Just checkin' in

Hello Team!

As the title of this post says, I'm just checking in :) It's been a few months and I thought I'd update you on our little family.

OLIVIA
My bubbly, life-loving, little girl finished her first year of school. Junior Kindergarten suited her to a tee. She loved her 2 teachers and came home every week (and usually daily) talking about the new things she learned. I guess I'm glad for that - if she didn't, I'd be wondering what was going on in her classroom! Usually every day ended with a hug for the teacher.

Olivia also made some great little friends so there were a few (times 10!!) play dates set up this past year. She looks forward to seeing them throughout the summer too.

She recently graduated to Pre-School D swimming lessons. It took her about 5 tries but our determined little girl pressed on and finally passed. She was verrrry excited. She'll begin Pre-School D in the fall.

Another feat of hers is learning how to ride a 2-wheeler! It took her only a couple of days after Corey found a how-to on YouTube. Many of the kids in the neighbourhood have now begun to learn too. Way to go Olivia!

So this summer for Olivia is pretty full. She is going to an Arts & Crafts camp for one week in July (includes swimming in the afternoons!!) and she will be going to Vacation Bible School with a friend for one week and she will be going to a Day Camp at Cedarview Alliance Church for a week in August.

Did you know it's Olivia's birthday this month? July 25th she will be celebrating her 5th birthday. It's amazing how fast these 5 years have gone by! She is growing into a very responsible, compassionate, and kind little girl. She is becoming famous for belting out a tune or two about how much she loves Jesus and how much He loves her. So incredibly cute :) Corey and I are very proud of her and look forward to what this new year will bring her.






JORDYN

Our quiet, laid back, little girl is just that although she has found her voice as of late.. When she and Olivia get going, it's a pretty loud household :)


Her repertoire when it comes to vocabulary consists of: dadada, bababa, and a weird gurgling sound only she can make (believe me... Corey and I have tried to mimic it!).
She is sitting on her own now although I still put pillows around her. She actually has started to make motions to crawl this week! I'm excited for that stage but then being able to plop her down and know she isn't going anywhere is a nice stage too...

She is thoroughly enjoying her "solid" foods. She absolutely loves her fruits and is so-so with the meats & veggies. But sneaky mommy mixes that with her fruit and she gobbles it all up.

I would be very surprised if she doesn't turn out to be a lover of the outdoors. She loves going for walks and playing at the park. She is recognizing 'outside' noises like birds and planes. It is so neat to see her notice new things.

Corey
My handy man is keeping himself busy around the house when not working or playing hockey. His next project is building Olivia a bookshelf to contain her many many books.

IBM is going well and we are very thankful for continued employment. Since the weather has been beautiful, Corey's been biking to work. I admire Corey for wanting to take care of himself and to stay in shape as best he can.

Corey has adapted well to being a father of 2 girls. He loves playing with them - having tickle fights with Olivia and doing all he can to get Jordyn to laugh. There's nothing like seeing your husband and kids laughing together. Warms my heart.

RACHEL
Well, what can I say about me. I am loving my time home with the girls. I am cherishing these times because I know how fast time flies by. Lately the girls and I have been going to the park with little friends and going for lots of walks. We've visited with some friends too which Olivia loves.

I am finally finding more time to focus on a hobby of mine - making cards. I'm not the most creative on the block but I see some designs I like and I just copy them :) It's a great outlet for me and it's nice to have something in my life that's just for me. If you'd like 'home-made' cards created for you, just let me know ;)

What else have I been up to? Well, I had the privilege of celebrating 6 years of marriage June 25th. Corey and I went to Wakefield, QC for the day and we had a blast reconnecting - brought back memories of our dating days :)






WHAT'S NEXT?

We decided to buy a camper for the family so we can begin a tradition of summer camping. Corey came across a great private deal in the spring and our first camping trip was the May long weekend. We camped for a few days at Rideau River Provincial Park and had a blast!! The weather was great except there were too many mosquitos as far as I'm concerned. We hit the beach a few times and in general just hung out. Olivia loved riding her bike there and Jordyn loved watching her.

We just came back from a week at a private campground (Quinte Isle Campark) near Sandbanks Provincial Park. It was so fun! There were activities for the kids 3 times a day (rock painting, tye-dying, relay races, basketball, colouring...). They also had a huge pool and a brand new splash park. It was a great experience and we've decided to go there every year as long as we can. Olivia had such a good time with her new little friends and always wanted to ride her bike, hit the pool, and roast marshmellows. I love her zest for life.

