Jamieson Diaries

Married | Mother | Millennial

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

Happy Birthday GG & Happy 5 Months Jordyn!

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Today is my Grandma’s (a.k.a. Abuelita but better known as Jordyn’s GG) birthday. We were supposed to say “see you later” to GG yesterday morning, but a last minute, unexpected trip to the ER for GG ended up rescheduling that plan for Thursday morning. Don’t worry, GG is doing just fine, and had endured a wonderful case of “vertigo”. Although I am upset she had to go through this, I am extremely happy this unfortunate event took place BEFORE she boarded her train, what should have been the following morning. It also doesn’t hurt that Jordyn and I get to keep GG here with us for a few extra days ;-). GG has been here in Montana with us since September 16th, and man do we enjoy having her here. It is always nice to have a “piece of home” near you when you’re so far away from everyone. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a Grandma’s girl in general- so Thursday will be a tough day for both Grandma and I. As much as it saddens me, and makes me cry, when my family members have to leave me, I find comfort in the blessing of having so many people to love and so many people to love me back. GG hasn’t even left us yet and we already anticipating the post-GG effects in the Jamieson household. As always, we will bounce back from the sadness, and look forward to the happiness of getting to see each other again in the near future. But in the meantime, I hope my Grandma is having the greatest birthday, ever. It is truly a blessing to be able to call her Grandma. She is one of the most caring and genuinely beautiful people I have ever met in my life. I pray God blesses her to see MANY more. If you would like to send her a birthday shout out, I will be sure to relay the message to her. Happy birthday Grandma/GG! We love you so much!

Jordyn has the pleasure of turning 5 months old on her GG’s birthday. Since her 4 month check in, Jordyn has improved her coordination so much. She is able to reach and grab her toys when they are hanging in front of her. She has even figured out how to slowly move her opposite hand over to the object and grab it with both hands. She has been sleeping through the night since her last week of being 3 months old. (Thanks rice cereal!) I know, I know, we are extremely lucky she sleeps through the night at such a young age. She usually wakes up talking to herself/playing with her fingers and trying to reach her toes for about half an hour before she gives us the warning yell that she is ready to be entertained by her personal court jesters (Mom and Dad). Neither Kris nor I take our new lovely sleep schedule for granted. When doing tummy time, she is still trying to figure out how to prop herself up on her arms, but she has definitely figured out how to get her knees in the crawling position. Tummy time doesn’t last more than 15 minutes, because someone gets pretty impatient at not being able to move, and starts hollering to be put on her back. She also told me to let everyone know she’s working on her attitude problem LOL. Today, we will attempt to try her first spoon fed meal. It’ll only be rice cereal and nursery water so we’ll see how she feels about it. I’ll have pictures to follow within the next few days.

This is about sums up everything that is “new” in Jojo’s world. Oh, I forgot to mention she LOVES to smile and giggle even more now. I just love everything about this feisty, sweet, giggly little Princess J!

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-Brie <3

[11.18.14]

All Posts, Music Favorites

“As”

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Stevie Wonder is my favorite artist in the entire world. He is also currently on tour and because I live in Montana (the state nobody’s tour EVER stops in) I will miss him perform :-(.  In honor of Stevie being in Chicago, tonight, I will share one of my favorite Stevie songs with all of you. Have a happy and safe Friday.

To everyone going to his concert in Chicago, have enough fun for the both of us, and be happy you get to witness GREATNESS!

All Posts, Dear Diary

Wisdom Wednesday: Kelley Byrdsong

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I’m not quite sure how old Kelley and I were when we first met, but I know we were in elementary school. I don’t remember when we officially became BFFs either. All I know for sure is Kelley Byrdsong is one of the greatest people I have had the pleasure of knowing in my lifetime. I think it’s easy to talk about how much our families influence us, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a best friend as caring, compassionate, intelligent, and strong as, Kelley B. Or “Songbyrd” as many members of my family call her lol. I could seriously type a college length essay about who she is, what she has accomplished, and why she means so much to me and my family, but I will try my best to keep it short.

