Christmas

We had a great Christmas (Again, this post is very late)! It was the Gardiner's turn to have all the kids spend Christmas at their house. So we spent several days with James' parents, siblings and spouses, and niece and nephews. It was a full house but I think it was the best Christmas this side of the family has spent together yet. We all had a great time playing games, making and eating a LOT of food, exchanging gifts, taking a mini trip, and most importantly remembering the birth of Jesus Christ.

It was so fun to see our nephews and niece get so excited about making cookies for Santa and seeing what he brought them. It was definitely one of the major highlights.







The day after Christmas, we went to Goose Island in Rockport. It was beautiful, but COLD! We got to walk around on the little island made of oyster shells and see a tree that was over 1000 years old. Then we went to eat at a charming restaurant on the water.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

So this post is extremely late! So much has happened recently that we haven't had time to keep up with blogging. But here is some highlights from the holidays.

We had a wonderful time getting ready for our second Christmas together as a married couple. We continued our traditions of picking out a tree and decorating it, and added the shepard/animal figurines to our manger/nativity set. We also added a few new ornaments this year that we bought on our Carribean cruise last January. James finished staining the manger and it looks wonderful!





We got together with our neighbors and made candy houses. I have never really done elaborate candy houses before, but we had SO much fun making them! It was even more fun to EAT it over the next few days. We were so proud of our little house and we want to make it a tradition to make one every year.









Of course the entry could not be complete without some more pregnancy pictures. I am glad that I took so many pictures throughout my pregnancy because it is fun to look back on them. Here are some of me at about 33 weeks.

Catch up: Graduation

The past two years have been some of the most challenging in my life. And also the most joyful and satisfying. I want to record my thoughts and experiences related to finishing my graduate degree and what it means to me, and show my appreciation for those who have helped me along the way.

Decision to go to grad school

In the Summer of 2007, I was finishing up the last few months of my mission in Virginia/West Virginia. One morning, I decided to read some talks from the Ensign (church magazine). As I was doing so, there was one talk that President Hinckley (former leader/prophet of our church) had given to the youth. I remember reading a certain passage regarding education and feeling the Spirit pierce my heart so strongly and directly with the prompting that I needed to obtain more education and go to graduate school.

"Beyond ecclesiastical study there is the challenge of education. Resolve now, while you are young, that you will get all of the education you can. We live in a highly competitive age, and it will only grow worse. Education is the key that will unlock the door of opportunity.

You may plan on marriage, and hope for it, but you are not certain that it will come. And even though you marry, education will be of great benefit to you. Don’t just drift along, letting the days come and go without improvement in your lives. The Lord will bless you as you make the effort. Your lives will be enriched and your outlook broadened as your minds are opened to new vistas and knowledge. ("http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=6de3b5658af22110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1">"Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly," President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign May 2007)

My main thoughts were that although I planned on working when I got home from my mission, that now would be the time to further my education. I wanted to save up money from working so that when James and I got married, that I might be able to stay home with our children when we started a family. That is something I really, really wanted. To be a full time mom. I know the knowledge I would give to my children would be so valuable to them. But after reading this talk, the main impression that came to my mind is that we cannot control what happens in our lives, so it is best to prepare for any situation that may arise in the future despite what we have planned.

When I got home from my mission, I tried to find a job for a while. I still did not want to go to grad school. But I was unsuccessful at finding a "real" job, and that's when I started looking at schools. I always wanted to go to Texas A&M for grad school, partly because it was where I went for my undergrad and partly because I just love College Station. But the programs offered and the requirements and deadlines just weren't matching up with my situation. I thought of going to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The program was relatively short, I did not need work experience to be accepted into the program, and the location would be near James when he got home from his mission, but also someplace I wouldn't mind living in case it didn't work out with him.

So from that moment things happened fast. I took the GMAT two weeks later, submitted my application, was accepted to the program, and was awarded a scholarship.

