{iPhone Rewind} :: August

Haircut day with my girl :)

"Helping" Daddy get settled in his new office

I hope I always get sweet notes from my sweet boy {Aiden} 

Mike was able to get away on the pastor's retreat again this year. I'm so glad he is able to have this time with these guys.

Aiden was so excited to finally lose another tooth! We're not exactly sure where it went...he woke up one morning and it was gone haha.

We went to Sam's, and they had this skeleton "driving" around! The kids kept trying to figure out how it was possible haha

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! :)

Yay for $1 summer movies! We got to see Despicable Me 4

The kids got a fun coupon book from the library for completing their summer reading program. First up on their list of prizes: a free Italian ice from Rita's!

I'm not exactly sure what's going on here, but it doesn't look good...

The boys have started helping make breakfast :)

Remnants of summer...

Flowers from my love :)

It's a panda bear!

After all of his hard work, this sweet boy has had to start patching again. To say that he was disappointed is an understatement, but he has dug in and had a fantastic attitude the past 3 months. He hasn't complained once, and I have not had to remind him once to patch. We had a follow up with the eye doctor, and his hard work has paid off! We're not out of the woods yet, but I am so, SO proud of this boy!

We're prepping for our fall Bible study!

A sweet church member heard that Aiden was having a Star Wars birthday and gave him a LEGO!

So grateful for how each of these ladies love and serve the women of CBC!

{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.

Erin and Laura Turn 40!

This past weekend, Laura came to Virginia, and we made a road trip to West Virginia for a little weekend getaway. We wanted a little girls' trip to celebrate turning 40! :)

We rented a cute little cabin in Canaan Valley, and the weather was gorgeous! We were lucky that the leaves had started changing colors, so the valley was awash in oranges and golds and reds. The tiny little ski towns were just that: tiny. So there was not much to see or do, but we walked around a bit to explore what we could, and we drove through Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley State Park. We ended up having to rent a Jeep because an AWD/4WD was required to access our cabin, so it was fun to do a little exploring in it.

We had dinner at the Canaan Valley Resort, and we showed up right at sunset with the deer grazing on the lawn! We returned the next day to walk around and explore some more, and just enjoy the beautiful day.

We hopped over the ski resort side, and took the ski lift to the top of the valley. We got to enjoy beautiful views of the whole area, and it was such a peaceful ride. We also got to enjoy some hot chocolate, apple cider, s'mores, and apple cider donuts at the end of the ride. It was the perfect fall activity!

Most of the time was spent chatting and catching up on life, resting, reading, and just enjoying the beautiful weather. It was such a sweet little getaway, and I am so thankful for Laura and her willingness to make the trek out this direction. Over 20 years of friendship, now spanning 2 states, and I am just so thankful. For all the life we have walked together, for the chance to enjoy a fall birthday adventure together, and for God's grace in our friendship.

The adorable sweatshirts Laura made for us!

Happy Birthday, sweet friend! Here's to our next decade! :)