We had a crazy Valentines Day in this house. We actually had almost a week of Valentines. Britain started with her party on Wednesday and then Kalixta's on Thursday. They both had a great time exchanging Valentines with their friends. Ammon, Nik, and Zoe had fun parties in their classes with all their friends on Friday! They all got so much candy! I was amazed!

Sorry ladies but I need to hijack Melissa's blog today. You see it's a special day, and I want all of you to know how she has made it that way.

Ten years ago today, I was given the greatest gift of my life.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I knelt down over an alter in the San Diego Temple and looked into the eyes of the miracle that would soon make my life complete. She didn't know it but I had long been dreaming of that day. As I took her hand, a flood of gratitude filled my heart. I thought about that spring day in 92 when I entered the waters of baptism and came out a new man. A man with new hopes and dreams. A man who had just begun to prepare himself for the woman who would someday accept him as hers.

I knew that she would be no ordinary woman. I was promised that if I stayed true to the Gospel, my wife would be everything and more that I could ever want. That's all I needed to hear. I decided that I must obey ALL of the commandments to their exactness. I needed to be a valiant warrior for the cause of good. After all, she would expect it and deserved no less.

When times got tough and I struggled to stay on course, I thought of her and could hear her telling me not to give up. She loved me and needed me to be strong. When I was in Ecuador and the people threw rocks at me or called me the devil, she told me to love them and not forget that I was on the Lord's errand.

I thought of her often when I was on my mission. During the hot, dry days that even the lizards couldn't stand or the full-mooned nights filled with fireflys. When I returned home with honor, I began to look for her knowing that she was expecting me.

That's when I met Melissa. 3 months later, we were married. It didn't take but a moment for me to know that I had found my Eve.

Since then, we have shared so much love and laughter. We've had to weather some storms too. All in all, I can say this day that God has fulfilled His promise to me. She is more than I could have ever wanted.

She knows exactly how to deal with me. She puts up with me as I still struggle to overcome the traditions of the fathers that plague me. She is patient with me and shows nothing but unconditional love towards me even when I don't deserve it. She takes care of me. She keeps our home a refuge from the world.

She bares our children with ease and then I marvel at how she nurtures them. People tell us how beautiful our children are and I know it is because of her. Everyday she goes to work and her day doesn't end until her head hits the pillow. She never complains when I get to go out and play and even tells me that I deserve a break. I see her work tirelessly to keep our home clean, our clothes washed, our stomachs full and our children's faces happy. She does all of this with a smile… most of the time… and I can say that she does it better than I ever could have hoped.

What would I do without her? How will I ever be worthy of her? I would forever be in debt to Heavenly Father for her even if he never gave me a single thing again.

At our wedding reception, I dedicated a song to her and it was our first dance together. The words in that song are more solid than ever:

I cross my heart…And promise to
Give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true
In all the world…you'll never find
A love as true as mine.

I love you Melissa.

Thank you for being my wife

Adam Buzz Basua

Baby blues is my favorite comic strip. It is the one I read every Sunday. Adam found this today and sent it my way! 

Hilarious!

Enjoy!

Ammon is a charmer. He is like his Uncle Nick! He is a lover. (Although he is a fighter too!) His smile and eyes will melt any heart. His sad face is heart breaking! His teachers all love him and want more kids like him! He is a good kid. This proves it even more!

I tried a new hair style on Britain and Kalixta last week and really liked it! They liked it too, but it took too long they said. Kalixta likes anything with a braid so I knew she would like it!

Last month I helped all the kids make their own journal. 

Each Sunday we take time to write in them. I write for the younger kids and then they draw a picture. I have been surprised at how much they like this. Each week they remind me and sometimes they ask during the week. It will be so fun to look back in 10 or 20  or 30 years and read what Kalixta did or what Britain was thinking or who Nikolas liked and who Ammon friends are or how Zoe is doing in school.  Now if only I could write regularly in mine!

Kenny and Marci gave me some really pretty bracelets and necklaces for my birthday. Two necklaces are silver and the other one is gold. I left them on the table so I could show the girls the next day. Britain was the first one up stairs. Here is our conversation:

Tori may be the smiling-est giggliest baby I have had. She will smile for anyone even when she is on the verge of tears, I love to hear her laugh. Laughing babies are one of the best sounds in the whole world. Here a a video of my giggling baby. Zoe is making her laugh. This happens almost every night.

 

Tori did a great job at her photo shoot. She was happy and smiley! Marci was her Mommy for the day and did a great job!