We also have a PEI trip planned for this summer. Our last one for the year. The last time we were there was 11 years ago when Corey and I were newly dating. It will be nice to go back with the kids.

IMPORTANT DATES
July 25: Olivia's 5th birthday
August 27: Mom & Dad Van Dyke's 44th wedding anniversary
August 31: Mom Van Dyke's birthday


I will sign this book off now ;) It would be wonderful to hear how you're doing. I love getting your emails so send off a note or two when you can.

Enjoy the rest of your summer. May it be richly blessed!

Spring has Sprung

Hi TEAM!

It's high time that I add another blog entry to let you all know how we Pickfords are doing!

The last 4 months have come and gone in a blink of an eye. With Jordyn here life is much fuller and busier - in a good way of course. She is a very good baby and makes life easy for me :)

So, what have we been up to?

December: celebrated Christmas as a family of 4 and what a treat that was. So special to see our baby girl here after experiencing the miscarriage 2 years ago and then waiting quite a while to finally conceive Jordyn. Christmas is our favourite time of year and it was extra special this year.

January: my sister, Sheri, got married! It was a very intimate affair with 30 guests witnessing her and Ron begin a new chapter in their lives.




 

February: Jordyn's first big trip! We went to BC to visit Corey's family plus take in some Olympic events. We were fortunate enough to have tickets to 3 of the men's hockey quarter finals and both semis. It was such an amazing experience to be in the arena...especially when Canada whooped Russia! Olivia and Jordyn stayed back with NaNa and PaPa while Corey and I enjoyed a couple of days together. It was like we were back in our dating days again! :) The visit with family was really nice too. We celebrated Corey's parent's 40th anniversary. What a great legacy to leave their kids and grandkids as being married that long these days is a rarity.

March: sat down and figured out some summer plans. Excitedly, we are taking our camper to Sandbanks in June/July and then to PEI/East Coast in August. We are very excited for this opportunity and we are sure the girls (well, particularly Olivia) will have an absolute blast! We are very thankful to have found this camper at such a good price. We know that many happy memories will be made on our camping trips

Back on the homefront, we are very blessed to have 2 beautiful and happy little girls. Here is the low-down of their progress:

OLIVIA

• Loves Junior Kindergarten
  
• Is becoming very good at imaginative play
• She loves to make crafts and bake. On her own accord (with no help from me) she put together Easter treats in mini paper cups for my family.
• She just started swimming lessons
• She has told us that when she grows up she wants to be a doctor :)
• She adores Jordyn and hasn't had one instance of jealousy. She sings her songs, tells her stories, shows her toys, and comforts her when Jordyn cries saying, "It's okay sweetheart, big sister is here".

JORDYN 

The 2 most common observations people make
....She is so happy!  
....She is so alert!

• She is sleeping from 8pm-7am most nights
• She rolled over a couple of weeks ago from her tummy to her back
• She loves her excersaucer and her activity mat
• She talks most when I'm changing her. It seems to be her cue to converse with me :)
• She is quite quiet and observant - loves watching Olivia do her thing
• Although some features are similar to Olivia's (same eyes and shape of face) she definitely is different with darker hair and complexion.

As you can see, our girls are bringing us much joy.  As I said earlier, God has blessed us immensely and I sometimes well up with tears of much gratitude when I see them play together and just live life.

So, as we enjoy this spring season; the flowers blooming, the buds on trees appearing, the sounds of birds filling the air (and the vents in our houses....), remember the new life we have because of Jesus' sweet sacrifice on the cross. I praise Him each day for His unfailing love and grace for me, Rachel Pickford, a sinner, but a daughter of the King. HALLELUJAH!

Introducing Jordyn Brenda Pickford!!

Hello TEAM!

I finally have some time to update my blog to introduce our newest little angel. Jordyn Brenda Pickford was born November 26 at 11:11am after a very quick 2.5 hours of labour. She was 7 lbs 2 oz and 20.5" long...a full pound lighter than what Olivia was!

Jordyn is so precious. She is a very content little girl. She cries only if very hungry and of course if she has a present waiting in her diaper :) She seems to be quite different from Olivia in the fact that she is quite calm. She is a strong little girl already being able to hold her head up (since day 2 actually!!).

