17 February, 2009, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve!  Miitu kuuluu?  Kiitos hyvaas!

It's me, your friend in Finland.  Sari Annike Gustaffssenn-Constantinos.  I hope this finds you well; as for me, I have been incredibly busy.  If I'm not battling my (unpredictable) health, I'm busy chasing kids (and that's when my body behaves itself; if it doesn't, then Nik deals with them!).  I hope you understand why I have not written in over a month.

Our youngest, Ilsa Magdelina, is two months old.  Cute as a button:  she has very pale blonde hair and huge, dark-grey eyes; she looks a lot like me.  She is very beautiful.  She is really a good baby, easy to love, even easier to take care of.  If I have trouble, Nik is more than willing to help me, which I greatly appreciate.  That, or one of my brothers comes over to assist me in any way they can.

I am blessed: Ilsa is one to sleep most of the night; she hardly ever fusses.  She is so unlike Birtta, three, who was as fussy, as colicky, as they came.  I had a very difficult time trying to calm her; she cried for hours.  It seemed nothing I did could calm her screaming; it about drove me crazy!!

Erick, who is one, was another one who was colicky; but he wasn't anywhere near as bad as Birtta.  He now sleeps through the night; he's a good little boy.  Smart, too, just like his big sister.  I am blessed to have not one, not two, but three perfectly healthy children!

Unlike me, their mama, who is falling apart at nearly forty seven years of age!  LOL  Getting old before I even turn fifty!  *Sighhh*  LOL

Nik continues to be his loving, sweet, cute, Greek god self.  I look at him, and I melt, each and every time.  Washboard abs.  Strongly muscled arms and legs.  Powerful shoulders.  Long, black hair, piercing dark eyes, a strong Greek nose.  High cheekbones.  Whew!  He's easy on the eye!  LOL

And I am lucky to be his wife!  (All my friends are jealous!) 

And when I'm sick, he is so good to me.  I couldn't have asked for a better (cuter) husband!

Whoever thought that the Olympics in Athens, Greece, back in 2004, could be the starting point of our relationship?  I'd say I won the gold medal in snagging the perfect husband!  :)

The weather here in Finland is typical winter weather:  cold, snowy, or when clear, bitter cold, with highs in the teens or single digits, lows in the minus zeros or teens.  Too cold for me, even though I've lived in the Arctic Circle most of my life!  LOL

This year, we may go to Greece in the summer.  Maybe not to live, as we've done in the past, but to visit.  Maybe we'll take the children with us, so they can get to see their father's relatives (or, in Magda's case, meet them).  I bet they will love getting to meet the youngest family members in the Constantinos family line!  I know Birtta will enjoy the seaside beauty of Athens, and Erick will love romping around on the beach with his Greek cousins, aunts, and uncles!

It may be easier on my fibromyalgia, for one thing.  Seems that the Finnish cold plays havoc on achy, creaky joints!  *ow*

If this happens, we will have something to look forward to.  Also in the plans is a trip to America, perhaps in the fall, or the beginning of next year (2010).  We may go to British Columbia for the Winter Olympics; we've ordered tickets, but we don't know if we will be able to get them.  If not, no Olympics; if they do come, we will go.  I hope we can go to another Olympics; we had so much fun at the Athens Summer Games!

We shall see what happens. 

Well, I am going to go now.  Going to go to bed; it's late here.  Very late.  I am tired; need to get some sleep.  I've been up since two this morning; it's way past my bedtime.  LOL  I will write in here when I can.  Also, my vision is acting up; starting to see two of everything; making me very dizzy.  I am going to get my crutches, wobble myself to bed.  Take care, and may God bless you always!  Until later, this is Sari saying Nakemiin!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Finland, Sari Annike.  :D