Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Monday evening? Mom's brain is fried to say the least. It is 5:30 pm and Mom just got done with her final exam. I have been working on it since 12 noon. My eyes are so buggy right now from looking at the computer screen all day long. I need to write you your letter and get off this thing for the night. Mom will look everything over once again before submitting it tomorrow though. Just a triple check on things as this is the final and counts for a lot of my grade. I am hoping I do really well on it to keep my A but if not then I will definitely take a B. That is better than an F! Mom will let you know what I get for a grade when it is posted by mid-week. 
 Mom slept a little better last night but not too much more. I was up a few times and I guess there was a lot on my mind. I did however still get up at 7:30 am and lounge in bed for about two hours before getting up, making breakfast, doing laundry and then getting ready. After that it was still pretty warm and humid outside to take the pups for a walk so Mom decided to take them after they ate, which is what we just got done doing. They are happy, have full bellies and loved their walk outside. Mom is cooking dinner while I finish up my letter to you. Nothing like multi-tasking, huh? Mom does it all the time...lol! Looks like it will be a late dinner and then we are going to go sit outside for a bit and enjoy the fresh air. Later we will come in and watch a little TV before going to bed. Tomorrow is another full day here. We have to go get the vehicle inspected, go to the bank to get the rent check and then Mark is getting a haircut. When we get home, Mom will be submitting her final exam and Mark has a full day at the office. It is a busy week for sure! Mom can't believe that there is only two days left in July and we will be in August on Wednesday. Kids will be going back to school in just 3 weeks and in 1 month everything around here will be shutting down for the tourist season again. Fall will be upon us and that is Mom's favorite time of the year! Soon it will be winter again. That is not something that I want to think about right now though...lol! Anyways... Mom will be posting some new things for the month of August on here. Some inspirational sayings and some gem and crystal meanings that I have found. They are interesting and I know you would have loved it all so I hope you enjoy all that I post!
 So the updates that I have for you today are the ones I was telling you about yesterday that I didn't want to write about. They really are not all that uplifting to say the least. Okay...here it goes... Great Grammy is not well at all. She has gone down even more in the last week. Her body is now starting to break down and Mom knows it won't be long. I somehow have a feeling that it is going to happen right before her birthday or right after her birthday which is in 8 days. Grandpa and Aunt Shirley's cousin, which is our cousin as well, Hatte (you met her and John before...they live in Maine) is in the hospital and full of cancer. They say it is just a matter of time for her as well. Debbie called Mom on Saturday and told me that she has some medical issues going on as well. She told me what they were but I will not disclose them on here but you know because you have heard Mom talk about it. She is going to the doctors either this week or next to start the proceedings of what is next for her. I spoke to Aunt Beck and she was saying that Bean is still the same. She was indeed diagnosed with Hashimoto 's Disease.  She has her Endocrinologist appointment on the 7th (Grammy's Birthday). I saw a recent picture that was posted of her and I haven't seen a recent one in months so Mom was a little surprised to see just how bloated she is. It breaks my heart but Bean is still beautiful as ever and she will get all this worked out. Everyone else seems to be doing okay. Mom is getting better every day and I am getting back to myself...which I knew I would. I will be good as new come the end of the week! Mark is doing well and taking very good care of Mom. You would be proud of him. I know you see it and I am sure you are smiling. Please watch over us all my sweet precious son. I know you do all the time but I always feel the need to ask. Thank you.
 Mom will update you more when I hear of things but for now that is all that I have. I will light the candle as soon as I am done writing to you and I will whisper to you as I always do. Looks like we are going to get some rain or a serious thunderstorm tonight. The clouds have rolled in and it is no longer blue skies and sunny. Guess there will be no sunset or moon shining bright but I know you are up there shining the brightest for someone who needs you. Thank you for being my bright star that lights my way day and night. It makes me smile. I miss you so much though. I love you to the moon and back and all the way around the world. You will forever be my hero and the wind beneath my wings. You will always have a place and live inside my heart, mind, body and soul. Mom will be back tomorrow with another letter to you but for now... I have to go and finish up cooking dinner. Have fun tonight while I sleep and come visit me in my dreams if you can. Fly high pumpkin. Until tomorrow comes....good night and sweet dreams.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is the prayer for the day:

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV

Lord our God, we are your children. Hear all our concerns, we pray, for we want help from you, not from men, not from anything we can think or say. May your power be revealed in our time. We long for a new age, an age of peace in which people are changed. We long for your day, the day when your power will be revealed to poor, broken humankind. Be with us, and give our hearts what will remain with us, the strength and mercy of Jesus Christ. Amen.