Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing today on this Friday afternoon? It is the biggest shopping day of the year today. It is Black Friday. Mom was wanting to go out today and do a little shopping but I changed my mind. It is sunny and blue skies today but it is only in the 20's here and Mom is not feeling all that great so I decided to play it safe and just stay home and relax for another day. Tomorrow is suppose to be sunny again and in the 40's so that will be better! Last night was very relaxing. Mark and Mom had dinner and dessert and then watched TV all night. The Cowboys won their game yesterday so we were both very happy! The Chicago Bears won against the Lions too. Great day overall for football! Mom was so surprised that Bean called me last night. That was so sweet. We chatted for about 30 minutes and then hung up when she got home. It was so nice to hear from her. I will make the effort to call her more often and I told her that. She called Meme as well but didn't call Grandpa which was very sad. I wish that she had a relationship with him but Mom can't do anything about that. It hurts though. She was saying that she is feeling so much better and she looks great too. Aunt Beck took a picture of her and her BF for me and sent it to me. She looks very happy and that is all that matters to us. This morning Mom got a message from Aunt Shirley saying that Vivian ( one of our family members) was in the hospital. I guess she had a bowel obstruction and surgery that didn't go very well and there were complications and she is going to be there for a bit. She is in the cardiac unit though which I don't know why. Aunt Shirley went to go see her today and will be in touch with me later to fill me in on how she is doing. Mom will call Grandpa later tonight to tell him because he is working right now. I will also call Meme to just check in. 
 Mom has been up since 7:30 am and I fed the pups and got coffee for Mark. He was awake at the same time this morning. We lounged in bed watching TV all morning and got out around 11:30 am. Mom made brunch, did the dishes and now I am writing to you. Mark is doing a few things on his computer right now so I wanted to take the time to write. After this Mom is going to take a hot bath and then crawl on the couch and do nothing the rest of the day and night. It is leftovers for dinner so that will be wonderful. I will be putting the aromatherapy pillow on my hip to have the heat help me. I did it this morning and it felt good. I will continue to do it all the rest of the time before I go to bed tonight. It feels better today than yesterday so that is a plus. It will be gone within the next couple days. Guess having these two "down" days doing nothing is exactly what Mom and Mark needed. It has felt great. I have two more days of this and then come Monday it is back to the books studying like crazy! I want this class done! Mark will be busy all week with work so Mom have no excuses at all! That is about it what is going on here and a look into next week. Mom will continue to keep you posted as I know of things that are happening. I will light the candle for you in a bit. Looks like tonight will be the end of this one and a new one will be burning tomorrow for you. I will whisper to you later tonight so smile when you hear Mom and I will smile right back to you. I sure hope that you day and night is everything that you need and want it to be. Have fun pumpkin. Please continue to watch over us. Thank you so much. I miss you like crazy and I love you to the moon and back and all the way around the world. You are my superhero and the wind beneath my wings. Forever you are in my heart, mind, body and soul. Mom will be back tomorrow to write to you more but for now I need to take a hot bath or shower and then put heat on my hip. Until tomorrow comes....good night and sweet dreams my sweet precious son and my bright shining star.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is the prayer for the day:

I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. John 10:11–12, TEV

Lord our God, we thank you for ruling us with your shepherd's staff so that again and again we can be refreshed and can delight in what you are doing for us. We thank you that we can have eager, joyful faith even when sorrows come, looking again and again to the good you give us. We are thankful and want to be thankful always. Be a mighty Lord over the peoples, we pray, and protect our country. Show your sovereignty by guarding the flock close beside you and by pouring out your grace to give life to the dying and resurrection to those who have died. O Lord God, hear and bless us. May your will be done on earth as in heaven, so that your kingdom may break in and everything may come right, according to your great purpose. Amen.