Happiness - Jamieson Diaries

Selfish vs. Selfless

November 8, 2015 Comments : 2

In the spirit of the season, I have decided to make my Sunday blog posts for the month of November about giving and gratefulness. I know this tends to be the cliché trend of everything in the month of November, but what is wrong with doing something for others and sharing positivity? In a world where hatred and sadness seems to be more popular than love and happiness, I think a month of thankfulness is needed.

This won’t be a long blog post, because this post is simple. I challenge everyone (myself included) to be less selfish and more selfless this month. It is quite an easy task if we truly find the compassion in our hearts to put others before self. Becoming a wife and mother has taught me this lesson more than I could have ever imagined, but I can still be and do better. It doesn’t have to be some grand gesture to prove selflessness either. Maybe instead of buying that new shirt or pants for yourself, you buy a few pairs of sweatpants and sweatshirts at Walmart for the homeless. An alternative for those who may not be in the financial place to buy such items can go through your closet of clothes and give away anything you don’t wear or need anymore to the less fortunate.

Another example of a small, but large impact gesture, could be buying some cheap canned goods on sale at your local grocery stores and donating some to your local food bank or church. The alternative, you may be shocked at what you have in your own pantry and don’t eat/need that can be donated to someone else.

A few other examples of selflessness is donating your time to a cause to help others. Find a local church or shelter who may be looking for volunteers to bless someone in need this holiday season. You would be amazed how appreciative people are to those who share their time and love with complete strangers. Another idea is making sure your coworkers or neighbors have somewhere to go on Thanksgiving. As hard as it is for some people to understand, there are many people who do not have family and/or close friends to share Thanksgiving dinner with. So ask your friends, coworkers, and neighbors if they have plans for the holiday. Not only will you be given the opportunity to bless someone else who will always be grateful for your hospitality, but you have the opportunity to strengthen a relationship or make a new friend.

I hope we all have the opportunity to show multiple acts of selflessness this holiday season. I pray all of us are able to be a blessing to someone else, and in turn be blessed by them as well. What other ideas would you like to share of selflessness with others? Please comment below. Also, as the month goes on, please share your acts of selflessness with me and other readers by commenting below, and/or tweeting and Instagraming me @JamiesonDiaries.

Here is to a wonderful season of spreading love and happiness to those around us!

Happy and blessed Sunday everyone!

Brie <3

[11.08.15]

Jamieson Fall Photos 2015

October 26, 2015 Leave a Comment

We took our annual Jamieson family fall photos in mid-October here in Montana. In case you are wondering how to get a one year old child and two year old puppy to sit still and smile for pictures the trick is: it’s an impossible request. However, if you’re lucky enough it’ll look like everyone is cooperating in the pictures when in reality you just caught them taking a breather before causing havoc again LOL. But in all of the craziness and the million times we said “say cheese!” it is always worth it for the final results and the memories. We’re going to miss our photographer/best friend, Krissy, so much when she moves next month. Thanks again for so many amazing pictures and memories Krissy a.k.a Sister Wife! We love you so much!

Here is a new peek of my favorite pictures from our family photos 🙂

This last picture is one of my favorites because it is a great depiction of how the shoot actually went with Ares and Jordyn LOL. It also looks like Jordyn is being elevated by Ares tail at this angle. It’s just a great picture over all!

Happy Monday everyone!

Brie <3

[10.26.15]

All Posts, Family Love

Jordyn Denise : 1 year 4 months

October 19, 2015 Comments : 2

Miss Jordyn Denise is growing up and becoming such a little lady, or “little person” as my husband and I like to call her. It’s amazing how much she seems to learn in only one day. While we were home in September, her Auntie Andye taught her a dance/ballet move, as well as getting her to say “auntie” a few times.

I taught her to say “up” a little while back when she wanted to be picked up instead of yelling and whining. That lasted for a while until we taught her how to say “please” or “tease” in Jordyn language, when asking for anything in general. We have recently added the word “thank you” to her vocabulary with the last week or two. Now, whenever you hand her something (or she hands you something) she always says “taint tou” and it’s the cutest and sweetest “thank you” I’ve ever heard in my life :-). I also can’t wait for her to be old enough to sign up for gymnastics because she’s always balancing on her head trying to flip herself over.

