{in honor of Mr. Lincoln}

In honor of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, 

I'm sharing my brother, Mark's, love of all things Lincoln.

My sister and I recently found these early pictures colored by Mark as we were sorting through our parents' home.  

It is remarkable how, at an early age, we can be influenced 

by great men and women in history.

Love the bottom eyelashes

 Mark has lived a life of honesty and hard work - 

Abe would be proud.

Washington DC - 2011

I just had to include this last picture 

from a trip to Washington, DC.  

Mr. W and I ate at the Lincoln Restaurant 

where the floor was made of thousands of pennies.

It was the best part of the meal!

{achy breaky heart . . . . quilt}

Twenty years ago, I was VERY pregnant, driving the morning Jr. High carpool in my Dodge CaraVAN (wearing my favorite NY nightshirt that was red with the NY skyline in gold foil & black maternity pants) and singing along to this extremely popular song.  (Go ahead, click on the link and enjoy . . .)

In honor of her (my second February baby)

I waited 11 years for that smile . . .

and him

I give you my Achy Breaky Heart Quilt.

Those are my baby's toes and fingers holding the quilt!

Close up of heart quilting

Did I mention that I mortified my Jr. High child in every way possible with my very pregnant dance moves?

{baby adalaide}

Love this photo!

Her mother's hair

Dad

Love at first sight!

Ten not so tiny toes

Aunt Nessa's toes

Grandma's fingers

Perfect!

{eternal riches}

{gratitude}

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. 

It turns what we have
into enough, and more. 

It turns denial into acceptance, 

chaos to order, confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,

a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past,

brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow.

- Melody Beattie -

{arrivals & departures}

There are places that serve as heaven's gate in this 
mortal life.

As I waited for my departure flight from Denver to Provo 
on the afternoon of October 25, 2012, I took this picture.

Denver Airport - October 25, 2012

I did not know that my Dad was silently waiting for my return and the arrival of my sister, Carolyn, and my brother, Ray. Suffering from major brain trauma from a fall at home, he lingered in a state of unconsciousness.

Shortly after I took this picture, I received the news that my dad had fallen and he would not recover.

As I silently sobbed with my heart breaking, I prayed for me and my dad - that we would travel safely home to those we love so dearly.

I arrived at Provo Airport and traveled quickly to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center to wait with Dad as family continued to gather.

The next day my Dad finished his mortal journey.  As Robert and I left the hospital, we marveled that this sacred place had seen the arrival of our first child, a daughter, thirty-four years earlier.  That night long ago, my Mom and Dad traveled from Pleasant Grove to see me and meet their newest grandchild.

Elizabeth & Grandma Mary
Salt Lake Airport - 1978

I did not know then that thirty-four years later Dad would be in that same hospital and that Elizabeth would travel from Pleasant Grove to say goodbye to her Grandpa Bezzant.  UVRMC was to serve as heaven's crossroads again as we gathered as seven grown children to express our love and appreciation for a life well lived.  The harvest was in and it was time for Dad to rest for a season.  I know he was met with as much love and anticipation as our sweet Elizabeth was thirty-four years earlier - all a part of the comings and goings of heaven.

Every girl should be so blessed to have a Dad like mine.

{sacrifice}

WWII Memorial - 2012

WWII Memorial - 2012

WWII Memorial - 2012

WWII Memorial - 2012