Ode to 2011

*I made a book for Brian for Christmas celebrating our "First Full Year" together.

It's kinda cheesy,
(and I don't do mushy on this blog very often) 
but it was a great way to review such an eventful year.
Enjoy.

2011

I was still getting used to being your wife,

And realized quite soon that sports is your life.

You tested my patience and learned that was bad,

But learned how to cheer me up when I'm sad.

We each had our things that took us away

Which helped us remember to cherish each day.

Celebrating success and having fun with our friends;

The fun at our house just never did end.

There was that one time where we played "Mom" and "Dad."

And nobody died, for which we were glad.

We saw all the sites and the Smithsonian,

And you were so cute taking all of it in.

Our summer was full of traveling fun,

And we didn't stop until we were done.

From the Twin Falls up north to the Florida sun,

It was a nice break from our life on the run.

The trip of the year that seemed long overdue

To that magical place where dreams do come true.

Throughout the whole year in our ups and our downs

You did all you could to keep off that frown.

From rainy day dates to mad shopping sprees,

You made it a point to take care of me.

We made it a year -- the best year of my life.

I can't say enough, "I love being your wife!"

And so I give thanks to the good Lord above

For giving me someone so easy to love.

I hope as we go through these years up ahead

That we may not be filled with regret or with dread.

But this much I know and all I can say

Is I'm so glad I get to be with you each day.

I love you, Brian.

Thanks for a great 2011!

Love much,

Beth

The Worth of an Education

I begin writing this with a little trepidation. I don't post much and I'm not sure any of the people who actually read this have any interest in what I have to say. Nevertheless, here I am, hands on the keyboard.

Hopefully what I end up with is coherent because at the moment I'm pretty tired. You see, I have a new job. I work in the bakery at Brick Oven which means I have the pleasure of waking up at 5 AM in the morning so that I can be into work on time at 6 AM. Once I get there I basically make all the dough for the restaurant (pizza, breadsticks, etc.). and then help out with a lot of the other food prep which can be a lot for a restaurant of this size. We do this for about four to five hours and then I come home and crash. All of this for just over minimum wage.

Now don't get me wrong. I know that a lot of people do a lot worse jobs than this at even earlier and stranger hours. I know that the previous paragraph might come off as me complaining but I didn't write it for that purpose. I'm actually really grateful that I have a job right now in this stage in between graduation and career. Most the times it's pretty fun. It's been a great blessing and I've had a lot worse jobs.

And that brings me to the major point of my post.

I sometimes wonder what the worth of an education is. Specifically, what is the worth of MY education?

Can I determine the worth by looking at how much it cost? Is it the amount of my student loans? Is it the 6 years (I started in the Summer of 2005, just minus 2 years for a mission) of my life that I spent studying?

Is that what my education is worth? How do I know?

Is it worth my future unearned salary? Is that millions? trillions? or hundreds?

Or is it worth anything at all? Does a bachelors degree in communication give me a leg up on anything? Does the economy negate a degree? Are there so many people out there with degrees that the market is saturated so much that it doesn't mean much?

Perhaps it's worth what I make it.

Honestly, I don't know. I think it's probably a mix of all of the above. I do know one thing though and my new job at BO has helped me realize this. My degree (at least theoretically) is worth me not having to work for minimum wage. It's worth being able to chose what I want to do. It's worth wearing an ID badge instead of a name tag (unless you count a lower third as a name tag). It's worth dress shoes and suits. It's worth a whole lot more too.

I'm not trying to put down those who do physical labor for their careers. Lots of people find fulfillment in all sorts of work. I'm just saying that it's not what I want to do for mine and my degree is worth at least that. It's worth a chance at doing what I'm passionate about as a career.

Looking back at the years I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to go to BYU and get a degree. I don't know where it will take me. Maybe I'm wrong about this whole post. Either way, I wouldn't have done it any other way. Whatever it's worth to me in the end I can say with a surety that it was worth everything that I gave to get it.

-Brian

Cheers

A few things have me very excited this week:

1.  We get to move up with our wonderful Primary class. 

I'm so excited to teach these guys again.

2.  Buying fabric.

I love knowing that I have projects to occupy every second of my time.

3.  Planning a trip.

It's not a vacation, but it's trip none-the-less.

4.  Starting the new year and planning how to lose 20 more pounds.

Can't wait.

5.  AMAZING friends at work that let me vent and lift me up.

(Love ya Mama Cass!!!)

6.  New Ipod... kinda.

Apparently I own a generation of Ipod that is known to spontaneously combust.

So I'm getting a replacement.

For free.

Sweet.

7.  Learning a new program that manages my moneys and bills.

Everything is SO organized.

I'm in heaven.

There are so many other things in my life that are going well right now.

I'm trying to be better at noticing those more often.

What's got you smiling this week?

Love much,

 Beth

Christmas

Brian and I celebrated Christmas at work this year.

Ok... We were only there for Christmas Eve, 

but it was still a holiday.

Santa somehow managed to squeeze in a stop by his long night,

and he reassured us that we were both good little chillins'.