Jordyn has also recently learned how to open the doors… yeah we weren’t too excited about that, but she sure was haha. She loves giving sweet kisses, dancing her little heart out, eating like a big girl in her high chair, playing/taking walks outside, wrestling with Ares, and playing “where is Jordyn?” with Daddy and Mommy. Did I mention she likes to mimic Ares and crawls around on all fours trying to lick us? LOL. Here is a picture of her following him around on all fours..

She is such a happy baby and so much fun to be around. She is hands down one of the funniest little kids I’ve ever met in my entire life. She has plenty of her Daddy and I’s (more so her Daddy haha) silliness. Jordyn is such a ham and has even developed a “fake” laugh to mock those around her when they laugh. I couldn’t be more thankful to hang out with such a cool little person every single day. She continues to teach us how to love unconditionally and be thankful for the little things that in turn are the big things in life. I’ll be back in a few months for another update on this smart little munchkin. Until then, here is a picture of her chasing me around the Halloween store the other night with a sword LOL. And yes, it’s blurry because I was running backwards from her hahaha..

Brie <3

[10.18.15]

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

To My PD Girl…

October 3, 2015 Leave a Comment

Dearest PD Girl,

Today marks one month since you have been gone. You went on to glory exactly one year to the day after meeting Jordyn for the first time in person. I believe it’s safe to say September 3rd will always be remembered as a cherished and emotional day for many people who were so close to you. If I am being completely honest it still hasn’t quite hit me that you’re gone. I would imagine this is what people mean when they talk about a disconnection between our hearts and our minds. My heart knows you’re gone, but I don’t think my mind has caught up just yet.

In the midst of all the craziness and planning going on while we were home, believe it or not I only cried twice. You would be proud of me! LOL. The truth is, I didn’t cry as much, or become as emotional, because all I could think about was how HILARIOUS you were. I was so busy replaying memories of you doing and/or saying funny things I couldn’t do much outside of laugh. I know you saw how loved you truly were by the number of people who showed up to your memorial, and had so many beautiful and funny stories to share about you. I didn’t even realize how many of my own family members and friends you had touched over time until the beautiful condolence messages and phone calls poured in.

A month sounds like a long time, but in actuality it’s much shorter than we realize. Four weeks translates to thirty days, and reminds us how fresh everything still is, and will be for some time. But it’s okay for us to be sad sometimes. It’s okay to let out a long cry or spend a day to ourselves in deep thought, because that is what you do when you lose someone who has made a major impact on your life. However, to remember you, and the spirit of who you were, I am going to share some of my favorite P.D. Girl memories with my readers. I even have a few pictures to go with some of these memories. (I don’t wanna hear it PD Girl! I can hear you cursing me out for sharing your pictures with strangers LOL)

I’m already laughing at this picture. PD, Toni and I, took a trip to California in the summer of 2011 to see a test launch Kris had been part of for the United States Air Force. Kris and I were acting a fool as usual when we noticed PD standing like this on the statue. In the midst of Kris and I playing around, PD couldn’t get her leg down and was yelling “Kris…I can’t get my leg down…Kris…I’m stuck!” LMAO! We still aren’t quite sure why Pd thought this was a good idea in the first place.

This picture was taken at Longhorn Steakhouse the night before Jon left for basic training. This memory makes me laugh because I remember this was originally supposed to be a picture of just you and Jon, but I jumped in at last-minute. When I yelled “wait, I wanna be in the picture too!” You said to me “don’t nobody want you in this picture little ugly girl!” Hahahaha! But look at nice the picture is even with me in it PD Girl!

This story isn’t specifically from our wedding day, but this picture is perfect because anytime I used to tell cute lovey dovey stories about Kris, or referred to him by some adorable name, your classic response was “So! Nobody cares about y’all..” LOL. We love you too, PD.

