Dear Tyler,

Hi pumpkin! How are you doing on this Monday afternoon? Oh boy...the weather is everything it said it would be today. The rain has been so heavy at times it is crazy. The winds have ranged from 35-60 mph since last night. Mom didn't really feel like I got a lot of sleep because of them as the winds were just a howling like crazy. Hopefully tonight I will get some solid sleep that I need. Mark needs it as well! The temps are so cold. We are dressed like it is the middle of winter here. Guess we are suppose to get the rain & wind until 7 pm this evening so we have roughly 3 more hours of this stuff & then it will start slowing down & the winds will go to about 15 mph. By the looks of things though tomorrow is going to be windy as well & cloudy with not much sun at all. The whole week looks that way. Mom is just ready for the all sunny days & the warm temps. I am itching for them & can not wait! The day today has been so dark that we have had to have all our lights on just to see. It is pretty depressing but Mom is not going to complain at all! Mark says that his vehicle is getting a good wash so he won't have to do it later...lol! Some areas actually got snow & Mom saw that some places reported over 28" of snow from yesterday into today. I am so glad I am not where they are! Anyways.... hopefully soon we will get to see the sun for endless hours with beautiful sunrises & sunsets. Mom is waiting for you to gather those paint brushes & get them ready! Your paintings in the sky are what makes Mom smile so big & wide. I love them. I love you to the moon & back & all the way around the world. To infinity & beyond! 
 So last night Mom started to track Aunt Beck's flight. They were suppose to depart at 7:30 pm & they actually did not board until 45 minutes later & they took off around 9 pm. I got a notification that she landed in Rome at 7:10 am their time so that was 1:10 am our time here in the United States. She said that it was crazy & awesome all at the same time. It is now 10:05 pm there so Mom won't hear from her at all. Maybe tomorrow. I am sure they are both exhausted. It was a long flight but the pilot made some really good time for them. I am sure they will have a wonderful adventure for the next 3 weeks. I will so happy to hear from her & what she is doing & learning about our family. Mom called Meme to let her know last night & also this morning. She is going to touch base with me later this evening but I have no news for her. I guess everything is okay with her. Meme really didn't say all that much. I also touched base with Grandpa last night. He didn't seem like he was in too much of a talkative mood. Maybe he was just tired from work. I am not sure but something was definitely off. Debbie seemed well. Aunt Shirley got in touch with me & we chatted over the computer today. Guess she is not going to go through with her tests that the doctor wants because she feels she is doing better & doesn't want to pay the money for no reason. I hope she is doing the right thing! Great Grammy is doing good. She went out shopping last week. She was so happy. She bought some new tops & some candy. That sounds like her. She is so sweet. I will be going to visit her in May when I am there & I can't wait. I sure do miss visiting with her. She will be 98 years young in 4 months. mark is doing good. He worked really hard today. Busy all day long on the phones with his team & also a new client. Mom did good as well. I was up early, made breakfast, did those dishes, got ready, & came right in & started to study. I submitted my Exam 6. Out of 45 questions I got 4 wrong & now Mom is awaiting my instructor to grade my essay questions so I can get a final grade. I just hope I pass this exam. It was a tough one. I worked on my final as well. I got all the resources that I needed so now tomorrow I will put it all together in a 5 page paper & then tweak if from there & then submit it all. I looked at the remaining classes I have... Mom has 14 to do in 4 months. That is a lot of pressure but I will do my best to get it all done without stressing myself out! Keep me going, Tyler! I know you are with Mom. Thank you. That is all the updates that I have for you today! Mom is hoping your night will be everything you need it to be & also want it to be. Come be with Mom or visit me in my dreams if you can. I will light a candle for you tonight & whisper to you like I always do. Smile when you hear Mom & I will smile right back to you. Remember you are my hero & the wind beneath my wings. Forever you live inside my heart, mind, body & soul. Mom will be back tomorrow with another letter as well. Right now it is going on 5 pm & it is time to feed the pups & get dinner going for Mark & I. I love you with all my heart. You are my bright shining star.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is a prayer for the day: 
 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7, NIV

Lord our God, we come seeking to find community with you and ask you to keep us in your truth throughout all that occupies us in our daily lives. Keep us from growing confused about truths we have already found through the witness of your Spirit in our hearts. Keep us in your truth so that we can hold firmly to our course on earth under the many hardships and burdens that try to drag us down. Help us to remain steady and to find the path that goes straight ahead, leading us on and on to your final goal. Amen.