Law Office of Kevin Jensen - May 2021

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - May 2021

May 2021 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

2 Guys and a Truck The Time Kevin Jensen and Brandon Yost Traveled Across the Country

A s we approach summer and the prospect of living with more freedom again, I’m sure many people are just itching to travel. Coincidentally, the Friday before Memorial Day is National Road Trip Day, and like everyone else, I have quite a few tales from the road I could share. However, my most memorable road trip was the one I took with my brother-in- law and fellow attorney, Brandon Yost. On this adventure, we learned that sometimes the best road trips involve plenty of detours. Brandon, who’s my wife’s brother, graduated from law school in 2010 and began practicing near Connecticut, where he, his wife JoDee, and their three young children lived. Around that time, the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen grew rapidly, and I needed help. So, I made Brandon an offer to join me in Arizona. Thankfully, he accepted. Now, moving to a new state isn’t easy — especially when it’s across the country! We were maybe one state away from being sea to shining sea! So, I flew into Connecticut while JoDee and the kids flew to be with my wife in Arizona. Brandon and I were tasked with driving the big Penske truck across the country to their new home. And the first thing we did was take a detour. An apple orchard two hours away from where JoDee and Brandon lived had the best apple cider doughnuts, so we unloaded his car from the trailer, drove two hours for doughnuts, drove two hours back, and began our journey.

We had the ultimate rig setup, too. We agreed that we would each drive in four-hour increments and split the driving to get enough rest. If you were driving, you had a pretty good view of the U.S.! If you weren’t, your eyes were glued to the computer screen we had connected to an Xbox powered through a generator. During our breaks, we would play NCAA football like we were two college kids again. So, there we were, two guys in a Penske truck playing NCAA football in four-hour increments without a care in the world. Our first unintentional detour was in Pennsylvania, which happened to also be on Halloween. Somehow, we found ourselves in the countryside, far away from the freeway, with a full moon and fog rolling in. Brandon kept pattering away at his NCAA game while I tried to use maps and a GPS to navigate us through the beginning of a horror movie. Later that night, we stopped in Ohio to rest. We continued traveling through Indiana and then to Missouri, where Brandon and my wife’s brother lives. We stopped there to rest and visit with his family, but that soon turned into a weekend stay to watch college football! Why not, right? When we finally hit the road again, we discovered the NCAA game was scratched. This was a crisis! Our entire plan for the trip hinged on this game. (Somewhat, at least.) So, we found a GameStop about 60 minutes out of our way, bought another copy, and hit the road again.

With about 1,200 miles left in our journey, we knew it was time to get serious. We were rolling closer to home, but we still needed to stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before our final day of travel. We really pushed this last stop, and at around 2 a.m., we both decided we were too tired to try for Albuquerque. Brandon pulled off at the next exit, and then Penske started moving slower and slower. Soon, we slowed to a complete stop on the ramp. Confused, I looked over at him. Brandon was dead asleep! I rousted him awake just long enough to find a hotel and a Village Inn for pancakes. The next day, we finally made it. It had taken us thousands of miles, countless detours, and a few moments of glory on the NCAA Xbox circuit, but we had successfully moved the Yost family out to Arizona. Our wives may not have been too happy with how long it took us to get there, but that move is one of our greatest memories together.

Safe travels!

-Kevin Jensen

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Get Fit With Your Family

5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children

often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone.

everyone’s favorite tunes,

and boogie down for as long as you have the energy.

You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.

3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.

1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with

Why You and Your Ex May Benefit From Counseling

At some point in your marriage, your ex and you may have tried couples counseling or therapy. These sessions often serve as turning points in a relationship. Whether these appointments cemented your decision to seek divorce or made you question the necessity of therapy, your relationship with your ex today could benefit from trying it again. Friends, happily engaged couples, and even ex- spouses can find clarity and better understanding by openly committing to couples therapy. If you’re in a co-parenting relationship, counseling just might be the resource you need to parent effectively together. What does couples counseling with your ex look like? Couples counseling offers both your ex and you an opportunity to honestly discuss your perspectives, boundaries, and wants. It’s a great opportunity to foster

a better, honest line of communication, which can stimulate a stronger co-parenting relationship. It’s also a chance to set limits and boundaries for this new chapter together, while also resolving potential lingering issues. Your therapist or counselor will act as a guide — who won’t take sides — and can offer new ways of thinking, coping, or discussing issues. How do you get started? Propose the idea to your ex as a way to foster better communication for the sake of your child’s well-being. Then, shop around! Find a counselor or therapist you both feel comfortable with and don’t hesitate to try a few sessions with different experts until you find “the one.” Start slowly and understand that it may take time to open up. If cost or who will pay is a concern, offer to split payments or consider insurance. And if you already have a new partner, they may benefit from attending one or two sessions as well, but make sure the early sessions are focused on you and your ex’s relationship. The length, style, and benefits of counseling all vary, but couples counseling with your ex can be one of the most beneficial ways to end your romantic relationship and begin a fruitful co-parenting partnership.

