Ivalo, Finland, May 2013~

Terve! Miita kuuluu?  Kiitos hyvaa!

Sari Annike here.  I am sorry I have not written in a long time; the children (and life) keeps me constantly on the move.  I hope you understand ....

Nik (husband) is doing very well; he continues to work and to provide for our little family.  The children are all growing fast: Fia Johanna is nearly two; the others (Erik, Birtta Aurora, and Ilsa) are all in school.  And we have since had a fifth child: our second son, Soren Nikolas, who was born on Christmas Day.  He is now five months old; he looks just like his father.  He is so handsome!  I am happy to say all of our children are happy, thriving, and healthy; it has been a huge answer to all of our prayers!

I wish I could say the same of my own health.  At times my fibromyalgia and my MS kick me in the tail; some days I am feeling so bad it is all I can do to get out of bed some mornings.  When my MS and fibromyalgia are flaring, then our neighbours come and help out with the children if Nik is at work or not home because he is doing errands.

I am glad the long, cold, hard winter is over.  Spring has arrived here in Finland with a flourish: the trees and flowers have burst into full bloom and the days have gotten longer (not to mention, much warmer).  I am so glad; it was so hard on my body.  I hardly left the house.

Now that the weather is warmer, I have been getting out some days, but we take the wheelchair.  I get so tired out whenever I use my crutches .... must mean that my MS is getting worse.  I hope and pray not ....

The doctors say I'm doing well, but sometimes I wonder about that, especially on the days where I am flaring so bad!

Well, I hate to run, but little Soren is crying; it is nearly lunch time here.  I will have to feed him and try to soothe him.  I will write in here again soon; I'll try not to wait so long in doing so!  Last time I wrote was last summer of last year: nearly 8 months ago!  

Yikes!

Take care and God bless!  Until later, this is Sari Annike Constantinos saying Nakemiin!

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