Tietjen Family Fun Night.

Lock down . . . as the Tietjen boys refer

to it is "Tietjen Family Fun Night" in my

book. One weekend night each week, I plan

ahead a night for each family member to

stay home together.

Tonight was such a night . . . We ordered

Chinese and watched "Real Steel".

I love, love, love it when my crew is

all together. We truly have fun together

and consider it a blessing to slow down

for one night and enjoy each other's

company.

We found a new Chinese restaurant

just around the corner and were

excited to try it out . . .

. . . that is all of us except one family

member . . .

Ready.Set.Go.

My pencils are sharpened. I have a

bazillion things to do, but I am excited

to officially begin the dissertation

process. Here is to nearly a year of

hard work and dedication to be completed

before CHRISTmas 2012 with a huge

big red bow on top.

My dissertation focuses on the

extraordinary qualities and traits

of turnaround school principals primarily

at the elementary school level. I am

interested to study this dynamic group

of leaders and excited to learn how they

work closely with families, educators,

and the community to transform a

failing school setting into a successful

learning community.

Action.

Finishing touches, you say?!?

I do declare that we just may finish that

house on Mountain Spirit Court one

day in the very near future. The insulation

was blown into the attic today . . . Wow!

How I detest spending oodles of cash

on such nonsense as insulation . . .

Who can see it anyhow?!?

Columns done. Check. Stucco complete.

Check. Now the front porch and sidewalk

will be cut in and poured.

Cabinets or cupboards, as those of us

who are old school say, have began to

trickle in. These are by no means

finished . . . They still need to be sanded

and stained!!!

Yes indeedy, this home is now

receiving some of the very important

final touches. If this awesome weather

of 65* keeps up, the workers may form

a mutiny and head for Lake Tahoe to

catch some rays. (I cannot say that I

would blame them one little bit.)

New Work Table.

Grandy had a vision and I was too excited

all night long to get the ball rolling. We

had several doors that we will not be

using!! This provided the perfect vehicle

for my brand new table to write my

dissertation.

It was a be-a-utiful 64* in Reno . . .

THE perfect day to create a brand

new table top!!

Preparing to begin my dissertation, I

am excited to create a motivating space.

My favorite Bible verse . . .

Love, love, love it!!!

I cannot wait to add the skirt boards

and legs . . . Away.we.go.

Dry Erase Board. Check!

Every dissertation writer has a dry

erase board as the focal point of the

writing space. In order to conform to

tradition, I was lucky enough to score

one from Tim. Tomorrow marks the

day of the first conference call for my

two dissertation courses that begin

next week . . .

During the dissertation process, I am

excited to write many goals and

aspirations on my brand spankin' new

dry erase board. There are 16 milestones

that must be accomplished in order to

complete my dissertation.

My pencils are sharpened and I am

excited to get going!!

Tim Cooks Dinner.

Tim has been watching these amazing

cooking videos.

Tonight he debuted his cooking skills

with rice pilaf, french bread, and roasted

garlic. It was so fun watching and helping

him cook.

He will be my savior in the kitchen

during the next couple of weeks

as I work diligently to put the

finishing touches on the house.

He will really have to amp it up

as I begin my dissertation next

week!!!

Happy New Year!

With a great big hallelujah, I gladly welcome

2012! We are excited to embrace what the

Lord has in store for our little crew this year!

2011 was certainly a life-changing year

for our family! Personally, I have several

goals and aspirations for myself and

cannot wait to meet them head on!!

#1 Finish our home.

#2 Begin my dissertation courses

on January 9, 2012 with a December 2012

graduation.

#3 Take great care of my husband and

family both physically and emotionally.

#4 Reach out to others in our new

neighborhood and cultivate new

friendships.

#5 WORRY much LESS and PRAY

much HARDER.

#6 Be the kind of daughter,

granddaughter, wife, and mother that

Jesus would desire.

#7 Take more time to smell the

roses!!!

2012. Bring.it.