For additional resources, call the Law Office of Kevin Jensen today.

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Well-Blended

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL STEP-FAMILY INTRODUCTION

Wait until it’s serious. If you introduce your child to multiple partners who ultimately are just flings, it can complicate a child’s emotional well-being. They will have to experience a loss yet again. Only introduce children to new potential family members when the relationship is serious. Have that discussion with your partner before deciding to blend your families together. Keep it neutral. Opt for a location your children love that offers a natural opportunity for conversation. Great places to try are picnicking in the park, going mini-golfing, taking a hike, or visiting a favorite (quiet) restaurant. Keep the meeting casual and short to protect emotions. If the relationship is serious, you’ll have more opportunities for connection! Foster a routine. As time passes, you may want to marry or move in with your partner. That’s also exciting! But don’t force anything. Let step-sibling relationships unfold naturally and integrate your routines together. Be sure to discuss daily routines with your partner and make a plan for potential weak points. With a little bit of commitment and patience, your blended family will be a cohesive unit! Co-parenting and step-family relationships aren’t easy, but our job at the Law Office of Kevin Jensen is to offer guidance. Please call us today for additional resources and advice on your co-parenting plan.

One of the exciting components of divorce is the prospect of forming new relationships. These are opportunities to get to know someone who is more compatible with your lifestyle and goals, and while it can be emotionally taxing to date again after a divorce, it’s a reason to celebrate! If you’ve met someone special and are hoping to introduce them to your children — or are wanting to introduce their children to yours — consider a few things before doing so. You can’t control your ex.

Let’s get this out of the way first: We strongly recommend against provisions in parenting plans that set guidelines for when a child can meet a significant other. This often strains your co- parenting relationship, and a judge will likely deny it. All you can do is express your concern to your ex, support your child through this new relationship, and make sure the child knows both parents love them.

Thai Minced Pork Salad Called “Larb” in Thailand, this popular street food comes together quickly and can be easily modified to suit your individual taste.

LAUGH BREAK

Ingredients

• • • • • •

5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice

• • • •

4 small shallots, thinly sliced 4 green onions, thinly sliced

1 lb ground pork

1/2 tbsp chili flakes

Cilantro leaves, to taste Mint leaves, to taste

1/8 tsp sugar

1/2 tbsp fish sauce

Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste

480.632.7373 Directions 1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside. 3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, fry pork, breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked. 4. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice. 3 Inspired by EatingThaiFood.com

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2 Guys, a Penske Truck, and NCAA on the Xbox

5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness

Make Your Co-Parenting Relationship Stronger!

Ready to Blend? What to Know Before Introducing Your Kids to Potential Step-Families

Thai Minced Pork Salad

Become a Savvy RV User And Save Money on Your Summer Road Trip

This past fall, RV manufacturers reported a 31% increase in sales compared to 2019. This was no doubt related to an effort to stave off the spread of COVID-19, which had more families opting to take road trips and camp instead of going on tropical and European vacations. While the great outdoors can be the perfect affordable backdrop for family vacations, it doesn’t come without a cost.

Walmart allows RV parking at no cost, but some locations pose safety concerns. To mitigate this, well-meaning RVers have listed Walmart locations with red flags. You can check them out at AllStays.com. Save on Fuel Fuel could be your biggest expense, but you can cut down on the inevitable by driving slower than 60 mph when it’s safe to do so. Once you hit 60 mph or above in your RV, your gas mileage will drop. Furthermore, you can keep your gas bill in check by sticking to trips within your state, planning your route to avoid unnecessary detours, and leaving early to miss the traffic. Each little action could make a big impact on your fuel bill. Re-Use Items in Your Home You may have a long to-buy list for your RV, but not everything on there may be necessary. Before

You can hit the road without your bank account taking a hit with these three must-do tips!

splurging on the latest gear, consider what you have in your home. Use old kitchen utensils and plates, cleaning supplies, bedding, and entertainment items like books and toys in your RV to save money and clear some clutter from your home. It’s a win-win! Looking for more RV tips? Check out GanderOutdoors.com or download apps like AllStay, RVParky, and State Lines. Happy trails!

Stay for Free If you’re on a cross-country adventure, you will need a place to park and rest each night before continuing your adventure the next day. Rather than shelling out money every night, consider free options. Search for public land that’s part of the Bureau of Land Management or in a Wildlife Management Area that allows overnight camping.

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