*These next few stories don’t have pictures to accompany them but they’re just as hilarious*

When I was in sixth grade and hospitalized for viral meningitis, you came to see me in the hospital multiple times. You actually drove us home from the hospital once I was discharged too. But what I do remember was your first visit to the hospital and your reaction to my hair not being combed. You said to my Mom “Kim, why you got my baby in here looking like this.” LOL. You then pulled a comb out of your purse and put my hair in two french braids :-).
In college I loved getting frozen custard from a place named, Andy’s, downtown Evanston. When I would walk over to Andy’s to get a concrete mixer or shake of some sort, you always made sure to tell me to bring something back for you. Considering you were diabetic, I would tell you I couldn’t bring you anything, and Toni would say the same thing. You would proceed to tell us how much you couldn’t stand either of us and turn your head to not face us anymore. LMAO.
This last story isn’t one that happened on one occasion. I used to always give you kisses whether you wanted them or not. I would say to you “I think you want me to give you some kisses PD Girl. Come on over here and get these kisses.” You would beg me not to kiss you as I walked towards you with my lips puckered up, and kiss you on your forehead and cheeks multiple times. It only took you a few years to realize my kisses weren’t going to stop which means you stopped fighting me and accepted your life LOL.

I could go on for days telling stories and reminiscing about how much you were and still are a part of my life. I had my own relationship with you and I am so thankful for that. I loved being able to talk to you about any and everything going on in my life and knowing you would give me straight to the chase, honest advice. That advice although honest, was always filled with love. When we cleaned your closet out I took this sweater of yours with me as my PD moment. It fits and looks perfect.

I will miss being able to give you forehead kisses when I see you or listen for one of your many hilarious comments about any and everything, but I’m at peace because I know you’re at peace. You are in a place where there is no more pain and suffering, but tons of love and happiness. Thanks for being an amazing extended Grandma, and beautiful person to know. You have blessed my life by being in it and for that and many other things I want to say, thank you. We all love and miss you more than words could ever express. At the end of it all I just want you to know you will always be and I will always love my PD Girl <3

Brie <3

[10.03.15]

All Posts, Dear Diary

Baker Orchard

September 30, 2015 Leave a Comment

Earlier this month my husband, daughter and I, went to visit the Baker Orchard in Centuria, WI. My (pretty much) brother-in-law, Ryan, his family owns the orchard. Ryan’s family lives in Minnesota, and since we were going to pass through Minnesota on our drive back to Montana from Illinois, we made plans to stop in Minnesota, and spend time with Ryan and his family. During our brief, yet fun stay with his family, we decided to go to their apple orchard and spend the day there. I happen to LOVE apple orchards, and knew it would be the perfect fall activity to wind down from a pretty hectic two weeks at home, in Illinois.

It was the perfect day to spend at the apple orchard. Seventy degrees, sunny, and not too crowded. We were able to check out the gallery filled with so many beautiful hand-made arts and crafts. In addition to the arts and crafts, there were yummy non perishable food items for sale as well, in the gallery. We bought a bottle of pure maple syrup, and Mexican hot chocolate to bring home with us. After we finished our shopping and tour of the gallery, we wandered out to the field and ate some extremely deliciously juicy apples. Jordyn had her first fresh picked apple that day, as well as, fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden that Uncle Ryan shared with her :-).

Here’s another picture of Jordyn thoroughly enjoying herself, running around the orchard, soaking up the fresh air.

By the end of the day we took a ride out to the “peace garden” and completely understood why it was called the peace garden. It was too beautiful to be able to describe in words, but it is truly a snap shot of how perfect God’s green earth can be. Kris, Ryan, Jordyn and I walked around the “peace garden”, took some beautiful and a few not so beautiful pictures while we were there LOL.

We ended the amazing trip to the Baker Orchard having drinks, eating food, and plenty of laughs with Ryan and his family. There were even a few games that took place. This was Kris’ first time at an apple orchard and it’s pretty safe to say enjoyed himself as much as I did. We ended the trip the only way you should end a trip as fun-filled as this one – with an awesome group selfie..

Thank you for the amazing hospitality you all showed us while we were in Minnesota. We had such a great time, and look forward to going back and spending more time with all of you. It’s very rare you meet people in person for the first time and feel like you’ve known them for years. Thanks for being amazing! We love and miss you all.

Brie <3

[09.30.15]

All Posts, Music Favorites

“September”

September 2, 2015 Leave a Comment

Happy best month of the year, everyone! Why is it the greatest month of the year you ask? Well, because it’s the month I was brought into this big and crazy world :-). Despite me being born in September (and many of my friends), there is so much I love, and look forward to about this month. My favorite season (Fall) is slowly approaching, which means so many great things are to come.

