Devotional For All Of Us Invisible Women

Per your request, here is the devotional I read today at Bethany and Emmiley's shower:

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously, not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.' I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England .. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:

'To My Dear Friend, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.' In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.' At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're going to love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Alexander Socktopus

Here is the Alexander socktopus. It's Sarah's and she's in love with it. She drew the face on a piece of paper and told me to embroider it just like that on the octopus, so I did. I had so much fun making this!!

Welcome our 2 little additions....our Soctopus family

Thanks, Ladies, for a super-fun night! I love my little Soctopi!

Welcome Madison Noel!

Madison Noel Davis was born at 6:45am on Sunday January 25th at Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. She was 19 3/4" long and 7 lbs. 13 oz.

Congratulations to the proud parents, Rachel and Dan!

Welcome Madison!

Mom and Baby are doing well.

Girls' Night Out at Scottie Dog Quilts!

It's that time again! We're doing another sewing/craft night at Scottie Dog Quilts next Tuesday from 6-9. We're making a "Socktopus" which is the octopus version of the sock monkey. You will need 2 pair of socks, matching or not. This is a beginner level project. You can bring another sewing/craft project if you like as well. If you have a sewing machine please bring it. Hope to see you all then!

Shower for Bethany and Emmiley!

We're throwing a shower for Bethany and Emmiley!

Where: Amy's House

When: Thursday, January 29, 11:00AM

Please e-mail Molly or April for address and directions

Come & celebrate the new addition to the Cseh family! Bethany, Jason, and Isaac have been blessed to welcome sweet Emmiley into their family! Let's shower Bethany and Emmiley with love and blessings! Please bring a potluck dish and a special bead to affirm Emmiley as we will make a sun catcher for her window! We will also have a "stroller tree" as Bethany and Jason are saving some dough to buy a double jogger stroller to run their kiddos around town in! (and probably a marathon or two!) If you have any questions, you can contact Molly or April!

Fun in the Sun!!

We've been having such unseasonably warm weather the past week, so we decided to get out in the sun and had an outing to Sequoia Park! We had a great time soaking up some rays and the kids loved being outside and playing. Here are a few pics of the day:

Soaking in the sun

Practicing for America's Top Model :)

Happy girl!

Congratulations Bethany, Jason, and Isaac - Welcome Emmiley!

Bethany announced today that she and Jason are cleared to adopt Emmiley! I'm so excited for them! I've been amazed watching God work in their lives as they took this little girl into their home, knowing that she might not be there forever, but trusting God for His perfect plan. Many of us have prayed and waited to see how things would unfold. As it turns out, Emmiley was meant to be their daughter! We're over joyed for you all, and are looking forward to getting to know your new addition, Emmiley. I know a shower is in the works...stay posted for details!


I swiped this pic off of Bethany's facebook, hope that's ok Bethany! Here she is with adorable Emmiley. This girl is going to be so blessed to be part of the Cseh family!!

Mom's Night Out at Scottie Dog Quilts!!

It's that time again...a girls' sewing/craft night at Scottie Dog Quilts! Yay!
Wednesday, January 14, from 6-9PM
Scottie Dog Quilts, Corner of Harris and Summer Sts in Eureka (close to our dear Miss Molly).
The number at the shop is 444-9662, feel free to call for directions, questions, etc.
There are a couple of machines available for use at the store, but if you have one, try to bring it, and bring a project, whether it be machine sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, etc!!
There are also irons/ironing boards and there is a ton of fabric, too :)
Hope to see you!

Birthday Dance

Valerie and Isaac sent Charlie a music birthday card. He really enjoyed it! In the post below this one is a short video clip of his enjoyment.

Thank you to everyone who made Charlie's birthday so special. I really think he enjoyed himself at our little mommies group party. Thank you so much.
--Kim

Charlie's Birthday Card Dance

Charlie's Birthday Party

Yesterday was Charlie's third birthday and we had a party for him at mommies' group! Here are some cute pics Molly took of the birthday boy, brother and mama.

Congratulations Melisa - Welcome Isaiah!

Melisa had her baby boy on January 5th around 6 pm!! I'm trying to get more details, and will post them when I get them. Congratulations Melisa and family!

Update: Isaiah James Hoffman was born at his grandpa and grandma's house January 5th at 5:51 pm. He was 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 1/2". Way to go mama! Our very own Deanna was one of her midwives! Isaiah and mama will be visiting mommy's group soon.

I got a pic of the little cutie from facebook. :)

Charlie's Birthday!

This Thursday is Charlie's 3rd Birthday! We'll be meeting at Bethany's house. Thought I'd give us a head's up on that. I'll keep you posted on any special plans....

Update: We're celebrating Charlie's birthday on Thursday and there will be cup cakes and other yummy stuff to eat. Hope to see you all then!