We were both very tired after a long day.

And the "fa-ra-ra-ra-ra" scene from A Christmas Story kept running through my head a we ate our Eve's dinner.

Thankfully we got off early enough to be home for the traditional reading of the nativity story.

My brother-in-law filled in for my dad

(since for some reason, my parents feel like that have to visit my other siblings every once-in-a-while).

But Brock did a great job.

Luke 2 always gives me goosebumps.

Sunday morning we work up bright and early to open presents before 9 am church.

The rest of the day was spent lounging around, watching movies, and just enjoying the down time with my hubby.

Have I mention how much I love this man?

I hope your Christmas was as peaceful and relaxing as our was.

Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year!

Love much,

Beth

Oh.... and in case you needed a little extra boost to your day,

Here is my A-freakin'-DORABLE nephew singing one of our family's fav Christmas songs.

We're all a bunch of hams.

30

This is a little belated.

But my very young and very beautiful sister turned 30 last week.

(Hey - I didn't say she was younger than me)

I sent her this.

I know it put a smile on her face.

And at her age,

she needs something to smile about.

Just kidding sis!

(I know I'm only 8 years behind you...)

Love much,

Beth

Slacker

One of the best parts about Christmas is seeing people you don't see very often.

My sister and her family are in town.

Tons of friends have come home for the holidays.

And I wanted to take full advantage of it.

Because I have absolutely no control over anything else in my life right now,

I decided to throw a dinner party for some friends and TOTALLY deck it out.

Thank you Pinterest.

Why am I a slacker?

I got so caught up in the night and the talking and the cooking that I totally spaced taking any pictures.

At least I have the memories right?

So just imagine the most magical dinner table and food...

...and that's what it looked like.

I'm sure.

Love much,

Beth

CTR 7

Brian and I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching our Primary class.

They have such amazing little spirits.

I have felt this huge responsibility to teach them true principles and encourage them to be their best.

They are making the important decision to be baptized.

The first of many important covenants they will make in their life.

We always come home with funny stories.

Like the time they wanted me to explain what adultery is.

Or the time that Brian had to help one of the boys zip up their pants... and felt like a total creeper.

Or that other time when I started crying and all the kids looked at me like I was an alien.

Ah.... Good times.

We taught them for the last time this Sunday.

But sometimes I think that they do more of the teaching.

In fact I KNOW that they do.

I can't wait to have my own to learn from.

Someday.

Love much,

Beth

Again

Here we go again.

But it's a means to an end.

But still...

Ugh.

Not lovin' it,

Beth

LIFE

I have 4 siblings.

2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Because of LIFE

we all live in different states right now.

It's really weird when I actually think about it.

But like I said, it's our life.

This Christmas my youngest brother is serving our church in Sacramento.

The rest of us wanted to do something special for him.

My very creative older sister came up with this idea.

"We Love You!"

We couldn't all be together for Christmas

and even though I'm not the recipient of this gift,

it's really comforting to see all these faces 

and see the wonderful family I have.

I wish we could all be together during the holidays.

But here we are.

In this little jpeg.

And that will have to do for now.

Love much,

Beth

Jewelry Frame

My niece turns 12 this year.

I can't believe it.

That makes me feel so old.

I was 10 when I first became an aunt.

For her birthday,

B has decided she wants to get her ears pierced.

Pierced.

That just sounds painful.

But beauty is pain, right?

I don't know if all my pain has paid off yet... but that's beside the point.

For her big NUMBER 1-2

I decided to get crafty.

Witness for yourself:

The Jewelry Frame

I had seen lots of tutorials for projects like this,

but this was my first time trying it out myself.

I really like how it turned out with the buttons and everything.

I'm also happy to announce that it didn't cost me a dime.

It is made of things that I (or my mom) had lying around the house.

Even better.

Now I want to make one for myself.

Is that wrong?

What projects have YOU been working on?

Happy crafting to all of you.

Love much,

Beth

Bring

The Christmas season brings so many wonderful things.

The holiday spirit.

The joy of His birth.

The parties and celebrations.

We're ready for all of it.

Bring on the holidays.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Love much, 

The Grimmetts


Oh, and here is the card I designed for my mom.

So I guess it's more like....

Love much,
The Whole Walker Clan

Finals

We've got to take those finals,

and then we're done.

Done.

Done driving too school way too early.

Done enjoying these majestic mountains on a daily basis.

Done climbing mountains of stairs,

traipsing across acres of beautiful campus landscapes.

Done seeking refuge in my precious Brimhall Building.

Done seeing this.

Done.

Done.

I still can't believe it.

And I can't believe I got so attached to this place.

But it change my life.

It gave me this guy.

And I'm eternally indebted to this program.

Where do I go from here?

Love much, 

Beth

Changes

Brian and I are on our last week of school.

I can't believe it.

Seriously.

I don't think I learned anything.

I don't feel any smarter.

I don't act any smarter.

I don't look any smarter.

Well... maybe I do on that one.