September has to be a pretty big deal, when one of the greatest bands of all time, decided to make an entire song named “September”. It is still a bucket list goal of mine to see these guys perform live before they retire for good. “September” is only one of the many Earth, Wind & Fire songs I love. You could play “Reasons”, “After The Love Has Gone”, or “Fantasy” and I’m going to sing at the top of my lungs like I’m a long-lost group member.

Whatever reasons you may have for enjoying the month of September, add a little more happiness to your month, and start it off the right way by getting a good dance in to this song. For added giggles, I’m posting the original video from Vevo below. Take a look at those graphics and outfits hahaha. We’ve for sure come a long way in the technology era. However, depending on the outfit, I wouldn’t mind going back to the 70’s fashion era.

Happy and joyous September to all of you!

Brie <3

[09.02.15]

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

Starting Family Traditions

August 23, 2015 Leave a Comment

Reminiscing about my childhood is easy to do considering all of the greats memories I get to remember and share with others. It is because of my great memories that I want to be sure to pass the same feeling and memories on to my children. Passing down family traditions is something I want my children to not only enjoy, but I want the traditions to mean equally as much to them, as they do to me. I want to create memories for a lifetime, and ultimately they pass the traditions down to their children, and their children’s children, etc.

I belive building family traditions is an important concept in teaching children what makes the love of family so special in our lives. There are so many people in this world without families to love them or for them to love back, and I think those of us who are blessed enough to have the love of family often take that same love for granted some days. I want to be sure our children are aware of the blessing they call family. Throughout their lives, I want them to share the lessons and love they received from us, with their friends, strangers, and eventually their future children. These are the five traditions I plan to tart with my children and hopefully generations to come.

I will let my children pick one day out of the year (not their birthday or a holiday), to skip school and have a mommy child date. This is a one on one date I will make with each child. We will go to eat at the restaurant of their choice and do one activity of their choice. However, I also want them to use this opportunity to open up and talk to me about whatever may be on their mind at the time. It is all about them on “school ditch day”, and I want them to remember no matter how busy and crazy life gets, they are individually special and individually deserve time with Mom.

This one doesn’t need much of an explanation, but family fun night is important, because it’s FUN! Family fun night can be anything from playing board games to watching movies. Whatever it is, it is up to the family to decide together. I would like to do family fun night, bi-weekly. I figure as our kids get older, and start spending more time with their friends on weekends, they can set one evening to the side, every other week, for family bonding. They can even invite their friends over to join in on the fun with the family. I want them to always remember having tons of fun with their parents and siblings.

I’ve already gotten the ball rolling on this one, but it is something I want to continue doing. Kids change so much and so quickly within the first few years of their lives, and it’s nice to look back on family photos and see the progression. Jordyn is only a year and two months old, and we can’t believe how much her face has changed since our Fall and Christmas family photos last year. As they get older, one family photo every year would be perfect. Preferably during the holidays :-).

More than eating the food, I love the fellowship sharing a meal brings to the table (I know you like my creative pun). Sunday is the day of praise and worship, and nothing ends a day of thankfulness like a big home cooked meal. Sunday dinners are something I have already started within the last few months. Coming from a huge Caribbean family, sharing a huge meal with a huge group of people is something I have loved since I was a child. In the Jamieson household, Sunday evenings are meant for big meals, full stomaches, complete happiness, and being grateful.

On the days we are taught everything is about US, I want to teach my children the complete opposite. I want them to understand the gifts and special treatment they receive on these days are a privilege many never experience. More so than teaching them their privilege, I want them to understand the importance of service before self, at a very young age. This is something our children won’t be able to understand until they are a bit older, but you can’t start them too young, in my opinion. Being in the military means we will be living in different states during these times throughout their lives, and will need to look for our local homeless shelter or mission. The kids will still get to have their big meals and presents, but my prayer is that when they eat or open their presents, they have a completely different appreciation for the lives they live, and privileges they receive on a daily basis. I want them to learn the beauty of compassion and to share it with others.

If you have a family to love, always remember to love them unconditionally.

Have a happy and blessed Sunday everyone!

