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.

Reach For The Stars

I asked Maxx, "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

silence...

"like a daddy and?"....

...


Maxx, "I want to be a giant tree!"

Killed the "reach for the stars you can be anything you want" speech I had planned.

David Lewis Runyan

David Lewis Runyan
Loving Husband, Father and Opa






David Lewis Runyan passed away on October 22, 2011, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on September 29, 1942 in Denver, Colorado as David Lewis Seymour to Thomas Lewis Seymour and Elizabeth May Swan. He spent his childhood and teenage years in Denver, where he graduated from high school. At age 17, he was adopted, with four siblings, by Carl Benjamin Runyan, who married their mother several years prior.

He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland from 1961 to 1964. He then served in the Army from 1964 to 1966 as a member of the Army Band, and was stationed at Ft. Polk, LA and Ft. Sill, OK. He married Margaret Fisher in 1964, and together they had five children. They later divorced.
Dave was an electrical contractor, and ran his own business, Runyan Electric, for 35 years. For 27 of those years, he was employed by Granite School District, and taught the electrical trade in the vocational program, from which he retired in 2002.

Dave loved music, and especially playing his many trumpets. Over the years, he was a member of different bands and orchestras throughout the valley, including Murray Symphonic Band, a Dixieland Band, Soul Patrol, and Beehive British Brass Band, where he met his future wife, Agatha. They married November 23, 1991, and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. She brought two children to the marriage. They had two sons together, and Dave later adopted Agatha’s oldest son, Michael.

Dave loved to serve his neighbors and friends. For the past year, he enjoyed serving in a church calling at the Alta Ridge Care Center, working with the elderly. Many have been the recipients of his kind and gentle ways. Over the past weeks, many friends remembered him as a gentle giant, always willing to lend a helping hand. He treasured his many friends through his work, church and other associations, and at the cabin. He loved his family, and was always there for them.

Dave is survived by his wife, Agatha; children: Scott (Sheri), Mark (Kristi), Stephanie (Travis) Moulton, Karen (Justin) Anderson, Michael (Claar), Eric Porter, and Cameron; grandchildren: Drew, Jessica, Austin, Siera, Rachel, Katelyn, Ethan, Hunter, Kody, Kassidi, Lindsey, Adriana, Nigel, Skye, Maximus, Titan and Caspian; mother-in-law Nel Havik-Schenk, sister-in-law Elly (Klaas) Roos, and Wendy (Netherlands). Also survived by his siblings: Bob (Naomi) Seymour, Jerry Seymour, Jerry (Ellen) Runyan, Don (Susan) Runyan, Kathy (Rod) Peterson, Bonnie (Ray) Davis, Mike (Nancy) Runyan, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, two sons, David and Dane, and father-in-law.

We are so grateful for the special times we were able to share with him during his last weeks. We will all miss him so very much, especially his sweetheart. “So sad that it wasn’t any longer, just so grateful that it happened at all.” I will love you forever!

We would like to thank the many people who made a significant contribution to his care during his illness – family, friends, neighbors, and the staff at IMC and Intermountain Hospice. In his own words, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 29, 2011, 11:00 AM, at the LDS Chapel on 2550 West 9800 South, South Jordan, UT, with a viewing prior to the services from 9:00 – 10:30 AM. A viewing will be held Friday evening, October 28, 6-8 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT. (Road closure due to construction between 1300-1700 E. on 10600 S. Take 11400 S. to 1700 E., then north to cemetery.)

Online condolences may be made at www.larkincares.com

Caspian

We have completely fallen in love with this new babe and already made several fun memories between camping, lakes, and playing with our three sons. :) We specifically cherish this picture with the failing health of Mike's dad. So thankful for the good times and an eternal family.

Exciting Summer

I love this picture of Titan and think it pretty much describes how we all feel right now... excited and happy. We had a great week at Powell and are VERY thankful for life jackets. We are excited for a new baby and my dad and Mary's upcoming wedding. Very blessed, wahoo!

Good Times

This weekend has been great with family and friends. It was sweet to get to watch out the window as the boys followed Mike like ducklings on an Easter egg hunt. Then to see as he played with them on the tire swing. Moments like that make me so thankful for my life. Of all the fun and treats this weekend the phrase still wins...

Death is conquered,
man is free;
Christ has won the victory.