Mothers Day May 9 2010

Due to the 100 year celebration of Scouting in America in Blackfoot, Idaho Friday May 7, we were blessed to have the Stalcup family visit for the weekend. Ashlee, Steve and Spencer spent Friday evening and Saturday in Blackfoot with the Scouts while Claigh and I thoroughly enjoyed having special time with Bryn, Kes, Will and Greg. We love having them in Idaho! Saturday afternoon, Steve headed back to Soda Springs for a full day of work on Sunday. This left us with Ashlee and the kids for Mother's Day. Things were well planned out for a peaceful Sabbath day with a roast beef dinner before church, and strawberry cheesecake after.

An hour before dinner and two before church, I got a call from a young mom who needed a last minute substitute for her primary class. There was no lesson prepared and no lesson to prepare. They had planned on just doing a review of the past three lessons on Joseph of the twelve tribes of Israel. YIKES!!! However I do love the Primary and knew that Bryn and Spencer would be in the class so I said yes.

Everything from there was a blur. I had to really work fast and furious to pull things together. Ashlee and Claigh put the last minute needs together for dinner and I began to pull pictures from my Old Testament file. By the time Claigh and Ashlee left with the children for church, I had only to get dressed, get things loaded into the car and head out. I made it just in time for the sacrament which made me very happy.

Claigh agreed to attend the class with me and thank-goodness for that. We had 15 children in the room. We played a blackboard baseball game with questions from the life and times of Joseph and accomplished a pretty thorough review. Heavenly Father answered my prayers and saw us through. What a joy to spend time with these wonderful young people!

After class, Claigh headed to his priesthood quorum meeting and I started for Relief Society. I found Greg asleep on a chair with a friend watching over him. Will had a little difficulty settling into his class and Ashlee was with him so I headed to the nursery to relieve Ashlee. The next fifty minutes were spent taking little ones to the bathroom, and watching two incredible nursery leaders love and teach the children. It was truly inspirational.

Following church we enjoyed our cheesecake, packed up a good dinner for Steve and Ashlee and the children left for home. It was a wonderful day!

April Pics from Claigh's camera . . .

and the Stacy Dabbs Studio Photos:
Professional Photos of Dana and Dustin's wedding by Stacy Dabbs

Henri tells us that Dustin is very good to Dana. It is hard for a dad to turn a daughter over to another man but it is wonderful when he knows that man will treat her well.



Alexis and Dana are true sister-friends.



Happy Happy Times



Pam and Henri. - The beautiful mom and thoughtful dad.



There are some advantages to being the youngest. Your brothers are a step ahead in the hair loss department as so magnificently demonstrated by Chris. - Wait a minute. - What's up with the thick mop on Henri's head. Has he found the real fountain of youth?(See photo above.)



Cindy and her youngest daughter Erin - two more Jensen beauties.



Claigh always enjoys time with his first niece Shanon Glevy. Shanon had a nasty scratch on her eye and yet somehow is just as beautiful as ever! Her smile is her very own and dear to all of us who love her.



Brothers! Henri, Chris and yes - the short one is Claigh. (You can't believe everything your eyes tell you.) The handsome young man is Chris's grandson Devon.



Claigh was fortunate to visit his mom's twin brother, Uncle Don and his dear wife Belle. Uncle Don holds a very special place in our hearts.

Celebrating Dana and Dustin!

Claigh was fortunate to make a trip to San Bernardino, California for the wedding of Dana and Dustin April 10, 2010. We are so happy for this young couple and their commitment to each other. Marriage is a sacred trust and the foundation of all that is best in human relationships!

We love Henri and Pam and their beautiful daughters and Ben and Bob so much. How wonderful to share this special day with all of them! I was unable to make the trip because it had to be quick and as tight on the money as possible BUT my heart was filled with special longings for them all. (Long car trips really wrench my neck and back. A little something left over from my car accident a year ago.) Sadly our camera got a lot of blurred pictures of the day so we are patiently waiting for others to post their photos to get some good wedding shots.