Starting Grad school

I was very overwhelmed when I started grad school. The people in my classes seemed like they knew everything that was going on and I felt completely lost! I didn't know anyone and the coursework was time consuming. I was also in the middle of planning my wedding with James, I had just moved in to a new apartment in a new town, and I also started my first, full time, professional job. So needless to say, I was stressed out! Things worked out, though, and eventually I got used to everything and just kept going from semester to semester.

Things got difficult again when I got pregnant. I was so extremely tired all the time, and I was going to class for 3+ hours four days a week during the summer, including working full time, plus homework, projects, and exams. It was insane! I really don't know how I did it, I must have been receiving some extra help!

Finishing grad school

It felt so good to finally finish and be done with my last semester project. It felt very satisfying to complete everything and to know that I had accomplished my goal. I learned SO much about so many things. I was able to use a LOT of what I learned in my job and in several areas of my life. I feel much more prepared for whatever the future holds and MUCH more confident in my abilities as a professional. A combination of education and real world job experience has led me to new opportunities for growth, and I am so grateful for that! I am so thankful to have the opportunity for education. I took it for granted as an undergraduate, and I appreciate everything SO much more now. I can't believe I finally have an MBA, it feels awesome!

I would like to show my gratitude to all of those who helped to make this possible. The support of my family, husband, boss, professors, and friends made all the difference.

To James-thank you for being my loving husband and supporting me in everything that I do. You gave me encouragement every step in the way that was vital to me. Every time I got frustrated at my busy schedule, you did what you could to help me and made sure that I knew you were there for me. You helped me to know that I could do anything that I set my mind to and to always remember the "big picture," that school would not last forever and that I would be glad to finish when it was all over.

To my family-thank you for instilling the value of education and hard work into me. From an early age, you have always focused on the importance of doing well in my studies and showing diligence that would help prepare me for the "real world" and adult life. Thank you for teaching me that anything worth doing is worth doing WELL and the importance with always following through with commitments. Thank you for teaching me that you cannot get something for nothing and that things are best valued when they are worked for. Without these life lessons, I know that I would have not been likely to achieve this goal.

To my boss-thank you for creating a work environment that values higher education. Thank you for offering the flexibility that I would need to go to school and to finish my degree. Thank you for listening to me during the difficult days and for your overall encouragement and advice. All of these things have made a huge difference to me and helped enable me to achieve this goal.

To my professors-Thank you to those who make the extra effort to make the material MEANINGFUL and USEFUL. Great professors can make all the difference!

To my friends-Thank you for listening to me during all of the stressful moments. Thank you for understanding my crazy schedule. Thank you for your overall support and encouragement!

Baby Gardiner Update

On Monday we went to get an ultrasound to measure the baby. He is still measuring at 35 weeks (which is what I measured at 3 weeks ago...so he's only 3 weeks bigger instead of 6 weeks). So we are kind of catching up to where he should be. He looked so big in the ultrasound! His head measurements are off the charts and he has long legs. Based on his measurements, the ultrasound estimated that his current weight is 4 pounds, 12 ounces (about a pound bigger than average), and estimated due date was January 20th. My official due date has not changed from February 4th, but I'm going to be ready for him to come early anyway!

Here are a few pictures from our ultrasound at 31weeks and 5 days:

We have also been using the small pieces of free time we have to work on the nursery. James has put a lot of work into assembling the crib, painting the walls, and putting up this cute border. James did all of this a while back as a surprise to me. He is so wonderful! We are going with a safari theme and I absolutely love it. I think the baby decorations are more for the parents than the kid! I think it's just something that is a part of the experience that helps you to feel connected with the baby while getting ready for him.
James and I are both excited for the semester to be over. I turned in my final project to complete my Master's program and I should be graduating on Saturday, the 19th! I am so excited and relieved that I am finally done. A lot of hard work has gone into this program and I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to gain the knowledge and experience that I have so far. And we are also so excited that James now only has one year left for his Bachelor's! He has been working so hard and making good grades, I am so proud of him! He is so much more diligent at studying than I ever was.

We can't wait to celebrate the holidays with our families and look forward to the upcoming events of 2010!!!