She started sleeping 4 hours at night at just 4 days old!! Now it can range from anywhere between 5 & 8 hours! She is averaging 6 hours each night. PRAISE THE LORD! Mama feels quite rested :)

Olivia is handling the adjustment VERY well. She is very excited to help with caring for her little sister. She is keen to get the diapers & wipes and of course give Jordyn a soother when she's whimpering. Lots of kisses are given too. Olivia says she excited to share her toys once Jordyn's old enough to play with them :)

Corey and I are also adjusting very well. Life with two kids is quite busy as you of 2 or more kids know :) We are enjoying every minute though and feel extremely blessed to be given the family we have. Olivia and Jordyn are gifts indeed.

On that note, as we head into Christmas (tomorrow), may we all find the time to reflect on the real reason for the season - Jesus' birth!! Praise God for sending His Son so that we may

have eternal life.

Merry Christmas friends. May 2010 bring you unimaginable blessings and God's complete joy, peace, and love.

God Bless!

Praise Him in the Easy AND Hard Times?

Hi TEAM!

I subscribe to a daily devotional called "Girlfriends in God". It is an amazing tool to help in developing your relationship with the Lord. Although the title includes "Girlfriends", you men reading this can take a tidbit from today's devotional :) Read on about how we can praise our faithful Father in the easy AND hard times. If you want to check out the website, click here.
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Today's Truth
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (NIV).

Friend To Friend
Someone recently gave me a refrigerator magnet that said, "I know God promises to never give me more than I can handle. But sometimes, I just wish he didn't trust me so much." When trials come and life seems hard, we plead with God to deliver us from the problem when many times his plan is to deliver us in the problem. Praise does not depend upon an understanding of the circumstance or trial. Praise depends upon faith in the God of that circumstance or trial.

As humans, we will never fully understand God - this side of heaven. God is holy and without blemish. God is all powerful and omniscient. He is Creator of the universe and yet lives in you and me. He is the only true, living God! We may understand some of his ways and comprehend the reasoning behind some of his plans. We may even come to the place of knowing him on what we call an intimate level, but a full understanding of God is reserved for heaven. Until then, we walk by faith, not by sight. We praise him in the darkness, knowing that the light is just ahead. We trust him for things we cannot see and praise him in the valleys. Honestly, the thought of serving and relying on a God I can understand is not a reassuring thought.

Most people who know me well would describe me as a strong person, someone who can usually handle what life holds. I thought the same thing until, in 1995, I found myself a powerless, prisoner of the darkness as I battled clinical depression. It took me two long years to climb out of that pit and not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of that wonderful, horrible time. One of the many lessons I learned from my "pit experience" was that I cannot depend upon my own strength or my fickle emotions. God often asked me to praise him when, as far as I could tell, there wasn't a whole lot to praise him for! I didn't feel like praising him. I began to understand that praise is not a feeling but a choice, a step of obedience taken without the assurance of a changed circumstance or the elimination of a trial. Praise focuses on God, not the circumstance, and fixes its gaze upon God's truth and God's character instead of the trial at hand or the one just ahead. That's why we can celebrate the battle before it begins. The outcome is neither our responsibility nor our goal. Praise begins and ends with faith in the very nature, personality and integrity of God ... and that reality never changes.

No matter what lies ahead, God is faithful. No matter how hot the fiery trial may be, God will deliver us. No matter what man says or does, God loves and accepts us. So praise God! Thank him today for every victory tomorrow holds! Celebrate - knowing the battle belongs to God and because of that single truth, victory is certain.

Now It's Your Turn
Begin your "Joy Journal" by recording the daily blessings he gives you each day. Remember to add the "small" miracles as well as the "large" ones. At the end of the week, have a private praise service - just you and God. Thank him for his presence and power at work in your life.

Memorize Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (NIV).

Think about it...

· When I hear the word "praise", what comes to my mind?

· Do I really believe my life can bring God pleasure?

· After reading Psalm 139, how do I think God sees me?

· What are the sources of discouragement in my life?

· What steps do I need to take to eliminate those sources?

Let's Pray
Father, I praise You today for all that You have done in my life. You are faithful even when I am faithless. Your love pursues me even when I am unlovable. Your forgiveness covers my sin and frees me from its penalty. Lord, teach me to praise You. Help me to see and understand the power of praising You in my life. I want to bring You pleasure, Father. I praise You for your love and faithfulness to me. Your presence in my life changes everything, empowering me to live each moment of every day, content in knowing You are in control. As I face today, Lord, remind me that no matters what happens, I can praise You!

In Jesus' name,
Amen