A little time to reflect...

And when I say "a little", I'm not messing around. Are you ever so busy with your usual activities...or planning the usual activities, that you don't really realize how busy you are until someone else points it out? I think that's me most of the time. Oh, it eventually catches up with me...and I would imagine this Fall it might be quicker than normal. My dad cringes at the thought of the schedule we keep around here (although he needs reminded of how it was when we were kids once in awhile). My mom did all the same running around...getting us here and there...sports...homework...youth groups...ya diddy ya! All this while working a very successful business mind you. Since I'm not "working" (or at least not getting paid for being a wife, mother, maid, nurse, tutor, counselor, secretary, athlete) I decided this past Spring that I would go back to school. You know...because of all the extra time on my hands. I just didn't know how "back to school" I was gonna go until I signed up for a POWER WALkING class that landed me on the Cross Country team. What?!? I know....seriously, I just needed a couple PE units and here I sit....or run, rather...with some pretty young, fast bodies. And while I'm not sporting a Varsity Letterman's jacket...I am wearing a C.O.D tank top that says "Run Cross Country, It's cheaper than lipo suction!" It may be cheaper, but if I actually had the money? Yep, from far away while running in a group, I look just like one of "them". It's when one of the football players is just about to give you a whistle (or is it a holla?...gotta keep up with the cool talk) and you know he saw the crows feet, cuz he tips his sideways wearing hat and says "hi mam"...ouch! So I look cute from far away...could be worse!

So in my little time to reflect....I have been thinking that I'm excited to see what I'm made of. I'm excited to show my boys that mom has more to offer than pancakes!

Rich's grandpa puts many things into perspective for me. This life goes by so fast...and while I don't want to be so busy that I miss out on what is important...I want to make sure I leave behind those things that are important.


And so I have decided when I'm and "elder", I want to be just like grandpa. While I might trade the suspenders in for a cute sweater set and corsage....I'm sure I'll have plenty more time to reflect...prayerfully with not many regrets.

Wait, what?

Mmmm Hmmm...another blog post. I'm a little rusty, I have to say. Facebook has made it way too easy to be a lazy blogger, but even my kids and hubs miss checking out a new post every so often.
Summer has been filled with swimming lessons (teaching), soak city, video games...ugh, running in 112 degree heat, did I say video games? I guess you can compare our summer to some peoples winter. Thank goodness it doesn't last as long...but it is stinkin' hot here. The kids can only swim so much...and as some friends and I established last night, their own pool gets boring. Spoiled much? Anyway...the Wii has gotten a workout to say the least. Brennen is almost done reading Moby Dick and has promised to do a book report (which would make up slightly for the gaming). We'll see how that goes. Bryce has informed us on a few occasions this summer that he doesn't like chores, doesn't want to do chores and that he's only 5 and kids shouldn't have to put away their own laundry. Hmmm....15 years old should be interesting. I've got a few good scary faces that seem to work on him (sometimes), but I think I need to work on some more and stock pile for the up and coming scenarios headed my way. We all know it won't be my height that keeps him in line!

I'll keep you posted on the rest of our summer events in the next couple weeks. Rich and I headed out to Vegas for our annual vacation...which really isn't a vacation at all. I think the most relaxing and enjoyable part of the whole trip is the 3 hour drive there and back. When you think about it...and if you know my husband, it's one of the only times I have the guy pinned down long enough to have more than a two sentence conversation with him. One where he even answers questions...bonus! Seriously....we were able to talk about the kids and all the craziness coming this Fall...which makes my head spin slightly. What can I say? Vegas is Vegas...smokey...with a touch of smoke, and dinging (if that's a word). I did play BINGO this time with a couple friends. Have you ever played 12 cards at once? Stressful...and smokey : ) We did have a good time, good food, great company, and did what we set out to do...buy tools. Business is picking up and Rich is working day and night to pay the bills. He's doing an awesome job and things are beginning to turn around. Praise God...and actually He gets the glory!
Most of you have seen this picture already...cuz that's right...it's my Facebook profile picture. But it cracks me up...and truly...if you know Rich and I, really captures who we are as a couple! He makes a goofy face in almost every picture we take, and I'm usually disappointed, hoping that maybe he acted like a "big boy" in at least one. So my new plan is just to post em' all anyway in an effort to get him to smile normal. I know...who am I kidding? Gotta love him...and boy do I!

Until next time...

i know, i know...

Okay Julie and Annie...this is for you. I don't even have time for a "real" blog post, but I know that if you see "Spring Bills" on my page one more time...I'm busted!
School has taken up quite a bit of my time...and while completely rewarding, blogging and cleaning my house have really taken a back seat. Thank God for an amazingly supportive husband who massages me after my running class and helps keep the kids busy while I study, as well as...wears wrinkled clothes because they have been sitting in the dryer for two days. He's even encouraging me to run on the Cross Country team (which I thought might be a little much). I think he's proud of me...and that feels good. My kids think it's pretty neat too, and don't even seem to realize that I'm an old lady compared to the youngsters I'm training and sitting in class with.
I'm done with finals this week, start a boot camp next week, and another running class the week after. Running in 110-115 temps should be interesting....and perhaps a smidge dehydrating. More to come...I promise!

Spring 'Bills"

So....in true de Lachica style (as my oldest brother pointed out), I missed my first Spring math class. There are several details that factor in to the reason why I missed, but I wouldn't put it past the oldest Lenarth to have missed a few classes himself. I have got a lot to live up to people! de Lachica/Lenarth...you get it. What a combo, I might add. Anyway...school is going great. I'm officially in with the professor. I think he just likes me because I'm the only one hanging on his every word...that, and I have no one to talk to and my texting skills really stink. Keep ya posted...