Thanksgiving Break

Well we had a great Thanksgiving break! I got to spend a lot of time in San Antonio with my family and had a friend from Virginia, Jackie, come and visit me!

Thanksgiving day was great. Lots of great food and family. It was nice to spend time with family that I don't get to see as often as I'd like and hang out with my siblings. We watched the UT/A&M game that evening and BOY, was it exciting! Everyone was surprised at how well A&M played. It was the most yards in history during an A&M/UT game...there was constant action on the field. In the end, A&M was outscored but it was still a great game.

Friday the girls went and ventured out for Black Friday. We just got a few things at Kohl's but decided to call it a day after that. You had to wait an hour and fifteen minutes just to check out! How insane!

Later I showed Jackie a little around town and we went back and relaxed at my parent's house. James went to Bastrop for the day to hang out at his parent's ranch. Later that night we saw "Old Dogs" at the movies in the Quarry Market. It was a pretty funny movie and we had fun walking around and getting ice cream nearby.

Saturday my mom, me, and Jackie went to downtown San Antonio for some sightseeing. We went to the Menger hotel, the Alamo, and got a horse drawn carriage ride around downtown! I had never done that before and it was really awesome. We got to see a lot of neat stuff. We ate dinner on the Riverwalk at Rainforest cafe and then walked around to see the Christmas lights on the river. It was beautiful!

Sunday we went to church and Jackie finished up the baby blanket she had started crocheting for the baby. It is super cute! I need to take a picture of it to post online. Baby Gardiner sure is lucky to have all of these people who care about him!

Sunday evening we decorated the Christmas tree at my parent's house with Pat and Melanie. I love decorating the Christmas tree. It is one of my most favorite traditions. We always have lots of funny stories that we recall--things we did as kids, funny moments, etc. Dad always tries to taunt me by putting his UT ornaments front and center on the tree, haha.

I am so glad we had such a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving break. I really needed it! I have been so stressed out and tired lately. Now I just have to muster up enough energy to finish the final project for my master's program, and then I will be done! I'll get a little breather before the baby comes. I can't wait to graduate and then get to see our little guy!

Almost Thanksgiving

Well the past few weeks have been extremely busy. We just finished the group paper for our semester project-now I just have my individual project to complete (still have a ton to do, but at least I'm getting closer to the end).

I went to the doctor yesterday and so far everything is looking good. The only thing is the baby is still measuring big. I am almost 29 weeks and he is measuring 35 weeks! The doctor just thinks he is a big baby and she is not too concerned. I go back in three weeks and I will have another ultrasound to check everything out.

So since everyone tells me I "look like I'm about to deliver any day," I guess that they are really not too far off in terms of how big I am getting. But the doc said just because he is big enough doesn't mean he is OLD enough to deliver. They still need lots of time to develop their lungs, etc. Because they scheduled my appointment so late yesterday they did not have time to administer the glucose test. I had to go back this morning and drink that nasty drink (but honestly it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be) and then get blood taken an hour later. The drink didn't make me feel sick or bad or anything, so I guess that's a good sign. I worked on my project on my laptop while I waited so I really didn't mind the test too much.

Here are some pics that I took at 27 weeks. I am sure I am even bigger now than in that picture. We are going to take some maternity/holiday pictures soon, and probably send them out with Christmas cards. I am excited!

I am very much looking forward to the holidays and a little bit of a break! It will be great to visit with family, eat turkey, and catch up with an old friend!

My favorite pic (hi little baby!!!):

Halloween

Halloween was simple but fun this year. Some of us dressed up at work and that was a good time. I didn't really make too much of a costume, but one of my coworkers let me borrow her vampire makeup which really made the look! I think we look pretty scary.

I can't believe how huge I look in that last picture! That is me at 26 weeks. I feel like I am getting bigger expontentially! Hard to believe I still have three months of growing to do!

Friday night James and I swung by the "Trunk or Treat" at church and got to see all the cute little kiddo costumes. I'm amazed at how creative so many of them were!

On actual Halloween we got candy and waited for trick or treaters to come by while we were working on our projects/homework. We did not even get one trick or treater! Oh well, maybe next year.