Love yourself...enjoy....

Josh's letter 11 May 2009

Hey Fam! It was great to talk to you all yesterday(although i was a little sad that i didnt get to talk to my WHOLE family, including those that i personally adopted as brothers and second mothers and all). I am happy that all is going well at home and that everybody is good. I loved hearing all of your voices again and was especially glad that you dont feel like you dont have to worry about me any more (although i was suprised by your worry in the firstplace because i thought we had resolved all the food and safety stuff at christmas). Just to let Greg know, i am not serving in Kenya right nowm i am in Tanzania, so he almost did my work for me, except that Kenya is a completely different country, but i love him for trying. and i'll be on the lookout for oklahoma tourists to convert for now on too. and greg, dont think most kenyans are like him, he is one of the rich ones, you can tell because he wasnt in kenya. but i am stoked that you got to meet him.I am not sure what all to say since i just talked to you guys. everything is the same since last night. but i love you all ani hope you have a great week and that everything works out good andstuff. have fun at morp spencer. and the rest of you be safe and happy with everyting that you are doing.

Mother's Day

My computer decided to go on strike and all my pics for the week are on there....but don't worry Josh...you aren't missing much...they were mostly of Kim P. and I at the quilt show--I took a ton of pictures to send to Carol and pretended like she was there with me...she is having a rough week so we need all the prayers we can get in her behalf.

We went to church and left early to get your call :) Talked to you...had a nap (trueville)...Megan made chicken and broccoli casserole for dinner and jubilee jumble cookies and got me new padded bike shorts. Spencer and Sam with the help of Dad gave me two new church books. Had fun on Facebook...dreamed a few summer dreams including picnics and green grapes and laying out in the sun on one of those double chaises by a private pool...spending the day at 7 Peaks with the kiddies...having the neighborhood kids over for a Wacky Wednesday...maybe Salem Pond for the day with a book and a basket of yummy salads...hot tubing every night...I LIKE TO DAY DREAM. It's been a sweet day.

The weather decided to get sunny...still cool...but perfect for working in the yard!!! The garden is now tilled and I will plant this week while Dad is in Guatemala. All the rain and cool weather brought grass and weeds to my beds like I have never seen. It makes me wonder what it would be like to garden in Florida..my only memories of gardening are of the hours (or so it seemed) weeding--for stupid things like eggplant and zuchinni that I hated. Now I love zuchinni...still don't dig on the eggplant.

Sam starts tournament play this week so our night game schedule is unknown. Spencer was suppose to head down to St. George for a tournament on Saturday, but was asked to MORP by Joanna (Hunsakers German exchange student)so he'll be here for the dance instead. I have 3 clients this week...yeehaw...I am also starting my eating habits anew. I hit a certain number on the scale that makes me crazy...getting older should NOT entail MORE work to stay thin. We also got the P90X cd's...I need to add some weight and resistance training since all I do is cardio..I "watched" the first one and think I'm going to die...literally he does push ups, pull-ups (I don't think I can even do ONE) and weights for 45 minutes STRAIGHT...tomorrow morning will be an interesting scene...but as he says...JUST HANG IN THERE and keep pushing PLAY. That much I can do.

Ohhhh yeahhhh...Dad gave me an afternoon at the SPA with an hour massage, a european facial (an hour) and a pedicure...pure heaven. I LOVE to be pampered. My toes are dang cute...wish it would last forever. That's not true. I WANT to go back and have my feet massaged.

BUT OUT OF EVERYTHING...HANDS DOWN... the best thing to happen to me was TALKING TO YOU....and Michael. I'm so glad that you got to talk to him too. I'm so glad you are WHO you are and handling things in your way...that you are so loving and non judgemental...and patient...and smart and GOOD and MINE!!!! I heard this woman say the other day when someone told her that her kids were beautiful "Yeah, I made them...took me 9 months" I LOVED THAT SHE TOOK CREDIT...so ok, here goes...YEAH, I made YOU...took me 8 1/2 months...Dang good job if I say so myself!!!!!! Excited for your week ahead and the new companion coming. I'll be praying. Seems between you and Carol and Michael and GrandDad and the whole dang family I spend most of my day praying and focusing LOVE energy...a lovely way to spend days....

Till next Monday...LOVE YOUR GUTS OUT and know that you are AMAZING!!!!
And Michael...DITTO...and feel free to make deals with God...I always have and I swear he LOVES me for it....

TO Lovey--7 days and I get to hear your VOICE!!!

I have had a few hundred prayers for you since your last letter and I am anxiously awaiting your email tomorrow morning. As you can see it's been a busy week...but not busy enough to cover over my heart pangs for you. I feel at peace so I am taking it as a sign that all is well.

Matt Matheson bailed on going to Florida with Michael the NIGHT BEOFRE AT MIDNIGHT...it was a tough decision for him...he has the chance to maybe walk on the BYU football team so he decided to stay....he has to be here to work out with them all summer. SOOOoooo...Michael decided to just fly down. He made 2 sells his first day...they say if he keeps that up he'll make 100k this summer!!! If he makes 15k I'll be THRILLED!!!! He called this afternoon to say they went to the 1 o'clock singles ward and is going to try a new one next week. He's already been swimming in the ocean and his apartment complex is GORGEOUS with a pool and workout room!!!!!

As you can see...Prom was GREAT!!! Spencer keeps surprising me with how MATURE he is...I mean, I know it, but I still expect this kid part to show more...and we rarely see that now...just mostly man....

Sam has his swing back...hit a 350 footer last game...still pitching and kickin' butt.

