3 August, 2007, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve! Mitta kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaa!

Sari Annike here. Hope you are well. Sorry if I haven't written in here in a while; kids and husband's needs take precidence over my own personal affairs.

Healthwise, I'm doing good one day (sans crutches or cane), next day, I'm having problems with my balance or vision; I'm then dependent on  my wheelchair or electric cart. Or I stay indoors, holed up in my room because the sun bothers my eyes; makes them hurt, makes it harder for me to see properly. Very annoying, that!!

I have been lying low: university classes over for the summer, starts back up in the fall. I am planning on attending in the fall (as long as my MS/fibromyalgia hold up, if they don't cause me too much in the way of problems).

Meanwhile, I'm at home, taking care of Birtta, Erik, and Nik. Nik is still working hard, both at his job and here at home; yet on weekends, he goes clubbing with his friends; he's not home much. I wish he'd stay hoome more; I am tired of having to wrestle with the kids all by myself!

Weather here has been sunny and warm, due to have thunderstorms later in the week. Parts of Europe (England, Germany, Russia, France, etc.) have been having heavy rain and severe flooding; more rainfall expected. Not good! Hopefully, we won't get the flooding rains here in Finland; to see all that water on the news is terrifying; I don't know what I'd do if we were faced with that kind of calamity!

Haven't heard from my friend, Louisiana Sandusky, in a while; sure hope she is okay--I konw she is busy with her work, her northern lights family, her writing, her adoption community; I can't expect her to drop everything so she can write to me; I will just have to learn to be patient, I guess. Still, I do miss hearing from her; her letters are always full of life, full of news from America!

I also know that Louisiana is expecting a child, whicih sounds crazy because she already has 60 kids, all adopted! I don't know how she does it; I don't even want to try!! I have more than enough to handle with a hyperactive toddler (Birtta) and a newborn (Erik)!! I just thank God they're healthy; I cannot imagine taking care of a child who is disabled or chronically ill! It takes a special kind of person to take care of such special children; Louisiana Sandusky is that kind of person. She is a true angel! :)

Well, I have to check on baby Erik; he is crying again. Either he needs to be fed, needs his nappy changed, or maybe just needs some attention from his mamma. I will write in here another day; until then, this is Sari Annike saying Nakemiin!

~Love, your Finnish friend, Sari Annike. :)