Thanksgiving Post!

Hello to all!!! Wow -we been busy with sooo much lately, I have not had much 0f an opportunity to blog.
Brief updates:
Family Nights, yes we have had our family nights. The last one was just a movie night-we watched star wars together and had popcorn. We have not seen the new ones yet as a family so we decided to watch them. I thought they would be too cheesy, but they were actually good.

This past Saturday, Kayla and I had a delightful day!! Kayla and I took a free cooking class at Williams Sonoma! It was so much fun! We got a Starbucks coffee to start off our day, then we went to Toast Cafe for lunch. Kayla has been waiting a while to go to Toast-so we did. I am enjoying spending time with my daughter these days. Kayla is leading the way to a new season of life for us. It's exciting! I am enjoying and loving every minute of it. Sometimes when we are out in stores people do comment on how the "teenage years are so hard and they can't wait until their kids are out of the house". How sad!! I always try to comment on how I am looking forward to those years. I see the teenage years being such a delight and a joy! I do look forward to them!

By the way, Kayla is turning 11 this week! We will be celebrating her birthday this Friday. Wow-it is amazing having a daughter that is that old now! I was just 19 years old when I had her...now I am 30. One more year and she will be in youth group at our church-it can't be!! But reality, it is...
It has been a delightful past 10/11 years with her. It seems like it has been such a long time since my baby girl was born! God has granted us a special gift. She is such a delight to mother and parent. She is always so joyful, her heart is ready to serve her siblings, Stefan and I. She is open to share things with us, even when things are difficult. She has such a heart in caring for others, much more than I do. What an example she is in that!! God has been so good and kind to give her to us. We are thankful for our 11 year old girl!

Speaking of being thankful as I ponder over the many years that Lord has brought Stefan and I through, I marvel at God's grace. We have been blessed with each other and the work God is doing and has already done in the both of us. We have been so blessed with 5 wonderful children! We are blessed to have our Bella with us today. I think last year at this time, I was on bed rest during my pregnancy with Isabel. We were not sure whether God would grant us the privilege of caring for her here on earth or not. Yet, it is God's divine and sovereign hand He did and she is with us today!! We have been blessed with wonderful parents who support us in training our children and growing in our marriage for the glory of God! (Thank you to our Parents for helping and serving us the way you do!) We have been blessed with great family and friends. We have been blessed with our church home who teaches the Gospel and the meaning of God's grace in our lives, without ceasing! (Thank You to our pastors!!!) Most of all we are blessed with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! Without knowing and believing in Him all these "blessings" are meaningless.

We do hope and pray that all of you have a great Thanksgiving!!

Love and blessings from,
Stefan, Erika, Kayla, Gavin, Carson, Ava, and Bella