Brie <3

[08.23.15]

All Posts, Dear Diary, DIY, Frugal Ideas

5 Creative Date Night Ideas

August 9, 2015 Comments : 2

Grow up in the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs, one thing I didn’t realize until I left, is how many activities and attractions I had around me to keep me busy all year-long. Once summertime rolls around you can add the plentiful music festivals and other outdoor activities to the mix. However, my husband and I are currently based in Montana, and although Montana in general has really exciting and fun cities/towns, we unfortunately don’t live in one of those fun towns. I know, it sucks, but what living in this town has taught me is how to be creative and think outside of the box.

My husband and I have only been married for two years, and we hadn’t been on a date that wasn’t dinner and a movie, for quite some time. I don’t know about you, but as much as I love a good meal and movie, I want to do something else for ~~once~~, ~~or twice~~, all the time. I believe repetition is good to a certain extent, I wouldn’t categorize date night with the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with in the “good” section of repetition though.

When you don’t have a variety of established places to go for date night, you have to become creative and bring your own versions of the perfect date nights to life. These five creative date night ideas, are some popular date night ideas I recreated so couples in any location, are able to participate, and shake things up a bit. After all, who doesn’t love out of the box ideas that can be done in your own home or surrounding area? Exactly!

I know, I know, this isn’t a new date night idea by any means. However, why not take cooking together to the next level and create a couples cooking show? How can you recreate a cooking show? Get out the webcam and/or what ever device you use for making videos, and create a “fake” couples cooking show while making dinner. Pretend you have a loyal audience who enjoy watching you two bicker back and forth about how to cut certain vegetables, and/or share a few cute memories about prior dates you two have been on. If you’re a shy person, it can be a video you two save to watch on a day when you need a good laugh. If you aren’t so shy and/or willing to put yourself out there, share the video with your social network family. Let everyone get a good laugh as well as a few “awww’s” in there while you two enjoy watching the reactions and replays of the night.

*If you would like to take it a step further: name your “cooking show episode” and make it bi-weekly or monthly entertainment for yourselves and loved ones.*

I’m sure you’re thinking the usual buy something sexy and wear it for your significant other, but…that’s not quite the purpose of this date night idea. Most places, even smaller towns, have some type of store “adult store” nearby. (For example: Adam & Eve, Spencers, etc.) You will take a trip to your local adult store and each buy something for the other person. You will have the item gift wrapped at the store and present it to your significant other. You can both go into the store at the same time and buy your items at different registers, or one person can sit in the car while the other shops. Either way the anticipation itself is enough to keep you anxious and smiling from ear to ear thinking about being able to see the gifts. And clearly this usual leads to a happy ending for both of you…who wouldn’t enjoy this date night?!

*If you don’t have access to these stores where you live, you can order the items online earlier in the week and present them on the evening of your date night.*

How does one make game night romantic? By lighting a few candles and watching the sunset while you play, that’s how. This one is pretty simple, but makes such a huge difference. Instead of playing games inside in the house, why not take your UNO or LIFE games outdoors? If there is a favorite park or location in your town, take a blanket, some candles, some wine (drink responsibly) and set up a romantic game night. Make sure you get there in enough time to have everything set up so you can enjoy the beautiful sunset as you play. This even works if you have a backyard and want to do your romantic game night without having to leave the house. Either way, it’s hard to beat nature’s beauty and fun with your significant other.

*For those who live in climates where it is cold most of the year (like where we live) you can set this up to do in the car. Find a nice place to park the car and where you can see the sunset. If you have an SUV set up your romance in the trunk area (fake candles of course). If you have a car lean the seats all the way back so you two can face each other in your seats to play your game(s). I would suggest only card games if you don’t have a larger area for a board game.*

Is there a movies genre or series you both enjoy watching? For my husband and I, we LOVE the Harry Potter series. (Who doesn’t?) For our first wedding anniversary we actually watching movies one through six before we decided to give our eyes a break and go to bed LOL. It super simple and really takes no effort, but it’s one people tend to forget about. If you want to make it a little more fun, go to your nearest store, buy your favorite movie theater candy, some microwaveable popcorn, and drinks. Remember you’re going to be home so you can even buy alcoholic drinks to watch with your movie ;-). If you have tons of blankets and comforters, set up a comfy theater area on the living room floor while you watch. Movie the couch(es) if you have to make more room. Just make sure you watch and enjoy!

