you and it pains me when your feelings have been hurt at school. But most days, I feel an abundance of love and joy and those two things trump fear, hurt and even worry, every time.

I hope you always know how much you are loved and cherished my sweet girl.

Love,

Mama