Relationships…I must be honest and tell you that to me this has often been used in my vocabulary much as I would use a four letter curse word. And trust me, I have used enough of those in my lifetime to know what I’m talking about – and to which my husband has actually (on more than one occasion) washed my mouth out with soap. But that is a story for another day.

Relationships – they just seem to be one of those unsolved mysteries of life. Now understand I am only talking from my perspective out of my own experience – I certainly don’t lump everyone in with my way of thinking. But think about it for a moment. Relationships are so multi-faceted. There are the relationships that we have that are ‘surfacey’ – you know the quick glances and nods that you give to those you pass in the grocery store with the occasional mouthing of the word ‘hi’. There are those with others who you would like to go deeper with, but somehow you can’t even seem to scratch the surface. There are those you have to have – the default factor - because they are a spouse to your spouse’s best friend or they are someone that you work with and therefore can’t avoid. There is the spouse/significant other relationship – this one can be tricky, for they are either the one you divulge everything to, who know you at your best and worst or they are the one you try to hide everything from – not wanting them to know your worst, but thinking of you only as the best. (The latter is not the preferred way to go – FYI). There are those who always seem to make you feel better about yourself – be it by the sweet things that they say or the fact that they don’t do ‘xyz’ or don’t have ‘xyz’ and just knowing that seems to give you a bit of a boost. (Don’t look down your nose at me – you’ve had those kind – you’re just not admitting it). There are the unrealistic relationships – you know the kinds that you see in movies and therefore feel should be played out in real life. I mean don’t you ever just look at your mother-in-law, sister, or friend and think – did you not see ‘Beaches’ – do you need to re-read your script one more time so that you can get it right this time? (Please note the sarcasm).  There are the family relationships that can so often be fraught with misunderstandings, miscommunication and/or assumptions. And well, the list goes on and on. As I sit and think of all of the relationships in my life – there is not one that is the same, each is different, requiring a different approach, thought process and so forth. It’s no wonder that they can stress me (a most non-relational person) out!! To those of you who are all about relationships – my hat is off to you – you will have to one day reveal your secret to me.
 
Am I good at relationships? Let’s just say ‘no’ and keep going. But what would my life be like without them? Pretty boring for starters. The relationships of my life – both those that I’ve had and even those I’ve longed to have – have helped to forge me into the woman that I am. They have strengthened me, they’ve brought out my weaknesses, and most of all they have kept me on my knees before my Father. They’ve allowed for me to experience my most joyous moments and they’ve even broken my heart in ways I couldn’t even describe to you. And yet strangely I have headed down a new path where relationships are all that my life is about. It is more nerve wracking than I can fully describe to you, but it is also so incredibly rewarding. The building of relationships with the goal of introducing them to the One relationship that will forever change their lives. So what’s backing this long winded bit of rambling – just the sweet reminder of how dear relationships can actually be that I received yesterday from my friend Sara and that I am witnessing in my husband from so many miles away. I met with my dearest friend Sara who lavished me with time, words of encouragement, experiences from her life, small doses of reality, sweet gifts, love for my kids, a listening ear and a genuine care for me that I have not felt in a long time. She was my tangible Jesus – washing my feet in so many countless ways. While at the same time the love of my life has been at home – working long hours at his job – providing not just for my family’s day-to-day needs, but also providing in such a manner that I am privileged enough to stay at home with our kids. He has worked a long full work day each day and then come home each night to work into the wee hours trying to put the house back in shape. It is this same kind of love, genuineness and sacrifice of self that I see in both of these precious people, in both relationships that I share, that I realize I need to embody everyday with everyone I encounter. Yes, relationships can be hard – but they are necessary, they are vital and they can yield unbelievable results. To you my sweet Sara and you my handsome man – thank you for your love – thank you for reminder of Whose I am and Who I need to reflect in my life. I find myself eagerly awaiting my arrival back home that I may dive deeper still into the relationships I’ve begun and watch where the Lord will take them!

This morning's conversation...
     We are sitting around watching Ratatouille and Isaac is playing with his farm animals when all of a sudden he stops, looks up at me and says...
     "Mmmmm...something smells good!"
     "Oh, really? Something smells good?"
     "Yes! A popsicle!"
     "A popsicle?!? Is that what you smell?"
     "Yes! I'll have one - thank you."
Just when I thought I couldn't see any resemblance between he and I... He's slick - you have to give him that! He's currently enjoying his grape popsicle! What a mess!!