Todd, Carey and crew made the trip from Arizona to join in the celebration so Claigh enjoyed some wonderful time with them as well. He especially enjoyed the Jennie Sunshine Hugs! He also enjoyed the time with Chris and Cindy and their children Sean, Erin and Shay and their families. It always a special treat to have time with dear ones since we lived far away from our extended family for so many years.

Arizona Fun

We had a wonderful albeit quick trip to Arizona for the boys baptisms. Some highlights:

The baptism of course!
Carey's "Good Ship Zion"
Nummy luncheon - Thanks Carey and Sara!
Henri
Lucy Smiles
Brig's pondering look
Disk Golf on the beautiful new course just before a big storm undid all the new landscaping.
Elijah's disk skill
Sara and Jared's soon to be new home.
Claigh's time with Jared ripping up carpet.
Middle Earth Risk ~ NOT!!!! However, you have to love time spent with Noah and Jacob!
Jennie and Xander Hugs
Fun Play Ground
Maxwell laughs
In-house bird song
Seth think
Todd's Bodd - Marathon count down!
Sara and Carey - Two wonderful hostesses who made us feel welcome.



We were having so much fun we didn't get many pictures but here are some:

Seth and Xander are Eight . . .

And it is GREAT!!



Best Friend Cousins
Alexander Kaden Anderson born in Orem, Utah - December 11, 2001
Seth Anthony Bailey born in Mesa, Arizona - January 10, 2002

Happy New Year!

In our family we celebrate the New Year in the best of ways! Bryn was born on the last day of 1999 in Buffalo, New York. What a way to close off a century and welcome a new year!

B-eautiful inside and out
R-emarkable!
Y-es she can!
N-urturing
J-esus' Lamb
A-ccepting

N-ote Worthy
I-nvaluable
C-entered
O-bedient
L-over of good books
E-xemplary

S-cribe
T-hespian
A-ll Girl
L-oving
C-apable
U-ndaunted
P-leasant





Happy Birthday Brynja Nicole Stalcup!

Christmas in Soda Springs

Claigh and I made our way to Soda Springs for Christmas Eve. Excitement filled the air. We enjoyed the traditional night before Christmas Mexican feast. Bryce and Tammy and their four children came to share in the fun. Tammy brought some delicious stuffed chili peppers and Ashlee made her famous chicken enchiladas. Claigh and I brought our favorite dip and chips and a salad. We had a tasty tasty time.


Santa didn't disappoint! He even took the time to write the kids a note thanking them for their goodness in the past year. The Straws and Connectors that he brought the Stalcup family were a big hit. I hope Ashlee posts some pictures taken with Bryn's new camera of the structures that were created.

Greg was just old enough to catch the wonder of it all. His new drum was his favorite gift. Kes was particularly happy to get the make-up she had hoped for. Santa seemed to know just the right gifts for each one. Spencer spent the day creating his new Lego Star Wars ship with Bryn's support. Will's smile says it all!

We feel so blessed to have Steve, Ashlee and the kids close. I enjoyed playing Topple with Bryn and putting together Hungry Hippos and being soundly beaten by Will. He seemed to get the best of Spence, Kes, Bryn and I. The reading of the story of the birth of Jesus as recorded in the Book of Luke remains my favorite of favorite Christmas time traditions. Time with Ashlee is always a treat and on our way out of town, we got to see Steve's store and some of the improvements he is in the process of making. Thank-you Steve and Ashlee for a wonderful holiday.

Claigh's December Column

The Power of a Grateful Heart
Claigh H. Jensen, LCSW

Peace on earth, goodwill to men. In these troubled times, how can you be filled with a sense of peace and goodwill? Research has found that living gratefully changes everything! Choosing gratitude is choosing the abundant life.

The great Roman philosopher Cicero wrote, "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." In Webster's 1828 Dictionary we read, "Gratitude is a virtue of the highest excellence, as it implies a feeling and generous heart, and a proper sense of duty."

