"Slacker" is My Middle Name

So I have been quite the slacker the last couple weeks! Usually I have plenty of time at work to update all of you about our exciting life, but I started a project I have been wanting to do for a long time now. I took all my recipes that I've had in my recipe box, all the recipes I've printed off the Internet and just threw in a pile, and some of my favorite recipes from cook books and combined it all into one big binder.

I typed everything into the computer and printed the recipes off and then filed them into different categories! I'm very excited about this. I always struggle trying to figure out what to fix for dinner and when I can't think of anything, we end up just going out. I never realized that I had so many great recipes till I actually started pulling them out of my recipe box. When I would get a recipe, I would file it my box under the letter I thought would be fitting - and never look at it again. Now that I have everything accessible and easy to see, I should be able to be the domestic house wife that Clint has always wanted :).

Any way, now that I've told you my life story about why I'm a slacker, let me fill you in on what's been going on in the last 3 weeks.

It's For Sale!!!

We finally got our house on the market a week later than we would have liked due to the funeral and haven't had much luck. It's only been on the market two weeks, but I still am freaking out because we've only had one showing. I keep telling myself that I need to have faith that it will all work out because we are suppose to move to Ohio. Some times it's really hard though.

Anyway, after reading my friend Janisha's blog, I decided that I needed to get our house on KSL, and make a blog of our house. So if you are interested in looking at it, click here. I don't know if any of you are like me, but I LOVE seeing other peoples houses. I love to see what ideas they come up with. So just don't judge me or mock me if you don't like my house :)

Bridal Veil Falls

Next we decided to take new engagement pictures. Not really, but we were at Bridal Veil Falls the other day, I mockingly made us take cheesy pictures.

Oh Clinty boy, I love you!

Me and my friend Teresa. I sure am going to miss the Jensen's. They have been our friends from the day we got married, seriously! They have had struggles with the kid thing as well, so it's been so nice to have an other couple who knows what we're going through. It's also nice because we still feel like we're in high school and can pretty much plan our night of activities 5 minutes before we leave for our weekend of fun.

Clint and Robin, they sure act tough...

...but they're really not. So when I said that we still act like we are in high school, this is proof. Clint is fondling Robin, and Robin's hand is on his way to Clint's behind. BOYS, they keep us young and make us laugh.

Roman's Birthday Party

We had one of our nephews birthday party a couple weeks ago. It was such a nice day! Here are some fun pictures to document the day.

Some of the guest playing that weird, but fun game that you through balls and try and get close to the first one?

The cake. Clint's sister Makell made this! Doesn't it look great!

Makell, Patti and Clay. I love this one!

Clint talking to Jax

Jax was so good to just let the kids smother him.

Roman wanted his Uncle Clint to hold him.

He, Clint, made quit the mess.

And for payback, Mariah told Roman to kiss Clint.

Roman, me, Clint and Boston. Has anyone ever gotten a picture of a 2 year old and a 4 year old together looking at the camera, smiling and not being silly? I know I haven't.

Happy Birthday song. This is for you Scott. My brother is in Argentina on his mission right now and he loved when I put a video on my blog of people speaking English, so I though I would put the happy Birthday song on here for him.

The Funeral

All in all the day went pretty well. Lots of tears, and laughs but no one had a major break down so we can't complain. We had a viewing on Sunday night and so many people came! Thanks to all of those who came and most of all waiting in the long, slow moving line to see us. It really means a lot to us to have your support.

Monday was the funeral and Clint was one of the speakers. I wish I could speak like him. He didn't have any notes or anything and he just stood up there and did such an amazing job! The service was really nice. We sat on the second bench and I could just picture Jim sitting on the front row, sitting sideways looking at the pulpit and holding Patti's hand behind him. I'm sure he was there and I'm sure he was giving Patti a hug the whole day. She did amazing!

Here are a few pictures of the day. I do have pictures of Jim in the casket, but I didn't want to post them for a couple reasons, but mostly because he really didn't look like Jim. In fact so many people commented on him not looking like himself that after the burial Patti was standing there in a daze and asked me if it was really Jim that we just buried (I'm sure it didn't help that there was a mix-up with bodies at the hospital on the day he died). I had to reassure her it was him and he had his scars and marks that he had before. It's amazing to see that your spirit is really what makes a person, not your body.

Clint and I with Roman and Boston

Clay, Patti and Makell

The family, Jim is kind of peaking through

The Pallbearers (Clint, Enrique, Roman, Clayton, Coleton, Mick and Derrick)

And again at the cemetery. Don't they look good! They all had matching lime green ties and those handkerchief things in there pocket.

Mariah, Boston, Patti and Makell

The family at the grave site

Here they come

And a again, isn't Roman just so cute holding his dad's hand

Almost there

The casket

Getting a ready for a family picture

And the final family picture

Clint's Graduation!!!

UVU's First Graduation!!!

And Clint was one of them!

I am so happy that he finally did it! It was a day that we'd been waiting for for a long time! At the convocation, President Thomas S. Monson spoke and received an honorary Doctorate degree. It was an amazing experience and I feel so privileged to be part of it.

Even President Ukdorf, President Eyring and their wives were there.

President Monson after he received his honors

The Class of 2009

Clint's mom, his sister Mariah and my brother Craig, waiting for the commencement to start.

Roman, Enrique, Clay and Makell waiting.

The Meeks clan minus Jim at Clint's Graduation

Woodbury School of Business Graduates

Congratulations!!!

Clint and his mom Patti

The three of us

Mariah, Boston, Makell, me, Clint, Patti, Clay, Roman and Enrique

Boston being funny at Mimi's Cafe

Mariah, Boston and Clay

Waiting for our food. Boston was going crazy because the food was taking so long. Then when it finally started to come, she was the last one to get hers. Poor thing.

And that was our long and exhausting day. It was kind of a bitter sweet moment. We were all so happy for Clint, but still really sad that Jim wasn't with us anymore. But I really feel like he was there supporting Clint. Love ya Clint, you did great! Just promise me that law school isn't going to take as long as your undergraduate ;).

Jim's Obituary

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.

The Verdict Is In!!!

Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my Law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high;

D&C 38:32

Well we have made our decision, (unless some crazy thing happens like Harvard or some school like that accepts him) we will be moving to Akron, Ohio August 2nd! Scary, but exciting at the same time. I asked Clint if the scholarship was the deciding factor of if other things really impressed him as well. The scholarship was a big thing, but when we went to Kirtland a month ago we watched one of those church history movies and the Scripture above was quoted in the movie and it keeps replaying in Clint's head. Coincidence? who knows, I guess we'll soon find out. We sure will miss everyone, but no worries, we might come back and visit. We do want to have a big going away party, so keep your calendars open for the end of July and we'll be sure to let you know where the big bash will take place.

GO Zips!!!