This is probably one of my favorite restaurants!! It is just a mom-and-pop soup and sandwich place, but man it's good food!! If you're ever in Kentucky you'll have to try it out!!! I had the lovely pleasure of getting to eat there yesterday. If it tells you anything - I forgot to take a picture of the girls I was eating with and only took one of the restaurant. I apparently have some issues... I did meet up with three old friends who I used to work with. I have endured some of my hardest and most painful times as well as some of my sweetest and most awesome times with these women. They helped make me stronger in who I am as a woman and as a Christian - and I love them dearly. It was a nice afternoon. - Gina, Gwen and Barb - I love you!

Chris - I meant to post this yesterday, but your baby girl was up having a party around 3 in the morning - so by 9:30 last night I was passed out. Anyway, you asked me to keep you posted on what we were doing and what we looked like...so here's what we looked like yesterday. Haven't we changed? Kidding. Love you!!

Today was a little low key. Isaac is still trying to adjust to his new surroundings - so his sleeping and therefore listening abilities are a little lacking. He's having a blast with grandma and papa though and is coming up with some rather interesting new songs. It's kind of like 'speaking in tongues' set to music. Lacie is going with the flow - and has reached yet another milestone. Last week she rolled tummy to back - today she started rolling back to tummy. She is laughing or talking all of the time - which has grandma and papa grinning more than I've ever seen. Talked to Chris and it seems he spent most of last night enhaling drywall dust. For those of you who don't know - our house is trashed right now - I mean that quite literally. We had our one year repairs done Thursday and Friday last week and walked out of the house with every stick of furniture moved to the center of every room. Every picture sitting in a closet. And just for consistency - every wall has been patched and mudded - making sure that Chris has to redo them all. All of that to say Chris has a lot of work ahead of him over these next few weeks. And baby doll - I love you for it. Don't take it all on - do what you can. Remember to eat! Remember to sleep!! Because of our low key day - here are a few pics from our weekend. Both babies are now asleep - so I think I will join them.

This weekend was so much fun. The four of us traveled to West Virginia to see Tim and Emily's house and spend some time with them. Something that we hadn't been able to do and so terribly missed!! The extra cool part about it was that Chris' mom and dad, and younger brother John and his sweetheart Nicole came up too. We spent almost the entire weekend talking and playing hand-and-foot (to which Emily finally broke her 9 year losing streak - you go girl!) It was so cool to play and laugh together (turns out I can rock to 'guitar hero' and actually not get booed off of the stage - pretty cool - and of course I'm hooked on the game). We got to worship together - which is always a high for me - and I even got to sit and listen to Tim preach to his teens. (I am so proud of you by the way). For those of you who have spent even two seconds with me anytime lately you will know that the void of family has been heavy on my heart - so this weekend just rocked!! I am so terribly proud to call these guys my family.

Tim and Emily - I love you all more than I can express. I am so proud of the heart that you each have for Christ, for the way that you are caring for the teens of your church and the children of your community. I cannot wait for my little niece or nephew to come on the scene - no child will ever quite have been loved like this little one will be. Keep us up on the adoption! John - Nicole is a sweetie and I can't wait to get to know her more. I'm proud of all that you are doing to further the kingdom for Christ as you grow closer to Him as well. I love you all - thanks for the awesome weekend. Mom and Dad - thank you for allowing the kids and I to come crash your world for a few weeks. We love you so much. Chris - Thank you for the man that you are - my best friend. And the awesome job that you are doing as father to our two angels. And for the gift of your family - only you truly know what it means to me. I miss you terribly and can't wait to see you when we get home!

Here is the blog (insprired by recent events in the Cinnamon household) that I wrote for Journey Church...

