Megan's Christmas Card to us....

Mark and I received the following Christmas Card from Megan this year.....it's quite funny!

COOKIES NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the cookie jar not a cookie was moving not even a peanut bar. The bakers were sleeping all through the night with visions of cookies stored in the fridge nice and tight.

While the cookies were baking in the oven. I heard such a racket, I ran to the window without even my jacket. Went out in the kitchen and heard such a clatter and my gumdrops didn't know what's the matter. Now Oreo, now Chips Ahoy, now Sugar and Oatmeal, On Chocolate Chip, on Snickerdoodle, on Peanut Butter and Triple Chocolate! To the top of the oven to the top of the wall. Now cookaway, cookaway, coockaway all!

As the burned legs landed on the cookie sheet, when they meet with an obstacle it looks so neat. As I was cooling off and turned around, straight from the oven St. Cookie came with a bound.

He was dressed with gumdrops from head to toe and were all covered in ashes and soot. A bundle of candy flung on his back and he looked like a candyman opening his bubble gum pack.

St. Cookie was done, he turned around, put a finger by his nose and up the oven he rose. I heard him yell as he came out of the oven: "Merry Christmas to al and to all some sugar-loving!"

Christmas is over....

Well, the Mendenhall's survived another holiday which included - presents, Emergency Room visit, family-time, lots of trash, lice epidemic (yes you read that right!), toys everywhere! Overall, it was a great holiday! We hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and that the new year is even better.

Mark celebrated his 41st Birthday on Christmas Day!

Happy Birthday to my best friend!

Christmas at my parents house

Yesterday we spent the day at my parents house - eating lunch, opening presents and just being with family. We all had a great time!

The Nativity Village

Mark and I took the kids to the Nativity Village near our house and was put on by our church's daughter church The Way. We walked through a series of scenes regarding the birth of Christ. There was speaking and singing and it really portrayed the reason for the season.

It's another birthday in our house....

Happy 11th Birthday - Megan!!!

Life Right Now....

It is 612pm on Wednesday night. I am sitting in the foyer of our church where the girls are attending Girl Scouts. I am exhausted. It has been a long day. It started at 5am this morning. Woke up and realized this was going to be one of those days. I get these days more often than not being a mom of 8 children. Let me talk about this day - 5am up and getting into the shower....ahhhh, it was so nice I didn't want to get out. I was contemplating what was ahead for me. I had two batches of sugar cookies to cut out, bake and deliver to Jade's classroom by noon. But, first, had to get breakfast and get the kids out the door for school. After making pancakes which included breakfast for my husband....they were out the door. I started on the dough for the sugar cookies. Finished those by 9am! DONE! I gave myself a little break - a cup of coffee and a little internet and emailing. I have so much wrapping to still do - went upstairs and starting wrapping! Mark came home from work early and was working in the garage. He told me that we would go together to Jade's classroom. Thankful for the help!! Andrew and Ryan arrived home from school, after finals, which was about noon. I grabbed some lunch. Then called to Mark that it was time to leave for Jade's school. Andrew and Ryan were in charge of Briggs. We arrived at school, cookies in hand and signed in at the office. The ladies behind the counter mentioned to the office staff that the Mendenhall's were here. Mark and I looked at each other not knowing what they were talking about. They informed us that Skyler "BUD" was just in the office for fighting with another child. UUUGGHHHH!! What now? They were in the midst of figuring out what happened. So, we went down to Jade's room and turned in our cookies. Told the teacher and Jade what just happened and said we had to go back to the office. Mark left and I hung out in the classroom a little while longer. We all met back at the office and Skyler was being excused for the day. I had 15 min to get home, get Andrew and head to the dentist's office. Got home - dropped off Skyler and Mark - picked up Andrew and left again. After 2 1/2 hours - 2 root canals - finding out through a text message from Mark that the principal called and Skyler is suspended from school for two days (what a great way to start your christmas vacation) and laughing gas....we left the dentist office. Andrew + laughing gas....hilarious!! :) Had a good laugh all afternoon. Got home by 445p - make homemade mac n cheese, made a salad...fed 10 people then headed back out the door to be at girl scouts by 6pm. Mark was in charge of handling the house while I was gone.!! Now, as I am currently finishing my story it is 815pm....I came home to a clean kitchen, house quiet, kids in their rooms watching tv.....I poured a TALL glass of wine...headed upstairs and took a HOT BATH. UUUgghhhh - nice way to end a LONG day!! I feel better now that I have drank 1/2 my wine and have vented through my blog. Good night all......til tomorrow.

Our Trip to C.A.L.M.

The Purpose of Christmas

A few weeks back, while shopping at Target, a book just jumped off the shelf at me. :) Not literally, but it just stood out above the others....it was Rick Warren's Book "The purpose of Christmas". I read it in about 2 days and after reading it....I felt moved that Christmas time is here!! I wanted to share with you the titles of the chapters in his book.....it completely explains - "the purpose of Christmas" --

"Christmas is a time to celebrate that God LOVES you!"

"Christmas is a time to celebrate that God is WITH you!"

"Christmas is a time to celebrate that God is FOR you!"

"Celebrate Christmas with a birthday party for Jesus!"

"Jesus came to save you from SIN and yourself!"

"Salvation is freedom!"

"Jesus came to save you for a purpose!"

"Jesus came to save you BY his grace!"

"Jesus offers you PEACE with God!"

"Jesus offers you THE PEACE OF GOD!"

"Jesus shows you how to make peace with others!"

The last piece of the book I would like to share:

" It is astounding that so many people have celebrated Christmas every year of their lives without ever having opened their greatest and most expensive Christmas gift. Jesus Christ is God's Christmas gift to you."

A Poem by Jade - age 9

Here is a poem that Jade wrote at school today. I am going to spell all the words the way Jade did - so yes, I know some of the words are spelled wrong. :) LOL

SANTA

Santa is so sweet, suprisesful, sparkley, and a story teller.

Sant Nick is so smart and clever so he goes on his slav and

slids and slipps and Sant Nick smils withe glee

and so sweet Santa sparklis in the sundoun place.

Santa dosn't do much sports but he's vary smart

and he seperats presents to all.

Santa is so strong and he is the most

sweetest man I've ever herd about.

Fog Delays

This is a picture from our deck looking out to the back of our yard and the street beyond. Here in the valley the school districts call FOG DELAYS which means the schools start 2 hours later. Now, every once and awhile that's cool but there have been 4 in the last week. When this occurs...it really messes up my days! Bad stuff to drive in.....

Sunset

The view out our balcony was spectacular! For days, it has been cloudy, cold and drizzly. It was so beautiful to see the sun set this evening.

This is one tired baby.....he was waiting for dinner and fell asleep!

Special moments with mommy

Sharing a moment or two.....

Tasha's Big Night

On Wednesday evening, Tasha had her Chorus Christmas program. I thought I would share a glimpse of her special night. The whole family attended and watched Tasha sing and dance the night away

Briggor

My Little Helper!!