Idaho Republican Caucus

Well, I took part in Idaho history last week.  The Republican Party held it's first ever Presidential Caucus. It turned out to be quite the affair, or perhaps I should say ordeal!  Thank heavens that it was so well organized by my friend, Chenele Dixon; otherwise it may have imploded when over 2500 vote wielding citizens turned up. Now, don't take me wrong, it is a good thing that they came out; actually it is sad how many of us don't exercise our right and obligation to vote.  Anyway, back to the caucus - It was exciting to participate for the first time in this American tradition.  I must say, there is a different feeling about casting your vote amongst such a crowd as compared to doing it in the singular fashion of the voting booth at a primary. 

With such a crowd, there were lots of things to do; I am sure that Dallas felt like a traffic cop as he was directing the flow of citizens through the lines.  He came to me at the concessions to obtain resuscitation materials for the workers at the tables more than a few times. And yes, I was responsible for the concessions.  Seems that is my lot, to always be peddling food.  Thankfully we had that as a distraction for those who had to wait the extra time  while everyone was cataloged  and packed into the gym. (Good thinking, Chenele!)  Not many better ways to keep people happy than to ply them with food, right? 

All in all, despite the state of me feet when it was all said and done, it was a great experience.  I am glad I was able to be there, even if it was with candy bars in one hand and nachos in the other!

2011 - THE SHORT VERSION !

       Well, another year has gone - it really isn't my fault that time gets away from me.  I am pretty sure that somewhere they have been cutting the length of the years rather than making those budget cuts that they need to.  What is a girl to do?
     So, once again here is the Christmas letter with 2011 for the Jenks family in condensed form.  

Jenks Family 2011 TOP TEN!

10  – Dallas, Stratton and Crayson all switched from skiing to boarding this year when they participated in the Home School Skiing program offered at Pomerelle Ski Resort.  All of them found that they liked it better than skiing and are looking forward to the 2012 season.

9   - DeeAnn took up sewing again after more than 25 years.  The $15 DI machine turned into a pretty good piece of equipment after the $80 tune up.  She may have been able to get a new one for that, but you live and learn.

8   - Dallas is taking his Scout Master calling to heart.  They had a great time during their week at Camp Bradley in July.  The troop came home with over 30 merit badges!  He spends several hours a week working with the boys, making sure that they advance.

7   - Stratton turned 15 in July.  He spent some time during the first half of the year mentoring with a friend who checks water flows throughout the area for the Fish and Game each week.  He really enjoyed that and is wondering about a career in the agency.  He also was able to cross something off of his bucket list; he got his first pair of Converse tennis shoes.

6  - Crayson turned 12 in May and received the Aaronic Priesthood.  He has fully embraced the scouting program and has set the goal of achieving every, single Merit Badge.  He is completing at least 2 a month so far, so who knows, he may reach that goal.

5  - The whole family pitched in to help DeeAnn as she chaired a committee to put in a new beach at a local city park.  Most of the work was in fund raising; more than $13,000 was raised to refurbish and re-sand the Beach at Dierkes Park in the canyon along with purchasing and installing two, new sets of swings for the playground.  It was a worthwhile project that the whole community got involved with.

4 - In September DeeAnn and the boys went on a road trip to visit the grand kids.  They traveled 2500 miles through Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa and Utah. Dallas flew out to meet them in Council Bluffs for the blessing of the newest grand baby.

3  - Grandpa and Grandma Hansen took their whole crew (minus three) on an Alaskan cruise.  That was a lot of fun and a great experience hanging out with all of the Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandparents for a week.  Alaska is a beautiful place.

2  - This one is really a tie with first, but it took place earlier in the year, so it will fall here.  In February, Devon married his sweetheart, Kayla Cheyenne Peckham in the Twin Falls Temple.  Everyone in the family attended and was delighted to welcome her into the clan.  She survived the cruise with all of us, so it appears that she is here to stay!

1  - The top event for this year was the birth of Juliette Rosalie Jenks.  She came the day after the cruise (hence the missing three) on August 8^th.  She is a beautiful, chubby, bundle of joy and being the first girl in 2 generations of the Hansen (my) family makes her pretty special!