Have you ever noticed that life is sometimes difficult, even painful? Over the last few weeks I have experienced some minor heartbreaks and witnessed those that I love endure unyielding ones. In my own humanness I, of course, want to avoid any such difficulties and would do anything to take such experiences away from those I care for so deeply. In the midst of such thoughts – God sweetly reminded me of something…

On Monday, I went into my four month olds room to wake her and get her ready for the day. As I walked to her crib – I noticed that she was lying on her back - a position I could not recall placing her in. As I began to think back to when I laid her down – I realized that I had in fact laid her on her tummy and that this could only mean one thing – she had rolled herself over! Wanting to verify that this is what she had done, I whisked her out of her crib and laid her, again, on her tummy - this time on the floor. Within seconds of laying her down – the frustration and tears began to well up inside of her. This was not a position that she wanted to be in. Worse than that, it was a position that she didn’t think she could get out of. She sobbed. She screamed. I can only imagine what must have gone through her little mind – knowing that I was right there, knowing that I could hear her cries and yet wasn’t ‘coming to her rescue’. And for a brief minute I even thought of reaching down, scooping her up and just holding her in my arms. But what would she learn through that? For a variety of reasons, learning to roll over is an important thing that she needed to know how to do. And while she couldn’t understand - I knew I needed to let her work through it. It took only a minute, though it must have felt like an eternity to her – and she easily rolled herself over. After much praising and many kisses – she now, just a few days later, can lay on her stomach much more contented knowing that when she is tired she can simply roll over.

What a strange, but sweet reminder from my God. There are difficulties, hardships, even pain that He allows for us to go through. In those moments we don’t understand, we don’t see an end or a way out and we find ourselves sobbing, screaming or even crying out in frustration. We know that He is there; we know that He can hear our cries, and we know that He could easily ‘come to our rescue.’ But often He doesn’t. He, knowing how enduring this difficulty will ultimately strengthen us or teach us, allows for us to experience it and work through it. Once we have – He stands ready to lavish us with His love. It is a pain that yields a comeback that often goes beyond description.

Today marked an exciting day here in the ol' Cinnamon house! Lacie rolled over!! Yeah Lacie!! As with anything that we try to accomplish for the first time - it was quite the struggle :) - wanted you all to share in the moment (although technically this was her second attempt!) Also my first attempt at camera work! Yeah Sarah! Enjoy!

Many people have asked me what it is like to now be a stay-at-home mom. While it took some adjusting at first (primarily becasue I was detoxing from a 50+ hour a week job and was pregnant) - I feel like I've gotten into a rhythm and absolutely love it. The one thing that I do miss however is adult conversation!! Don't get me wrong - Isaac is quite engaging - but it's just not quite the same as 'girltalk'. For example - here are a few of today's main topics...

    * My tummy's telling me I'm hungry (self explanatory)
    * I need a possible to feel me better (I need a popsicle to help me feel better).
     * I'm dancing with my peepee (Please don't ask).

It's these types of conversations that get me excited/nervous for what tomorrow holds! :) And keeps me loving life with my babies! (However, anyone up for a little 'girltalk' - feel free to give me a shout out any ol' time!!) :)

When you have a 3 year old and a 3 month old you often find yourself in the middle of conversations you never-in-a-million-years thought you would be in. I was sitting in the livingroom with Sarah yesterday and after changing Lacie's diaper Sarah said, 'Look at the color of that poop! How can it get so bright Green like that?' Good question, I guess. I really didn't want to look and at the time had no desire to find out why it was that color, but low-and-behold the internet has yet another useful feature - loads of crap (pun intended) you might need to know someday. You have to check out www.smellypoop.com for all the details on poop you never wanted to know. I found myself entertained and informed. I'm looking forward to the section called 'Facts on Farts'. Enjoy!
-Chris

 

FYI..." Green poop in sick babies may come from iron in baby formula not being properly absorbed, or by green pigments in bile salts (again, green from iron)."

Each night - we go through our normal bedtime routine and part of that is to pray. We have been trying to pray for our family by name so that we can plant that seed in Isaac, as there are several he has never met and all are hours away. My favorites that he prays for our 'Grandma Great' and 'Tuncle Tim'.  :)

Okay, now I do have a quick question to both sides of the family. I am trying to fill in Lacie's baby book and I have hit a glitch on the family tree. I need to know the full names of both sets of great-grandparents - in other words both Chris and my grandma and grandaddy Lacy, Cooke, Powell and Cinnamon. I have at least one name of each great-grandparent - but they have slots for first, middle and last names. And being a very melancholy, anal, and detail oriented kind of gal - it's driving me CRAZY to have these empty blanks. So any help would be much appreciated. :) I hate to be exclusive so those of you not in the family are welcome to guess. :)