Here are a few random things from our weekend:
I don’t have much extra money right now, but I wanted to do something to help Shiloh understand that it’s important to give at Christmas time and not just receive. Operation Christmas Child (through Samaritan’s Purse) seemed like the perfect option.
We went shopping at Walmart and I told Shiloh that I needed her help buying small gifts for a little girl her age that might not get any otherwise. She picked several things that she liked. We went home and packed them in a shoebox and she colored a picture to go with it. There was a drop-off about five minutes from our house, so we dropped the box off there.
Shiloh talked about the “little girl” all weekend. She kept saying she had to share her presents so the little girl would have some too. Hopefully it made an impression on her. Next year I think she’ll understand even more. I plan on making this a yearly tradition.
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Sunday, after church and lunch, Shiloh and I made a Christmas tree craft.
It’s not one of the gifts I was planning to have her make, but I wasn’t able to get the supplies for those yet. This is just a styrofoam cone with green felt glued over it. Shiloh glued jewels on it and I added some glitter glue to it. Very simple, but she’s quite proud of it. (It’s a little bit cuter in real life. More sparkly than in the picture.)
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I have to brag for a minute. I finally got my grade back on my History exam. I made a 99/100. That didn’t really surprise me because I thought I did well on it. But the professor added a note to it. It said, “Excellent exam Jennifer! (But I’ve come to expect that from you.)” That made me feel pretty good. Okay, done bragging…
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I have some wonderful friends. First there’s the fact that it was so easy to find someone willing to watch Shiloh on Tuesday and Thursday evenings next semester while I’m in class. I have someone lined up for that, but I’ve asked a few other people to be backups just in case. The funny thing is, the backups really want to watch her also. There is no way I would be able to make it through school if it wasn’t for my family and friends. (Still really trying not to take advantage of anyone too much. I hate asking for help, but sometimes there is no way around it.)
Then today I had another reminder of how blessed we are. A friend from church brought some hand-me-down clothes for Shiloh. They’ve given us some before (including the jacket in the picture above). It included a really nice play coat (Shiloh has been wearing her coat from last year, and it’s almost too small) and two dress coats. There was also a really pretty red dress that will make a perfect Christmas dress. Shiloh loves dressing up for Christmas (or anytime), but I really don’t have the extra money for a dress right now. There were also several cute nightgowns and some tights. It was really a blessing to get these things right now.
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It’s going to be a crazy, busy week this week. I work Monday through Wednesday and then I’m off the rest of the week. Tuesday afternoon I have to take Shiloh back to the dermatologist and I’m pretty sure they’ll be giving her a third laser treatment. Her face is looking better, but the spot is still there. Hopefully this one will take care of it.
My sister and brother-in-law will be in town Wednesday and I think we’re planning on going to a comedy club Wednesday night. (My parents will also be in town, so I’ll have a babysitter.)
Thursday will be packed with family and probably friends of friends that we don’t even know. It’s crazy, we end up not even knowing half the people at my grandmother’s on holidays lately. But that’s another post.
I’m not sure if I’ll be doing any shopping on Friday. I don’t have money, so I’m not too excited about standing in line for hours for nothing. But my sister is going, so I might go with her for a little while.
I’m hoping that we’re going to a hockey game Friday night, but I haven’t heard for sure yet. I really really really want to go! I haven’t been to a game all season.
On Saturday we’re going to bake Christmas cookies and my cousins are going to bring their kids over and all the little kids will decorate cookies. Last year it was just Shiloh and Ashlynn decorating, but this year there will be two little boys added to that. It’s going to be messy and loud. Perfect for holiday pictures.
Then on Sunday I have nursery at church.
And at some point I need to try and work on schoolwork. (No promises there.)
If I don’t get the chance to blog again before Thanksgiving, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.












