Happy Birthday Molly!

Molly is 7!

My baby turned seven last week.  SEVEN.  

She chose to celebrate her birthday participating in the Feed My Starving Children event I was working on through our church.  Our church partnered with 18 other churches in our area to try to be the largest packing event in the 25 years of Feed My Starving Children.  Naturally, I offered to help.  The week changed my life.  But, this post is about Molly…

So selflessly, Molly also chose to partner with FMSC for her birthday.  She packed twice last week, once with school and once as her birthday party.  The picture above shows her with her class.  She wore her shamrock shirt to bring extra luck to the children who will receive the meals we packed.  And she worked hard packing meals and ended up packing 75 boxes in her two packs.

What this tells me is my little lady is turning into quite a giving young lady.  Her New Years resolution was to help people.  Her choice in birthday party did just that for several children in Nicaragua (the food is already on the way there).  But, I have also noticed some other changes in Molly over the past year.  She no longer believes herself to be a princess dressed beautifully in jewels and waiting for her prince.  Instead, she is becoming aware of what it means to be strong, fast, smart, and capable in her own way.  She is a kind and giving person, who will be the first to offer help to others.  She is a hard worker, willing to stretch herself to learn new things.  She doesn't believe she can be limited because of gender or age.  Yet, her smiling face and positive spirit have remained, and grown stronger.  When she grows up, she says, she would like to be just like Mommy, only taller.

Although her birthday party included giving to others, she was still the center of attention.  She spent her actual birthday as the center of the family with a special breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Grandma Nan was able to join us for the birthday diner.  And, she received gifts too!  Then on Saturday she packed meals with 14 friends and their families.  Although the friends were asked to make donations instead of bring gifts, Molly left with a blanket that her friends all signed.  The blanket sits in a place of honor in her room.  She had a quick lunch with Grandpa and Grandma McLaughlin with more gifts.  And on Sunday she got to spend time with the Eckers and get a few more gifts.  Her American Girl dolls are very well situated now!  And she felt very loved and appreciated by Sunday night.

We celebrate Molly's seven years and look forward to watching her continue to grow into a true lady of generosity and love.