for posterity...: May 2010

HISTORY

A Little History:

Our story begins in Pocatello, Idaho, circa 1972, when the lovely Debby Christensen agreed to a first, though fateful date with admirer, David Croshaw. Long story-short, he bade her follow him, and they went arm-in-arm to the Logan, Utah temple for establishment of an eternal family unit, Generation 1, on May 23 1973.

From their first blissful summer in Salt Lake City, educational pursuits took them to Provo/Orem, Utah, birthplace of Leslie and Rebecca, and to San Francisco/Oakland California, birthplace of Colin and Matt. Then, for establishment of livelihood, expansion of the tribe with Abby and Dana, and for raising/unifying of Generation 2, it was back to the roots in Pocatello for a rewarding sojourn.

In time, driven by a raging, but commonly shared sense of adventure and independence, one-by-one, Generation 2 escaped the homeland to distant regions of the country and the world, each ultimately developing their own tribal expansions by pairing with worthy mates and initiating Generation 3.

Now sensing fulfillment of their purpose in Pocatello, Generation 1 has also left those roots and transplanted to Cascade Idaho, from which base, they anticipate more abundant contact with The Posterity, Generations 2 and 3, in the future. That contact however, awaits fulfillment of a call to LDS missionary service in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, wherein they hope to help the state of the world by sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

So now, including Generation 0 (Grandma and Grandpa Christensen) home base includes Yuma, Arizona, Pocatello, Idaho, Cascade, Idaho, Vancouver, BC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spokane, Washington, Boise, Idaho, Los Angeles, California, back to Boise, Idaho, and on and on (Generation 3+) to infinity.

Our Mission Statement:

This is the blog of our eternal family unit. Initiated years ago, it served well as a journal, but even more so, as an archive of our personal interaction. It was a gathering place, a confabulation instrument, a unifying force for four generations of widely dispersed and progressively prolific posterity, and their valued associates. Though it served these purposes well for many years, it eventually took a back seat to new-kids-on-the-block, Facebook, and Instagram, and was sadly forgotten.

We now move to resurrect this blog with an added functional purpose of archiving the missionary experiences of Generation 1, of their movements and activities as they participate with The Gathering of Israel in the land northward. In so doing, we hope that via their own comments and posts, this blog will again serve to gather and unify the posterity and their friends.

As in the past, that the young and vibrant may know the old and tired, that enduring bonds may be fostered and maintained, that experience and encouragement may be openly shared, that posterity may embrace truth, and that hearts may be knit together, we must resist detachment despite our geographic divergence. We shall do so here.

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Hi everyone

Here is the link where you can see all the AMAZING photos

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=Alx.Esparza&target=ALBUM&id=5477209985134465137&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCvto-jr__hJw&invite=CILRoIsH&feat=email

My favorites

The Amazing Photographer and his wife

Pocatello the best place on Planet ..... to eat Tacos from the Taco Truck

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Glow sticks!

From Glow sticks!

I don't know how to make the video viewable on the blog, so click on it to see it. Glow sticks on the trampoline! Woo woo!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

We Are A Happy Family

Good Morning Everyone,

I was listening to this talk by President Eyring and was thinking how important it is for all of us to have unity in our families. There is conflict raging everywhere. We are surrounded by it. But we don't have to invite it into our lives. There is so much negative out there, that we need to consciously avoid it. It is important for us to do everything we can to have the Spirit in our lives and in our homes. The Spirit will bring us true happiness. Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. Because we are an eternal family, we need to work hard to maintain and improve this blessing.

I also found this talk to be fascinating. He tells how he changed himself by thinking about the ways he thinks. Although this talk has a number of typos, etc. it has excellent content. I hope you will have time to read it. I may have sent it to some of you in the past.

Anyway, I love all of you and hope you will have happy lives. I know we can't be happy all the time, but we can be most of the time. When you consider our blessings-- a loving Heavenly Father, the Savior and his atonement, prophets, apostles, truth, temples, eternal families, the restored gospel... we have reasons to rejoice every single day.

Elder Eyring ends his talk with these words:

"God the Father lives. He hears and answers our prayers in love. The Savior Jesus Christ, resurrected and glorious, lives and reaches out to us in mercy. This is His true Church. President Monson is the living prophet of God. If we are united in sustaining him with all our hearts, with willing obedience to do what God would have us do, we will move together in power to go wherever God would have us go and to become what He wants us to be.

I leave you my blessing that you will enjoy unity in your homes and in the Church. And I leave you the Lord’s promise that you will have the righteous desire of your heart for that joy in unity."

Remember how much we love you.

xoxoxo,

Mom

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

To My Adorable Mother's Day Baby--Happy Birthday Leslie

What a beautiful baby she was. This is one of my very, very favorite photos of Leslie and Grandma Croshaw.

