Blessings

I have to say that being an Aunt is pretty cool, especially to kids these days. I never know the questions I am going to be asked or the answers I get from my questions. Sometimes these questions remind me of simple truths, other times they remind me not to take myself so seriously, and other times they are filled with love.
So the other day I was taking my niece to violin lessons and she asked me if I believed in magic. Well, being the wise person that I thought I was I said, well do you believe in magic? I listened for her response and then said yes I do believe in Magic and all of the great things that go with it. After her lesson she asked me those questions that you don't always have the response for but you hope you give the right information:Do we have a Heavenly Mother and if so why don't we know anything about her?I was trying to be wise again and said well we all have to have a Mommy and a Daddy so there has to be a Heavenly Mother- note to self often this is what leads to "the talk" and so not always the wisest thing to begin with.
Is Jesus real and will he really come again? Followed by but how do You know, really know?
I answer with a simple testimony that everything around us tells us Jesus is real and then we talked about the scriptures and how they talk about when he comes again. It was a good chat and I hope I had the right answers for her. Which brings me to the best part of being an Aunt. I love the closeness I feel with my nieces and nephews because they feel like they can ask me anything and I will tell them and maybe it means more coming from me, because I am not their parent who probably doesn't know the answer. Side note-all of you parents you do have the answers I know, but it is different coming from an Aunt.
Another great thing about being an Aunt is spoiling them and understanding what they are talking about when they say the store with the moving stairs or you know the one with the thingy in it. I love to hear the words... let's have an Aunt Jenn day. To be honest it is better than peanut M and M's and you all know how much I love those. I also love being corrected by a three year old that has the wit of her Uncle Kevin. I have to say she keeps me on my toes.
It is also great to hear about giggle pills and running through the playground screaming to get rid of all of the energy from having to sit in class all day.
I love to hear about crushes and cute boys and girls. I love to hear about the good news of something they have accomplished or tried to accomplish. I love to dance with the little ones and always have the right moves. I love to play house and be the big sister and little sister. I also love to tell stories and hear, tell me about the crazy girls in Hawaii!!!
I guess in short this last week I have realized my many blessings. At times I will admit it is hard to still be single at my age, but then Heavenly Father sends me a nephew or niece to cheer me up and remind me how blessed I really am. Thank you to all of those nieces and nephews out there you make life wonderful all sixteen of you!!!

Update on Life

Ok, so I am a total slacker when it comes to blogging lately. I know that it has been like five months since my last note and lots has happen since then. So here is a condensed version of my life over the last five months.
In July we had an Englis Family reunion. It was lots of fun and it was great to see a lot of the extended family. We learned about the hidden talent of the next generation and the future Hannah Montanas and Michael Jacksons for the next generation. There was great fun, lots of basketball, waterfights, and yummy food. Thanks for the fun time.
The rest of the summer was pretty good. We had a garage sale and made some extra cash, it was pretty fun. I got rid of some of my books and shoes-sad day I know.
In July was my 10 year class reunion, yes I know you can't believe I am that old and yet look so young. Any way I chickened out and didn't go. I did have a good excuse because my cousin got married that day, but I probably could have gone. I just couldn't bring myself to go I don't know why but I didn't goo. Apparently I missed a great time, but such is life. Maybe I will go to the next one whenever it is.
At the beginning of August I moved in with Janae when she bought a townhouse in Ammon. It has been fabulous being her roomie and having my own place- well you know what I mean. It is weird not to see my parents everyday but I still eat dinner there every Sunday and once and a while during the week.
In September I was asked by my job in Idaho Falls to be full time again and be the supervisor of TLC 2. This was a hard decision for me and in some ways I felt I was going backwards instead of forwards; however I felt right about it and in the middle of the month I became the supervisor again. Overall it has been a good experience. It has its days, but what job doesn't. I am grateful for my time off and I know it was the right decision. It was just the break that I needed. I work four days a week at this job and do my other job on Fridays or in the evenings. It keeps me pretty busy, but I like it. I am still thinking about going back to school soon, but I am not sure when soon will be.
Last month I went on vacation again and was able to visit a new and exciting place. I went to New York City and Connecticut with some friends. It was tons of fun and I got to see lots of things I have only read about like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Wall Street, Broadway, etc. We went to three shows while we were there and had a fabulous time. I will post some pictures at a later date.
Also in October was our Roger Englis Halloween Carnival. It was tons of fun and everyone dressed up, it was great to have almost the entire family here. I took some of my nieces and nephews trick-or-treating this year and it was a blast. It is always great to spend time with my nieces and nephews. They keep me on my toes and make life very interesting.
Now it is November and the holidays are upon us. I am looking forward to seeing everyone over the holidays and spending some good quality family time, as well as shopping the day after Thanksgiving. It is the funniest day of the year. Any way I will post some pictures soon.