Captain America

Today is Aaron's birthday, I posted an old picture of him on Facebook and was going to call it good; then I got the news that he was ranked #1 on his testing for Captain.  Being his #1 promoter has historically been my mom's job, but since evidently he isn't done being amazing I will have to show him how proud we all are of him and thankful for his example by posting more pictures here.

Roofing the house at 7 years old.

Could you even imagine this post if I had access to all of his pictures.  Maybe I should start on the book... My Brother the Hero.  :)

Family Pictures Oct. 2012

Jackpot

I received a great inheritance from my mom starting with assumed goodness, which has been nice and challenges me to live up to it.  The silly plastic frog she had from her grandma that we like to hide to scare each other or in funny places.  There was a little pillow in her room that said, "the best things in life aren't things", those words changed me in the months and now years of seeing them; mostly because she lived them and it fueled much of what makes her great. The thing I have thought most on lately however is a little card I found in her closet long after it was cleaned out.  I can't help but feel like it was one of her notes left in our luggage or lunch for me to find later when I was on my own and needing it.  It is a tiny brown paper with a round mirror on it.  The words say something like "if you could catch a glimpse of the woman that God intends you to be, you would rise up and never be the same".   What a concept, what an inspiring vision to live with, to put our insecurities, frailties, pride, fear, laziness aside and see how both truly great and  needed we are.  It speaks to me of the worth of every soul, the challenge to get over ourselves so that we can help, and the comforting thought that He who knows we all have feet of clay and stumble also knows we can be formed into someone worth even His time.

Meat

My brother made a comment to me last year about not really knowing me as an adult. It's true, we know things like people's overall decisions, that they like to make cakes or run, but not often do we get what really makes someone tick, even our siblings. So here are a few random things very Claar.


I have no tattoo, no desire to be crazy, and no need to rage against some machine. The evidently inherited rebellious spirit in me is certainly there however and seems to grow. I despise being told what to do. I believe that pretty much sums it up. I am happy to follow God, I am willing to be lead by anyone I respect, I am even willing to obey the speed limit. It is life choices and all the little stuff they entail. I try to stay open to suggestions, but truly as far as unsolicited advice goes, you telling me will almost insure I will not do it. I think it is because while well-intended it is to me offensive in nature. That somehow the 10 minutes someone spent thinking of some aspect of my life could make them wiser at prescribing my best course of action as if I haven't thought, planned, studied, and prayed about it for years. I do put a lot of stock in experience, but we just so seldom have experience in someone else’s shoes. I have been guilty of this to others as well, it is always just so tempting to want to help... just an insight into me.

I love to learn. I love to find someone to follow in a certain area. I am very critical of what makes one an expert, it has mostly to do with their fruits.

I love to study and discuss the Gospel. Not debate, just learn stuff that really matters... meat indeed.

More kids?  Yep, probably, I almost laugh when people say, "but they are so hard!" Sometimes I want to say, "did you have kids because you thought it would be fun?" :) It is... The point is it took a power FAR greater than my own to convince me to be a mom, to allow us to have kids, and to sustain me daily with these crazy mini me's. I don't take the work of my life lightly, I am willing to invest fully into rising children who will serve God and lead the world.
You have to keep trying to get a girl... eeeh.... I know I will have a girl eventually, but I like having boys... we're good for now.

I think really when you get down to it we are all very similar, but sometimes the drama... or the understanding is in the details.

My current goals
We're raising kids who will lead the world.
We will save $10K in 2012
We make $10K+/mo
Each member of our family sets their goals and we hold each other accountable. (note, Mike is not thrilled he doesn't get stickers like the boys... I will have to fix that :) who knew?)
We believe the need is so staggering we are leading an army of people to help families get their financial house in order and win in business.
I am the best young women's teacher
I study the gospel everyday
I take great care of my visiting teaching ladies and others
I am a student of success in all areas of our life and constantly strive to improve.
I only consider the advice of someone I want to emulate in that area.
I seek out the best mentorship when I see something we need to improve.
I support and am best friends with Mike. I know he is a great leader.
I am patient and kind.

There you go, random and real. I say these goals aloud everyday so I refuse to include any of the changes we have made nutrition and fitness wise... I don't get enough ice cream as it is... I don't want to hear about it.