The Pickett's

Children are a heritage from the Lord!

2009-12-30T05:06:00.000-08:00

Our hearts are filled with joy to announce that the Lord has blessed us with a new baby! We were not expecting our little miracle, but are so excited as we await his/her arrival around August 30th! We praise the Lord for His grace in giving us what we do not deserve. Please pray with us that the baby will be healthy (and that Kristin will not be soooo sick this time!)
Happy New Year!
Love,
The Pickett's

Miscellaneous Monday

2009-11-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

Well, since it was 80 degrees on Halloween, Harrison could not wear his entire monkey costume to trick or treat. My cousins from GA were down for the FL/GA game so my cousins, Dad, me and Harrison all went trick or treating together. Jesse missed it because he was at the game and Mrs. Jeannie was back at home finishing up dinner. Harrison liked the huge pumpkin and all of the lights. His favorite was the cupcake!

Thankful Tuesday

2009-10-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Harrison's 9 month pictues! Oh, we have so much to be thankful for!

Go Gators!!

2009-09-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

Update

2009-09-16T05:14:00.001-07:00

Now that I have a Facebook account, the Blog has fallen by the way side! So, here are a few updated pictures of Harrison. He is now 8 months and 1 week old! We really cannot believe it! He has one little tooth on the bottom, that broke through a week and half ago. He refuses to crawl because he doesn't like to be on his belly! Last Wednesday, he began making a "K" sound, I thought it would be "mama" by now...I've practiced with him for months! :) I had to put the "cheek" pictures on here because we LOVE to kiss on his fat cheeks! They are so sweet! Hope everyone is doing well!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T12:13:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

I could eat him up!

Catching up again!

2009-07-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

I walked into Dad's office and found Harrison enjoying some of Papa's sweet tea! Despite my telling Dad I didn't want Harrison to have anything except nature's finest :) he was determined to allow Harrison to have some Sonny's sweet tea, oh well!

Our matching office attire!

I heard a horn beeping outside the office, so I looked outside and saw that Harrison was "driving" the dump truck. He loved the horn.

Harrison is now a big boy! Last Monday, Jesse and I put together his high chair and we went to town on an organic cookie, while we ate dinner. What a big boy he is!

Harrison is sitting up pretty good, now at 61/2 months.

Harrison loved the sparklers! We have the most fun with our bundle of joy!

We thought he would be scared of the firecrackers because they were soooo loud. However, he just sat in SugaMama's lap and smiled.

Julie and I worked hard for a good picture of Harrison and Hannah in their chairs!

Snuggling with SugaMama and SugaPop

One hot dude!

Harrison and Aunt Jade headed outside to play.

Harrison's Baptism was such a sweet moment. I often sat in church and dreamed of the day we would have the joy of dedicating our little gift from our Father. It finally arrived and was definitely monumental!

Pastor Jennings baptized a sleeping Harrison.

I kept Hannah a couple of weeks ago and here is one shot I got before she moved on to the next toy. She is a busy little girl who is such a joy!

Mom keeps Harrison for a little while on Tuesdays. She mostly rocks him and gives him cookies!

It's been a while!

2009-06-25T06:09:00.001-07:00

Wow! Have we been busy! Harrison is growing like a weed! I'm not sure where to start, so I'll give you an update for each of us separately.

Harrison- Oh, he is so sweet! He smiles constantly and loves everyone. His 9 month clothes are getting a little snug. I had no idea he would grow this fast! Harrison is an absolute joy and we continually thank the Lord for him. Speaking of thanking the Lord, Harrison will be dedicated this Sunday. We are so excited about the great responsibility the Lord gives us to train our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Jesse- Jesse has decided to pursue the internship at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville. It is a long process and will require Jesse to not only finish his Bachelor's (he only has 1 semester to go!), but also requires that he attend seminary for 4 years. So, we are of course praying about the details of this. Please pray with us for God's direction. Let me just say as a side note that I praise the Lord for the husband and father that Jesse has become. The Lord has truly changed him and made him a new man. It is an absolute joy and privilege to be his wife and mother of his child.

