Law Office of Kevin Jensen - May 2020

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - May 2020

MAY 2020 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

My Jedi Journey Why I Still Love ‘Star Wars’

I can still remember when the trailer for “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope” played on the TV. I think it was the first trailer I ever saw on TV, and I was immediately enamored. I begged my parents to let me go see the movie. Every kid I knew was talking about this new movie called “Star Wars”! I desperately wanted to see it, and my parents agreed that if they watched it and approved of it first, then I could see the film. Lucky for me, they loved it. On the day of the movie, the line for the theater stretched around the block as we waited for over an hour to get in. I was almost giddy with anticipation when I walked in and saw a cardboard cutout of who I would later discover was Darth Vader. I remember thinking, “Wow! Who is that? This is going to be awesome.”

went out and bought advance tickets to “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,” and I went to see this next installment the day after I finished my first-year law school finals.

By then, movies and theaters had changed so much. The screens were bigger, the sound was better, and the effects were more impressive. Yet, I was just as sucked into this trilogy as I was when I was just 7 years old. Thankfully, my boys are also die-hard “Star Wars” fans. We have spent many Christmas breaks in front of the TV “in a galaxy far, far away,” marathoning the movies. The last time we did it, the two of the latest installments in the sequel trilogy had been released, so we made our way through eight movies in just one sitting. My boys grew up with the prequel trilogy as their mainstream “Star Wars” movies, and in a sense, the sequel trilogy is more like the “Star Wars” movies of their youth. So, we often debate which trilogy is the best. I (rightfully) say it’s the original trilogy, but it’s a spirited debate regardless. The one thing we can all agree on is how great “The Mandalorian” is; if you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it! It may be nerdy to admit, but “Star Wars” has been a big part of my life since that trailer first flashed on the TV screen decades ago. It’s given me hobbies, an escape into space, and opportunities to bond with my sons. What more could you ask for? (Perhaps more “Star Wars.”)

I was right. It was awesome.

To this day, seeing “A New Hope” at the age of 7 was the best movie- going experience of my life. I was sucked in immediately after the words scrolled off the screen and this giant spaceship came into view. And the movie went on forever! (At least, that’s what 7-year-old me thought.) From that moment, I was hooked. Everything was about “Star Wars.” I collected action figures and trading cards. (I still regret not hanging onto that stuff.) I would listen to my friend’s “Star Wars” album every time I went to his house. We would play out “Star Wars” in our backyards, fighting over who got to be Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and even Darth Vader. I don’t remember movies ever being as big as “Star Wars” was when I was growing up, and the franchise only got bigger. Just as I was starting law school, George Lucas released the first movie of his second trilogy. It was a prequel to the story I had grown up with and loved. My wife

480.632.7373 1 -Kevin Jensen

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Health Benefits of Family Gardening

Give Your Kid the Gift of a Green Thumb

Yes, there will always be football season, basketball season, and soccer season, but right now, it’s gardening season. That means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and play in the dirt. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the kids away from technology and engaged with the real world, gardening is the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your kids’ development. For example, gardening can improve your children’s analytical abilities. As Dr. Wendy Matthews says, “Gardening exercises important reasoning, initiation, planning, and organization skills.” Furthermore, several studies, including one at Texas A&M University, suggest that gardening improves a child’s attitude toward fruits and vegetables and may make them more likely to choose them as snacks. Gardening helps kids identify with where their food is coming from, and nothing tastes better than a freshly picked strawberry or pea pod they grew themselves. Jack Gilbert, a scientist at the University of Chicago and a parent himself, and his co-author, Rob Knight, emphasize the health benefits of garden time in their book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System.” The two found that exposure to different

microbes, like those found in a garden, strengthens a child’s immune system and makes them less likely to develop allergies.

If this is your first time gardening, you don’t need much to get started. Grab a few shovels, a pair of gloves for each family member, and fresh potting soil, and you’ll be set. Then, you can decide together which plants you’d like to grow! Carrots are fun because of the surprise factor — just imagine your child discovering that the part they eat grows below the ground! Peas are tasty and fairly easy to grow, as are strawberries. The options really are endless. Depending on the growing season in your area, you can choose to buy seeds or opt for rooted plants.

Last but certainly not least, the best part of gardening as a family is the healthy, fresh produce you’ll get to enjoy all summer long!

What Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt Can Teach Us About Friendship After Divorce peace following a divorce that was painfully public. Many experts point to the lack of trash talking as the first step toward amicability. Aniston even said in 2006, “What happened to him after the separation — that’s his life now. I’ve made a conscious effort not to add to the toxicity of this situation.”

