29 September, 2008, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve!  Miita kuuluu?  Kiitos hyvaas!

It's just me, Sari Annike.  (Can't be anyone else but me! LOL)  Hope this finds you well; I am doing fantastic!  This is the best I've felt since being diagnosed with MS and fibromyalgia!

In a little less than three months, our newest child will be here.  We're having a little girl; her name is going to be Ilsa Magdalena, named after my best friend (Ilsa, Ilsa Rekonnen) and my mother-in-law (Magdalena, Nik's mother).  So far she's been healthy; I pray this trend continues.

Erick is too young to care; however, older sister Birtta is excited.  She is looking forward to becoming a big sister, having another little girl to love, play with.  Nik is looking forward to buying little girl baby clothes and showing off his "newest production" off to his family and friends, both here in Finland and in Greece.

The weather is cooling off dramatically.  Our trees are ablaze with colour; fall is most definitely here.  It won't be long before the first snowflakes start flying; unfortunately, the warmer seasons are short here in the Arctic.  Winters seem to hang on forever; the growing seasons of spring and summer are amazingly short.  I'm used to it; it's life here in the Arctic regions.

The auroras are out in full force:  nearly every clear night the auroras have been out, studding our northernmost skies with multicoloured curtains, ribbons of light:  reds, pinks, purples, greens, yellows, even red and blue.  They've been nothing short of spectacular!

We've already had to put a fire in the fireplace some days, that's how chilly it's been.  When it rains, it's even more so; the coldness/dampness seems to go right through me, which sets my fibromyalgia off.  I've been managing my MS with little difficulty, but the fibromyalgia is another matter altogether.  Sometimes I'm in so much agony it's all I can do to keep from crying out!

Heard from my friend Louisiana Sandusky in America:  she's doing much better, and her family's growin' like weeds, she says.  She sent me some pictures of the children; they are really turning into wonderful young men and women; it's amazing how fast they've grown!  Even the littlest members of her family, her baby twin boys, Ian and Isaiah, are no longer so little:  they are on the verge of walking, talking; it's an exciting time for the Sanduskys!

I have yet to write to her.  Seems my letter writing has gotten lax; I've gotten lazy as my pregnancy's progressed! LOL  Hard to get around, do things, so what I mostly do is sit around the house, while Nik deals with the children!  LOL  It's easier for him to get around, for one thing! LOLOL

I can't imagine my husband being pregnant.  Or maybe I can.  'Tis a funny thing, that; it makes me laugh!! LOLOLOL

I have a doctor's appointment later, so I must get ready, go to my apointment.  I will pray it's a good report.  I should find out when my baby is being born; I'm ready for her to be born NOW; I've gotten so huge it's not funny!!  I look like a beached whale!! LOL  Take care and until later, this is Sari saying Nakemiin!  I will write in here again soon; God bless!

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