Kristin- Although I enjoyed teaching, I must say that I have never been more satisfied or fulfilled than I am right now. Being a wife and mother are the utmost privilege and such a blessing from the Lord. Praise the Lord for giving me my heart's desire...a child. And so my days are filled with feeding and caring for Harrison, maintaining our home, spending time studying God's Word (which is the highlight of my day), running with Rayna, working 2 days for Dad, 1 day for Mr. Harry and attending Ladies Bible Study on Wednesdays. Now you can see why I haven't updated my blog in a month!

Just a quick explanation of the pictures: Once a week Dad takes us to lunch, well Harrison runs the show at the office and everywhere else he goes. (oh, the damage control we are going to have to do because of this!:) So, Harrison wanted to watch the TV that was behind me so Dad turned him around so he could watch it while we ate. Spoiled already!

If you look closely, you will see that Harrison has a little surprise coming out of his diaper. He was sitting in my lap and I looked down and I was covered in that surprise! The clothes basket was sitting beside me so I sat him in it so I could hold my shorts up to keep "it" from falling on the floor! Disgusting, let me tell you! He did enjoy the basket, though. :)

Steven likes to spike Harrison's hair up when we go to lunch. He says Harrison has to look like a cool dude!

Harrison loves his exersaucer!

His first time in the pool! He loved it!

Memorial Weekend

2009-05-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

Below are a few pictures from our family's first trip to the Lake. The last time we were there, it was 4th of July '08 and I had been released from the hospital from being soooo sick with my little bundle of joy pictured below! Needless to say, this trip was a much better one! Although the sun was not shining, it was nice to spend time with SugaPop and SugaMama. We basically ate, slept and fellowshipped! What more could you ask for? (well, maybe a little sun)

Harrison loves his chair that SugaMama bought him for Easter!

Although the sun only peeked out for a minute, Harrison was ready with his big boy hat and bathing suit.

It you look closely you can see that SugaPop and Harrison's shirts are matching with their names on them. They were adorable! They sported their shirts to the seafood restaurant.

Daddy loves that baby's sugar!

Somebody is very sleepy!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

Catching up!

2009-05-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

Well, after two weeks without a computer we are finally back in business! We have been quite busy!

Saturday we met Josh, Christen and the boys at Sonny's for dinner. Harrison was just a smiling at Camdyn and Cayde. Camdyn let Harrison borrow his Gator hat and he loved it! It was adorable watching them interact.

I woke up and caught Rudy in Harrison's play station on his boppy! One more thing for me to wash and clean. :)

On Wednesdays I participate in Westminster's Ladies Bible Study. Reed is Harrison's good buddy. They are 10 days apart. Angela and I had the same due date.

Mother's Day was so special! It was the happiest Mother's Day ever! I'm so thankful for my little man!

After Harrison's 4 month check up...shots! Oh, I hate when he has to get shots!

Aunt Sashy stopping by the office for her weekly visit!

Aunt Jade and Uncle Tina came over for dinner and to spend some time with Harrison. He loves his Aunt Jade!

For Dad's birthday in November I ordered these shirts that have his name and Harrison's name printed beside the baseball. They are really adorable.

He's one cool dude!

Harrison is always smiling and laughing! He is such a joy!

Fun in the Sun

2009-04-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

Jesse preached at Ruhamah again on Sunday, so Dad came to hear him and then invited us over for steaks and swimming. This was Harrison's first time in his bathing suit that was too big for him. :) He of course had to sport his shades like Daddy and Papa.

Last Wednesday we stopped by West Nassau for a meeting with Mr. Booker and to see Mimi. Ms. Mae was my custodian all 4 years at WN. Every day we would talk about our struggle to get pregnant and she would pray for us. She was so excited to see the fruit of her prayers. She affectionately calls herself Grandmama Mae.

