Law Office of Kevin Jensen - August 2020

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - August 2020

August 2020 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

Memories at Bear Lake Yost Family Reunion Memories Evoke Laughter and Nostalgia

E very summer, I’m reminded of Yost family reunions at Bear Lake, which straddles the Idaho and Utah border. Growing up in a small town in southeastern Idaho, I saw my family a lot, but during summers at Bear Lake, I saw many distant relatives and created memories I still cherish to this day. About 40 people attended our annual reunion. Half of the Yost family would camp on the beach and the other half — we’ll call them the smart ones — slept in condos near the lake. We’d spend the weekend camping and playing in the water. Some of my greatest memories are just parking in a lawn chair

for them. As a kid, I didn’t think anyone could ever be that dizzy from a bat, but today as an adult, I understand how Thad lost his balance. I still can’t help but laugh when I think about it to this day. Laughter was a common theme at the Yost Family Reunion. I was always laughing or getting into adventures with my cousins, who quickly became friends, and other family members. I can also remember my uncles’ “belly bouncing” while attempting to sumo wrestle. They drew a circle on the beach and tried to “wrestle” each other out of the circle, but in reality, it was just a lot of belly bouncing back and forth.

“I’m still grateful to have many memories from the summer reunions I attended as a kid.”

and listening to the adults chatter back and forth. I also enjoyed the day I was invited to go golfing with the adults. I may have only been about 10 years old, but I’ll never forget that feeling of being included with the grown-ups. Of course, being next to the lake meant there were many water activities to occupy our time. These included swimming, water skiing, boating, and riding on the big tubes that could fit about six kids on top as it was pulled behind a boat. There was hardly any time to be bored at the family reunion. I also remember the Yost Family Olympics being organized for a few years, too. The events included your standard family reunion games like the dizzy bat race or sack racing. I will never forget my great uncle Thad, who was pretty old to me at the time, spinning around and around and around on the bat. And when he stood up, he plowed over his competition while trying to run in a straight line. Everyone thought he did it on purpose, but it was hilarious to watch my cousins go flying as Thad beelined right

The Yost family still gets together regularly. My uncle does a great job of keeping the family together, despite it continuing to grow and all of our busy lives. Unfortunately, living in Arizona, we don’t make it back very often these days, but I’m glad to know that my family is continuing the tradition and still makes the trek to spend time together. While it may not be feasible for my family to travel to Idaho every summer, I’m still grateful to have many memories from the summer reunions I attended as a kid. I could barely write this without bursting into laughter just thinking about uncle Thad barreling into kids during the dizzy bat race! It’s been more than 35 years since that happened, and I can still picture it perfectly.

I suppose that’s how you know it was a good family reunion — the memories continue to live on.

480.632.7373 1 -Brandon Yost

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‘Dad, HowDo I?’

HOW 1 FATHER IS PASSING ALONG LIFE LESSONS

B eing abandoned by a parent is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a child. Rob Kenney experienced this trauma firsthand when his father said he no longer wanted any of his eight children. Kenney was only 12 years old when his father walked out of his life. In an interview with Q13 News in Seattle, Kenney explained that after that experience, he decided that when he had children of his own, he would raise them into good adults and make sure they didn’t have a fractured childhood. But he didn’t stop there. Now 50, Kenney has a 29-year-old daughter and 27-year-old son who are living successful lives thanks to that decision he made many years before. However, even with an empty nest, Kenney realized he still had life lessons to pass on. After thinking about other young people in the world who have gone through the same unfortunate experience as he did, he decided to do something about it.

he gives a helpful hint for choosing a tie. Then he talks viewers through the process of how to tie a tie while demonstrating it on himself. As April progressed, Kenney uploaded a number of videos on other seemingly simple tasks, including how to unclog a sink, check the oil in a car, install a shelf, and even how to shave. As he continued uploading videos, he started to include dad jokes along the way. “So today I’m going to show you how to use a stud finder,” Kenney begins in one video. “If you came here looking for help finding a boyfriend, that would be a different stud finder.” Kenney hopes that, by uploading these videos, he can be there for someone who doesn’t have a parent around to teach them these things. And in the course of just two months, it looks like he is already doing just that. At the end of May, Kenney’s channel had over 2 million subscribers and thousands of people have reached out to Kenney to share their own similar experiences and express their gratitude and appreciation for everything he’s doing.

In early April 2020, Kenney created a YouTube channel called “Dad, how do I?” and uploaded his first video, titled “How to tie a tie.” In the video,

Finding Forgiveness After Divorce Moving On

With the many legal decisions that can come with divorce, taking care of your emotional well-being can sometimes become an afterthought. However, an important part of a healthy, happy life after divorce is finding the power to move forward. Forgiveness can be one of the biggest obstacles to achieving this. If you are struggling to forgive after divorce, then try these three steps.

to the various events in the divorce process. Remember this phrase: “I can’t control this, but I can control how I react to it.” Remember that forgiveness is for you.