Being friends with a former spouse can feel like a nearly impossible feat when you’re in the thick of a breakup or divorce, but turning that relationship into one that is platonic or cordial is possible. For some couples, maintaining a relationship is necessary in order to raise kids or live in the same town in peace. Regardless of your situation, a powerful Hollywood duo just might provide

The pair has also acknowledged how the split forced them to grow. Pitt admitted to getting sober after the 2005 divorce, while Aniston claims to have allowed herself to grieve and find a way to move forward. Time has also played a major factor in the reconciliation. After Pitt and Jolie officially split in 2016, Aniston and Pitt began to text occasionally — 13 years after their divorce. As their relationship grew, Pitt eventually attended multiple parties hosted by Aniston, before they shared that shock wave moment at the Screen Actors Guild Awards when they embraced and set off speculation. Since that moment, the duo has publicly acknowledged how proud they are of one another and how they have grown in Hollywood. After the seemingly toxic split, Aniston and Pitt have found a common ground upon which they have built an enduring friendship. The moral of their story is that time, focusing on yourself, and healthy communication can be the foundation for friendship after divorce.

a road map to maintaining a healthy relationship with your former spouse.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt begin dating in 1998 and tied the knot in July 2000. The stars appeared as Hollywood’s “it” couple at various events until they announced their separation in January 2005. Rumors of Pitt connecting with “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” co-star Angelina Jolie — who he later married and divorced — swirled around the end of their marriage. In 2020, rumblings of a close friendship between the two emerged, causing many to question how they managed to find

Call our office for more valuable post-marriage resources.

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How You Can Survive a Divorce at a Young Age 30 and Divorced?

D ivorce is hard no matter how old you are, but depending on your situation, it can present different challenges. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, facing divorce can come with its own set of complications compared to when you’re in your 40s or 50s. Follow these tips to navigate divorce at a young age. TAKE YOUR TIME Some people assume that people who divorce at a young age can recover faster than those who divorce later in life. But regardless of how old you are when you divorce, healing takes time — and

it happens on your own timeline. You will feel the weight of a divorce, and that’s okay! You are not expected to grieve faster simply because you are younger, and your divorce isn’t any less valid. It feels like a big deal because it is a big deal! But it’s also something you can recover from when you’re ready to do so. FOCUS ON YOU There is a tremendous gift that comes with divorcing at a young age. Leaving a marriage when you are young gives you the gift of time. You may feel lost or unsure about your future, but your divorce is a great first step in a new direction. Focus on each day as it comes. Stay busy, join support groups, go back to school, and concentrate on finding your grounding as a young adult! Focus on your mental and financial health, and do what feels right. Soon, everything will fall into place. FIND VALUE Heartbreak is a sobering experience, and divorce can feel isolating. Experiencing something as big as divorce provides you with a lot of life experience at a young age. That experience and the lessons that come with it can be valuable in your development and growth as you get older. In fact, many young people who’ve experienced divorce cite it as a pivotal factor in who they are today. It may just be the moment that launches you onto an amazing path. Whether you’ve been married for 30 years or three months, you deserve an attorney who’s going to help you land on your feet after a divorce. Learn more about our services at JensenLawAZ.com or call 480.632.7373.

Inspired by AllRecipes.com Rhubarb Cake

LAUGH BREAK

Nature’s favorite tart vegetable — yes, rhubarb is a vegetable! — is in season once again. Celebrate rhubarb season with this simple, delicious cake.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups white sugar, divided • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp salt •

• 2 eggs, beaten • 1 cup sour cream • 3 cups rhubarb stalks, diced • 1/4 cup butter, softened

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

Directions 1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking soda, salt, and 2 cups flour. 3. Stir in eggs and sour cream until smooth. 4. Fold in rhubarb and add mixture to the prepared baking dish. 5. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup sugar and butter until smooth. 6. Stir in 1/4 cup flour until mixture is crumbly. 7. Sprinkle mixture on top of cake batter and bake for 45 minutes. 8. Let cake cool for 5–10 minutes and serve.

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May the Fourth Be With You: Why I Love ‘Star Wars’

What Is Gardening Good For?

What Can Hollywood Teach Us About Divorce?

A Survival Guide for Divorce at a Young Age

How to Stay in Touch With Family and Friends

While Following Social Distancing Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging communities across the U.S. to practice social distancing. While this will help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, it also means that social interactions will be minimal. In addition to impeding many industries and businesses, this has

canceled. Letting your kids connect to social media is a pretty big step, so consider signing them up for Yoursphere or Kidzworld, kid-friendly networks that let them keep in touch with their friends while you can monitor their activity. Get in touch with other parents to set up virtual play dates over video chats for your kids. They can even watch a movie or TV show together. Host a movie night. Speaking of movies, Netflix developed a unique way for people to watch movies and shows together: Netflix Party. If you have a desktop or laptop with a Chrome browser, visit NetflixParty.com to download the application. Once downloaded, open the movie or TV series you’d like to watch, create or join a “party,” then relax and enjoy the show while chatting with friends. These are only a few examples of how we can stay in touch during these concerning times. Talk with your family and friends and see what other creative ideas you can come up with together. Even though you may be apart from loved ones right now, virtual communication has never been easier or more plentiful.

significant impacts on families and friends who can no longer visit each other in person. Luckily, the technology we have today allows us to stay in touch while still practicing social responsibility. Spruce up everyday activities. Hopping on the phone or your laptop to video chat is a great way to reach out and catch up with loved ones. While folding laundry or doing other mundane chores, give a friend or

your parents a call to idly chat; it can make your tedious tasks much more enjoyable. Video calls are also beneficial if, for example, you’re missing out on your daily workouts with a friend. Hop on a video chat to practice yoga, cardio, or other simple exercise routines together.

Let your kids chat with friends. Kids can benefit from video chatting by staying in touch with their friends while school and other activities are

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