Weds., 25 June, 2008, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve!  Miitu kuuluu?  Kiitos hyvaa!

As you can surmise from the start of this, you can tell it's me, just li'l ol' Sari Annike, writing.  It can't be Louie Sandusky, Jenna Doocet, or Sikik Eegesiack writing; it can't be anyone else but me! LOL

Well, I am definitely having a little girl.  That's been determined.  So far, all is going well:  she is growing inside my ballooning belly; I definitely look pregnant now.  Nik, as you can imagine, is beside himself with joy; he can't wait to be a father again!

Now, Birtta is as excited as her daddy; Erik, however, has reservations:  he is not so sure as to give up his title as "baby of the family"; he's gotten used to being the youngest child.  Now there will be a new stranger in his life; he's having a most difficult time of it.

Nik and I will have to be patient, loving, supportive of our son, as we get closer to the arrival of child #3. 

I still want to name the child-to-be Hildegarde or Ilsa.  Nik wants to have a Greek-sounding name (Magdalina or perhaps Petrina).  Maybe she'll end up having a Finnish first name and a Greek middle name.  Or perhaps it may be the other way around.  Petrina Hildegarde.  Ilsa Petrina.  Or Ilsa Magdalina.  What do you think?? :)

Maybe we'll just end up naming her George.  LOL That's what my stupid brother said earlier when we stopped by his place.

My MS has been tamed.  The meds I am currently on seem to be doing their job; am getting around with just my crutches most days; have hardly used my wheelchair or scooter.  Now when I go shopping, I use the scooter; it's easier. I am most pleased with the direction that my health has been going; I pray it continues!

My kids are getting used to me using the crutches; however their little friends think I've been in an accident or something.  I tell them I have a sickness that affects my walking; the crutches make it easier for me to get around; only then do they understand. 

Some adults, however, aren't as keen.  They act stupid.  They get angry with me because I am not as fast as they; it takes a little extra time for me to get around.  I get so frustrated at them all I want to do is yell, scream, cry!!  I wish more adults knew what it's like to live with MS!!

The weather here in Ivalo is now mostly daylight:  the long summer has officially begun.  It only gets dusk for a few hours; the sun doesn't set.  This will be the norm until the fall season, when the days will quickly get shorter.  Until then, we will enjoy extra hours of daylight; and during the start of Midsommer, we had a huge celebration featuring picnics, speeches, music, even fireworks.  We went to our city's Midsommer celebration; we had a most wonderful time!

Last week Ilsa and I went on a picnic lunch north of the city.  We spent the day sitting by the lake, hunting for crawdads.  We also got terribly sunburnt; we Finns don't tan that well, especially the fair-skinned, fair-haired (of which Ilsa and I both are).  We looked like boiled lobsters; we practically glowed from sunburn! LOL  (It may have been funny, but the pain wasn't!! *OW*)

We are over the worst of the sunburn; we are currently peeling.  And itching.  AGGGHH!!!!

I am so blessed to have friends like Ilsa Rekkonen, also Annike Terggen and Riivkaa Ibbotsenn.  If I don't see Ilsa, I see Annike or Riivkaa.  I met them last month at my doctor's appointment; Annike has fibromyalgia (always in pain; she says it's like having arthritis of the muscles; that dosen't sound very pleasant), and Riivkaa has had arthritis for years (she's in an electric wheelchair).  We've since become good friends, and Ilsa likes them, too.

Well, I am going to go.  Erik is crying again; he's hungry.  Birtta isn't far behind:  she's whining too; if I don't get their food on the table soon, they just might revolt.  Not a good thing to have hungry, starving children! LOL  I will write again soon; until then, this is your (fat) Finnish friend, Sari, signing off!  Besides, the finals of Finland's Got Talent are on the telly tonight; want to see how it ends.  They have had some incredible acts on there!  Don't want to miss it!

Take care and God bless!  Until next time, this is Sari saying Nakemiin!

~Love, your friend in Finland, Sari Annike. :D