Apparently it's bathing suit season in the desert. Sad that no one bothered to warn my white, not tone enough body. Needless to say I got some sun and have worked out every day since "the visual". The one of me in a tankini no less...yikes!

How great is it to be a kid? Farmer tans, goggles, last years swim suits. You really have to admire that. Funny how dad's just fit right into that whole category....and without any effort :)

Aside from school....the other "Springs bills" are these flat bill hats that my kids have been introduced to. Thank goodness for Motorcycle Superstore Online. They sell youth size Fox Racing flat bills which are impossible to find anywhere. Rich has a rule, however. NO SIDEWAYS HATS!!! Wonder how this is gonna go over?!?

Hope you are enjoying your Spring weather....don't forget to change your clocks this Sunday (or Saturday night)

Taking care of business...

The question, "Are you smarter than a 5th grader", was really put into perspective for me yesterday. After taking a placement test at the local community college, I was feeling pretty good about a 'certain' math problem that I solved all on my own. They gave us scratch paper (no calculators allowed) and boy did I use it. Every time I came up with one of the answers on the multiple choice, I was pretty stoked. Yeah...math not being one of my strong suits, I felt the need to explain to a 5th grader in my carpool,the intense math problem I conquered. It doesn't matter where you get your confidence....besides, he IS taller than me! Anyway....upon my explanation of how I was able to solve the question given on this rigorous test, he very nicely (and humbly) told me that I would have saved myself a ton of time if I had set up an equation "like this". Seriously, his way would have taken 10 seconds and a lot less scratch paper!! Bottom line, I got it right! After finding out he told his parents about our little conversation...it will be all I can do not to show him up when I REALLY brush up on the skills!


Brennen and Bryce went to a slumber party last night! You guessed it, Rich and I did something crazy since we didn't have the kids. We ordered a demand movie, and actually didn't even watch it! I know! I think we were asleep by 9:00. Good times right? What's even crazier is that my kids came home this morning yelling, "I ate a booger" and "I ate vomit"! This, right before I found out they played spin the bottle at a party for an 8 year old. What?! Turns out, whoever the bottle lands on...they have to eat a 'Jelly Belly' that tastes like dirty socks, barf or sardines to name a few. Needless to say, it was a relief to know that my kids were only fed food that tasted like barf! Boys, I tell ya. Ya know... if I had 2 girls, I might miss out on photo ops like these.


That's Bryce...taking care of business! Or playing a video game while taking care of business :)

better late than never...

Brennen went to the ACSI spelling bee again this year. It wasn't quite as nerve racking as the previous, but my palms were still pretty slick and my mouth got kinda dry every time his turn came around. He was confident, poised, spoke clearly...he did great. He got 5th place this year, and while I told myself I wouldn't make excuses for him (because 5th is awesome) I'm afraid I just can't help myself. That kid knew the spelling of every word on the list he was given to study. There were some tough one's on there too. Does is seem fair that they can go to an unpublished word list when they clearly haven't used all the given words? My little Bug got one of TWO words not on the list he was given to practice....Don't worry I held myself together. And Brennen? He came and sat down, and to be honest...I didn't know if he was going to cry (so many of them did) or what. We asked him if he wanted to leave and he said he wanted to stay to see who won. He clapped for the winner and then said, " I had fun today mom." So really, it was me that learned the biggest lesson of the day! As you can see he has a missing tooth in this photo. The one next to it was hanging by a thread but we didn't have time to yank it before the bee started. On the way to Riverside, Brennen concocted a plan....IF and when he misspelled a word and got out, he wanted me to pretend to be mad at him (there really are parents who get mad) and knock his tooth out. While tempting...and pretty funny just thinking about it, I refrained.

More January fun! Unseasonably warm temps lead to a camping trip to Yucaipa. Funny how the warm weather didn't carry over into the night...or into our tents! Here is the crew...minus the photographer.

Brennen and Peyson celebrated their birthday in style...and in Hollywood! A friend of mine hooked us up with some tickets to see a Disney show. The boys got to go on the set, meet the cast and get pictures with Brennen's girlfriend, Selena Gomez. The day was amazing, but did end with a barfing episode on the way home. I thought for sure I was gonna have a car full of em', but Peyson and Ashley managed to pull themselves together just in time to get out of "the hood."

The weekend prior, Brennen had his birthday camp out consisting of 3 friends, his little bro, a bbq, tent, s'mores and spooky campfire stories! One of the best birthday parties we have had! That could be because all the kids, Rich and the dog slept in the tent while I watched a movie in the peace and quiet with the doors locked and the curtains drawn. Okay okay, I didn't close ALL the curtains...

In other news...Bryce is spreading rumors that I'm going to be a doctor. While this is not at all accurate, he is asking his whole class pray for his mommy. Cute huh? I did, however, recently come across a website where you can earn your doctorate after writing an essay on your life experience, oh and paying $600.00. I'm just sayin'.....it's tempting and would save me a whole lotta schooling!!

Back in the saddle...

So sad...just waiting at the front door. Will she ever ride me again?

I'm embarrassed to say that I had to get er' down from the bike hanger in the garage. She was up there mostly for fear that she...yes she, would get stolen when someone at my house (won't mention any names) leaves the garage open. Oh, and that that same person might sell her if I didn't get my butt back in the saddle. Hey, business is slow people. You never know what might go missing around here. Thank goodness the kids have started to help with some light house work which means we will keep them! So...yesterday was the first ride of 2009. Oddly enough, I think pumping the tires up made me sore before I even got on the bike. I rode for an hour no less and plan on getting back into the swing of things. I will most likely plan on the Lake Cahuilla Tri again. I have a hard time putting in the work without a goal in front of me. No guts, no glory!