Ivalo, Finland, 8 August, 2011~

Dear Journal~

Terve!  Miita kuuluu?  Kiitos hyvaa!

Sari Constantinos writing.  Hope this finds you well.  As for me, I found out that the baby I am carrying is a little girl.  So we will be having a daughter; we will soon have three girls and one boy. 

Our new child will be named Fia Johanna.  She will join big sisters Birtta Aurora and Ilsa Magdelina and big brother Erik Karlssenn. 

As you can imagine, I am thrilled, but Nikolas, my husband, is a little disappointed that it isn't another son.  I told him, as long as the child is born healthy, then that's all that should matter.

The northern lights have been having a field day just about every night.  I am talking bright, multicoloured orbs of light that dance across the entire perimeter of the sky.  They do mess up with our phone and Internet, though, which is one reason why I haven't been online all that much.  The one night they got so bright they knocked out the power for about an hour.  It was incredible!

I don't mind the lights, but I don't like the fact that these storms the sun's been sending down have been messing with satellites and wreaking havoc with communications devices and/or computers.  They've even caused some damage to some satellites, causing major headaches for those who work on them for a living.

I have been taking lots of pictures to send to my friends in America.  I don't know if they are seeing auroras there, but if the ones here are any indication, they just might as well be.  I've heard reports that there have been aurora sightings in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Germany.

Now that I know I am having a daughter, Nikolas and I have been busy converting the extra bedroom into a nursery and buying baby clothes and toys.  That's another reason why I haven't written: too busy getting ready for the new baby, which is due around Christmastime.

I am definitely showing.  I look like I swallowed a beach ball.  I am starting to get big. 

Birtta understands about the birthing process; Erik isn't so sure about having a little sister.  As for Ilsa, she is jealous; she doesn't want to stop being the baby.  I give her lots of extra cuddle time and try to reassure her that our love will never disappear once little Fia arrives.  We will love her as much then as we do at the present time.

Well, I have to run.  Ilsa and Erik are fighting; they sound like they are trying to break down the walls (or kill each other, whichever happens first!).  *Sigh*  Life with kids is never dull, and I'm afraid it's only going to get much busier once Fia arrives ...

Take care and God bless; until later, this is Sari Annike saying Nakemiin!

~Love, your friend in Finland, Sari.  :/