Joy Archives – Jamieson Diaries

Food Is How I Spread Joy

February 20, 2019 Leave a Comment

Joy is defined as: “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” I realized the other day that food has been at the center of most joyful occasions for me. Whether it was during one of our family holiday parties, celebrating a birthday, or just a casual Friday evening, food remained a constant at all of it.

When I moved into my apartment in college I knew I enjoyed cooking, but it was quite far down on the priority list of college classes, work, and social life. Once I moved to Montana to be with my then boyfriend (now husband) I quickly realized how much I not only liked eating food, but how much I loved cooking it. Fast forward to present day and I look forward to creating my own delicious recipes week by week to share with all of you on my blog. I like to say “food is how I spread joy” in this world.Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary

Congratulations, Wilcox Family!

April 20, 2016 Comment : 1

I’m sure most of you remember me posting a status on Christmas Day asking you all to pray for our friends, Lacey and Brandon, as their youngest daughter battled a strand of bacterial meningitis in the hospital.(If you are unfamiliar with what meningitis is click here to learn more) As most of you know their baby girl, Alaiya, didn’t make it. She passed away on December 26th, 2015. I don’t share any of this to make you all sad, because Alaiya was so full of joy, her smile could light up any room, and she has two of the most caring parents anyone could ask for. I share all of this to explain why Lacey telling me a few weeks ago she is pregnant with their third baby brought me so much joy. Yes, there will be a 3rd Wilcox baby girl, Averie Laine, due on October 18th! Yayyyy!

The news of Lacey’s pregnancy made me so happy, because she and her family have endured so much loss, and heartache the last few months. (Lacey’s mother and her daughter died within a week of each other in December) The question “why do bad things happen to good people” couldn’t be more relevant when talking about the Wilcox family. But there is such an explainable joy brought into our lives with the announcement and birth of a baby. I honestly believe there is no hurt the birth of a child can’t match in joy. It doesn’t take away the hurt but it balances it out by adding much needed joy. I believe, God and Alaiya, showed up right on time to remind them joy comes in the morning.

I asked Lacey last night if it was okay for me to share her baby news, and write a blog post about their family, because it’s something I wanted to share with people all over who take the time to read my blog. The faith and strength Lacey and her family have shown throughout the last few months is nothing short of admirable and heartbreaking. I first met Lacey in college through my husband, what now seems like eons and just a few weeks ago, (that’s the first sign of getting older, right? LOL) and from then she was always a sweet heart. It has been since about 2009 I have really considered her to be one of MY friends though. She’s the type of friend who although she lives hours (and a whole different state away) makes sure she comes to any birthday parties, baby showers, weddings etc. no matter how far she has to drive. She’s the type of friend all of us should be so blessed to have in our lifetime. Which in turn makes it even harder to see your friends go through such trying times, and know you would do anything to bring them joy again. It’s genuinely hard to see great people go through bad things. Especially when we see so much turmoil, so many bad things and people in the world, because we always naturally wonder “why them?” It’s even harder to live so far away from your friends when they’re hurting because all you want to do is wrap them up in the biggest hug and cry for hours. Being present doesn’t make anything happening to them easier, but sometimes crying with a friend makes everything seem better than it is for those few minutes.

We are planning a trip back home to Illinois in October for a wedding and had already planned to stop in Indiana for a few days to see the Wilcoxs, before heading to Washington D.C. for a postponed vacation. I was already excited to see the Wilcoxs in October, but I’m even more excited knowing I’ll get to meet and hold little baby, Averie, in my arms! I write all of this because I hope they know how much we love them and how happy we are to see them happy. I think Alaiya has already been sending Averie tips on how to make parents crazy considering how Averie has been treating you this pregnancy, Lace. Ha! I’m gonna stop typing and go text you now haha. I love you, girl! And of course Brandon, Alanna, Alaiya, and Averie. <3

P.S.- funny story about the day of my baby shower and this picture: Alanna was not a fan of me holding Alaiya and basically said “put her down” in baby terms. LMAO. Also, Alaiya, was clearly just as confused as to why I was holding her and both of her parents are standing nearby hahaha.

Brie <3

[04.20.16]

All Posts, Dear Diary

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]

All Posts, Family Love

Happy 1st Birthday, Jordyn Denise!

June 18, 2015 Comments : 6

A year ago, today, my water broke at 2:30 a.m. I remember feeling so many emotions once the realization set in that the next time I walked into our home, we would be a family of four. I remember the nurses asking me as they wheeled me to the maternity wing “are you having contractions?” and my response being “I’m not sure. I feel a little uncomfortable, so maybe?” to which they followed up with “this is your first baby, huh?” and we all laughed. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine how much being a first time Mommy would change my life forever.

I only got to see your beautiful face and hear your equally beautiful cry for a minute before they gave Mommy the “sleeping medicine” on the table LOL. But I still remember how I cried immediately upon seeing your little face over the sheet before I fell asleep. However, the part I remember the most was when I finally was wheeled from the recovery room, and I was able to hold you for the first time. I don’t think I’ve ever cried that much in my life. I’m crying right now as I think about how perfect you were and still are. Your perfect little lips, nose, eyes, chin, ears, hair, fingers, toes, heartbeat…I could go on forever because everything about you was seriously perfect. I couldn’t believe the little baby girl I had shared my body with for exactly 37 weeks was finally in my arms. I couldn’t believe I could love someone so little, so much. It was that day I learned what it meant to have my heart on the outside of my body.

Everyday I say the same prayer for you. I thank God for bringing you into our lives, for allowing me to be your Mother, and for keeping you safe and sound. I thank Him for the joy and happiness you bring to everyone you encounter, as well as, being a blessing on this Earth. I pray you do God’s will and fulfill your purpose on His earth. I pray that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and I end the prayer thanking God one more time for bringing you into my life.

You have taught me a love I will forever be grateful for. You have taught me why the title “Mommy” means the world and more. You have taught me how to love even deeper than I could ever imagine. You have taught me why being a parent is the greatest gift I could have ever received in this life.

Today is such a bittersweet feeling. I have spent the last eight months of your life sharing with the world how wonderful you are. I have written each blog post knowing it was only getting closer to your first birthday. As happy as I am you are growing into such a smart, beautiful and independent little girl, it makes me sad my little itty-bitty baby won’t need me as much as she once did. I am beyond excited to see what this next year will have in store. I especially can’t wait for all of the lessons you will teach me over the next year as well.

Happy birthday, Jordyn Denise Jamieson!

I pray God blesses you to see many many many more.

You are such a blessing and so loved.

Love, Mommy <3

[06.18.15]