Dear Tyler,

Hi pumpkin! How are you doing on this Thursday afternoon? Mom is doing alright today. I didn't do what I said I was going to last night...go to bed early but I managed to get up at 7 am and stay up. I helped get the dogs settled and then I made the bed, got ready, made a nice breakfast, did the dishes and I was studying by 11 am. It is now 3:20 pm and I decided to stop for the day. The clouds are rolling in and it is getting dark already. It will be completely dark in less than an hour though. Mom will write your letter and then I will get dinner prepped and cooking so that we can eat at a descent time tonight. Last night Mom and Mark watched a couple shows and then a Christmas movie and called it a night. Mark actually fell asleep before the movie was over. Mom crawled into bed around 11:30 pm. I am hoping that I am able to get to bed and fall asleep earlier tonight though. Mark has to be up early in the morning to head to the office all day and I am planning on doing the same thing I did this morning...start studying by 10 am and finish up the day around 3 pm. I did manage to read Chapter 2 and take the exam. Tomorrow will be reviewing it and then submitting it and then on to Chapter 3 and 4 and the next exam. Still no word from my instructor on my final in the last course but I am going to just keep trucking along. I will continue to work ahead and move forward and when she messages me then I will work on that one and submit it. I do think I will call on Monday though so this does not get out of hand. Mom is hoping for a good grade but will settle for a passing one at this point! Mom will let you know how I did when I submit it tomorrow. 
 I spoke to Grandpa again last night for a bit. He was watching a Christmas movie too. Debbie went to work. We chatted for about 30 minutes and then I told him I would call him either tonight or Friday to say hello. I know he will be working so I want him to get his rest. Meme called today on her break. She is doing okay but getting angry with Bob again. I can understand her point and why she is upset but she doesn't have to be so mean. She can word it a different way. She didn't say much else but again asked Mom what the plans were for Christmas. I told her I still didn't know. She said she was going to see Bean tomorrow to drop off her Christmas and Birthday gifts because she will be working late tomorrow night. Mom will have to do what she did last year and mail them out after Christmas. It is December 13th and Mom still has not gone and done any shopping. Mark and I will be doing that on Saturday and then Sunday we will stay home and relax. I think he has a busy week ahead of him next week because the week after is Christmas. Mom just looked at the calendar and no wonder why Meme is asking. For some reason I thought we still had more time but we don't. After next week...this time, next Thursday it will be December 20th. That will be a long weekend for everyone... Mark will have Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off and then work Thursday and Friday and then have Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday off again for New Year's Eve and New Years Day! That is crazy. We still have no idea on what is going on for Kentucky but we better be talking about it tonight. Mom will hope for the best on that as I know what happened last weekend. Mom will keep you posted on that as well.
 Mom will get the chance to chat with Aunt Beck tomorrow afternoon so I will be able to update you on how things are with her and John. I know she is really busy with work and the class she is taking so it will be nice to talk to her. I will be calling Bean at some point too. Mom is just trying so hard to do the every day things and then bust my butt in school. Just seems like there is never enough time in the day and where it gets so day so soon now it is even harder on Mom. I am trying to embrace it though. The weather has been nice and dry but the next 3 days will be wet and rainy for us here. No complaints though as there is still no white stuff in the forecast and that makes me a happy girl. The temps will be cold and windy but that is it. Mom is planning on going out Saturday like I said and Sunday will relaxing, watching football and gathering up the gifts and getting things ready for our trip to NH next weekend. Next week will be studying and finishing up last minute things that we need to do before we head out. Packing will be easy which will be great and so much easier for me. Mom will get everything done that needs to get done. No worrying there either. I sure hope that your evening tonight will be all that you need and want it to be. Have fun while Mom gets some sleep tonight. Come visit me or sit by me while I sleep if you can. Last night I didn't dream of you but I did talk about you in my dreams which was a first. I woke up smiling. That is always a good thing. I will be back tomorrow with another letter to you. Mom will light the candle soon and I will whisper to you later this evening. Smile for me and I will smile right back to you. I miss you more than words can say my sweet precious son. I love you to the moon and back and all the way around the world. You are my hero and the wind beneath my wings. Forever you are in my heart, mind, body and soul. Good night and sweet dreams, Tyler. Until tomorrow.... my bright shining star.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is today's prayer:

I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you. Ezekiel 36:26–27, TEV

Lord our God, may our lives be touched and awakened, for you send your Spirit to blow through heaven and earth and you stir everything to life. May we long for your Spirit's prompting for the sake of your promise and your will. Grant that we become new men who cannot be overpowered by the evil of the world, who can never be overcome by sin. May we be born anew to be fighters for the highest good on earth, which leads into heaven. Hear the prayers of all people far and near who in these days are sighing in their hearts for the Savior. We pray for them all as we pray for ourselves, and you will hear our prayer. You will send power to lift up the hearts and souls of men so that there may be a great throng of your joyful people on earth. In spite of all the misfortune, adversity, and danger in the world, there will be a people exulting from one end of the earth to the other, a people trusting in you and sure of victory through the great grace you give in answer to our prayers. Amen.