Guess who got reading glasses today?

ANYWAYS...

I feel like not much has changed.

But then I look back at where I was 4 and a half years ago.

And I realized I HAVE changed.

Now let's hope it was a good change.

Oh and one other thing?

For the FIRST TIME in our marriage,

Brian finally weighs more than me!

:)

And that's saying something,

considering he's like a friggin' twig!

Love much,

Beth

Home

The vacation is over.
Our car is packed & we seem to be going home with a lot more than we came with.
Here's hoping we make it home in one piece.
And preferably without any more sickness.

Perfect

Today was my ideal vacation.
Waking up at 10.
Shopping (and purchasing) for a few hours.
One tourist stop.
(where JFK was assassinated)
Visiting DMA #5 station (Brian's dream market)
And meeting great people.
Dinner with my man at an amazing Italian restaurant.
(Thanks to UrbanSpoon)
Single dip of Braum's Peppermint ice cream.
I'm officially enjoying my vacation.
Love much,
Beth

Greater Love...

...Hath no husband than this, than to clean up the car after his wife looses her lunch in it... 4 times.

So far the trip is turning out to be quite an adventure. I'm so incredibly grateful for Brian and how sweet he's been. He takes such good care of me.

In between my bouts of sickness, Brian & I were just 30 minutes behind a horrific drunk driving accident. The drunk driver killed 2 people and left 2 others in critical condition, including some children. And whats worse? This isn't the first time police have arrested this man for driving intoxicated. I really hope this idiot rots in jail for the rest of his life.

Seriously.

Love much,

Beth

Journey

We haven't been to visit Brian's family in more than a year.... Before we we're married.

So today we start the trek to Texas. It's almost a 20 hour expedition and so we're breaking it up into 2 days.

At least for the drive down. We're not sure yet what we'll do on the way back.

Already we have learned that my mix of CD's reminds Brian and me of pre-mission college and freshman high school year respectively. Maybe its time for an update?

Love much,
Beth

P.S. I don't know why my phone is posting the picture upside down... Stupid phone.

M.M.R. #4

Let me just start with what's buzzing in the newsroom.

What do you expect?
My newsroom is full of college girls.
But as a reader of Hunger Games myself, I have to agree.
It looks pretty good.

With Christmas on it's way,
it's time we start thinking about what to get those oh-so-picky people in our lives.
I've been thinking of putting together a "Reporter Survival Kit" for hubby
and I think these are a must for the techno-geek in my life.
Especially these touch-screen gloves.

How many times have I wished I had a pair.

I think the title of this article speaks for itself. 
How to Have an Uncomfortable Conversation with a Problematic Coworker (Without Being an Asshole)
 And since I've already apparently had an issue with this,
I'm definitely taking note.
You probably should too.

The job hunt continues in our house.
I found these tips from Forbes pretty helpful,
but I wonder how true they actually are?
I guess we'll see after I apply them to my current resume.

The new "hot" word in the cyber world is
The Cloud.
What is it?

A floating human transport device, of course.
OK...
Maybe that's the wrong "cloud" but this whimsical mass transit is quite entertaining.
I'd take a ride.

Finally,
I'll leave you with a funny.

Describes my recent work experience maybe a little too well.
JOKES!

Love much,
Beth

Christmas Crafting

Like previously mentioned,

I don't feel like I have a lot going on in my life right now.
Therefore,
I've needed to find something else to occupy my time.

Since Christmas is coming and this family's funds are low
I've decided to get a head start on presents and *hopefully* save some money along the way.

My youngest brother is on a mission right now.
So we all decided (meaning: my mom told us) to make ornaments to go on a small Christmas tree they were sending to him.

She made these.
Makes me think "Honey, I Shrunk My Parents!"

Brian's ornament:

There is a family joke/story behind this,
but we used puzzle pieces painted green to make it look like a wreath.

And the grand finale:
Of COURSE I'm the angel on the top.
:)
He will totally appreciate the irony.

Next up, the in-laws.
(I can post pics because I've been assured by Brian that his mother never checks the blog.
If you do.... Merry Christmas Linda!)
Still feeling the need to impress my all-too-amazing-at-everything-she-does Mother-in-law,
I made this.
This is totally how Brian feels about his family now.
He feels all "picked-on" because we don't have kids that his parents want to come visit.
"It's all about the Grandkids."
Totally stole it from Pinterest.
But nobody needs to know that.
So forget what I just said.

And lastly for now...
(I can't post too obvious of pictures because I don't want to give away the gift before they get to open it.)

All these projects definitely have me in the Christmas spirit.
I'm also hoping that Christmas this year will bring relocation.
That would mean that we have jobs.
And are being adults.
And making real money.
(Options right now include Amarillo, TX and Myrtle Beach, SC.
But I'm sure there will be many more applications in the weeks to come.)

As for now,
a local radio station has started playing Christmas music.
So the inevitable Beth-wants-to-listen-to Christmas-music-6-months-out-of-the-year-and-Brian-is-a-Grinch battle begins!

Much love,
Beth