Honor your emotions.

It’s okay to be angry, sad, emotional, and maybe even hopeful at the end of your marriage, but plowing through this time without acknowledging your emotions may keep you locked in the past. You have to let yourself feel the way you do and express these emotions in healthy ways. Honoring your emotions allows you to process what happened, what you can learn from it, and how to move on.

Commonly, forgiveness is misconstrued as forgetting what has happened and forgiving others so they can heal. Yet, experts remind us that the act of forgiving someone helps you

heal. Forgiveness is a conscious decision to stop letting negative responses control your thoughts and actions. Some people achieve this by writing a letter that they never mail to the person that hurt them, while others just need time and patience. Whatever you need to find forgiveness, understand that this process is for you, not your ex.

Focus on what you can control.

Making decisions about finances, your home, and your children can leave you feeling as if you are sacrificing a lot for this new life. This can cause resentment and anger toward your former spouse and the past, making it impossible for you to build your future. Instead, focus on what you do have control over, like your job, how you raise your children, and how you respond

As you heal from your divorce, our team can help with the legal complexities. If you have questions about the divorce process, please call 480.632.7373.

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Conquering Real Estate After Divorce Home Sweet Home

finances. Consider monthly expenses and what you’d be willing to pay each month. This will help you determine if you can buy a home.

Moving to a new city, making

new friends, and spending more time

If you’ve made the decision to jump into the housing market, consider ways you can improve your credit score. Your credit can take a hit in divorce, but it’s recoverable. Working with a credit expert, paying off loans, and making smart fiscal decisions can improve your score and help you secure a much better loan. Next, partner with a lender as well as a real estate agent who understand your situation. As the buyer, you have control in these partnerships. Shop around and find experts who make you comfortable. Luckily, there are many agents and lenders who regularly help divorcees and can offer you the support you need to make a sound decision. Finally, set a budget to determine what monthly payment you can afford and be firm in this. You have more freedom than you may have had in the past to choose the home that is going to make you the happiest. Once you find a place that fits your budget and needs, remember that the home is all yours. So, set that budget and let the fun begin. At the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen, we want to ensure our clients are prepared for life after divorce. If you have questions about your case or want to inquire about our additional resources, then call our team at 480.632.7373.

doing your hobbies are just some of the exciting aspects of divorce, but navigating the decisions that come with these changes can be daunting. One of the biggest steps in your post-divorce life is purchasing a new home or finding an apartment. Before you begin, consider your financial situation and how much you are sharing with your former spouse. For example, some couples may opt to jointly pay for the mortgage of the home they shared in marriage. If you’re in this situation, you may not be able to afford another home, and renting will be a more feasible option.

Homeownership is attainable after divorce, but it requires dedication and an honest evaluation of your

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad Nothing says summer like a pasta salad filled with your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables, and this combination is the perfect way to cap off a warm summer day!

LAUGH BREAK

Ingredients

• 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes • 1/2 tsp sea salt • Pepper, to taste • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

• 2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced • 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 cup corn • 6 cups arugula, packed

Directions 1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese. 3. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

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Brandon Yost Looks Back on Family Reunions at Bear Lake

Rob Kenney Is a Father to Many

Struggling to Forgive? Start Here

You CAN Buy a House After Divorce

Make the Most of Rafting Season

And Enjoy a Day on the Water With These Tips

Sure, August doesn’t mark the official beginning of summer, celebrate our nation’s independence, or give us a three-day weekend. But it offers something just as great: the best time of the year to be on the river. For rafting enthusiasts, the warm and dry weather in August means water levels are lower, and rivers can be a bit tamer than earlier in the season. This also makes August the perfect time for new rafters to try the activity. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your day on the river.

for a hat, sunglasses, and materials that will dry quickly. Rashguards and button-down shirts make great top layers, and long skirts, longer shorts, or yoga pants on chillier days are all good options as well.

Go with an experienced guide.

Bring plenty of water and food.

If you’re planning to tackle any type of whitewater, it’s crucial that you go with an experienced raft guide. Whitewater can be dangerous, and only someone who knows how to expertly navigate rapids will be able to ensure you have an enjoyable, thrilling experience instead of a dangerous one.

One of the many fun aspects of rafting is spending a day — or even multiple days — on the river. Make sure you bring plenty of reusable bottles filled with water for hydration. Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you may want to pack a meal or two along with plenty of snacks that are easy to eat on the river. Most rafts will have a dry box where you can store food and other items that need to remain moisture-free.

Protect yourself from the sun.

It might seem counterintuitive to wear anything other than a swimsuit on a hot day on the river, but in most cases, you’ll be exposed to full sun while on the water, so covering up is crucial to preventing sunburns. Opt

As you set out on the river, enjoy the solitude of connecting to nature away from the hubbub of the rest of the world.

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