Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Thursday afternoon? Mom is just drained to be honest with you. I was not tired last night so I stayed up until midnight and was up at 7 am. I didn't really lounge in bed all that long either this morning. I was up, made breakfast, did the dishes, got ready and came right in to look over my exam and submit it. I was not so confident but after looking it over I didn't know what else to try and do so I submitted it. Mom has been bummed ever since. There were 44 questions and I got 7 wrong but it was a total of 25 points so I got a 75 on it. It is a C~ I passed but really that is just not good enough for me. I am very disappointed in myself. I started to work on the next chapters but I am so freaking lost in it. Mom decided to get up, walk away from it for a bit so I took the pups for a walk. I thought that might clear my head but boy was I wrong. I just can't seem to get out of this funk today. I have decided to let it go for the day and try again tomorrow. My overall grade in the class is still a 85 which is a high B so I am happy with that! Mom needs to get a full nights rest and then start all over again tomorrow with a fresh restart! 
 Today the sun finally came out this afternoon. It was playing pee-a-boo this morning for several hours. The temps are cool and the skies are cloudy but I see some blue in there. It definitely is a Fall day. Our walk was pretty nice. The pups enjoyed it so that is all that matters. Mom is going to get them fed here in a few minutes and then I am going to prep dinner for Mark and I. Later will be definitely relaxing and doing nothing as I am so tired that I am having trouble keeping my eyeballs open just to write this...lol. Mom is no more spring chicken to stay up that late and get up early anymore. Tomorrow is Friday and Mom is looking forward to the weekend for sure. Guess we are going to take a road trip on Saturday. It will be just about an hour away from where we live and go to one of Mom's favorite stores to just look around and start getting ideas for Christmas. I don't even want to think about that but unfortunately it is not that far away at all. Next Tuesday will be 3 months exactly. Wow! That means in 3 months and 1 week it will be a new year! That just blows my mind. This year we are not going to go overboard with gifts like we did last year and all the previous years. Mark and Mom will be doing one big gift and then a stocking and for family we will be doing gift cards so that everyone can go get something that they want. Easier to transport as we are the ones that are on the road traveling on the Holidays. We may do 1 gift for everyone and then the gift cards but just not sure. I guess as you get older you don't need anyone to get you anything for Christmas. What matters most is being with the ones you love. At least that is what Mom thinks and feels. I definitely will be looking out for your ornament that I get you every year. Sam has the last 2 that I left you on your bench. That is okay by me. At least I know where they are and that they were not stolen. Anyways... enough of that subject. Mom doesn't want to think of winter just yet!
 The sun is setting so soon now. Last night it was dark by 7 pm. I think by the end of the month it will be dark by 5 pm. Mom will be writing to you in the morning when that happens so that I do not have to use a light to see. My days will consist of being up early in the mornings and studying until about 3:30 pm, writing to you and then turning the computer off for the night. I did that last year and it worked out really well. Mom will reverse it again when it stays out lighter in the Spring again though. Everyone seems to be seeing these gorgeous sunsets these past few nights and us here are seeing nothing. No color at all.... just gray and dark. Mom is so bummed. We have not had hardly any sunsets at all this summer which is pretty weird. I think we got maybe 4 at the most. I still am hoping that something will change and I will see one before winter arrives. Guess I am hinting really bad to you...lol! Time will tell, right Ty?
 Mom has no updates for you at all as the phones the last couple days have been very quiet. I do know that Debbie is doing fantastic. She is feeling great and is not even having to take her pain pills at all. She says that she needs to just becareful because where she is feeling so good she does not want to over do anything. Her body needs to heal from the inside and that will take 6 weeks. She is smart so she will monitor what she is capable of doing. It is great though that she is feeling this way only after 2 days. Everyone else is doing well. We are all just busy with life ....work, school, etc.... Mom should have some updates for you over the weekend. 
 Well the pups are fed and dinner is prepped for Mark and I. Tonight we are having pork chop (Mark) and haddock (me) with bake potato and zucchini. Dessert will be the homemade apple pie with vanilla ice cream on top. It is almost 6 pm and we will be eating by 6:30 pm and Mom will be in bed by 9 pm...lol. The candle has been burning for you since 12 noon today. Looks like this candle will be done either tonight or tomorrow and a new one will be started. That makes 5 candles in the last couple of months. Mom is trying to burn all the older ones before I go buy more. I will whisper to you as I always do later this evening so smile when you hear Mom and I will smile back to you. I miss you and love you more than words. To the moon and back and all the way around the world. You, my sweet precious son are my hero and the wind beneath my wings. Forever you will be living inside my heart, mind, body and soul. I will be back with another letter to you tomorrow afternoon. I sure hope that you come visit me in my dreams tonight or sit next to Mom while I sleep. Have some fun as well doing all the things that are needed of you and things you may want to do. Please continue to watch over us. Thank you. Fly high and free. Give everyone big hugs and kisses from Mom. You all are missed so much. Until tomorrow comes...good night and sweet dreams.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is today's prayer:

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty – and I will meditate on your wonderful works. Psalm 145:3–5, NIV

Lord God, our Helper, we thank you for walking among us and for letting many experience your protection. Even when we are dying, you protect and help us so that we need not pass into death but may enter into life. So may our hearts be lifted up to you. Grant that the light in us remains undimmed, and that we may come before you in sincerity. Lord God, create good out of evil. Let light dawn in the darkness. Fulfill your promise, for our hearts are not concerned with human desires but with your promise. You will carry it out, and we will be able to say, "Our faith was not in vain, our hope was not in vain. Lord our God, you have blest us a thousandfold." Amen.