melanin Archives – Jamieson Diaries

Natural Hairstyles for Kids

March 27, 2019 Comments : 3

How many of you or your children are on the natural hair journey? Taking care of natural hair can be a chore in itself, but it’s worth the work. My daughter started paying more attention to her hairstyles about a year ago. After I braided her hair she ran to the bathroom mirror to admire her hair and tell herself how beautiful she looks. This is when I decided to have a little more fun and switch her hairstyles up every week.

I post Jordyn’s new hairstyles on social media (Facebook and Instagram) on Mondays. The more styles I post the more people are interested in the hairstyles. On numerous occasions people have recreated the styles on their little ones and told me how much they love them. This is when I decided to keep track of her hairstyles to share with other parents for ideas.Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, DIY, Family Love, Toddler Activities

D.I.Y. Cocoa Honey Face Mask

January 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

Last weekend I dedicated a few hours of self-care to myself. I took a nice long bath, washed my hair, did a face mask, and drank a glass of wine. It was heavenly…while it lasted. About an hour and a half into my self-care session my oldest daughter, Jordyn, invited herself into the bathroom to ask me fifty questions. Oh, and to remind me that I’m a Mom of two small children, which means time to myself is limited. Ha!Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, DIY, Holiday

“Coco” Painted Pumpkins

October 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

Making painted pumpkins for Halloween has become a yearly tradition for me. Each year I try to find a theme with three to four printable characters for my pumpkins. In past years I’ve done Nightmare Before Christmas, Ninja Turtles, classic monsters etc.

This year I turned to my Facebook family and friends for ideas on pumpkins this year. A few people mentioned the movie “Coco” and I realized as much as I love the movie this would be the perfect craft. I also knew it would be a challenge for freehand drawing to make the characters look like exact like movie.Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

5 Year Anniversary

February 23, 2018 Leave a Comment

Happy 5 year anniversary to us! On this day five years ago my husband and I said “I do”. Here we are two baby girls later and still finding ways to connection with one another. We often talk about how well we work because we’re a team. With each passing day and year we are able to go to the drawing board and be better than we were before.

This year will consist of so many changes for our family. Great changes but plenty of them. The biggest change of all: waiting for our second baby girl to make her entrance into this world. Unfortunately, this is the first wedding anniversary we will spend apart. Considering we’re a military family we should be counting our blessings that this is the first anniversary we’re spending away from one another. But it doesn’t make it any easier. Especially when I’d love to simply be in the presence of my favorite human being.Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love, Travel

California Family Trip 2018

February 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

Jordyn and I traveled to California last week. My husband was in California for a month and a half for work. Jordyn and I met him there towards the end of his work commitment. We flew there and road tripped back with him to Montana. Going to California is always a good time because we get to see so many of our loved ones when we’re there. My father in law even flew into town from Florida for a few days so we could spend some much-needed time with him. Although Jordyn and I ended up catching colds the last week of the trip, we had an amazing time, and can’t wait to see everyone again.Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018

January 15, 2018 Leave a Comment

Today we celebrate what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 89th birthday. This is one of the few times the actual day of his birthday, and the day observed for his birthday share the same day. I could type a mini book about the accomplishments of Dr. King, but instead I will share the title of a book written by Dr. King in 1967 that has become one of my favorite writings, from him, to date. I will also share a few of my favorite pictures from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. monument in Washington D.C.

This is my favorite book to date written by Dr. King. I asked one of my friends for a book that shows us a more radicalized Dr. King, and this was his suggestion. (Thanks, Mo!) Although I’ve had the book for months, I thought January would be the perfect month to read this book, because of his birthday and to start the year off strong.

This is one of those books that somehow allows you to respect Dr. King’s fight and message even more. The hardest part to digest while reading this book is how applicable his words still are today. We have come a long way and have equally as much ground to cover before seeing true equality in this country. My absolute favorite aspect of this book is getting a non third grade history book white washing of Dr. King and his legacy. So many people who quote Dr. King don’t even realize they stand for and support the complete opposite of everything he fought for. Dr. King was definitely a non-violent man, but every bone in his body was controversial.

We traveled to Washington D.C. in October 2016. Naturally, we were to see Dr. King’s monument and park. There was a guy leaning on the wall while his friend took a picture. Once we walked up closer I noticed what he was doing and thought it was absolutely brilliant. To this day it’s one of my favorite pitcures, especially considering the circus happening in the United States government today. I also couldn’t help but to think how much Dr. King would’ve approved of this message if he were alive to see this foolishness taking place.

I snapped this picture of my husband reading one of the many beautiful Dr. King quotes in the park. There is something so poetic about my Black military husband not only seeing this quote in person, but being able to share the moment with his family. This quote is so important because as Dr. King said himself there are too many people “who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.”

Happy birthday, Martin Luther King Jr.

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

Jordyn’s 1st Swim Lessons

July 11, 2017 Leave a Comment

Happy Tuesday everyone! The youth center, on base, had a special for summer swim lessons this year. The lessons cost $25 per session. Each session is four weeks long with classes twice a week. We signed Jordyn up for the evening classes to be sure her Dad would be able to go with us most of the time. Although this was Jordyn’s first time taking official swim classes, by the second class, she looked like a natural. With only the help of floaties she was whizzing around the pool collecting toys, and taking “breaks” on the stairs. Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary

Black History Month 2017

February 1, 2017 Leave a Comment

Today is February 1st, which means it is officially, Black History Month! Black History Month is one of my favorite times of year to be on social media. Many people on my friends list share awesome facts and information about important Black historical figures and events throughout the month. It’s so nice to get on Facebook and/or Instagram to read educational posts about my own culture and heritage.Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary

My 28th Birthday Thank You!

September 27, 2016 Leave a Comment

Today I turned 28 years old, and I’m feeling so many emotions. The one emotion that best describes all of them put together is: joy. I’m so happy and thankful the Lord has blessed me with another year. I know and read too many stories about people younger than me not seeing this age, so I know to always be thankful for every day God blesses me to see.
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