I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers~ Anne of Green Gables

I know I've said it before but I adore fall. I love the changing colors of the leaves and the crispness in the air. I love that we can snuggle under a throw on the couch with a cup of tea and get lost in a good book.

However, in our house fall brings with it some challenges. Chilly mornings are hard on joints. Damp days can be the cause of great discomfort. School work can be a bit more challenging with stiff fingers.  Most mornings it is a struggle to get out of bed.

We have found those electric throws are wonderful! Plug them in and wrap up in them for morning devotions helps with the stiffness. Warm showers help too and sometimes an ice pack does the trick.  Having a positive attitude is a must.

Cody has had a great deal of difficulty in the past month some new symptoms have developed which sent us to Gastroenterology... which resulted in an appointment for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. Also with the government shut down it would appear that any trip to the NIH is on hold. Hannah's steroid shots for her jaw helped a bit but her ankles and knees have been bothering her so much we are switching from Methotrexate to Enbrel. Lucas has a great deal of inflammation in his sacroiliac joint and hip so a stronger NSAID is in the works for him.

 So although fall is beautiful it is an adventure at times. Of course joint pain of arthritis is not limited to fall we do tend to see more flares during the change of seasons. These challenges are exhausting at times... slow mornings and tired afternoons. Fall is the beginning of our Thanksgiving season and believe me it helps when you don't feel good to concentrate on those things you are thankful for. To remember 2 Corinthians 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,