my ramblings

I am back! Vegas was a blast. Katie and I had TONS of fun. We had our palms read by a nice lady who . . . . has absolutely no insight. She predicted about the same future for Katie and I. It was still fun. And it was super cheap. We went shopping and hung out in the hotel. We walked around both the strip and the old downtown Vegas (which is also where we stayed). But here we are, the last week of July. Can you believe it?? Where did the summer go? We had a late start. Here it is the end of July and at my work, in our pond, we are still getting baby ducks. Which by the way are the CUTEST!! I thoroughly enjoy watching them swim around the pond in their little groups. Also, we have had flowers in bloom for a good chunk of our summer, due to the late spring. My neice Keyara started school today, 5th grade already!! Last year she tried out to be a news reporter for the school news broadcast. She received a letter a few days ago saying they chose her! I haven't had a chance to ask her how it went, but this morning, as she was getting ready in her new school outfit, I told her good luck. She grinned from ear to ear and said thanks. I love that she tries out for different things. One year she won a medal for her art work. I hope she never stops being brave and outgoing. She can be shy, but with a little encouragement, she can be a real go-getter. I love being an aunt. I think my neices and nephew are awesome. Today I heard that my nephew Austin did a pretty cool thing. My cousin Darrell, trains and breeds labradors. A few years ago he gave Austin two hunting guns, and told him "One day I will call on you to pay me back for those." Well the time came. He took Austin for a week of two to help him run the dogs. When the time came to an end Darrell gave Austin some money (a nice chunk of change for an adult, but even better for a young kid!) and Austin turned around and gave it back and said "I am working for the guns you gave me." It moved me. He could have just kept it, and thought, heck I earned this and the guns. Thats my nephew!! He is a good kid with a huge heart! Darrell told him to hold onto the money to see how it feels to have that much. I didn't hear whether or not he got to keep it at the end of the day. Its fun having watched each kid grow and develop their own personalities. When they are little you try to decide what they will be like as they get older, its impossible. Each kid makes their own path and decision on how they will form their future. Another great aspect of being an aunt, is the kids have come to me to tell me things that they may not have told their parents. I am the friend, the cool aunt. I always keep a level-head and try to give good advice, being cool doesn't mean I have to tell them what they want to hear. I like having that relationship with them. They are wonderful and brilliant kids. And I am grateful that I have them. Soon all of them but my oldest will be back in school. Austin goes into Jr High, Curlynn goes into high-school and Aubrey is in her second year of high-school. Amber is a dental assistant, thinking about going to dental school, planning to get married next summer and saving for a place of her own. Last but not least, one of the nice things about being an aunt, when they are brats I can send them home to their parents. haha!! However, they have never been brats, they are perfect just like their Aunt Jen. :) P.S. I have to get permission to put photos of them on the net. If you want pics, for now I will send them to your personal emails.