the happenings while we're apart

Peter had his first flight yesterday, called the dollar ride because you give the instructor a dollar afterward. Although, if you're Peter you only have a $20 in your wallet and will have to get back to him. Needless to say, the flight went really well. As well as the academic instruction when he was called on and to tell what he would do in such a such scenario and answered correctly. When he sends me a picture of it, I'll put it up. His flight (class) are all still in their dress uniform though since someone each time has failed the Bold Face/OPS limits test, so hopefully soon they will all pass and be able to wear their flight suit all day instead of just when they fly.

I have been home, knitting and trying to figure out how to make this house more of "home". I've also met several wives on base and have spent a lot of time with them. It almost feels like starting Wheaton again with how many people I'm meeting and that they are all the same age as me and with husbands that are all flying. I volunteered to sell trinkets at one classes graduation and meet a few girls that just looked like they were Christians (it must be something with the eyes or the smile). They were and invited me to a wives Bible study on Tuesdays. I feel very much like this is becoming home and that I'm building community already, which is way more than I expected. It is such a blessing. Some of my new friends will drive me to the airport tomorrow so I can go visit family for a couple of weeks while Peter finishes this first part of training. They're even going to check our mail, water the plants, and care for the lawn too.

Peter starts IFS!!!

Peter left this morning for Pueblo, CO to start IFS or Initial Flight School. He'll be gone for 3-6 weeks depending largely on the weather and how much flying time he gets. It's exciting! We've been waiting for an opening in this school for the last 6 months and he's finally starting it. He feels well prepared and is ready. And me too. Although, anticipating the good-bye, and the good-bye itself, seems to be the hardest thing about the separation. Now the countdown begins till we're both home again. (And we'll be able to talk/skype while he's away too). I'll also be doing some traveling to see family and friends while he's away, a good use of time.

I have things to knit and sew for our baby and our niece who will be born in August. And cheery, yellow daffodils that Peter got for me. He heard me say what a happy flower they were and went to buy them for me yesterday before he left. When he got to the florist he found out that he would have to special order them since they were no longer in season, but he was determined to get yellow daffodils as a reminder of him. I love them. And I so love that man!

New Friends

A week ago Peter and I ran into a couple at an OB tour of the hospital who we had briefly met before. It was so fun to talk to them and get to know them that we all went continued to hang out at their house afterwards. Then they came over for dinner this week. And it felt as natural and easy as if we've been friends for years. We talked for hours and played Apples to Apples - slowly though because of all the comments. It was such a fun night! And they are a strong Christian couple that we share a lot in common with. How amazing that the Lord keeps bringing Christians across our path here. Our cup is over-flowing with friends right now, we are so blessed in so many ways.

Our first visitor

A friend of mine, who lives near Dallas, came to visit this past weekend. Landree Page. Our junior year of college we road-tripped with another friend on a grand tour of Texas in her Mazda3. Driving from Chicago to Dallas and then all over this HUGE state, seeing everything we could. Needless to say we spent a lot of time in that car and made a lot of memories too. And then this past weekend that Mazda3 drove up again and parked in our drive way. Our first visitor in Texas. Landree stayed from Friday night to Sunday morning and we didn't do much besides talk and catch up on things. We walked to the Commissary (grocery store on base) and back a couple times because I forgot my ID card the first time. Made tea to drink and pet the neighbors dog. Mainly, we talked a lot. Friends are such a blessing. Fellowship is so encouraging and uplifting. And talking about what the Lord is doing gives Him so much glory and builds up our faith. It is so nice that we are in the same "area" again.

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