Many people know Kelley as Coach Ricky Byrdsong’s daughter. Ricky Byrdsong was shot and killed by a white supremacist, while on a hate crime shooting spree, and killed another man as well, during 4th of July weekend in 1999. Kelley and her younger brother Ricky Jr. were with their Dad when this took place. Talk about terrifying to think about. I debated on whether I would put this information on this post, but it’s honestly important as to who she is and why I admire her. It was during the time after Kelley’s Dad’s death I really realized the awesomeness that is Kelley Byrdsong. Granted, we were only 10 years old, but you know enough at the age of 10 to recognize unbelievable strength in a person. Anyone who can go through an experience like hers and be the positively happy person she is today deserves some form of recognition.

After I moved away from Evanston, IL at the end of 7th grade, Kelley and I seemed to only get closer. Through high school and college we didn’t see or talk to each other as often, because as you can imagine, we were both pretty busy living and trying to figure out life. Especially since I stayed in Illinois (Loyola University Chicago) and she went to North Carolina (North Carolina A&T) for college. But she was the epitome of the friend you didn’t talk to regularly, but when you did, it was like we had just seen each other the day before. I will never forget on my birthday junior year of college, I had checked the mail and had a birthday card from her. I don’t think we had gotten a chance to speak for months at that point. But I will never forget how happy I was to get her card, and ever since that moment I made sure to make a better effort to stay in contact. Even if it was a short 5 minute text conversation, I wanted to make sure we tried our best to keep in touch. Since then we have made sure to stay in touch, and she is usually the first non-family member I go to with any news. If you need one more reason to understand how special she is to my family, when I had Jordyn, Kelley had to take four planes (yes- you read that correctly- FOUR PLANES) to get from Atlanta to Montana. As if that wasn’t enough, every day she had either cleaned a room in my house or made dinner. I mean…how many of us can say we have a FRIEND like her? Not a family member, but a friend. (Side note- I’ll tell you in another post how amazing my family members are for doing the same plus more the first few months Jordyn was born.)

Today, Kelley is currently working with the “Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence”, which had a huge victory in the state of Washington in last night’s election thanks to Initiative 594 passing. If you’re curious, the short version of Initiative 594 will now require all gun sales, including the internet and gun shows, to go through Brady background checks. Score! In addition to working on this campaign she is a youth Director for an Atlanta based organization called CYD (Create Your Dreams), which works to help underserved students in Atlanta follow their dreams and support their individual talents. And as if that isn’t enough, watching her grow spiritually has been even more inspiring. I remember she text me a few months back saying the homeless man she would always see, and give food to, on one of her daily routes wasn’t in his usual place, and she was worried something had happened to him. Months later, the man was back in his usual spot and she was beyond happy to see him again. She was so happy; she put up a status to tell all of us how happy she was to see him. How many of us can say we know someone with a heart as large as hers? Considering my personal feelings and future plans to help the homeless (more will be explained in my December blog post) this is only one more of the many reasons Kelley is someone who inspires me.

I think it’s pretty safe to say after reading about her and her credentials, you can conclude I didn’t choose Kelley as my November: Wisdom Wednesday person simply because she is my best friend. But because she actually deserves to be someone other people, especially young ladies, aspire to be like. If you didn’t know anything about Kelley Byrdsong before, I hope you get a chance to one day learn more details of her accomplishments, hopefully support her life efforts through prayer and positive gestures, and maybe even have the pleasure of meeting her. I’m just thankful God saw fit to bless my family and me with such a personal inspiration in our lives.

Happy Wednesday folks!

