Dear Grassfire team,

I have not written in awhile, and I apologize. As you can imagine things are just alittle bit crazy what with the announcement that I will have to find another job, very soon. The company that I work for is about to be sold and will be relocating out of state. So as we are all saying here, "Our days are numbered."

Aside from my job, this is a difficult time for the family. It is our first summer without Ignacio, and it just doesn't feel right without him. With the kids being out of school, there is more time to focus on their dad, and I can see in their eyes how much they miss him--as do I.

 I started to think back to January of the missed moments he has had so far--moments that he'll never get back. The list below doesn't count the moments he lost while he served 8 months under House Arrest with an ankle monitor strapped to his leg.

I do also want to thank everyone for their incredible support throughout this terrible ordeal. I'm prayerful that it will soon end and Ignacio will be returned, and our family can be whole again. I Cherish your prayers, support and concern, and have posted both Ignacio's and Jose's mail addresses as they so look forward to getting notes, cards and letters from Grassfire team members.

January 17th - incarcerated

February 4th – maternal grandmother’s 86th birthday
February 5th – his own birthday (by the way he shares the same birthday with his younger brother and they are exactly 5 years apart; this was difficult for them as this is the first birthday they ever spent apart even without a phone call).
February 13th – his little brother’s birthday
February 14th – Valentine’s Day
February 17th – Step father’s birthday
February 25th – Our son’s oldest son’s birthday

March 12th – 16th – Our kids were on Spring Break
March 20th – sister in law’s birthday (which is my sister)

April 8th – Easter
April 15th – WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 12 YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN BORDER PATROL!!!!!

May 13th – Mother’s Day
May 18th – oldest son graduates from junior high school
May 21st – youngest son graduates from 1st grades with honors achiever award and citizenship award
May 23rd – middle son graduates from 4th grade with honor roll award
May 23rd – 25th – son hospitalized with Meningitis
May 25th – Nephew graduated from high school
May 26th – Our Wedding Anniversary
May 27th – paternal grandmother’s 88th birthday

June 1st – mother-in-law’s birthday (Ernestina Loya)
June 17th – Father’s Day

July 4th – Independence Day
July 20th – High School Reunion

Without Ignacio with us, none of these moments listed are really moments of celebration. We really don't have the heart to celebrate other than my rewarding my children for their excellent achievement awards in school.

Lost in all of this is Ignacio's love as a Little League baseball coach. The team really missed not see Coach Ramos at the games.

Well, I must go. Thank you, again so very much for all that you are doing. I really don't know where my family would be without your prayers and support!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

-Monica

PS: Here are the addresses of my husband and Jose. They would both love to hear from you.