Tuesday, 24 October, 2006, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Louisiana in America~

Terve! Mitta kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaa!

This is, as you may have surmised, Sari writing. I am glad you are over that virus; that didn't sound like any fun! I am glad that your husband and the children didn't get it!

I am glad you had fun on your trip to Alaska. I wouldn't mind going there myself, but with my health being in such a unpredictable state, there is no telling how I may be feeling. I still have my good days as well as my bad days when it comes to my MS. That is what I hate worst about it: the unpredictability factor!

Today I am using my crutches; my ankles are wobbly, and I don't want to risk falling, so I am using my sticks. I have to wear AO braces, to keep my ankles steady, and I am  not used to them. I don't really like the braces, but if they help me walk better, then it is worth it!

Nikolas is doing well: he is off work today, so he is spending all his time with the baby and me. He is such a good daddy to Birtta, and Birtta just loves him! She is laughinig all the time; she is such a happy, good-natured baby, and I am so glad that she is a part of our world!

The weather there sounds like it is getting colder. Well, it is fall, you know; you expect that kind of thing. Here it is in the fifties in the day, thirties at night, and we have had some spectacular auroral displays at night.

Sometimes the entire sky is covered with multicolored ribbons of night, and whenever we take Birtta to see the lights, she stares at the sky in fascination, and you can just hear her little thoughts going. She will coo at the lights, and she smiles and laughs. We will be sending you some new pictures of the auroras we have had here; I think you will enjoy them! :)

My English is getting better, but I still have trouble sometimes. I want to say something in English, but somehow my Finnish always manages to get in the way! LOL Nikolas speaks English like a singer; it is absolutely flawless, and I could just listen to him talk for hours! :)

My brothers are coming for Thanksgiving; I was just informed of this the other day, and so that means we will have to do some heavy-duty cleaning before too long. Our house isn't too bad, but the baby's room is full of toys, and there are clothes strewn all over the floor! I don't mind, though; I love being a mamma! :) My Birtta is worth everything in the world, and she is one of the shining lights in my life! :)

We don't really celebrate Thanksgiving here in Finland, but I do because I love the thought of eating turkey, stuffing, mashed (or candied yam) potatoes, greenbean casserole, and apple pie. I look forward to it every November, and Nikolas has come to enjoy it too. I guess it is because of you; you make Thanksgiving fun, and it isn't a bad day to spend a November day: porking out until you are ready to pop, and then lying around, letting the food digest! LOL

Well, I will go now. I have to go to the bathroom; I think Nikolas is going to have to help me up. I am having trouble getting up by myself. I will write more later; again, thanks for your letter! It is always good to hear from my American friend! Your letters make me smile, and it just makes me love you and your Northern Lights family all the more!

Until later, Nakemiin!

~With much love, your friend in Finland, Sari Annike. :D