*If you start to run out of movie ideas to watch, you can even pick a new show to binge watch on Netflix or Hulu. Also, during the holidays try to do themed movies for the particular holiday being celebrated to get you in the spirit.*

One of my bucket list items is to learn how to ball room dance. I particularly would love to learn how to samba and tango. They are such intimate and sexy dance styles. My ultimate bucket list dance item is to samba on a beach in South America to a live band. Ahhh yes. Okay, back to reality, where we live we don’t have options for these dance classes, but thankfully it’s 2015 and we live in the age of technology. You and your significant other pick one dance style (or you can each pick one) and lookup the dance on YouTube. Pick your favorite instructional video and get to learning! Not only do you get to learn something new with your significant other, you’re exercising and having fun doing it.

*Once you’ve gotten a little handle of the dances moves, start learning about the best music to dance to and discover new artists and music together.*

If any of you try out these date night ideas, leave a comment or send me an email about what you loved and didn’t love. I hope you couples enjoy these ideas, and always remember, date night is supposed to be fun!

Fun fact: all pictures used for this post are personal pictures I have taken, except for the “YouTube Dance Lessons photo, which happens to be my husband and I, on our wedding day. 🙂

Brie <3

[08.09.15]

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

Happy birthday, Mommy!

July 26, 2015 Comments : 2

I know, I was just here wishing my youngest sister a happy birthday, but today is my Mommy’s turn for a birthday shout out. My Mom is turning a young 21 years old for the 27th time ;-). This is the 2nd year in a row we’ve gotten to spend your birthday together here in Montana. Today will be nothing short of fun, filled with great food and laughter. You deserve so much more, but one day I’ll be able to buy you a vacation somewhere with sandy beaches and icy beverages :-).

You’re the best Mom anyone could ask for. You always put our needs and wants before yours (even me at almost 27 years old). If there is something I need or want, you do your best to make it happen. From cooking our favorite meals when you visit us, watching Jordyn for us to go on date nights, to being complete goofballs when we’re together. I couldn’t ask for a better first best friend.

It goes without saying you’re an amazing Grandma to, Jordyn. She does not want for ONE single thing, because I’m pretty sure she owns every baby gadget, contraption, and/or toy there is to offer thanks to you LOL. From her excitement of seeing you in the morning when we visit you/you visit us, to her contagious laughter when you two are playing, she loves you more than you could know already.

Thank you for being the world’s best Mommy and Grandma a girl could ever ask for. My friends have even adopted you as their mother/grandma for their children lol. I pray you enjoy your day, today, and God blesses you to see many many more. Oh, and you know Ares will even have some loving for you whether you want it not haha.

Happy birthday, Madre! We love you sooooo much! 🙂

Brie <3

[07.26.15]

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

Happy 15th Birthday, Mayacita!

July 24, 2015 Leave a Comment

Today is my baby sister’s 15th birthday. I still can’t believe you’re in high school, let alone, starting your sophomore year of high school. The craziest part of all of it is, I still remember you being this big:

Kris said to me the other day while looking at this same picture of you, “I feel like Maya just looked like this..” to which I responded “I’m not sure when her growing up happened either”? While looking at this same picture, I decided to go look at the photo album from this same weekend. I think it’s safe to say much hasn’t changed between you, Kris, and I’s relationship either. It seems to have been the usual me taking pictures as you two act a fool…

You’re the greatest baby sister, and Auntie to Jordyn, we could ever ask for. This is the second summer you have spent with me and it’s always so nice having you around. I love talking to you and seeing how mature you are, as well as, how helpful you are with everything from watching Jordyn to doing chores around the house. You are always looking to lend a helping hand without being asked which is what makes you so thoughtful. I also love spending time with you, because being goofy is pretty much the standard. I mean, who else can take pictures as great as these ones besides us?

I hope you have a great birthday and I pray God blesses you to see many many more. If anything, you can at least guarantee your niece is going to harass you, as you two argue and love on each other all day long LOL. You two have a special bond that just works, because you know she loves you so much. Driving you crazy and beating you up is how she likes to show it. 😉

We love you so much! Happy 15th birthday, Mayacita!

Brie <3

[07.24.15]