Angela playing the harp

Peter took these video clips right before we left Colorado. While we were there I started harp lessons, which I have wanted to do for a long time. And I loved it. I'm planning on getting another harp and playing in May (since I'll be gone from mid-April to mid-May). So, after 6 lessons in Colorado these were the last songs that I played before we moved and I had to return my rented harp. The first clip (Angela Harp 2) is a stately song that is played at a lot of ceremonies, The Old World Theme. The second (Angela Harp 1) is, All through the Night, a Welch lullaby.


              

24 weeks!

I am now 24 weeks pregnant, or about 6 months. A pregnancy book I have, the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, says that the baby is about 15 inches long and weighs a little more than 1.5 pounds. They can now "breathe" with their lungs and can tell the difference between light and dark, the sound of our voice, and wether or not they are right side up or upside down. I have been feeling he/she kick for several weeks now, as well as Peter, and my stomach has been bouncing as movements and kicks come. A few nights ago I really think the baby was trying the best they could to do somersaults since it took both hands spread across my stomach to feel their huge movements.
As we get settled into our new home it's crazy to think that in a few short months we will have our baby. He/she will sleep in the room next to ours, we will rock them in that chair, and the house will be filled with new sounds. It's crazy to think that our child, who is not yet here, will be walking around the house by the time we leave Sheppard AFB in a year and a half. Even crazier, that in 13 years we will be parents to a teenager! Time is just moving so fast! All we can really picture right now is: a baby, diapers, little coos, and a car seat and stroller. But now back to the present of little (and big) kicks that make my stomach bounce. And a few more months to go. :-D

We moved to Texas, yeehaw!

I know, I have a lot to catch you guys up on.

We first contacted Sheppard AFB in January about moving in a little earlier, March instead of May. After several weeks and phone calls we got a call from the housing office about two weeks ago, asking if we could be here on March 1st (4 days later).  They couldn't guarantee a house for us, but we needed to get here. If they didn't we would stay in their temporary housing for a couple weeks until one came available.

We had four days. It was a whirlwind of activity. Canceling gym memberships, lessons, changing OB appointments, returning my harp, etc. Peter rented a UHAUL and they only had their largest size available, the 26' long one. Then we had the bright idea of trying to find furniture on craigslist to take with us. Until then , the only piece of furniture we owned was a bed. And we already had the truck. I was glued to craigslist for 2 days, barely missing some great deals. But we also found some great ones, like a couch, a dining room table, a washer and dryer, and office furniture for Peter's study. Peter went around on Saturday (day 3) and picked everything up, loading the truck like a puzzle fits together. Day four, we said goodbye to friends in CO and headed to Texas. What a fast and smooth four days.

We met with the housing office first thing in the morning. They told us the good news, they had ONE house available. The only thing was it was a big house with four bedrooms. "Is that a problem?" No, not at all. We went to look at it. The house itself is wonderful. It is on a quiet little street at the back of the subdivision with grey brick exterior and a little garden. It is HUGE and has a 2 car garage and even with all the furniture we bought, we can't yet fill it. We signed the lease and by 5:00pm we could start moving in. We figured out what each room would be and Peter started unloading unloading the smaller boxes from the truck. And that night we were able to sleep in our very own home, in the "we-just-moved-in style". And we met one of our neighbors that night who turns out to be a Christian. We might already have some friends!

What a wonderful gift and blessing to have this house and be able to move in and when I'm not so close to my due date too. We are so thankful. We'll be here for about 1.5 years while Peter goes through the 2nd and 3rd training schools. So if you ever want to come visit... you are always welcome! The Wisconsin address that you all have will stay as our permanent address, but you can also mail things directly to our house here:

Peter and Angela Sailhamer
1711 Knobb Hill
Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Peter makes the local News!

We saw this today posted on a Northwoods news website, featuring the pond hockey tournament that Peter played in last weekend.  If you click on the picture above, it will bring you to the website and Peter is in the white helmet shown playing goalie during warmups at 0:15 in the clip.  Then his good friend's dad (Andrew Elsen) was interviewed shortly after, who flew out from Montana to watch the tournament.  You can see Peter skating in the background of that interview.

David came to visit!

David, Peter's oldest brother, came to visit us this past weekend. He had researched Denver and things to do and made out an itinerary for us. He flew in Friday morning and after touring Buckley AFB and getting lunch there we drove to the mountains and spent the day there. It was beautiful! We took a scenic driving tour, went to a state park and sighted several elk and a fox.
David was awake by 6:20am Saturday morning and ready to go. The plans for Saturday? Museums. We went to the Wings Over the Rockies museum first, and Peter was captivated by the airplanes, simulators and cockpits that you could see and go inside. And I would agree, it was very cool. Next up, lunch at Subway and D was already thinking of where we should go for dinner. Then we went to the Nature and Science museum and toured all of their exhibits. We walked a lot that day and did a lot and David asked if we could have a low-key day on Sunday.

Sunday, David's last day with us, we went to church and visited the public library by our house. After we had lunch at IHOP of pancakes, we took a short walk and came home for Sunday afternoon naps and packing. We were able to stay and hang out with David until he boarded the plane back home. So we enjoyed every minute till the very end. It was fun having you here brother!

Our Northwoods Vacation

Yes, the time of year had arrived for the annual pond hockey tournament in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Each year Peter and his college friends get together for the three-day event that is sponsored by Labat Blue, a beer company from Canada. Going to the games chanting their team name and pounding their sticks on the ground while wearing orange and blue Wheaton hockey jerseys, they are the proud Prohibitionists.

The guys play two games a day and pick up hockey in between matches. Then we all get together at Grandma and Grandpa Elsens for dinner and to watch the video and pictures that Dan and Meredith took that day. Like I said, this happens every year. It is so fun to see Peter with his college friends and spend time hanging out with them. John and Dan Elsen really bring out a different side of Peter - one that is louder, more aggressive, and pretends that they are an Olympic skier or an Indian dancing around a fire among other things. Needless to say, it is a lot of fun. And for me, it just wouldn't be the same without Meredith there, my cheering and donut making friend.

While we were in Wisconsin I was also able to escape the pond hockey madness and spend time with other dear friends. Including long talks with Elizabeth, Dianna and Anne. And spending the day with the Kerns watching Ryan wrestle and talking with Denise. Sunday gave us time to do our traditional New Year's dinner of lomo al trapo with the Kerns and Peter and Ryan were off to play in the Sunday night hockey that happens after youth group. So many things had the feeling of 'just like old times'.  But also strange to think that we moved only a few months ago.

From Wisconsin we drove down to Wheaton and had Valentine's dinner with Dan, Meredith, Mike and Krissy. We heard Mike and Krissy's engagement story and just talked and talked, laughing so hard throughout the dinner. The next day the three guys all went to Los for lunch while Meredith and I had a SAGA date. Then we met up with some Colombian friends in the city and had a great time with them and came back to have late night tea with Mike and Krissy. It was a full and wonderful week, one that Peter said he wished it could have lasted a few more days. I agree. It just couldn't have been sweeter or more meaningful.

We have been so blessed with friendships.

I (Pete) felt the baby move!

This is Pete (guest blogger) and I had a really neat experience last night.  I was next to Angela, who is about 19 weeks right now, and she got real quiet for a moment.  Then she grabbed by hand, moved it over to her stomach, and said, Feel right here.  So I put my hand there, which I'd done before with no success, and after a few moments she said, There, did you feel that?  Nope.  But about 10 seconds later, I felt a tiny thump thump.  Did you feel that?  Yes!  I finally felt the baby move.  It was awesome.  Our first interaction.  I can't wait to feel it again.