  

A NEW LEAF

As the new year is upon me, I am feeling an anticipation of some thing new and starting over.  With that, I am going to stop bemoaning to myself about the lack of blog entries in the last half of 2010 and go on from here.  As a balm for my negligence, I am going to post our Christmas letter and therefore update the year with the highlights.


Also, you can take a look at the adventures from our trip to Michigan this fall here: Jenks Fall Family Trip

Dear Family and Friends!                                                                                                         December 2010

                My, how the years fly by.  The Jenks’ year has been a joyful one.  It seems as the family grows, there are more things to find gladness in. 

                Ashton & Ali finished up the first year of Pharmacy school @ Creighton and started their second.  They seem to be quite content there.  DeeAnn got to visit them twice! (Lucky Grandma)  Dexter grows and grows.  He is such a charmer; he spreads delight where ever he is.  Ashton teaches primary (the entire senior primary) and Ali is in the Relief Society Presidency.  The joys of school life in the mission field!

                London & Alissa moved to Thermopolis, WY for London’s first teaching position. He is in the Science Department at the High School.  We visited them in October and can see why they might enjoy that quaint little place.  Orion is an expressive boy – much like his father was.  We love his endearing dimples and beautiful brown eyes (he got those from his Mama).  London is in the Elders Quorum and Alissa is a sweet primary teacher.  The joys of settling in! 

                Devon returned from his mission to India in August.  What a thrill that was!  He is a fine young man, excited for the rest of his life; we relish having him home with us.  That, however, will be short lived; he has found his love and they will be married in the Twin Falls Temple in February. Her name is Kayla Peckham and we are ecstatic about welcoming her into the family.  Another girl!  They are both busy with school and jobs.  The joys of just starting out!

                Stratton has reached that full-fledged teen age thing.  He attends early-morning Seminary, is working on his Eagle Project, still plays in the hand-chime choir and continues with his schooling at home. His interests remain anything science: chemistry, space, biology.  Stratton went rafting on the High Adventure trip with the Teachers Quorum this summer and proved his ‘MoJo’ when he jumped off a 35 foot cliff!  The joys of the indestructible teenager!

                Crayson is still hanging in that land of ‘tweens’; not sure if he wants to actually grow up or not.  He works hard at his schooling, has lots of collections and socializes any chance he gets.  The lucky eleven-year-old was able to attend Scout Camp with Dallas and his brother this summer and came away just a few requirements shy of First Class Rank.  He has set a goal to earn the 4 Commemorative Merit Badges.  They joys of unlimited energy!

                Dallas is working hard to take care of the family; he puts in his hours at the pharmacy in Costco and then moonlights with his decorative concrete business.  That all sounds so noble, but be advised, his real goal is to own a plane in the next 4 years.  That would be his dreams come true!  He was called as the Scout Master just a few weeks ago, after a preparatory stint as the Assistant.  He feels intimidated and eager at the same time.  The joys of being the grown up!

                DeeAnn took a leap this year and plunged into politics.  Running for a Precinct Committee Seat in the Republican Party was …. Well, it was something!  She won and with Dallas, attended the State Convention.  If you live in Idaho, you know that is was pretty wild.  Outside of the ‘Political Career’, DeeAnn is still schooling the two younger ones, Cub Scouting, volunteering around the community and wishing she had more time for beading.  The joys of being the other adult!

                All in all this has been a wonderful year!  We are grateful for our numerous blessings, hopeful for a brighter future and are looking forward to another Joy Full year.  We wish Heavenly Father’s choicest blessing upon you all!

Don't Come To Grandma's House !

This is what happens when you come to Grandma's house.  Poor, poor baby.  Dexter with his first goose egg.  It breaks my heart.  Dang those rock floors; they are not baby friendly.  I will have to be putting out rugs everywhere when they are here.


This next week is going to be a great one!  Ash, Ali, and Dexter are here from Council Bluffs; Devon comes home on Monday night; and it is almost our last week with London, Alissa and Orion before they head off to Wyoming.  We will try and pack it with as much family fun time as we can (along with painting the house, wonder how that will go?)

I Like to Ride My Bicycle, I Like to Ride My Bike !

  When I am shopping with cash, I never give correct change.  I always use paper and save the metal.  Sometimes my purse can get very heavy (makes a good weapon) before I empty the coins it into the jar.  With the help of the change from my cash register after each of our Jenks Family Grill events, I am able to save around $350 in a year that way.  Not bad.

