Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Monday morning? Mom is so sorry that I did not write to you at all over the weekend but as you could see it was crazy & busy all at the same time. Mom is not feeling all that well today so that is why I am writing to you now so that I can shut my computer off after & just go lay down for a bit. I didn't want to go 3 days without writing to you. Let Mom tell you about the weekend we had.... Friday, Mark & Mom took off about 1:15 pm as planned. The weather was overcast & cloudy but it was a nice drive up to the White Mountains. It had been years since I have been up there. We arrived at the condo that we all were renting at 4:30 pm. By that time the pups were restless, we were tired & it was so cold outside. We got into the condo & it was freezing. The heat hadn't been turned on other than one room. Mark brought everything in & we put everything away & then headed out to find the grocery store near by. Mom had to go in alone as the pups had to go with us because it was too cold for them to stay in the condo. We finished the shopping & headed back just in time that Marion & Charlie showed up like 5 minutes later. We all settled in & ordered dinner for the night. After dinner, us adults sat around & played a couple hours of cards. 11 pm rolled around & we all we tired so we called it a night. Seems like everyone fell asleep fast as it was quiet...all except Mom. I was uncomfortable in the bed & just couldn't sleep. Think Mom got about 3 hours of rest & then was up at 6:30 am to snow. Mom got ready & about 9:30 am Mark & I set out to go about an hour North to go visit my friend & her son. We were there for about 2 hours & then made the hour trip back to everyone at the condo. It was really nice to see everyone but it was bittersweet as well. Mom did a good job at hiding her emotions. It was wonderful to visit, to laugh & joke despite the fact of what is happening. Eli look good for all the sh*t he is going through & facing. Seeing him & his Mom reminded me of you & I. Different situations but the same thing with caring for our children & knowing the outcome. Eli is now in full blown hospice & has been for 1 month. Things are looking bleak for him. Mom is happy that I took the time to go make the extra trip to see them. After we got back to the condo, everyone had a late lunch & then the girls decided to go to a little shop to look around. We got back in time to get all dressed up & head to the ice castles. That was a good time seeing the work that gets put into making them. The lights were beautiful & there were so many people there. when it really got dark the lights were even better. There was music playing & kids were sliding & jumping in it. Mom took a lot of pictures so I will post a couple of here today for you to see. We were at the castles for about 2 hours & then headed back for the evening. The weather was amazing. It was 33 degrees out & it was not really cold at all like everyone said it would be. Mom was really warm & over dressed. I was having a good time but I was bundled up so much that I was uncomfortable. Mom could hardly move around. We got back to the condo & visited with everyone for the evening & then everyone decided to go to bed at 9 pm. Mom was so surprised. I was very tired so I started to do some cleaning so I wouldn't have to to it all Sunday morning. I went to bed at 10 pm but yet again was the only one who didn't sleep. I did fall asleep around 4 am to just get up at 6:30 am to see Grandpa, Debbie, Meme & Bob off at 7 am. They had to leave early because Grandpa had to work. After they left Mom got ready & started to pack things up. We were ready to go by 9 am. We left there at 10 am & on the road we went to travel home. We hit some pretty heavy rain & bad fog the whole drive but we made it safe & sound by 12:15 pm. Once we got home, Mom had a 2nd wind & decided to put everything away, do laundry & give both pups baths. I finally sat down at 3 pm & had an early dinner. I was ready to go to bed at 4:30 pm. I could hardly stay awake. I was going to get on my computer to write a letter but I couldn't as most of the night I was sick. Not sure why but it started around 5 pm & went until 8:30 pm. I was in bed & asleep by 9 pm & slept well. Mom woke up at 6:30 am & got up & made coffee & breakfast for Mark & I & then got ready. I am still pretty tired & I have a low grade fever I think. My eyes are watery & I think I am coming down with a cold. I really hope not. I am drinking lots of fluids & sucking on cough drops as well. I hope to get a lot more sleep tonight & feel better in the morning. Mom is going to take the rest of today & just relax & maybe take a nap where it is only 1 pm. To sum everything up.... the travel was good, the location of the condo was excellent but the condo itself was nasty. It was nothing like the pictures & it was so gross & dirty. All the adults agreed with that. The company was wonderful as always. All in all a great time & next time we find a better place to stay. Mom was thinking that this place would be like the places we stayed at in Florida.... NOT! Oh well... like Mark said... it is always good to get away & have an adventure with family & friends but it is also nice to get home! I agree. 
 Mom doesn't have much updates for you. Grandpa is still coughing a lot & not over his cold. Debbie is doing good. Meme is good but stressed out & Bob looks awful. It was so sad to see. He was very quiet & didn't hardly say a thing. He was almost like a zombie/robot. Mom is not being mean at all because I found it heartbreaking to watch. He would move around & kinda do what he was told & then sit back down & say nothing. I hope something turns around for him. He doesn't deserve this. Please be with him & help him if you can, Ty! Thank you. Aunt Beck called today. We chatted for a bit. It was nice to hear about everything that she is doing with her upcoming trip. She has done a lot of research about our family in Italy & it is amazing to hear. She is going back to our great grandparents. She has found that we have living relatives in Italy, Boston, New Jersey & throughout the world. She is hoping to meet some when she is there. One of the fascinating things to find out is that we are entitled to have dual citizenship in the US & in Europe because of our Great Grandfather. That is so cool. Aunt Beck is going to apply & so is Mom. This way I can travel to Europe, work over there & live our there if I ever wanted to. How exciting! That is about all I have for today. It is only Monday so I am sure to be having more throughout the week though! 
 Mom hopes that tonight will bring you everything you hope for, need to do & may want to do. If you can, come be with Mom & visit me in my dreams while I am sleeping tonight. Thank you my sweet precious son. Mom misses you & loves you to the moon & back & all the way around the world. Forever my hero & always you will be in my heart, mind, body & soul. I will whisper to you tonight so smile when you hear Mom & I will smile right back to you. I will be back tomorrow with another letter so until then.... good night & sweet dreams. 
 Here is the color & meaning for today: Fuchsia: Courageous & passionate, you have a playful side that balances your serious & spiritual nature. You are confident & not afraid to take action. Remember that the journey is often more important than the outcome of your endeavors. 
 Here is the saying for the day: Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you see it, you'll never make it through the night.
 Here is the prayer for the day:  May you step back from the things that frustrate you and consider what God might be saying to you here. Is He asking you to lay down your arms and entrust your soul to Him? Or is He asking you to raise your shield and stand in faith? Either way, you're not at the mercy of your circumstances, you have His mercy and He'll keep you steady and sturdy in your faith. Don't take the bait of offense. Look up and do what Jesus tells you to do! You will overcome!
 Mom loves you bunches my bright shining star. Continue to watch over us like I know you do. Thank you for everything, Ty! Fly high & free. 
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!