Dear Journal~

Hello!  It is me, Maikken Kristina Volkenstaad, writing; hope this finds you all well and reasonably happy!

I have been busy babysitting grandkids (grandnieces and grandnephews) as well as taking care of my own three teenaged daughters; life keeps me very busy.  I wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world:  I absolutely love being a grandmother! :)

I can spoil the grandkids and then give them back to their parents and say, "Here; I've done my job -- now it's your turn!"  LOL

Spring has finally started to arrive here in northern Norway:  I see the appearance of the first leaves on the trees and the first flowers are starting to bloom.  I am so glad; we have had a very long, rough winter; most of the time we couldn't get out because a.) it was too cold, and b.) we were snowed in; we had over 100" of snow!!

The winter was also hard on my joints, and it was a rare thing when I got out.  Only time I went anywhere was to go to the grocery store or to a doctor's appointment; any other time, I was homebound.  I also saw my sisters and brothers, but then I see them just about every week, sometimes several times in the same week!

Like yesterday:  I was babysitting Hanneke, one of my younger grandnieces.  She behaved pretty well, but she got sassy, and I had to put her in time out; I told her I didn't like her whining or her complaining.  She didn't like the fact that I took her favourite toy away from her, but she has got to learn right from wrong and that I won't tolerate outright disobedience!

Hanneke is a good kid most of the time, but she is spoiled!  Very much so!  :/

Ingrid is doing well, all things considering.  Her disease is holding its own; no new signs of weakness, thank the Lord.  She doesn't go anywhere all that much because it's hard for her to get around easily.  I try to help her out as best as I can; she is so sweet, and I just love her so much (as I do all of my brothers and sisters, but Ing and I have a very close, special close bond that nothing can sever)!  I have been keeping her in my prayers; I pray for her every day (and I pray for Lunt, Freja, Kelle, Franz, Kjell, Hjalmaar, and Maija as well).

I am getting ready to go on a cruise next month:  my husband, Otto, and myself are going to go to the Mediterranean for two weeks:  we are going to see Greece, Crete, Italy, and Sicely.  We are looking forward to it; we've wanted to go to these places for a very long time; now our dreams are going to be realized soon!  (It was a anniversary gift from my older brother's kids.  Wasn't that nice of them?? :) )

I know this isn't much, but I really don't have much of an exciting life.  Maybe this cruise coming up will change things.  I hope so!  LOL  I will write in here again; have to get Otto up; it's past 11:00 here and Otto is still in his bed, snoring his happy rumpus off!  LOL  He's a lazy boy!  LOL  I will write in here soon; until then, take care and God bless!

~Love, your Norwegian friend, Maikken Kristina.  :)