  Well, I took some of that money and went out and bought myself a bicycle.  A CRUISER !  And it's PURPLE !  I love it.  The kids and I have been making trips around town to run errands:  the library, the bank, to buy plants for the garden.    I have found that we can make it around town just about as fast as we can in the car, with the added benefit of a little exercise.

Idaho Republican State Convention !

  Wow!  I attended the Idaho Republican State Convention as a Delegate this weekend, Friday and Saturday.  I have to say that it was an eye opening experience.  It is the closest look I have ever had at the working of the 'Political Machine', so to say.  There is wheeling and dealing and scratching of backs and manipulating and perhaps even some strong arming going on, but mostly it was fun and good natured and the system put into motion.  The system that is our government.  
  Having never been there before, I have nothing to compare to, but I found the atmosphere leaning towards the conservative.  I believe that is a shift.  'Things they are a changing'.  I was happy to see some of the new planks in the platform and thrilled at some of the resolutions that were passed.  We will all see how those resolutions work themselves out in the end.  It is my understanding that quite often they go through drastic changes by the time they appear on the floor of the House or the Senate for voting.  And we wonder why nothing ever gets done!  
  If you do not know what actually goes on at the Convention, whether State or National, I will fill you in with my newly gained knowledge!  The first thing that took place were the Committee meetings.  There are four committees to work on: Rules, Resolutions,  Platform, and Credentials.  One third of the delegation is chosen to be actual members of the committees, the rest of us just get to listen in.
  After lunch, we met for the opening and heard speeches from dignitaries, namely Governor Butch Otter, some awards were given out, we saw a short video and then we had a break before dinner.  If you would like to see the video, here is the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZs8k4pJcyk
  That night we got to see the 'ranch that Melaleuca built'.  That is where the dinner was, Riverbend Ranch.  It is owned by Frank & Belinda Vandersloot, the founder and owners of Melaleuca.  (Too bad my Uncle didn't stick with that stuff, he was telling the family about it years before Melaleuca was well known.)  It was a decent meal, the speeches were mildly entertaining and the comedian was pretty funny.  
  The next day was the meat of the convention.  The items that had come out of the committees were brought to the floor for voting.  That went on and one it seemed.  But was interesting all the same.  Then we voted on the Executive Committee for the next two years.  That went quite a bit smoother than the election in my own committee at the beginning of the month, but that is another story in and of itself.  At this point, everything is a learning experience for me.  The curve is very steep right now!  
  Despite the fact that Twin Falls County made history as the first delegation to request that their entire slate of delegates be stricken, I  came away happy for the chance to participate and making plans for next year's convention.  I made some new friends, dispelled some misconceptions and feel that bridges were built and mended.  The next two years will be something, I am sure!

Summer Update

  Well, summer has arrived on the calendar, not quite sure when it is going to get here outside.  I was trying to be a better gardener this year, but seems as if my efforts will 'bear little fruit' if the weather doesn't start to cooperate.  Funny, one morning I gave up and planted some starts over the top of my seeds and both of my boys came in that day saying, "Mom, stuff is coming up in your garden!"  Yes, I am such a green thumb that my plants went from not there to 6 inches high over night!  I only wish!
  The election has come and gone and politics has moved on to bigger and more fraudulent times.  Really!  I did win my election if you have not heard.  I got 151 votes and my opponent 123.  I consider the whole thing a success due to the fact that in our precinct two years ago the total number voting was 179!  There were another 100 voters this time, thank you very much!
  Things in the Twin Falls Republican Party have taken a turn for the worse, or maybe for the better.  That has yet to do seen.  It is possible that it was not really a 'turn' at all, just that someone got caught!  Rather than provide you with the long and sordid story, just suffice it to say that there was intrigue and mis-direction and possibly some illegal activity at my first participation.  NOT by me!  But there is something 'afoot' and it should not be long before we will see if there is any progress made towards honest and open dealings within the committee.  As things get settled, I will give more details.
  I will say that the whole political process is just that, political.  Who would have thought?  Lots for me to learn and many miles to go before things can be turned around.  It would be easy to get discouraged, but I have faith that one committee at a time we can turn our Government around and embrace the founding father's intended ideals and rule of law.
  Signing off from Council Bluffs, Iowa.