Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Wednesday afternoon? Mom is feeling pretty good for day 2 of the New year! I have been quite busy today and I was finally able to get ready and then turn my computer on. It is already going on 2:30 pm. Today is just flying by. Mom and Mark went to bed around 10 pm last night and I think that I got some pretty good sleep or at least I feel that way! My tracker says that I got 7 hours of restful sleep and 2 hours of light sleep and I was only awake for 8 minutes. I believe it! I was so tired last night. Mom has had a lot of energy today and now I know why! Mark was up earlier than I was this morning so he fed the pups for me and let me sleep in. That was really nice. I was up at 7:30 am though. I lounged in bed for about 1.5 hours and then got up and started my day. I did also chat with Aunt Beck for about 20 minutes or so as well during that time. She is doing well and was on her way to go get her hair done. Sounds like her and John had a nice new years. They kind of did what Mark and I did. Had a nice dinner, glass of champagne and went to bed. We stayed up to ring the new year in but they did not...lol. We didn't have a lot of time to chat so we will be finding another time to finish our conversation. The weather today for January 2nd is sunny, blue skies and really nice out regardless of the cold temp. Mom will not complain at all! Mom looked ahead in the forecast and there is no signs of any white stuff for us in the next 2 weeks either. That is a very good thing! Again no complaints at all coming from me. 
 Today Mark went back to work and it has been a quiet day for him. Not much going on but it is the day after a holiday so I am sure starting tomorrow it will be back to the hustle and bustle for him but for now he is enjoying a "down" day. Mom got right up and took all the Christmas decorations down. The tree is put away and the cleaning was done as well. I did laundry, dusted and vacuumed the floors. I also did some rearranging now that everything for the holidays are put away. I was able to gather the garbage up too. This took me a good 3 hours to do. Mom did not study like I said that I would but tomorrow it will be back to them. Everything is finished up and there will be no excuse at all not to focus on my studies! After I finish up writing to you I think Mom will relax and go finish watching a movie that I started yesterday. Later I will make dinner and feed the pups. I will call Grandpa tonight too as I did not talk to him last night. Debbie messaged me though. She was very upset because something was said about her that was not true. I don't blame her at all. What was said was rude and not called for. One day things are going to explode between her and one of our family members and it is not going to be pretty. Mom thinks that day is coming very soon. I am staying out of it. It has nothing to do with me and it is going to stay that way! Mom is wanting 2019 to be no drama in my life. I already started making my social media circle smaller. I deleted 52 "friends" last night. Some because they have and continue to hurt me and others it because we rarely don't talk at all. I have no regrets to what I have done. Anyone wants to question me then I will be happy to tell them why but I don't think that will happen. I think that there will be a few more deleted before the weeks out as well. Mark and Mom are setting goals for ourselves individually and together and I am focusing on that. I have a motto for this year and that is: DON'T LET LIFE'S TOUGH TIMES HARDEN YOU LIKE A ROCK~LET THEM POLISH YOU LIKE A DIAMOND! Mom posted it on social media today and several have liked, loved it and some said they were stealing it for their own. I think that is wonderful! One of Mom's sweet friends said " That my friend is why you sparkle more than anyone I know." Her words touched me very much and I had tears in my eyes. It is nice to know that I can do that for family, friends and even strangers. It is such a great feeling.
 Mom figured out that until winter really hits us this year I will not post any pictures on here of the white stuff. I am going to post the usual pup pics and the inspirational quotes but for now I will post some other cute animal pictures. Some will be pups or kittens or other furry animals. I think you will like them though. I can hear you now saying "Oh can I have one, Mom" in your sweetest voice. I sure do miss your voice. Mom has it recorded so that I can hear you talking anytime I want to. That is my most prized possession. I miss you my sweet precious son. You will forever be my hero and the wind beneath my wings. You will always live right inside my heart, mind, body and soul. Mom will light the candle for you in a little bit. I will whisper to you later tonight as well. Smile when you hear me and I will smile right back to you. Have fun while I sleep and come visit me if you can in my dreams. I will be back tomorrow with another letter to you. Until then... good night and sweet dreams. Mom loves you to the moon and back and all the way around the world.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is the prayer for the day:

With this in mind, then, I kneel in prayer to the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, that out of the treasures of his glory he may grant you strength and power through his Spirit in your inner being, that through faith Christ may dwell in your hearts in love. Ephesians 3:14–17a, NEB

Lord our God, we have gathered in your sight. We thank you that through your words you have given something of your very self to help us be your disciples, your children, who stand firm in faith and trust throughout our lives, whatever our lot may be. Help us in these times, and when days grow difficult and full of grief, hold your people securely in your hand. Help us to be firmly rooted in faith, however dark it is on earth. You can give us strength and courage; we can do nothing in our human strength. But the power of your Spirit can renew us, make us alert, and fill us with lasting joy. For we are your people, your children, and when held in your hand, we can rejoice in spite of all grief. Amen.