Johnette celebrates her 17th birthday!

Happy 17th Birthday!

Johnette turned 17 this past Sunday, March 29th!

Organization tips

Lists, Lists, Lists.....I am not one to make lists but with the size family I have you have to - to keep some what organized. One list that I have been making and which has turned out to be a great thing is my school supply list. Now, envision this.....7 out of 8 kids in school that need pens, pencils, paper, spiral notebooks, poster board, highlighters......etc. You get it right? Well, if I didn't have a closet totally devoted to school supplies/craft accessories, I would be running to the office supply store all the time. Now, I have my own supplies right here in the house for those last minute and back to school issues. It was hard to keep track of all the stuff I had....so I organzied it, labeled it and now keep a running LIST of what I need to buy to replenish my closet. Here is a pic of my closet.......
Just sharing an organizational tip to others....my mom should be so proud. I am now organized! LOL In the boxes are: pens, markers, lined paper, construction paper, crayons, rubber bands, staples, glue (all kinds), rulers, protractors, highlighters, paper clips, envelopes, etc.

Today, my list came in handy. Mark called and was heading to Staples to buy supplies for the business. He asked if I needed anything. I ran to the closet, opened the door and staring at me was my list of things I needed. Needless to say, he was surprised that I had such a list. LOL He replenished my closet for me!!YEA!!

This Last Week.....

This last week was a tough week. I was sick! Not just having a stuffy head/cold sick. I had a BAD case of the flu. I was literally in bed Sunday through Tuesday afternoon. I hurt all over...including my hair. I had a headache, my body ached, my head was all stuffed up, my throat hurt...you get the picture. Mom was MIA for a few days! The house continued to move on without me...not smoothly but it moved! LOL I haven't been that sick in a long time. The kids all started with it the previous week....then I came down with it. It's tough being sick! Mom's are suppose to be sick. Everyone is affected if mom is sick. Homework, chores, dinners, didn't get done.

On Tuesday, Briggor was at the dr and had bronchititis. Then Jade and I went on Wednesday, and we had the same thing. All three of us are on antibiotics - all of us are getting better. Today, as I write this, was the first day in a week that I have felt some what normal! LOL I just have this nagging cough. But, the people that I have spoken with have told me that that will takes weeks before it goes away! :( Not happy about that......

Girl Scout Cookies

Tasha, Megan and Jade are girl scouts! We just finished selling Girl Scout Cookies! The girls did a great job! They took the wagon, loaded up boxes of cookies and sold them to the neighbors. They also stood outside of Sam's Club with their troop and sold some more. The three girls sold a total of 57 boxes of cookies. YEA! I can't wait to find out how many the troop sold all together...will report that at a later date!

Tasha Earns a School Award!!

Mrs. Elrod and Tasha

Mrs. Bittle and Tasha

Tasha earned her Black "W" this morning at her school.

Congratulations Tasha!

Thank you to Mrs. Elrod, Tasha's teacher, Mrs. Bittle, Tasha's Teacher's Aide and her former teacher Mrs. Thompson - who helped Tasha achieve this incredible award over the past 3 years!

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS-Bill L. Williams Elementary proudly recognizes student achievement and strives to promote participation in all school activities. Students may earn points toward their block "W" letter and other campus recognition by being involved in/ excelling at a variety of learning and service activities.
BLOCK LETTER.......................250 pts

HONOR ROLL

Congratulations to BUD - He made HONOR ROLL for the 3rd quarter!

Jog A Thon Results

Megan, Jade and Bud participated in their schools Jog A Thon - The results are in......

With 20 minutes to run as many laps as they could.....

Megan ran 13 laps

Jade ran 14 laps

Bud ran 16 laps

Thank you for everyone who supported the kids!!!

Sick Ward

Number 4 just dropped to sickness....running to get Johnette from school!!! 4 down - 4 to go!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

The Leprechauns have hit the Mendenhall house. They left some pots of gold around my house for the children to find when they get home from school. The menu for dinner tonight is: corned beef, potatoes (no cabbage - I'm the only one who likes it! LOL) Irish soda bread, green jello and probably green milk. :) It's fun celebrating the holidays with the kids! We are going to end the evening with a few games!

