Good Morning Alexander Jonathan Monreal

Hey Alex!

I can't believe you turned 18 today! It seems like only yesterday that you were born as this beautiful, tiny baby boy. I remember the first time I heard you cry and the first time I held you in my arms and fed you in the hospital. You were such an easy baby to care for, not too fussy and willing to go to sleep without too many issues.

I remember your when you started crawling then walking. I remember you being an escape artist from your crib and slicing your finger when you were two years old. That was such a traumatic experience for you and that poor intake nurse! She wasn't the brightest bulb in the box but eventually we had you stitched and back home. I remember staying up all night putting your first bike together so you could open in and ride it on Christmas day. Even in North Dakota you found ways to ride your bike outside on the shoveled sidewalk.

School was as much of a transition for you as it was for mom. I worked every day so the trauma didn't hit me as hard as mom. Fortunately it started out slowly, only three days a week and not full days. You were right on the cut off so we had to decide to have you as the youngest in your class or one of the oldest in your class. We chose to wait to give you more of a chance to gain maturity and since I was the youngest in my class growing up and absolutely hated it. I managed but would have thrived had I waited a year.

We won't rehash all of your school years with all of the ups and downs. I worried about how you would adjust to change because that always seemed to be a challenge for you but you managed every one. You enjoyed basketball and running more than I imagined and it was a pleasure watching you grow and improve in each one. We are so grateful for you and you have put a spark and joy in each of our days.

Here is just a snapshot of all the things that you have done in your life. I just want you to know how much I love you and how blessed I am to be your father and have you in the center of my heart and every day of my life.

I love you and Happy 18th Birthday my son!

Love, 

Dad

Good Morning Grace Rose Monreal

 Dear Grace,

It seems like only yesterday I was writing my first blog post after setting my eyes on you. How can 18 years have passed so quickly? It has been such a good, blessed 18 years that I wouldn't trade for the world! We fought for you to be born strong and healthy and you were. We have been by your side through four pacemaker surgeries and three knee surgeries. We have also been there every time you skinned your knee or scraped an elbow.

You have grown into a strong, godly woman who is set to take on the world. It will be hard to say goodbye to you in less than a year when you venture off to college. As difficult as it is, it will also be a day filled with joy because our little girl has grown up!

Today, on your 18th birthday, I want to tell you how proud of you I am, how much I love you, and how special you are to me! Never, ever question that love and commitment. I will always be for you. I will be by your side cheering you on and rooting for you as you succeed. Before you were born I made a promise that I would never respond with hateful words no matter what happened or what you said. I would only respond by saying, "I love you." 18 years later I can say that I kept my word.

I pray that the Lord gives me another 40 years or more to be on this earth to watch you graduate from college, start a career, get married, and have children of your own. I want to walk you down the aisle on that special day. I want to hold your children and, who knows, maybe even your grandchildren! If, for whatever reason, God has other plans for me just know that this is the intention of my heart.

You are a beautiful young woman. Wait for God's man to come into your life and sweep you off your feet. Every day I had to wait before meeting your mom was worth it because we have been able to spend our lives together and we were privileged to bring you into the world.

Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Put him first in your life. Seek first his kingdom and righteousness. Remember the words of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. It asks the question, "What is the chief end of man?" To which the answer is, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." There is nothing greater that we can live for! I could go on and on but I will end here for now.

I love you! Happy 18th Birthday!

Your Proud Father

Are You a Good Person?

Okay, here are a few pictures of the Subaru Crash

This is a picture of where I slid off the road.  As you can tell by the tire tracks I was spinning out of control at the time that I launched the Subaru.

These two pictures is where I launched the car into the culvert.  The best I can gauge it was about 10 or 12 feet in the air while still spinning and landing about 6-8 feet down.

The last two are top views from the road level which shows how far down the car flew and where it landed.

I thought for sure the car was totaled.  It took two and a half hours and two four-wheel drive tow trucks to get the car out.  But after cleaning it off it was only the front left tire and suspension that were broken and some of the trimming in the front and side.  Honestly this car is built to last!

As I reviewed the accident I realize how much worse it could have been.  If I had lost control a few seconds earlier I would have hit the cement beams holding up the overpass I had just crossed under.  If I had been just a foot or two over my underside of the car would have caught on the cement lip on the culvert and it would have been a much different type of accident.  God's hand of protection was clearly on me while I was spinning out of control.

Sophia is home and we are one happy family!

Thanks you for all of your prayers.  More pictures will be posted soon.

Love,

Daddy

Sophia Elisabeth Monreal Pictures

Here's the official birth information:

Sophia Elisabeth Monreal
Born at 7:44 AM on November 2, 2009 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND
Birth Weight: 5 lbs. 9 ozs.
Length: 16 3/4 inches

Mom and baby are doing great!  She is out of the incubator and into a crib for the evening.

If thing continue to go well she be brought into the room with Jennifer tonight for the night!

It is possible that she can go home at 35 weeks which will be on Thursday!

Please continue to pray for health for both mother and child.

Sincerely,

David and Jennifer Monreal

Good Night Sophia Elisabeth Monreal

Dear Sophia Elisabeth Monreal,

What a day it has been.  We have been excited and nervous for your arrival for months.  Last night as your mom and I prayed we knew that a journey was ending and a new adventure beginning.  Your name means wisdom and we have asked for God’s wisdom every step of the way.  At so many points along this journey we didn’t know which way to go and the Lord provided the way and made our path straight.

Having you has been quite a journey, and I mean that literally.  We drove thousands of miles over the months for doctor’s appointments and your mom was willing to go through a lot to see you born healthy.  It was also a spiritual journey of trusting our Savior and trusting that He gives wisdom to those who ask in faith.  Watching you be born and hearing the sound of your voice made it all worth it.

We have longed for another child and we have loved you from the moment we knew you were coming.  The moment I saw you for the first time a place in my heart opened up for you and I sensed a new pool of love for you without loosing a drop of love for your brother and sister.

Another little girl in the house! This morning as I held you in my arms I thought of all the joy we will share in life: dances with daddy and walks in the park, going out for ice cream and swinging in my arms, these are the things I look forward to.  I told you all about your big brother and big sister, how much they love you and how happy they are that you’re here.  You’re big brother is all boy so you better watch out!  But big sis will take you under her wing and teach you everything she knows.

We talked all afternoon and I never wanted to put you down.  I kissed your forehead and I kissed your cheek.  I laid you on my chest and watched you fall asleep (I started to fall asleep too!).  These days are so short and one has already passed.  Days will turn into weeks and months and years.  In all those future days, here are two things I always want you to know.  First, I will always love you and nothing will every change that.  Second, it is my greatest desire to see you come to know Jesus as your Savior and walk with Him each day.

I have never missed a day of telling your brother and sister I love them and on this, your birth day, I want you to know how much I love you too.  I will always remember our first, best day we spent together.  You are daddy’s little girl and you will always be my little sweetheart.

Good night Miss Sophia Elisabeth Monreal!

Love,

Daddy