Happy Valentine's Day!

Sofia and Bella,

I just wanted to briefly wish you two beautiful ladies a Happy Valentine's Day. Today is a special day because I can celebrate the love I have for each of you. No father could be more proud than I am of each of you. Sofia, you remind me so much of your Mom. Every day when I get home from school you run to the back door to let me in and I am stunned by how beautiful you continue to get every day. When you look up at me with those big beautiful brown eyes that are full of so much joy and maturity I can't help but smile. You and your Mom share those same beautiful eyes. You are also soooo smart! I cannot believe the words you know how to say (whether they are "Fancy Nancy" inspired a not). Thanks for making every day so priceless! Happy Valentine's Day, my sweet Sofia!

Bella, you too are priceless. Life is truly "beautiful" to you. I am so thankful that our family has been blessed with your sweet spirit, you truly teach us to enjoy everyday. You are so fun to play with and watch, you are always going at 100 mph. I am sure you are at least 1/3 to 1/2 the reason your mom is so skinny! I mean you are named after her in more way than one, you share the same middle name "Alyse" and your mother is the epitome of "Beautiful" which is your namesake. I cannot believe how good you are at your letters, I am so proud of you! I know your Mom and I love cleaning up your puzzle letters because your help in finding where each of them go. You always know what letter is which and the sound it makes, it is amazing hear! I love you my sweet little girl. Happy Valentine's Day!

Hilary,

I cannot conclude this post without telling you how much I love you. You are the world's best mother. I know I could never explain how much I love our two little girls, but yet I am still inspired by the love you have for them. Obviously that love can be seen in all the little things you do for them, which so many often write off as routine, but I know the order you establish in their lives gives their spirits and minds fertile ground to grow and develop in the best way possible. However, there are so many other little things you do for them which can't be labeled as "routine." Recently you gave each of them a little tin mailbox so that every day this week leading up to Valentine's Day they can be excited to see what the "Mailman" put in their mailbox during their nap time. I can only imagine the joy and excitement on their faces when they get the chance to get their mail. This is just an example of one of the many special things you do for them. I love to watch you interact with them because it is the perfect spectacle of love, friendship, and most importantly motherhood.

You are also the world's best wife! I believe YOU are our Heavenly Father's most beautiful creation. You are Gorgeous, Breathtaking actually!

You are also the world's best friend! Thank you for making my life so fun. I can sometimes get sucked into the busy-ness of life and school, but you have always been the one who could best break that shell. From the first day I met you, you have been able to ignite my life with sparks to illuminate it with joy and laughter. As you know, that first day we met was a blind-date with your best childhood friend Annie, who don't get me wrong was a sweet date and great young lady, but you were the one I found myself attracted to and wanting to flirt with. I will never forget the feeling that came to me, which I know now was the Holy Ghost telling me "Get to know that girl." I am so grateful I listened to that prompting and face my fear of rejection and pursued you. You truly have always been in a "league of your own," far above anybody let alone any guy who would some day want to marry you. I am so grateful you said "Yes." You inspire me every day to be a better person, a better form of myself. Your purity, beauty, and faith captivate me and I can't help but fall more in love with you every day. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY BABE!

Ti Amo