Liliana turns 3

Our sweet little girl turned 3 one week ago. Liliana, how is it possible that you are 3?

As I sit here writing you play around me in an imaginary world, with a pot lid for a shield and a spatula for a sword. You already have a dress on, as you would live in those if you could.

The morning of your birthday...a princess tiara and a pirate sword (this combination perfectly describes you!)

We are in this funny place where you are simultaneously so sweet and so feisty...it is the age of you discovering your own will and trying to enforce it, while we help you discover how to do so with respect and with healthy boundaries.

Your birthday day was so fun! You woke up so very excited, aware from the first moment that IT WAS YOUR BIRTHDAY. Your eyes shone with excitement and anticipation. It is the first year you have been old enough to do this. We had chocolate chip pancakes and bacon for breakfast (your favorite), and steak and pasta (your request) with some veggies (mama's requirement) for dinner with our family all gathered around.

Opening a present from Nonna and Papa!

A new Lottie Doll (a great toy for any Mamas reading!)

With beloved Uncle Vince who THOUGHTFULLY
bought you the beautiful dress you have on!

A strong Daddy who loves you so well!

You spent most of your birthday helping me scrub and cook to host our family for dinner, but I felt as though it maybe wasn't such a bad lesson to learn...that our hearts are most fulfilled when we give, rather than receive. Of course, your 3 year old self LOVED receiving presents.

As I looked at you, my sweet girl, revelling in birthday celebrations that night, I marvelled at your inner and outer beauty.

My darling, you are so beautiful!

You have a sweet voice, kind heart, inquisitive mind, feisty spirit, sense of adventure, love of creatures, need to cuddle, tender way...you captivate and amaze us with your beauty. We want you to remember always how beautiful and what a gift you are!

"Beautiful. A work of art - full of life, exploding with a unique, dynamic, vibrant energy.

Beautiful. Eyes like the morning, a strong and powerful spirit, a face that brims with joy and hope. Beautiful because you were formed by God. Beautiful because He has known you since before you even existed. He has loved you since the beginning of time. Beautiful because you're real, beautiful because you ARE." (Matt Walsh)

Chocolate cupcakes with strawberry icing (flavored and coloured
with REAL strawberries!) YUMMY!!

Sweet girl with your big bow (of course your choice
for hair accessory!)

I love you so, my lovely little lady!

We praise our good God for the gift of YOU, Liliana Joy., In this year that has passed you have only continued to make the lives of all who meet you more rich and more joy-filled. Your middle name couldn't be more perfect. We pray that you continue to know Jesus' love for you through how we love you.

We love you so much, our darling sweet girl.

Bubble Baths and Grace

She sits with the bubbles up to her armpits, her beautifully perfect little back and kissable shoulders peeking above them. Her hair all sudsy with the smell of strawberries and lavender, she begs me "mama use the little cup!"

Things are simple around the Packard household these days. The adventures of two newly married gave way to the busyness of two and a first born. This busyness has in turn been replaced by quiet days around the house or playing outside with a firstborn and a chubby little brother. However, these simple moments time and again give me profound glimpses of how our good God loves us.

She begs me to use the little cup to rinse her hair out. The little cup is TINY! It pours out maybe an ounce, and it takes at least twenty little cups to wash all of the soap out of her hair. I keep thinking to myself that it would be so much faster and her angst would be so much lessened if I used a big bucket.

Then it occurs to me that this is how God loves us. He sees the big picture, and He sees how much easier we could make things for ourselves if we would just open our hearts to His outpouring of grace. Yet, He respects our freedom and doesn't impose on our fears and insecurities. If we need Him to pour His grace on us little by little, to reveal His magnificent plan for our lives in very small doses, that is what He does.

And so I use the little cup, and ounce by ounce her fine blonde hair is rinsed, not without a little sadness about water in eyes and a little more sadness about how long it is taking. Yet, she insists I continue with the little cup and so we do...as my heart turns to a God above who is little by little pouring His grace into my life in such a way that I am not afraid or overwhelmed. Instead I am able to be slowly washed clean by His merciful love.

xoxo

Gratitude

This friday night as I stand in our kitchen listening to the rain I am so very grateful for...

- My darling husband who works so hard for us. He is currently away in the Yukon Territories filming a promotional video for a fishing lodge. He has recently discovered his great passion (and immense talent!) for photography, videography, and photo/video editing. Tenacious about finding new ways to bring in a little extra income for our family, he picked up this job. The bizarre thing about it is that he is in the wilderness (a 45 minute helicopter ride from civilization!). Radio silence for a week. This has never happened since I've known Joe and OH my heart feels heavy missing him. I love this sweet photo from last week of Liliana asleep on his lap. He is her first love, and she is so secure in his arms...

- The song "What I Wouldn't Do" by Serena Ryder. These days when we get in the car Liliana immediately says, "MOMMY DON'T SING!" Considering the fact that she begs me to sing her to sleep every nap and every night, this is (I hope) less a statement about my singing voice and more about the fact that I've sang this song too many times. However, the words are so powerful to me and resonate deeply in my heart. I love putting it on in the car and singing my heart out to it....to me it speaks of both fighting the good fight with my husband and not letting anything stop me from loving him as I'm called to, while simultaneously reminding me that he has opened my eyes to so much beauty and so much love. It's awesome!

- Sunshine! We've been blessed with some beautiful days of sunshine and the kids and I are taking advantage of it. Our poor home looks slightly neglected but when we wake up and see the sun shining it beckons us outside. I love seeing Liliana and her athletic little self motoring down the side walk on her strider bike, climbing at the park, and most recently jumping in the water at the SPRAY PARK! We've had two super fun outings to the spray park. Summer in Calgary is just glorious because it is not too hot to be outside, instead you can spend all day. Nothing like putting a child to sleep who has spent all day running and playing....instant slumber :)

She has her daddy's springy legs!

Sweet little man absolutely LOVES
splashing in the water!

These days this little one is unstoppable on any
climbing structure

We LOVE Auntie Anna! I captured this sweet candid moment between
Liliana and Auntie Anna today. L so looks up to her Auntie!

- Sibling love. These days Judah's absolute adoration for his big sister is all the more apparent. He literally seeks her constantly and his whole face lights up when he sees her! Whenever she makes happy sounds the most delighted little squeaks come out of Judah, as though he can't get enough of her happiness. It melts my heart and reminds me all the more the gift that siblings are to each other.

"Oh big sister, everything you do is so amazing!"
I love his hand on her leg...he is ALWAYS trying to hold onto her!

- Viber! Have you heard of the free app Viber? It is an awesome way to keep in touch (as long as you have either unlimited date or wifi). Jocelyn is in Spain and Eve has made her married way to Granada, but we've been able to send video, voice, and picture messages effortlessly and regularly through viber. It is AWESOME! (for a stay at home mom I suppose it is the little things that make life awesome, but for me this is one of them)

- Sweet chubby babies. Enough said.

"I'm a little uncertain here, mama!"

"If I smile will you pick me up?"

I am one blessed lady!

Love and prayers as always,

xoxo