It is not often that we got a picture of Leslie actually smiling. It is also quite adorable of Matt and Colin. Must have been some celebration for Becky--two days late? I don't remember that. I don't see a cake either. Anyway, I am happy that Leslie looks happy here at the old homestead on Rainier. I definitely don't remember that chandelier.

What a great time we always had at Lake Powell. I think this was the trip before Leslie and Molly left on their missions. I am loving the looks of that warm weather. This was pre-Leslie seeing the WHOLE world!

Actually, Leslie is really quite pleasant looking in this photo, as well. Becky and Abby are, of course, smiling. I think we were at Big Sky, but it could have been Redfish Lake. A very young David.

Finally, a shot of some of the family in Canada. We went to a podiatry meeting in Calgary (cal-Gary) with the Charlie Call family. We also went to the Calgary Stampede. It was the time I woke up screaming when Becky came into our room in the motor home, same trip where Abby got the V scar on her leg. Here is Les, in her groovy Birkenstocks enjoying the family. She did love to read, and yet is still having quality family time.

We all wish you a happy birthday. You have enriched all of our lives. You set a wonderful example for all of your siblings, and for your parents, too. We love you, and wish we could be with you on this special day. xoxoxoxoxo from 20th Ave in Pocatello.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Tribute

Mom came out to DC this weekend for my graduation, so I had the luxury of spending a portion of Mother's Day with her. She's en route back to Idaho now, but today I had a flash of a distant memory that reminded me of just how great an impact her example has had on the way I live my life.

Many years ago, I used to play on a competitive soccer team. We participated in big, important tournaments (at least I thought they were at the time), and sometimes my team had games on Sundays. I remember playing one single Sunday game, but never again after that. The details are fuzzy as to what led up to me sitting out the rest of the Sunday games, or whether I did it with a good attitude or not. I'm sure Mom didn't say, "I won't let you play any more games on Sunday," because that's just not the way she leads. She probably reminded me of the the importance of the Sabbath and then allowed me to make the choice for myself.

Whatever the case may be, I realized today that this experience has completely shaped and molded my behavior on the Sabbath and my perception of it. I work hard to make sure that Sunday is special: it's my day to set aside the work and stress from the rest of the week - not such an easy task in grad school. But it is a day I treasure, and always a day I need by the time it comes around. I am grateful to Mom for planting that seed, and I am grateful for this particular day that gives us all a chance to acknowledge her unconditional love, support, and example.

Love you, Mom!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Holy COW incredible Mormon Message

My heart is filled with love, my eyes are filled with tears.

Oh HOW I have felt closest to the Savior during the harsh trials I have had in my life. I need to read that talk. Off to read it now...

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Has it been three years already?

Three years ago today my life changed forever. And it all happened in this building.

I'll never forget that day. The fact that I was late (no surprise) and the almost married Crystal to somebody else;-) I'll never forget the joy of not only marrying Crystal but also getting a step-daughter for whom I am developing an appreciation. She really is a great young lady and a good big sister.

As the years have gone I feel the same now as I did at the beginning. I am truly the lucky one and I am still in love with my wife. She saved me from a life that was going nowhere fast. She's an amazing woman with hazel eyes, a sweet and determined temperment and makes me feel special either by holding my hand or smiling at me. I'm so greatful that we have a son who is quick and smart like her. A son who like her makes me feel lucky and special.
This happens everytime he either falls asleep when I'm holding him or when he hugs me.

Finally I'm thankful to a God who was kind enough to give me an eternal family that I'm not sure I deserve.

Happy Anniversary Crystal. I'm hoping by our next anniversary that I am more sure footed in my job and that I'm able to give you an anniversary you truly deserve.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Happy Birthday Dana Kay!!

According to this cake, Dana is now 23 years old - don't you wish, Dana?

We love this picture of baby Dana

Happy first birthday Dana. You and Grandma Croshaw shared birthday celebrations that year - the beginning and the end of 3 generations. The group of candles were Grandma's (only 18 years old by candle count - actually 78,) and the single candle is for Dana. Don't you love the way everyone is blowing, except you?

Isn't that kind of an Eva look on Dana's face? Don't you love Becky's Big-Wave-Dave doo. We also love Abby's hand on Dana's shoulder. Sweet. They've always been pals. Dana was everyone's little sister. We all loved her... and she got away with everything, right Colin?

Now, thanks to that incredible Delgadillo blood line....

We have this wonderful Delgadillo family.

Thank you Dana and Jason.

Have a happy, happy birthday, Dana. We love you.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

T-ball is not for the feint of heart

You can't really see it in the video, but Colby likes to swing his bat around like it's a light saber. And he usually is more of a speed walker on his way to first base (and 2nd, 3rd, and home), not so much a runner.

How Much is Your Marriage Worth?

Just 3 easy payments of $39.95?

(I admit that sometimes I have and immature sense of humor but, dang, I thought this was hilarious!!)