December 2007

Dear Friends & Family,

Our little news has apparently flown the coup. We had really wanted to tell you each in person, but now that it's out there -- the rumor is true: the Pietsch's have "bought the farm" -or- "gone 'round the bend" -- choose your favorite fun idiom! As of last spring, favorable real estate conditions and Jeff's location independent job have allowed us to pursue a long-held dream of moving our family to a "small island in the Pacific" (Northwest, that is).

The decision was both very difficult, and very easy. The hard part, of course, being the thought of leaving our home of ten years and all the close friends and memories it now holds for both us and our children. In particular, we will miss our dear neighbors and long-standing friends from our faith community at St. Athanasius. The easy part -- where we are going is a place of tremendous natural beauty and presents what we believe will be an exceptional childhood experience for Garett, Kahana and Luke.

It is difficult for us to believe that Garett will soon be entering high school! Time moves too quickly and it won't be long before Kahana and Luke are there as well. By the same token, we are quite cognizant that this may be either the best or worst decision we will ever make together as a family. Here are the facts:

• Where: Orcas Island, Washington -- An island about twice the size of Manhattan in the center of the Salish Sea/ Puget Sound, featuring dramatically varied terrain and a small, tight-knit community of about 5,000. It is about two hours north of Seattle, but with about half as much rain!


• What: A working, twenty-acre alpaca farm and forest lands -- "Orcas Moon Alpacas." Yes, you read that correctly. Are you surprised, really?


• When: Sometime next June after school lets out.

Jennifer is already seeking a new teaching position, and Jeff will continue to operate his business in collaboration with Mr. John Wiley. And, the schools are excellent thanks to strong support among the islanders. Gary Larson, for those of you old enough to recall the cartoonist's name, is apparently one of our neighbors!

We are so very blessed and excited to share this news with you, and look forward to filling you in soon with more detail face to face. We have so appreciated all of your support and friendship through the years. On that note, our boys will need all the support you've got as they face this exciting, but significant change in their lives. We hope you will come visit us!

Again, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. Please feel free to share this as you wish, and our apologies if we've missed you on the first pass.