This Crazy Wonderful Justice Life: Shake Time

I think life at this point may be best summarized by an explanation of "shake time". This tradition has been in practice since Hannah was born. It's a little nutty, but it's us. It is our favorite time of day and symbolizes much more than what meets the eye...or mouth.

Every afternoon at about 3-4 PM, before the kids wake up from their naps and/or our afternoon clients, Steve is charged with making our massive nightly protein shakes. The ingredients for these is a BIG secret and might be shared on our business website if you are lucky :).

The afternoon ensues; girls awaken, clients are trained, and the late-afternoon hours are spent running around in the neighborhood, preparing dinner, and somehow surviving the infamous "witching hours". We usually sit down to eat by 6PM and we EAT SLOW. Daddy tells us about his classes and clients, Hannah tells us stories that make no sense but are absolutley hilarious, Hope makes a complete mess and squawks constantly for more food or just attention in general, and Mommy well....tries to get food in her mouth while simultaneously feeding Hope, asking Hannah to chew with her mouth shut, and staying attentive to her husband whose primary love language is definitely quality time.

About 30 minutes later (yes, we take at least that long to eat, as we strongly believe (and research shows) that family dinner time is about so much more than just eating), we leave the table and clean up the mess. Steve is in charge of dishes, I clean up the table area, and the girls find a way to make the process take way longer than it should :). We then head up for baths or "kitchen sink it", which has been our latest fun trend. Clean PJs and diapers are applied, milk is given, and books are read. We sing "Holy Holy" and usually another praise melody, give God our greatest thanks, praises, and petitions, and shut out the lights. Then, we breathe.

We usually have to take showers ourselves at this point and Steve sits down at the computer to create his playlist for the next day's classes. I usually stretch or roll out and turn on SportsCenter to get caught up on my favorite happenings. Then, once the playlist is done, everything is tidy, breakfasts' are made, and Steve's slew of drinks and snacks are prepared for his day ahead, it is SHAKE TIME.

We never start our shakes without the other. This sometimes requires patience on one or both of our parts, but it is well worth the wait. At this point, our shakes have been in the freezer for up to 4 hours, and are nice and frozen, which means it will take us at least 45 minutes to get though it all. Sometimes we leave the TV on, if something is worth the watching. If not, we just turn it off. Despite the fact that we have a sectional and over sized couch, we choose sit in the loveseat: close and cuddled. We do our cheers, and kiss each other, say "I love you" and begin picking at the delicacy we love most.

Shake time represents a day well-done. A day in which we gave it our all: in classes, with clients, with the girls, with eachother, and most importantly, for our Saviour. Shake time is a celebration for all that we have been graciously given yet do no deserve. Shake time reminds us that, no matter how hard the day was, we are still each other's best friend. We liken this time to when Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, says that he has "fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith" (4:7).

It's really, really hard to stay on the narrow path. To do the right thing when no one is watching. To go the extra mile. To put our needs after the needs of our spouse, our kids, and our "cloud of witnesses". But Jesus taught that to truly find life, we must die. Marriage teaches this lesson like no other life experience. And whenever we fail to die, to surrender, to let go (which we do too often) we always, eventually, fall flat on our face from being frustrated, angry, or just plain exhausted. His way is the only way; the only way to experience the fullness of life, the depth of our Creator's presence, the riches of His majesty, the wonders of His love...
We desire no other Way.

So, we continue with shake time, no matter the cost. For shake time, with all of its imperfections, is just a glimpse of the perfection yet to come.

Since Hannah's 3rd Birthday, this is what has been goin' on!

Sweet Boone Cousins.

Silly Eric at Gray's Lax Game.

Yeah, be bought a Jeep. Then we returned a jeep...long story!

Fun with neighbors. This hood' is absolutley fantastic. Kids out playing until the sun goes down every evening.

She turned 1! Fantastic homemade cupcakes from Aunt Michele. Celebrations with neighbors. Little cookout with the Goodwin, Dragelin, and Semel family.