Fairwell to Ephesus

2009-04-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our last Sunday at Ephesus Baptist Church. As most of you know Jesse is a candidate at Ruhamah Baptist Church in Kingsland, GA. He preached there 3 weeks ago. One of the deacons called last night and said that they have narrowed it down to Jesse and one other preacher. So, Jesse is preaching there again this coming Sunday. Meanwhile we had already decided to go back to Westminster in Jax. until we hear something from Ruhamah. Pastor Jennings and Jesse have been discussing the possibility of a pastoral internship for Jesse at Westminster. So, needless to say we are praying for God's direction for our family. Please pray with us that the will of the Lord will be clear. We would love either position, so we just want the Lord to show us which one He would have us take. Anyways, I took some pictures with Harrison's Suga Mama and Suga Pop and Granny Pickett at Ephesus last night. Also, we had dinner with Josh and Christen Friday night. We always enjoy spending time with the Hinson's. Whom Harrison calls Uncle Josh and Aunt Higg. In high school, Valerie Libby, Kristen Jordan, Christen Higginbotham and myself had to call each other different names since there were 3 Kristin's -all spelled differently- so we call Kristen J., Sissy, Christen H., Higg, and they call me Bozie. :) Which is much better than what Jason Johns came up with "Bozo"!

Two weeks worth of pictures!

2009-04-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in two weeks! We have been so busy! Harrison is growing and becoming sweeter by the day. Jesse made the comment last Sunday that he loves him more each day and I would have to agree! I think he is over the colic because he has been a different baby the past two weeks. He smiles constantly and I can actually put him down to cook and clean. Wow, what a difference that has made. :) He loves for us to talk to him. I'm beginning to see signs of laughter. I can't wait to hear his little laugh. Saturday, my Dad and Steven stopped by on the boat and took Harrison on his first boat ride. It was windy and they were having father/son time so we just rode for a few minutes, but he loved it! He enjoys going outside for a walk to the river every afternoon to watch Daddy row across the river. I've added some of those pictures too. It's hilarious! The boats name is "stinkbate." We didn't name it, but it sure fits. Uncle Mark and Aunt Darlene came over last weekend for dinner. We really enjoyed spending time with them. It was their first time meeting little Harrison (or should I say little Jesse, since he looks nothing like me!). Harrison also got his picture taken with Aunt Monica and Brandyn. That was before he threw up on her twice! Also, cousin Hannah celebrated her first birthday last Wednesday. I cannot believe she is already a year old! Time just goes by too fast! She is sweet and beautiful. She loves to pat Harrison on the head. Oh, and Harrison got his first taste of ice cream Friday night. When I wasn't looking Jesse and Dad thought it would be funny to give him a taste of Dairy Queen ice cream. Needless to say he loved it! Well, I think I covered it all...so much takes place over two weeks with a 3 month old! May the Lord give you and your family an abundance of grace this week!

Marvelling in God's grace,

Kristin

The Best Birthday Present!!!

2009-03-30T04:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm 27 today! I keep thinking 30 is just around the corner, but since Monica is 30 and loving it, I guess I'll survive the change. :) For the past 6 years when I have blown out my birthday candles, I have wished for a baby. I'm so thankful that the Lord answered my long awaited prayer and blessed me with a baby. I cannot get over His goodness to me! There really is not a day that goes by that I don't remember the agonizing prayers that I offered up day and night for a child. I look at Harrison every day as a monument to God's goodness and love in answering the imploring cry of His child. I grow to love Him more everyday.

So, if you are wondering what I wished for this year, well, Jesse sure guessed it right away...I wished for many more children! Not necessarily NOW, but sooner than 6 more years of waiting! :) Harrison is such a joy that I wouldn't mind having 10 more! (I really was born to be a mother, since some think I'm crazy for wanting 4 children...including Jesse who thinks of the financial side of having 4 children...I'm just thinking of how much I love Harrison and can't wait to love other children too!) So, today is the BEST birthday I've ever had, because I've been given the BEST present (besides eternal life, of course!)...and maybe besides Jesse :)

11 weeks, today!