In the "Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness," co-investigators Robert A. Emmons, of the University of California at Davis, and Michael E. McCullough, of the University of Miami found that living gratefully improves several aspects of an individual life. They discovered people who live gratefully enjoy greater vitality and life satisfaction. The grateful were also found to exhibit positive emotions, empathy, generosity, and optimism. Physically they tended to sleep better, have lower blood pressure and were more likely to exercise and take care of their health.

Interestingly, Emmons and McCullough found the cynical view suggesting positive people either deny or ignore problems to be unfounded. Indeed, "grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life." In reality gratitude energizes and helps one see possibilities and solutions to challenges. Rather than being overwhelmed, a person with a grateful heart finds increased energy to overcome!

Dr Sapna Parikh recently reported on MYFOXNY.COM, "Research shows that gratitude really does bring you good health and happiness. . . . One study . . . found that people who are grateful are less resentful and less envious."

There are some specific actions you can incorporate to develop or improve the virtue of gratitude:

First, believe you can change and improve. Decide that living gratefully is possible regardless of your circumstance. Recognize that life is filled with many opportunities for growth. It is important to take responsibility for your attitude towards people and the world around you.

Second, let go of the negative thoughts that may be a part of your current thinking pattern. Forgive yourself or others if needed and let the past go. If appropriate, ask for forgiveness. Move forward.

Third, keep a gratitude journal. I have found that keeping a handwritten journal filled with the things I am grateful for improves my sense of well-being. On difficult days, reviewing what I have written previously reminds me of how blessed I really am. You may want to consider an online gratitude journalling group that allows you to share in the written thoughts of others. The energy in grateful expression is contagious!

Fourth, be aware of others and take note of their efforts to give. Express your thanks and appreciation when someone does something for you. Help your children and grandchildren improve their social skills and like-ability by teaching them to live thankfully and to express their gratitude. Peers are drawn to those with the positive energy created by grateful living. The one who can see the good in others and knows how to articulate it spreads the warmth of appreciation.

Fifth, if you have been neglecting your spiritual life, consider returning to your faith home. McCullough, Emmons and Tsang found "Those who regularly attend religious services and engage in religious activities such as prayer [and] reading religious material . . . are more likely to be grateful." While it is not necessary to attend church to develop the virtue of gratitude, apparently it helps. Gratitude is the root of spirituality.

President John F. Kennedy once stated, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." The power you unleash as you determine to live gratefully will improve your physical and emotional health. And not only will it bless the life of your family, it will improve the community in which you live. Grateful people change the world! During this joyous season determine to liberate the wealth of personal power that resides in a grateful heart!

Thanksgiving 2009

It is amazing how difficult it is to take time to write and keep up the blog. Life is full of good things and the addition of the Stalcups to Idaho has really increased our joy. Claigh and I actually had family to share Thanksgiving and Christmas with!

As is often the case with retail - Steve had to work Thanksgiving Day. Ashlee and the kids came to Idaho Falls Wednesday to help prepare the feast. The four older kids each took turns making up a pans of crescent rolls with their mom. (You can see their creations on their bread and butter plates.) Traditions merged and we were also treated to tasty deviled eggs which are a favorite part of a Stalcup Thanksgiving.

Kes really enjoyed the power that comes with having your own little set of salt and pepper shakers. She kept realizing that this or that needed just a little more salt. Ashlee's sweet potatoes and apples was a big hit. In honor of the "not into cooked raisin" crowd we had our apple stuffing minus raisins and the kids actually liked it. Letting go of the raisins was a great sacrifice for Claigh and I but well worth it to have our fun dinner guests enjoy it all.

At the conclusion of our tasty feast, Ashlee led our musical crew in the fine art of making crystal sing. Bryn was quick to learn with Spencer not far behind. Spencer decided he needed to take a crystal goblet to school so he could treat the whole third grade class to his great talent.

As the afternoon grew late, the Stalcups loaded up a dinner for their dad and headed back to Soda Springs.