Relaxing Vs Refreshing

I recently read this post on Steady Mom and really took it to heart. Basically, it says just because something might be relaxing it may actually be draining, not refreshing. Which, for me, is true. I enjoy watching Netflix and catching up on all my latest shows and movies, but in the end I don't feel refreshed, I feel drained.

Contrast that with this morning where I went running/walking out on the Brushy Creek trails and came back energized and ready to tackle the day! And no, it wasn't relaxing running a mile and walking a mile - but it was refreshing.

I've decided I need this "recharge" for my system as it's constantly being drained down to the last drop with my energetic boys, so I've instituted refreshing time into my day. I do have to sacrifice a little sleep for it, but in the end I think it's worth it. I've set up a daily run at Brushy Creek which starts before the kids get up and ends right as they are waking. Mark is here pretty late in the mornings so if they do rise early, it's not a big deal. And I get 2 hours of refreshing time out in nature, plus the bonus benefit of exercise.

I'm pretty excited about the whole arrangement and I hope it's something I can keep in my schedule for a long time to come!

So what recharges your batteries?

In current Zavala events:

- Last week our AC went out!
- Corbin mysteriously started limping one morning. It lasted about 2 days then disappeared.
- Hayden had his last day of school on Friday! Woohoo - you've no idea how excited I am about not having to get up every morning and drive him to school. He really does NOT like school.
- I got really industrious and shampooed half of our living room.
- Hayden's room is finally painted. Two colors Spa and Cloud Nine from Olympic.
- I cleaned out one of our chests and found about 10 things we've been searching for in the last year. Among the missing: Winter gear for Corbin, piano sheet music, Mark's hat, and Corbin's next size for shoes.
- I finally put everything back in it's proper location from when we put up the Christmas tree and had to move furniture around.
- Mark and I had a "great" idea to take a drive today with the thought that the kids would fall asleep and we'd have some peace to chill out and talk. No such luck. Our little ones were wide eyed most of the 2 hours with Corbin falling asleep for about 10 minutes. This led to 4pm naps and 10pm bedtimes - ugh. Wish me luck tomorrow.

Corbin attempting to stay cool with no AC on Thurs/Fri

**This post is part of the Moms' 30-Minute Blog Challenge

I'm Here

Hello hello my bloggy friends. I know...I've been gone.

Ever been bodyboarding? When you're first learning you have these times when everything is going really well, and then for some reason you fly off your board, roll around in the water, get pummeled by waves, and probably end up losing either the top or bottom of your bikini. Or was that just me?
Anyway - that's what life feels like right now. At this point, I'm sitting in the surf looking for my swimsuit and hoping that nobody got it on video.

Is life just a series of pummels? It feels that way a lot of the time. My periods of calm seem to be getting smaller and smaller, and the "trials" last longer and longer.
Anyone who has been reading this blog for long knows that I have no problem getting personal and deep with complete strangers. That being said, I'm also extremely protective of the privacy of my family and friends. Hence, you've probably never read much about my friends or personal things about my family (kid poop stories don't count) that don't expressly involve me. I don't feel it's my place to write about someone else's story.
So there are a lot of things we've been working through, a lot of tears shed, that will never appear on here. But just know that they are there. Life can be rough to us all - and we're no exception.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

I seriously would be drowning without the support of my Almighty. Every day I wake up to a new "crisis" and yet, I have peace. When the waves of anxiety and fear begin to rise up around me, I can breathe deeply and say - It is well with my soul. I don't have to look to tomorrow with worry, I don't have to regret the past, I just have to live this single moment. I have to rejoice in the knowledge that He is in control. I have to hand out some of this overflow of love He's given me. I have to share my experiences, and encourage others in theirs. I have to follow His path and listen to His instructions. I have to release my vice grip on the things of this world (which include people) and freely give it all to Him. I have to choose, everyday:

Will I look into the face of crashing waves and inside feel only calm waters?

The Old Life

My purse has grown into duffel bag size proportions.

In college, I carried only a wallet on my key chain.

My "essentials" include pull-ups, wipes, toy cars, and crayons.

I used to drive a red Dodge Dakota Sport, now I drive an SUV.


"Sleeping in" means waking up at 9am. I faintly remember days of getting up at noon on a Saturday and thinking it was early.

My "reading list" includes How Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, We're Going On A Bear Hunt, and Hop on Pop, instead of Stephen King and the latest self help book.

My "studying" is now centered around potty training, nutrition, language and sensory development of preschoolers instead of packets, netflow, or the latest Cisco certification.


My heart now walks around outside my body in two pieces - their names are Hayden and Corbin.


I have a LOT more stretch marks and other parting "gifts".


I laugh a LOT more than I ever did.


I smile every day.


I am completely at peace and full of joy at least once a day.


I am challenged to the edge of my limits each and every day.


I am humbled every day by what I know I cannot do without God.

I am a mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all of us who have given up our old lives
and gained one of the most precious gifts ever - motherhood.