Summer 2012 is bringing BIG changes to the Koch family.  After a lot of prayer and talking with God, we have made the decision to step out in faith and for me to retire early from my teaching career after 7 years.  We feel that God is calling me to stay at home with the girls and to explore other avenues.  This is one decision that is kindof scary, but very exciting at the same time.  We are thrilled to see what God has in store for us moving forward.  If there is one thing I can pass along to others it would be...Pray, "God give me the courage to be the person you created me to be, and to do what you have annointed me to do."  Amen.

Here's an update on the family...

Wow, can't believe it is Christmas time already. We are really enjoying this time of year. We just got up all of our Christmas decorations. Malia is really in to Christmas, she had a ball putting the tree decorations on. Carter is growing like crazy and it is just a matter of time before she is crawling. We are gearing up for visiting Santa, wonder if it will be a picture of just the girls or all of us. ;)

Will post the results in a few weeks.

It is hard to believe that Fall is already here and that we will be celebrating Halloween in just a few weeks. Our lives have been pretty hectic over the last few weeks. Wes and I just celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary by taking a trip to Charlotte NC. It was short and quick, but a ton of fun!! We started our trip off with a couples massage at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. What a unbelievable experience! Afterwards, they surprised us with chocolate covered strawberries and champagne on the pool deck. What a view of Charlotte! Then we hit the town and had a fabulous dinner at The Capital Grille. Yum!!! The next day we attended Elevation Church, such an awesome opportunity. Then it was off to the watch the Carolina Panther's play the Saints. Great game and great company....Nana & Poppy joined us!

As for the girls, Carter is growing like crazy! She just turned 6 months old and is weighing in at a whopping 19 lbs. :) Her cheeks are so kissable!! We were recently invited to a friends farm on the outskirts of Summerville. We had a blast! We all went on a hay ride and had some encounters with some 'spooks' as Malia calls them. Afterwards, I figured she would have been terrified, but all she talked about was going again. We are gearing up for Halloween in a few weeks. Malia after much discussion and will power insists on being Minnie Mouse again. So, that is what she will be. Some battles are not worth fighting. :) The most important thing is that she is happy and seeing her big smile as she tried on the Minnie Mouse costume was all I needed to see. Well that is it for now, here are some Fall pics...more to come I am sure.

Well it is that time again to hang up the swimsuits and start setting the alarm clock. I always get a little sad when this time approaches. I have such a fun time with the girls, I totally could survive just fine not returning back to work. :) This summer was full of great memories and milestones!! Malia is officially potty trained and wears nothing but big girl panties during naps and at night. She had to get an ultrasound and x-ray done on her wrists. Out of no where she had two lumps, one on each wrist. Turns out they are Ganglion Cysts. Nothing we can do unless they get larger, reduce range of motion, or cause pain. Carter is already 4 1/2 months old and has just started eating rice cereal. She started sleeping through the night a few weeks ago. Woo-hoo!! She is rolling from her tummy to her back and is really starting to touch and feel objects. She had a healthy well visit a few weeks ago and is 25 inches in length and 15 pounds. Wes' business has taken off and is doing really well, he is enjoying every bit of it. I have launched 'A Unique Twist' on Etsy.com. http://www.uniquetwistwalldecor.etsy.com/ and already had my first buyer. I must say, life is going pretty well in the Koch household. The Summer was awesome, but this Fall is going to be great too! Beginning of September we are expecting our newest niece, Reese Elizabeth. This will make 6 girls all 4 years and under. Wow!! Come October Wes and I will be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary and taking a trip to Charlotte to watch the Carolina Panthers. Then it will be time to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, as you can tell the next few months will be pretty busy too.

Here are the last pictures of Summer 2011!!