Megan has been sick this week and I keep joking that I want her to stay away...and this morning I woke up with an upset tummy and I am "VIBING" it away by tomorrow...

We still haven't planted the garden because the weather has been so cold and wet. But today looks like it isgoing to turn around.

Jim Meeks viewing is tonight. I wish you could be here for Clayton...maybe you could Facebook him.
Do you have any details for us for the phone call next Sunday??? I CAN NOT WAIT!!!! I think Mother's Day will stay my favorite day of the year for the next 6 years at least......

I love you. I love you. I love you. Just a waitin' to hear...miss you.
PS. Don't worry about all the swine flu stuff you are hearing about...I think the media is just bored now that the election is over and having a hay day....

Spencer and PROM 2009

I LOVE being a mom!!!! I LOVE doing parties and dinners and whatever else it is they want help with!!!! Megan was the master mind behind the balloons hanging down on the table and helping me with a color scheme...it looked great! Thanks MeganXXOOXX. We served Fillet Minon and grilled Teriaki chicken, a salad bar, a fruit bar with Yummy dip, lucious homemade rolls and raspberry cheesecake for dessert. We lit the walk to the door with yard candles...and served dinner by candlelight. Shayne Clarke made up hysterical fortunes for their fortunes cookies that we put at each place...like"no swine flu for you" and "your innie will become and outie"...thanks Shayne!! I love to sit in the other room and listen to their laughter. These guys really love each other and I expect them to be friends for ALL their lives...

Look how DARLING Spencer's date is!!! We hope to see more of Jordan around here...I even think they kind of look alike...?????

SPENCER and JORDAN

RUEBEN and SHERRIE

AUSTIN and MISTY

JEFFERS and TOSI

STEVEN and ALLISON

MICHAEL and ERICA

Amber's FLAT STANLEY comes to Utah...

Amber's FLAT STANLEY arrived---it is based off a children's book---each person in her elementary class at school (Boise, Idaho) made a FLAT STANLEY and has sent HIM somewhere in the world to have an adventure. We only have him a week....but it has sure made me realize HOW MUCH this family crams into a week!!! And I didn't even get pictures of him at my book club....the midnight premiere of Wolverine....Sam's double header....bike rides up Provo Canyon...showing houses to clients....dinner at Los Hermanos....church.....yard work...golfing with Spencer....

His first outing was to Sam's winning game at Timpanogas High School...it was just before Michael left so he got to get aquainted with him and his friend visiting from England who served a mission with Michael in Germany.
He went on an 8 miler with me...I saftey pinned him to my shirt---I went late...like 7:30 and had SEVERAL honks...I am sure it was the kids on their way to school who have already done the same project...it was FUN!!! I just kept waving!!!

He went to Haven's 7th Birthday Party at Chuck E Cheese where Graham tried to MAKE him be his best friend...we had to take him away to save his life.
He came to date night with Don and I and played cards with the Beans and the Clarke's...he wasn' t that great at NERTZ but did great at SCUM...was even Vice President once!
Saturday he went with Spencer and friends and their dates to Thanksgiving Point to blow glass ...they made flowers. STANLEY came right home and helped me get ready for the fancy PROM dinner...he wanted a FLAT SALLY so he wouldn't feel out of place with everyone else having a date...but I was unfortunately too busy to get his TUX made. He says he liked the balloons and steak the best!! STANLEY was a big hit with the girls...especially Spencer's DARLING Date Jordan.
Tomorrow he goes to work with Don and will get to see Temple Square and the gardens...Tuesday he heads home....Flat Stanley is the PERFECT guest...never asks for a thing...quiet and polite, and ALWAYS SMILING!!!

We miss you already Jim....

James Baker Meeks "Jim" James Baker Meeks, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 after a 15-month battle with spindle-cell sarcoma, a rare cancer. He was born October 11, 1956, in Concord, CA, the third child of Arden Earl Meeks and Dixie Ann Baker. Jim married his high-school sweetheart, Patricia Jo Godfrey, on August 18, 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple after serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in numerous church callings, especially cherishing his time as Bishop of the BYU 53rd Ward from 2004 - 2007. Jim began his career as a proud firefighter/paramedic for the Salt Lake County Fire Department, where he worked for eight years before completing the Physician Assistant program at the University of Utah in 1992. He also served briefly in the Army Reserve before being released honorably due to a serious injury to his hand. Jim practiced as a PA from 1992 - 2008, when his illness prevented him from working more. He tirelessly worked for the advancement of his profession, and among other things served as President of the AFPPA from July 1, 2008 to the day he died. He received many awards and honors, among which were 1990 Utah Public Employee of the Year, Utah Physician Assistant of the Year in 1995, and Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA in 2008. No matter how busy he was Jim always made time for the greatest love in his life, his wife and family. His mother, father, stepmother Sherry Carr Meeks, and one sister preceded Jim in death. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Patricia; devoted children, Clint (Jen), Mariah (Enrique), Coleton, Clayton, Makell; adoring grandchildren, Boston and Roman; seven siblings, and all those who knew him. Services will be Monday, May 4, 2009, 1:00 p.m., Lindon Central Stake Center, 50 E 600 N, Lindon, UT. Friends may call at the same address on Sunday from 6 - 8 p.m. or on Monday at 11 a.m - 12:45 p.m. Flowers may be sent to Goff Mortuary, 8090 S State Street, Midvale, UT, 84047. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to ATTN: University of Utah, c/o Dr. Chen/Gouw's Sarcoma Research, 540 Arapeen Drive, Ste. 250, SLC, UT 84108.