Sari and Nikolas Constantinos, Louisiana Sandusky's friends in Finland, write to Louie, to let them know of their new baby and what's been going on with them.
Tuesday, 20 March, 2007, Ivalo, Finland~
Dear Louisiana, Bill, and Children~
Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas!
This is your friend, Sari Annike (and her husband; don't forget about me, Sari!), in Finland. We are hoping that this finds you well; we have been thinking of you as of late, and we were wondering how you were faring.
Well, Birtta is a big sister now. We have a new little one in our lives, a little boy we have decided to name Erik Karlssen. Little Erik was born on St. Patrick's Day; we just brought him home from hospital this morning. He is healthy, has all ten fingers and toes, and he is perfect! He weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces at birth, and he was 20" long. He is as bald as anything, but when awake, he has the biggest blue eyes!
Birtta is going to be a year old in May, and already she has a little brother to get to know and love. She is walking now, talking up a storm, and is now attending preschool three days a week while Nik takes me to my doctor's appointments or to physical therapy.
My MS still gives me problems at times, but I am coping as best as I can. I also have the fibromyalgia to deal with, and I am seeing a specialist who deals with patients like myself who suffer from chronic pain. He is absolutely wonderful, and he has helped me in a lot of ways. I don't seem to be in as much pain nowadays, and I am able to function more like the human being I am instead of like a zombie!
I have my good days and bad days when it comes to my MS: some days I zip along on just a cane (or my crutches); on others I use my wheelchair or stay in bed if my eyes are bothering me or if I get lightheaded. Having this MS is a pain in the tukus (spelling??), but I am dealing with it.
How is the weather there in Tennessee? Has it warmed up any? Here it is still rather cold, but the days are getting longer; soon the sun will be up most of the time, which will confuse a lot of people if they aren't used to it. That is the Arctic Circle for you: summer days are long, long, long, and winter days are short, short, short! LOL
The auroras are out in full force; it is the aurora season now. Birtta is loving every minute of the light show; when the auroras appear in the sky, she laughs merrily; she has my tinkling laugh, according to her daddy. He says she sounds like me when she laughs.
Aurora is a cute little thing: she has long, brownish hair and big, grey-green eyes (she got those from her uncle, one of my brothers), and she has her daddy's chin cleft. She is the spitting image of Nikolas, as you say there, and she is so beautiful! She is as healthy as a horse, and she weighs nearly 16 pounds now.
Have you written any more books, Louie? Have any of the children been sick? If so, please tell them I hope they feel better, that we are praying for them. Oh! That's another thing: Nik and I are attending church; we accepted Christ into our hearts, and now we are Christians, like your family. It is amazing to think that a Man could do that for us--die on a cross--, but He chose to do that, and I am amazed at the scope of it all. Now that is true love! :)
Well, this isn't much, but the baby is crying, and now Birtta is starting to wail, too. We will have to see what is going on. Until later, Louie, write back when you can, and God bless you always! Until later, this is Sari (and Nikolas; Sari, I told you not to forget about me!) signing off! Until next time, Nakemiin!
~Love, your friends in Finland, Sari, Nikolas, Birtta Aurora, and Erik Karlssen Constantinos. :)
Yes, have to agree with your Twin there, Karen... your diaries surely do shine and twinkle as the stars... and just about as many of them! :)) Probably ALL children, at that! Another compelling write which weaves the joys of children with the heaviness of uneasiness of body and health - a seemingly impossible combination, which your characters not only manage, but live life to the full OUTSIDE of their own four walls as well. So lifelike and natural are your "stories", Karen. You amaze. Bless you and hope you're doing fine these days. Love the new bio pic, too! :)) TY K xx
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Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
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