LEGOs and Chipmunks!

For Eli and Maddie's 9th birthday, we celebrated with LEGOs and chipmunks!

Their birthday fell on a Sunday, so while they got to wake up to their usual birthday excitement and decor, we had to push some of their celebration off until after church. But we tried to still make it special by celebrating with their friends in Sunday School. They got to hand out cupcakes and their friends sang Happy Birthday, as well as prayed a special birthday blessing over them. 

Amen. 

After church, we got to celebrate at home. Eli and Maddie opened presents, and there were lots of LEGOs for Eli, and chipmunks and Calico Critters for Maddie. 

They made cards for each other...

...and read them to each other :)

The afternoon was spent playing and creating and imagining, but they did also get to play outside in the beautiful weather. And of course, there were cupcakes and birthday singing!

We got to zoom with Granny and Grumpz, and there were messages from so many people that love Eli and Maddie. It was a fun and special day, and I pray that they always know how much they are loved and cared for. 

Happy 9th Birthday, Eli and Maddie!

Eli + Maddie :: 9 Years

Happy Birthday, Eli and Maddie!

You are 9 today, and I am looking back at the years, wondering how we got here so fast. It was only yesterday when we brought home two tiny bundles, not really sure how we were going to manage two babies! And look at you both...growing so fast, doing all the things on your own, on the verge of the pre-teen years, and all I can see are those two tiny bundles. Time is such a thief. But I am so thankful for these past 9 years, that I have had a front row seat to all of your firsts and changes and growth. Because you are both so fun and funny and wonderful! 

Eli, I have grown so fond of our "grown-up" conversations. You are so sharp and interesting. I love hearing about the things you are learning and thinking about. You find the world interesting and you enjoy sharing it with me, and I love hearing about it. You think about things in new and exciting ways, and I love how you think outside the box.

Maddie, you, too have grown into a lovely young girl, and I enjoy our "Maddie/Mommy chats." You have so many fun things to say! You just want to be at the center of all the things and be in-the-know, because you just love to have fun and be with people. You want to be on the go and doing all-the-things. I love watching you walk up to people without fear and start conversations, even when I am not around. You love animals, and have made friends with all our neighbors with dogs :)

My heart is always want time to slow down, just a bit, because I want to savor this sweet time and age. Where life is carefree, filled with riding bikes, playing LEGOs, building forts, and playing pirates and dress up. I love watching you grow and helping you find your interests, and I am so thankful to be your Mama. I love you both so much, and I cannot wait to see how you grow in the year to come. 

Love,

Mama

ELIJAH WINN

MADLELINE GRACE

-------

Happy 9th Birthday, my loves!

Trick or Treat :: Transformers + an M&M

We had another fun year of trick or treating in our neighborhood! This year, we had 2 Transformers and a green M&M :)

Aiden knew right away that he wanted to be Bumble Bee. It really surprised me because I thought he was going to be Captain America {see his 7th birthday}. But apparently the Avengers were out, and Transformers were now in. Now, you have to understand that my children know most of their characters from reading books at the library. They have not seen any movies or shows. He read some books about Transformers and thought they were the coolest thing...hence the Bumble Bee costume.

And because that costume looked super cool, Eli decided that he wanted to be Optimus Prime! Because why not also be a cool Transformer and have a cool costume, complete with face mask?!? The duo were pretty cute awesome, if you ask me :)

Maddie was not at all interested in Transformers, but she also knew exactly what she wanted to be. She immediately asked to be an M&M! I knew I could make her costume, and it was fun to take her to Hobby Lobby to pick out the felt. I think it turned out perfect, and she was pretty adorable. 

We had great weather {though it was a little windy}, and we love our neighborhood. So many neighbors make it fun for the kids, and so many people are out and about, so it's a great way to be out in our community. The kids, of course, had a blast! They made out like bandits, with many full-sized candy bars, and it was a fun night of memories. 

As we were getting ready for bed and saying prayers, Aiden prayed, "thank you, God, that candy was invented." Amen.

{iPhone Rewind} :: October

Eli decided he wanted to learn how to crochet too. He picked it up pretty quick, and like in most things, he was very serious about it :)

We learned about the Mayflower and built some of our own!

The kids were rolling down the hill, and a herd of deer came walking through, completely unbothered by their antics. We were able to get the kids to stop and watch them, and it was so fun how close they came!

Snowball fight in math! Because why not make it fun? :)

The Chronicles of Narnia are a big favorite around here

I love it when we get the first glimpse of the change of season!

So focused...

Kisses from my crew :)

The cooler weather = s'mores!

A sweet welcome home from my loves

We got to enjoy our local high school's band competition!

I took the kids with me to vote, and we made it an entire history and civics lesson. The polling place was really great, including the kids in the entire process. 

Maddie wanted to be an M&M for Halloween, so I pulled out my sewing machine to make it happen! :)

I want to pause this stage of our lives, when every surface of our house is covered in sword-wielding LEGO men :)

"Look Mommy! I can touch my nose with my tongue!" Haha

Crohn's Chronicles :: Wezlana {Biosimilar}

This week, I took my first dose of the biosimilar. There are currently 7 biosimilars that are approved for Stelara, and I was prescribed Wezlana. 

I had to have a consult with the pharmacist, and he asked me if I was aware that "the biosimilar is the generic for Stelara, so the same as Stelara?" I know he is just doing his job and parroting the lines he is supposed to, but I politely responded by telling him that "I am aware that the biosimilar is similar to Stelara, but not the same, yes." I'm sorry, but I have played this game for too long, and I am being forced onto this medication against my will. 

All of the literature states that biosimilars are similar but not, in fact, the same. By the very nature of how biologics are made, they cannot be exactly the same, and cannot be a generic. They are made with a completely different process. Theoretically, they should be indistinguishable in your body, but there is not a guarantee. Given my history of a biologic failing me, due to a slight change in an additive {see Humira Citrate-Free}, I don't have confidence that any slight differences in the biology of this biosimilar will fair any better for me. And I don't believe an insurance company should get to make the decision, especially in opposition to my doctor. Particularly when my health is stable. {/end soapbox}

I truly hope I am wrong. I am praying for no side effects and continued/preserved remission. The first few days after my initial dose brought irritated bowels, nausea, fatigue, and a massive migraine. I am hoping that it is a temporary reaction to the shot, and that all will balance out in time. I didn't necessarily anticipate an initial reaction, but am keeping an eye for more issues as we head into the new year. I started seeing flares around the 3 to 4 month mark after the change in Humira, so we shall see where I am at in a few months.  I am thankful that I will get to check in with my neurologist in November and my GI in December.

Now I have to wait and trust and let go. I can't control any of what has happened or what will come, and I have to rest in the Lord's care for me. He is is in control, and I have to let Him fight my battles for me. I will be honest, that's going to be so hard and infuriating if I am proved right. If a few months from now, I start flaring, just like I am predicting. But even if that happens, I have to trust that the Lord is still sovereign and good. And I have to walk this path forward, trying to surrender to the outcome, good or bad, expected or not. He has always been good and kind, and I know He will be again.