2009-03-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

11 weeks ago, today, I was 49 pounds heavier and swollen from head to toe! Out of all that misery a wonderful little blessing was born, Harrison Ray! Words cannot describe the past 11 weeks! Oh, I still look at him in bewilderment that the Lord would be so gracious as to give me the desire of my heart. Being a wife and mother is the absolute honor of my life. I desire nothing apart from being the most godly wife to Jesse and godly, Proverbs 31 mother to Harrison. Well, before I end up in a sobbing mess, let me move on to the pictures. :)
Harrison attended his first Ligonier Bible Conference in Orlando, Florida this past week. Jesse and I discussed how blessed Harrison is to grow up hearing the best Bible expositors of our day...D. A. Carson, R. C. Sproul, Sinclair Fergusin. A. Begg, and many others! Of course Harrison and I spent most of our time in the foyer. He hasn't learned not to squeal during the worship service! :)
Anyways, we also took Harrison on his first trip to the St. Augustine outlets. I don't think he enjoyed it as much as we did! (He gets that from his father!) His Sugamama, Aunt Jade, Aunt Julie and cousin Hannah were also with us. We had a full day of shopping and of course eating! We got home at 10pm and were exhausted!
Well, I need to get back to work...will blog again, soon!

I snapped these two pictures last night...I thought it was a precious moment...Jesse and Harrison listening to John MacArthur's message on Grace To You.

Aunt Jade stopped by yesterday, and put Harrison right to sleep (a needed break to do the 6 loads of laundry from our trip!)

J
This is the only picture we have from the Ligonier conference...I wanted to take more, but we were always running late! P. S. He looks nothing like me!

Always, smiling!

Aunt Jade at work!

The girls who took care of me before I was born!

Harrison and Aunt Polly, she was in the room for every sonogram I had.

Me and Sugamama at St. Augustine
outlets.

Cousin Hannah is ready to shop!

She just wants a kiss!

Two Months, Already!

2009-03-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

We can not believe that Harrison is 2 months old! The past two months have been filled with love, adventure, wonder, laughter, tears....and several sleepless nights. Words cannot describe the love we have for Harrison. Last night Jesse and I were reading a book by CJ Mahaney and he made a quote about the vast love God has for us in sending His Son to die for our sins. I told Jesse I have a whole new outlook on the Cross now that I have a child. I would never allow Harrison to suffer and die for others' sin! What a God we serve!
I posted pictures from Aunt Jade Leah's 21st birthday dinner, The dinner we had with the Libby's, Hern's and Davis's, Aunt Sashy who always visits us at the shop every week, Uncle Steven who walks Harrison around outside so that I can get a little work done, pictures from bath time...which is now done with minimal screaming, walks to the river and his 2 month checkup today. He is growing so fast...already in 6 month clothing! Well, he is screaming now, so I'll post again later. :)

He has no idea what's about to take place at his 2 month doctor visit! Shots! He screamed and I cried with him!

Aunt Sashy stopped by to see how I felt after my shots.

My 2 month visit

Getting ready to roll to the river!

Daddy strolled me down to the river...I love being outside!

All smiles!

Mommy and me

I'm not too happy, Daddy just took out my pacifier!

I laugh all of the time!

Daddy and me after church.

Priceless

I'm a star in my 6 month pajamas (already!)

Uncle Steven spends time with me at Papa's shop while Mommy works.

I give up!!

Ashlee rocked me and kept me from crying....she's wonderful!

Wow, she's pretty!

Me and Aunt Tara

My future girlfriend, Kaylee Grace

My best buddy Cale Libby

Finally, I love my baths!

Mommy giving me a bath

Uncle Tina, Aunt Jade and cousin Hannah

Me and Uncle Jarrod, I'm much cuter! :)

My Aunt Jade loves me

Sugapop is making funny noises.

