It's Father's Day and Rich had to leave for a bit this afternoon so I found myself with some unplanned time to myself with a heart full of gratitude and a head spilling over with thoughts. I hope I can get them into words before they disappear. That happens to me a lot.

I am just so grateful today for the words I heard at church that struck the chords in my heart and made me think of my Dad and the love he showed me. His hugs, his smile, his encouragement, his consistant discipline, his patience, his work ethic, his humor, his energy and love for life, his passion for growing things and building things. Everywhere he went things improved. If we went on a picnic, we left the area better than we found it. He had that attitude about every where he went. "Leave people better that you found them." I don't know if I ever heard him actually say that one but that is how he lived. I love and adore my dad. I am so grateful for the man he was/is. I am a lucky girl to have had such a loving dad with big strong arms. The memory of his hugs will stay with me forever.

That talk I heard was from a young woman Michelle's age. She talked about the special relationship between a father and his daughter. It brought Rich to tears. I am so grateful that Michelle has that special relationship with him. She is so sweet and loving to him. She is that adoring and loving daughter that every Father dreams of. Rich can be a little crusty at times but she is undaunted in her love and adoration. She is grateful for him and what he provides. He is a lucky man to be blessed with her love and affection. I am glad she recognizes his love. He says "I love you" by going to work and working hard. I am glad she appreciates that.

In the proclamation on the family is states that the Father is to protect and provide. Rich is the model of that in a Father. Memories of Lake Powell come to mind, of him getting up at night to check the anchor ropes on the houseboat to make sure we were still anchored securely. Also, watching out for spiders with his flashlight. I have always slept well, knowing that he is there to protect me and my children. But, even Rich has to sleep. That same peace extends to the faith I have in a loving Heavenly Father who watches over me and over all those I care for. Because of Him, I sleep well when Rich is asleep, or out of town.

Providing? No one I know works harder than Rich. And yet, I know that we have more than we deserve and that is because of a loving Heavenly Father. But, Rich is amazing in how he fulfills his role as a provider. He is intensely passionate about making sure I have what I need. In 26 years at work he has only taken a couple of sick days and that was just a few months ago due to the fact that he had surgery on his toe and couldn't walk. It made him crazy to not be at work. I am so grateful for him. I feel secure, I feel protected, I feel loved. I am grateful for a Dad who provided the same blessing. Sometimes I wish Rich had a hobby and some friends but the reality of that would mean time and money spent outside of the family and he just can't do it. I am his hobby. Pretty boring for him, I'm sure.

I love the men in my life and appreciate the blessings they provide me and those they are responsible for. I am surrounded by good men: Husband, Dads, Sons, Brothers, Nephews. So glad that they take on the responsibility of a wife and children. Here's to real men!

I love making dinner! It's like a romantic dinner for two every night when you have an empty nest! I was thinking about Esther in the Bible after hearing a talk recently. It caused me to pause in a different kind of way. She wanted something from the King and in order to 'soften' him up she prepared a feast. It was such an amazing feast that he wanted to give her half the kingdom. Think about that. What in the world did she fix for dinner that night? I don't have relatives in bondage that Rich could let go free but, I think there's a lot to be said about what it feels like for a man who is working his tail off, to come home to a prepared and well thought out meal. I think that includes how the dinner table looks and what the atmosphere feels like. It takes a lot of planning and forethought to pull off a nice 'feast'. I have been having fun with it. I actually set the table for dinner in the morning and make salads or prepare other parts of the meal then as well so I am not frantically trying to make it all happen at 6:00. It would have been good if I had done this years ago, but, then again, Rich has hardly ever been home for dinner with the crazy hours he has always worked. Not enough can be said about the value of a well planned meal for a hard working man. It's the best "I love you".

I have a new friend whose home I love to go to. (Gotta love visiting teaching) Well, she actually recently moved, but I am inspired by her. She makes a production out of meal time at her home and it is a beautiful presentation from the decor of the home to the setting of the table to the food. She is a master. Martha Stewart family style. And her children are involved.

Rich is loving the new focus. He has even asked me, "Okay, what do you want?"

I guess what I am really trying to express is the discovery of power. Women are powerful. I never realized just how much so. I can have anything I want. I never realized that so much. With that comes a huge responsibility to want and ask for the right things. And be ready to prepare the feast. Not a one time occurrence. What I am learning is to ask. There have been many things I have wanted but have never asked for. I am asking, and I am striving more intently to prepare the feast, everyday.

This artichoke chicken was amazing. If you would like to try it, I posted the recipe on scrum-dilly-umptious.

I don't know how often I will actually post. This is kind of an experiment, I guess. But in an attempt to stay connected to my family and friends that I have been relocated so far away from I have decided a blog could be fun.

This will probably be like goulash. Everything from what is going on for Rich and I and the pets to thoughts about everything I am passionate about: faith in God, food, photography, home decor, running/yoga/overall fitness, mental health, gardening and mostly, my family.

Here's to blogging :)