Sick Ward

Over the weekend, Andrew came down sick with the flu. He has been sick since then....fever, chills, aches, chest feeling full, coughing. Last night, Briggor started with the fever. He has been on the couch most of today. Then, at lunch time, Ryan calls and is sick. UGH!! Here we go.....it's going to run through the family.

Briggor update - Sunday School

If you haven't read the first blog regarding Briggor and Sunday School...scroll down then come back to this one.....


Found out from his Sunday school teacher that all the "little lambs" were outside running around. Briggor and another boy were running together and collided. Briggor fell face first onto a metal grate that was embedded in the grass area where they were running. She said he cried for a second, calmed down and got up and kept running!!!! That's my little man! She said, she looked at his face and there was just a few little scratches. I even saw the little scratches. But, as the day wore on and he was running around the house, the bruises got more purple, the redness and swelling came....he looked like he was in a fight. LOL Like I said - Sunday School is tough these days!

No Milk!

Monday morning......BLAH! Mondays seem to come so fast. I awoke to the lovely words from Ryan "THERE IS NO MILK IN THE HOUSE!" What? I was just at the store yesterday. We have a "rule" in the house - if you finish something you have to let me know or write it down. Sound familiar, mom? Now, I remember my mom saying that to me and I practically was an "only child" growing up so I was always at fault for not telling. But, in my house, 8 kids and a husband that drinks milk like water - you are NEVER going to find out who finished it and didn't tell. You may be thinking what is the big deal....it IS a big deal in our house. We go through at least 10 gallons a milk a week - probably more - but I'll stop there. So, see it IS a big deal! The kids did not have a good morning waking to no milk for their cereal so I made them pancakes!! Mom, the the rescue! 25 pancakes later......

God's Little Lamb

This is Briggor and his Sunday School project!

He also came home with two slightly black eyes and a bruised forehand and nose. If you ask Briggor what happened he says that he was wrestling with another boy. I would like to know what the other boy looks like.....

Still waiting to here how THAT happened.

Sunday School is a rough place these days.

A day with my daughter

One of the biggest issues that I face with so many kids running around is setting time aside to spend individually with each one. It's hard. It's difficult and most of the time you have to be creative. So, last Friday, I spend time with Jade. Jade is the youngest of the girls, is in 3rd grade and 7th in the line of children.

I decided to kidnap Jade from school! First, we went shopping for new spring clothes. We had so much fun spending dad's money. :) She is learning how to mix and match clothes. How to get the greatest deal and how to spend, spend, spend! We had so much fun spending time together. After we were done shopping, we went out to lunch at one of her favorite places, Panda Express. Yes, a plate full of steamed rice and orange chicken! YUM!

Jade and I made memories together!

Settling in.....

It's been 6 months since we moved into our new house. We survived the move, survived the holidays and now the new year has fully began. There are but a few boxes around but most have been emptied or the stuff has been thrown away because we just didn't know why we were holding on to this stuff. The house is beginning to feel REALLY like home. There is always stuff to do....more pictures, more decorating and knick knacks. I am really getting excited about planting and gardening outside this spring. The front of the house needs some work as well as final touches in the back. The fun projects are ahead. But, all and all...I am starting to relax and really enjoy it.

School for me....

Some have ask if I picked up school again and the answer is "YES!". I am taking my last 2 classes before I earn my degree. I am taking an algebra course and a California History course. Both are challenging me this semester. For history, I have to write an essay a week and participate in an online discussion throughout the week. Different subjects each week. It's amazing I am finding the time to do all of this. Barely, though. A couple of weeks, I turned in my essays with just a couple hours to spare. The week flies by and then it's due. My math course isn't too bad. I have a couple of weeks per chapter to do homework and tests. I have petitioned to graduate in May and if all goes well, that will happen. Will keep you updated.....

Faces of Andrew

Sharing...

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Thanks Vickie for sharing this bible verse with me. :)

Weekend Getaway to Cambria

ANDREW

Happy 17th Birthday!