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*top left- we were in 7th grade*

*top right- we were sophomores in high school*

*bottom left- my wedding day February 2013 in Evanston, IL*

*bottom right- this summer [2014] in Great Falls, Montana*

Brie <3

[11.05.14]

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

The Transition: Working to Staying Home

Comments : 12

November 14th, 2014 will be my last day as a working Mom. I will begin the transition of being a stay at home Mom until Jordyn is about 2 years old. My little family and I are fortunate enough to have a husband/father who can support us, (thanks United States Air Force!) so I am able to raise our daughter in our home. As exciting as this journey will be, I know it will be a challenge at times. Not only for the obvious reason of occasionally missing adult conversation during the day, but because of how much my lifestyle will change. I have worked since I was sixteen years old. Which I just realized while typing this was exactly a decade ago (yikes!). I was sneaky, and got my first job at Best Buy in Bloomingdale, IL, in June of 2006. I say “sneaky” because my family wanted me to concentrate on school and track, and not worry about having a job. I had to promise to maintain a high honor roll grade point average, as I had prior to working, in order to be allowed to work throughout the school year. Which meant with a full class schedule, and running track, I only had time to work on weekends, many times after running 4-5 races during a Saturday track invitational. Needless to say, I carried this crazy schedule, because I loved making my own money. I give this entire background story, because I’m sure you cared to know I worked in retail at sixteen years old, and it was my dream job. Just kidding. I shared this to give an emphasis on how important working is to me. Not just in the sense of making money, but in feeling like I’m contributing to society, and being the Millennial woman I’m supposed to be. I mean, that’s why I went to college for 4 years, right? (Well, I went for the partying too, but that’s another post for another day). Not only have I sacrificed and done so much to successfully be in the working world, my husband and I have very much so adjusted to a two income household. It’s lovely! Seriously, who wouldn’t want more money to spend for luxury? I say all of this to explain how and why this could have been a hard decision to make on my part, because as Kris (my husband) said “this is your decision to make, not mine.” Then comes the moment, when you think about the little face that you carried for (almost) 9 months.You think about that same little face that made you cry like a legit baby, when you saw hers for the first time. And you think about all of the little milestones you could possibly miss while being away from her, and suddenly all of the luxuries of a two income household don’t matter anymore. I honestly always knew in my heart what I wanted to do. But it’s still a tough decision to make when you love the company you work for and people you work with.

Now let me be clear, this decision was made using common sense too. I have bills, many student loans to be exact (thanks private Jesuit University), and those bills have to be paid. Thankfully, many federal loans allow you to defer them for multiple reasons. Other bills are able to be covered with one income. Because I am part of the working world, and now the working parent world, I get not everyone has the ability to up and quit their job to stay home with their child. And despite what people may think, not every mother WANTS to stay home with their child. Which I can completely understand, and I believe is just as important as those who do stay home. Although I definitely plan on working again, it takes both the working Mothers and Stay at Home Mothers to show our daughters, and future daughters, they have the right to make their own choices and take their own paths. I say this because we all know how people like to “Mommy shame” mothers for doing the opposite of them, but that will be another post for another day as well.

I believe the decision I made to stay home with Jordyn is one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. My Grandma told me when I had Jordyn, “the most important job you will have in life is raising your children.” I couldn’t agree more. She is the most important job title I hold right now. Everything she needs, wants, and learns all stems from how we take care of and raise her. How cool is it I get a chance to be home with this little cutie pie for the first two years of her life? That is such a blessing in itself. I’m also thankful for my other military, stay at home mom, framily (friends that become family), who I can hang out with, and still remain sane after talking to a child all day. My Grandma also kindly let me know how crazy no adult interaction can make you too haha.

This is a journey I will for sure be sharing with all of you who would like to keep up with it through my blog. It should be a fun, crazy, interesting, I really don’t know what to expect, ride! If anything, lets just hope it at least makes us laugh a lot. And with this little character of a daughter I have here, I have a feeling there will be plenty of posts that ends with all of you laughing at me, or us laughing together. Lets say a prayer it’s the latter! 😉

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-Brie <3

[11.02.14]

All Posts, Dear Diary, Health & Fitness, Physical Health

#28DayJumpstart

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So… As you all know, I had a baby a little over 4 months ago. I’ve been telling myself since I was pregnant I would start a strict workout routine once I went back to work. *insert an image of me hysterically laughing at myself* I didn’t even gain a full 20 lbs during my pregnancy, but as you can imagine I’m a little “flabby” in certain areas that I would like to be more tone. Working out takes time and commitment that I sorta kinda am too tired lazy to give.

