Meet Erika Stevenson

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Erika StevensonMy name is Erika Stevenson and I’ve been a Des Moines Moms Blog reader for several years. I am so thrilled that I have been invited to become a regular contributor here! I genuinely love the mission to connect Des Moines area moms to each other both online and in person.

Allow me to tell you a bit about myself and my journey as a mother so far. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, but shortly after graduating from college with my B.A. in social work, I fell for a handsome Iowa guy named Darin. Before I knew it I was married and putting down my roots in Des Moines!

We have now been married for 14 years and we live in a 100+ year-old-home that Darin has lovingly remodeled and improved through the years. Together we parent our three sweet kids: Lucy (9), Collin (8), and Nora (4). 

We had the beautiful privilege of adopting Lucy at birth. She is a precious gift, full of energy and has never met a stranger. Most mornings she wakes up around 6 AM, unloads the dishwasher, gets dressed, and shows up at my bedside with a cup of coffee creamed and sugared to my liking. One morning when I was getting dressed I asked her to fetch me a shirt from the dryer and she brought it up to me gift-wrapped. Seriously, who thinks to gift-wrap clean laundry for their mom? I won the lottery with this girl! 

One November evening when Lucy was 8-months-old, it took three positive pregnancy tests to convince me that I was actually pregnant with my son, Collin. Having experienced several years of infertility, Darin and I were stunned and thrilled by this news! Collin is a deep-thinking, creative and curious kid. He loves gardening, art, science, and putting together model train sets with Darin. When he was only five-years-old I realized he was smarter than me. I have been dismally failing at concealing this sad truth from him ever since. Thankfully, he hasn’t let that go to his head and he loves me unconditionally.

My littlest, Nora, has consistently been a light shining brightly during dark times for our family. I learned I was pregnant with her a few months after experiencing a miscarriage. My mom battled and survived breast cancer during my pregnancy, and Nora’s arrival gave her so much to look forward to during her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Finally, when Nora was 18-months-old, Darin fell from a fifteen-foot ladder in our backyard and sustained a spinal cord injury, leaving him with permanent physical disabilities, chronic pain, and constant risks for further injuries and infections. 

All three of our kids have meant the world to him throughout this journey, but he and Nora have formed a special bond. Even on the darkest days during his 40-day hospitalization and subsequent road to rehabilitation, Nora has managed to put a genuine smile on her daddy’s face. It’s no wonder. Her affectionate personality and sparkly enthusiasm can win over the grouchiest of souls.

Currently, Darin and I are at home full-time. We have chosen a hybrid of home-schooling and classroom learning for our kids’ education. Darin and I share the responsibilities of teaching their in-home lessons and driving them to and from school.

Managing all of the family and household tasks, as well as continuing to adapt to our new life since Darin’s injury keeps us busy full time. 

When I do get some time to myself, I love to sew, knit, read, bake, or share coffee and conversation with friends. We call Valley Church in West Des Moines our church home and would not survive if it wasn’t for the community and spiritual nourishment we receive there.

Ladies, thank you for allowing me to introduce myself today! 

I am looking forward to rambling sharing much more here in the coming months! I am afraid that the benefits I will receive as a member of the DMMB team will far outweigh any contribution I make. Just the same, I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, and I hope to make a difference in my little corner of this beautiful community! 

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Erika Stevenson
Erika Stevenson grew up in San Antonio, Texas but has made her home in Des Moines for 15 years. She and her husband, Darin have been married for 14 years and live in a turn-of-the-century home in the heart of Des Moines where they raise Lucy (10), Collin (9) and Nora (4). Erika first became a mom to Lucy in an open domestic adoption and eventually gave birth to Collin and Nora. When she's not busy with home-school lessons, laundry and meal-planning, she loves to sew, knit, and read.

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