Whew, it's getting hot in here!

Me and my Sugamama watching the steam from the grill.

Uncle Tina, Aunt Jade and me

Random Pictures

2009-02-26T11:46:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the office with Papa, the "Dirty" photo shoot (Jesse, Bryan, Cale and Harrison; "Dirty" is Jesse and Bryan's nickname that they gave one another), Brandyn's party with Uncle Stevie and Aunt Rayna, smiles and playing around the house in his toy that Aunt Debi Pickett gave him. The last picture with his mouth open while he sleeps is exactly what his Daddy looks like asleep! 7 weeks already! He is a joy! We are so in love!!

My Cousin, Hannah

2009-02-16T11:09:00.000-08:00

How cute is she??!! She is so sweet and absolutely adorable! Hannah is now 10 months old and loves her baby cousin, Harrison! She was patting his head, pulling his hair and trying to kiss him at the end of this photo shoot. Harrison had to get a picture with Aunt Jade and Aunt Julie, too!

Our Little Valentine

2009-02-16T10:55:00.000-08:00

How could you not "love me"?

Harrison looked so cute in his red shirt with his little GAP jeans! Meme bought him 3 Valentine bibs and he showed off all 3 at my doctor's appt. on Friday. Aunt Jade had to go along to help. Harrison screamed the entire way to St. Vincent's. He has a temper like his Papa! :) Atleast that's who we always blame it on...even though his Mommy has a temper herself (of course she got hers from Papa, too. :)

This is a "I'm about to scream" face. :) We sure do love this little Valentine!!

Mommy's Monster

2009-02-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

His shirt says it all! Little Harrison Ray can be Mommy's monster! His pediatrician told me last week that infants cannot be spoiled until they are 6 months old. Well, I wanted to say, "Come home with me and you will change your mind!" :) I've spent nights in the recliner with Harrison on my chest so he would sleep. He has slept with us one night and now I have invested (yes, at this point it is an investment) in a Baby Bojourn baby carrier, so that I can get something done around the house! He will literally be screaming his head off and as soon as I pick him up, the crying stops. He will be 5 weeks old tomorrow...a long way from 6 months, but I'm telling you, he is spoiled! So, I wanted to share a picture I just took of him screaming because I wasn't holding him and yes, he is wearing his shirt that says, "Mommy's Monster". I had no idea that when Mrs. Julie bought this outfit last summer that it would come true! :) I sure do love my little monster!

Last Weekend

2009-02-05T12:33:00.001-08:00

Jesse and Harrison had a photo shoot after his bath Friday night.He looks just like Jesse!

Kaylee Grace came to visit Harrison Friday night. He thinks she is so pretty! Her father is not very happy about that! :) Ryan has said in the past that she is not allowed to date a Libby or a Pickett. We'll see about that! :)

Our Little Man

2009-01-29T10:18:00.000-08:00

Harrison and Uncle Steven

Aunt Jade and Harrison

Sleeping on Momma

My funny face

Posing for the camera

Jesse loves to take a nap with his little man

Just precious!

Meme and Harrison napping

Harrison and Uncle Arnold

I love this one!

Harrison and Aunt Jade

My 1st Doctor's appt. with Dr. Stanley

Papa and his little Gator

Sleeping again

I'm hungry!

Me and Daddy having Bible study

Home from the hospital :)

Harrison Ray is Finally Here!

2009-01-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

We are filled with joy over the birth of our little Harrison! He was born on January 6th at 1:51pm. He weighed 7lb. 15 oz. (and was 21/2 weeks early!) and was 19 1/2 in. long. He is the sweetest! Look below for his going home from the hospital picture. As soon as I find my cord to hook my camera up to my computer, I will post all of the pictures of Harrison.