Then earlier this week, my wonderful friend, Charelle, recruited (demanded) me to be her workout buddy for a “get fit” challenge she discovered. She had her little one last December, and we’re both in the same “trying to lose baby weight” boat. I then decided to recruit (demand) my friend Kasandra to join the challenge with us too. I know, I know, we’re really caring and awesome friends ;-).

The 28 day jumpstart challenge is by Fit Girls Worldwide, and consists of workouts and fairly strict eating habits. Because I love food, and particularly not so healthy food, this is really going to be a challenge. But at least we have each other to help keep the other on track. Wish us luck, and pray we stay on track for the next 28 days, because we all know how easy it is to stray away. If you would like to follow my daily progress, meal plans, and workouts you can follow my brand new, just for the #28DayJumpstart challenge, public Instagram account at “bjamieson88”. I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes and workouts on my blog as well. If you would like to join the challenge- you can get more information at http://fitgirlsworldwide.com But hurry up and do it soon, because the challenge starts tomorrow! (10/27)

Happy Sunday everyone!

Brie <3

[10.26.14]

All Posts, Family Love

Jordyn is 4 Months Old :)

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My beautiful baby girl turned 4 months old on Saturday, October 18th. I can’t believe it’s been 4 months since she has graced us with her magnificent personality . I know everyone believes their child is the best, but she is seriously the best. Her pediatrician could not stop gushing about how “perfect” she is, and I would have to agree ;-). Unfortunately, she had to get the 2nd round of her vaccinations, today. Which means- Jordyn cried…and Mama cried with her. This is the first round I stayed in the room for. The first round of shots she got back in August, Daddy stayed in the room, and Mommy walked ALL the way down the hallway where she couldn’t hear her cry. I don’t know why I thought I’d be any tougher this time around. Sometimes I crack myself up at how unrealistic I am about my own emotions haha.

Jordyn is 13 lbs and 5.76 oz. Measures in the 70th percentile for height (she’s long!) and in the 80th percentile for her head (that’s large too hahaha). She is extremely alert and talkative, and SO close to rolling over on her tummy. Overall, our little one is doing amazing and I am so happy I get to be her Mommy!

Brie <3

[10.20.14]

All Posts, Dear Diary

My Top 5 Halloween Movies

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Once Fall has arrived I get excited, because Fall is clearly the best season. But I get even more excited for the HOLIDAYS! To get in the holiday spirit I will share my top 5 favorite Halloween movies to watch during October. I start watching my Halloween movies on October 1st, and not a day earlier. It has sort of become a ritual of mine. Let me know if any of these movies made your top Halloween movies list too!

5.  Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice

 

4. Casper

Casper

 

3. The Addams Family (both of them)

Addams Family Values

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2. Halloween

Halloween

 

 

1. Hocus Pocus

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All Posts, Dear Diary, Drinks, Recipes

Polar Express Hot Chocolate Recipe

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It’s that time of year where we are all drinking and eating more soups and hot chocolate to attempt to stay warm in the bitter cold. About a year and a half ago I discovered (a.k.a I craved hot chocolate so I searched for a recipe) the greatest hot chocolate recipe on #Pinterest. It is called the “Polar Express Creamy Crock-pot Hot Chocolate”. However, it could be made on the stove, on low heat, if watched carefully. I have added a few extra ingredients, and modified a few measurements to get it to the perfect taste for my family. I will post the original recipe, with the original measurements, in addition to any adjustments I have made to my version of the recipe.

You will need:

1.5 cups heavy cream

1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)

2 cups milk chocolate chips

6 cups of milk [I add 8-9 cups of milk]

1 tsp vanilla extract [I use 2 tsp of vanilla]

[I also add a few sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg for extra yummy taste]

Add all of the ingredients to the crock-pot (or large pot) and let it cook on low for about 45 minutes to an hour. Stir the ingredients after the 45 minutes to an hour are up, and see if the milk chocolate pieces have all melted. If not, let it cook for about 20-30 more minutes (or until all melted), stirring occasionally. Once all ingredients have combined properly you can heat it to your temperature of choice and ENJOY! 🙂

Happy Fall!

-Brie <3

[10.13.14]