Recently we observed Valentine’s Day.  Here is some historical background from George Grant: 

Valentine was likely a third century pastor from the southern Umbrian town of Terni who was imprisoned for his faith during the great persecution of Claudius II. According to a popular legend, he wrote small pastoral notes to members of his congregation on leaves he was able to pluck from a maple tree just outside his cell. These little “Valentine’s cards” expressed his love for the flock, and his desire that they demonstrate like love toward one another. Gradually the tradition grew up for Christians to exchange notes of love and encouragement to one another on this, his birthday.

In our day we have destroyed the spirit of Valentine’s Day by turning into a day of selfishness, self-gratification, licentiousness, and more. 

At our home, we prepared a special dinner and some exchanged some cards of love, affection, and even some humor.

Emily prepares parfaits with strawberries, angel food cake, and whipped cream.

Abigail and Kimmy Joy clean out the bowl of whipped cream.

One of my favorites is simmering on the stovetop: stuffed mushrooms.

Italian stuffed shells is the main course.  Mmm.

Kimmy and Abigail are ready to eat.

The rest of the family begins to assemble.

Kimmy plays the food critic.   She gave it a thumbs up.

About this time each year we break out some puzzles and attempt to put them together.  In my opinion working on puzzles seems to be a helpful discipline to training the mind, plus it helps to motivate all the family members to solve a common problem, putting the puzzle together! 

Puzzles (sometimes known as jigsaw puzzles) have been around since about 1760.  In my family I occasionally worked on puzzles when I was a boy, but my Dad is the real puzzle enthusiast.  It seems like he is always working on one, and they tend to be large.

This year almost everyone participated in putting our puzzles together, even 3 year old Kimmy, who got very excited every time she found a piece.

Here is Kimmy and Annie working on a puzzle.

Emily working on her puzzle.

Some of the completed puzzles.

Many of us make resolutions as we approach a new year.  Here is a particularly important resolution all should consider, from a Mom’s Point of View.

Psalm 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Today we celebrated our nation’s Independence Day.  We have been blessed as a nation because God was our Lord when it started.  Oh, that we would recognize Him as Lord today.

Watching an air show with vintage airplanes.

Ready for fireworks.

The fireworks begin.  Here are a few pictures.

Click here for a short fireworks video.