Update

2009-01-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

Well, after 4 trips to the doctor this week, Harrison is still resting safely in the womb (despite his mother's pleading with the midwife)! I have been on complete bed rest for 2 weeks today. My doctor who will be performing the c-section has been out of town for the past week, so despite high blood pressure and an increasing amount of protein in my tests, it looks like we will be waiting for my doctor to return on Tuesday. HOPEFULLY, after reviewing all of my test results, he will decide to do the surgery on Tuesday! We will be calling everyone on Tuesday if it's a go!
Anxiously awaiting our little one,
Jesse and Kristin

Only 5 weeks to go!

2008-12-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

51/2 weeks and counting! There's nothing like being pregnant during the holidays! Food has never tasted so good! However, there is a down-side to all of this...besides the massive weight gain, I'm swelling from head to toe! As if I wasn't already looking forward to having Harrison here...I have a whole new reason! :)

Saving faith is persevering faith.

2008-11-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

As I sit to write my first blog, I feel compelled to do so in an introductory fashion as to why we decided to call it (our blog) persevering faith. At the heart of the Christian gospel is the sweet assurance that all those who come to Christ in faith and repentance will receive eternal life. The nature of this life is just that: it is eternal. That means it does not end. Once given in justification, it most certainly will see its completion in glorification. I am reminded of what the apostle Paul told the Philippians; "He who has begun the good work in you, WILL complete it..." and also to the Thessalonians he said "He who has called you is faithful, and will complete it." That is to say that the God who has called us to salvation will also be the one to bring that salvation to its full maturation in Heaven. This along with countless others in the New Testament make it crystal clear that once someone is saved, they CAN NEVER LOSE THAT SALVATION! If saving faith is the work of God alone, and it is, then our salvation rests not in our ability to keep it, but in the character of the One who gave it, and my friends our God NEVER LEAVES ANYTHING HALF DONE!! As one of my heroes in the faith, John MacArthur has said "you mean to tell me that Christ is going to demand my life, a life of sacrifice,rejection, obedience,and cross bearing only to let me fall away at the end? This is too much to ask for too little a return!!" As the Westminster Confession says " Those whom God hath chosen will never fatally nor finally fall away, but will most certainly persevere therein (their faith). My friends SAVING FAITH IS PERSEVERING FAITH. THIS IS THE FAITH GOD GIVES, AND THIS IS THE FAITH BY WHICH WE ARE SAVED!! SOLA FIDE SOLA CHRISTUS (BY FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE)!

Our little miracle

2008-10-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

I Samuel 1:19 "...and the Lord remembered her."

We all know the story of Hannah, the faithful wife of Elkanah, who prayed every year for the Lord to bless her with a child. I cannot count the times I would read this passage while imploring the Lord for a child of my own. This was a passage of hope for me. My only desire has been to serve the Lord as a wife and mother. On May 14th, the dream of being a mother was beginning to look hopeless. I had had some tests done on April 25th and when I went for my follow up on May 14th I was told that with Jesse's results and mine, we would need to see a specialist for conception. Of course, I was upset and immediately called and scheduled an appt. for us 5 days later, May 19th. The day before our appt. was a Sunday and Jesse and I discussed the option of adoption and had settled that if that was the will of the Lord, then we would be delighted in it. So, with that settled, I was not as anxious when we went to the reproductive specialist the next day. We were seated in the doctor's personal office and Jesse was whisked away for another test. While he was gone, the nurse came in and with an awkward, giggly look, said, "um, your pregnant!" I responded with, "Shut up!" and then asked her to please redo the test. She came back with two positive tests! Needless to say, I was shocked! Jesse came in a few seconds later and when I showed him the tests, he asked what they were. When I told him the news, his reply was, "It's a miracle!" And so, that is what we call our little baby boy, our little miracle. Truly, the Lord took a very long and trying time in my life and turned it into a joyous declaration of God's glory! I think often about the times (oh, there were so many) I would cry unto the Lord with anguish and pleading! As, I'm typing this and feeling little Harrison kick and squirm, I can't help but cry and thank the Lord for His abundant grace and mercy!