Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

My Three Sons


After reading Rose's blog last night (click HERE), I got to thinking about my own babies---and all of the great memories I had all through the years raising my three sons. Today, I want to introduce you to my babies. My first marriage was in 1962, and on July 18, 1963----Bert was born. We were still in college (graduated in 1964), so my Mom used to brag and say that her daughter was married, had a baby and graduated from college BEFORE she was 21 years old.... How in the world did I do that????? ha ha (If it weren't for Dr. Spock's baby book, Bert probably wouldn't have made it through that first year!!!! ha)

Above is a picture of my sons taken after Christmas in 2007... Bert and Mark are in the front and Jeff is standing behind. They are all grown up--and between them, I have FIVE wonderful grandchildren now. Below are more pictures of my adorable children through the years.




This little angel is Bert... When he got old enough to talk about this picture, he asked me why in the world I 'fixed' his hair like that!!!!! He said, "Awe Mom!" Personally, I loved it. He had (and still has) very curly hair. He obviously didn't get that curly hair from me!!!! ha





This is one of the many school pictures I have of all of my sons. I think Bert was a young teen when this one was taken. Bert and Clem live now in Las Vegas (after Hurricane Ike uprooted them from Galveston, TX). They are both in the restaurant management business. Bert has an adorable son, Christopher, from his first marriage.






This cutie is my 2nd born son, Mark. Mark was born on January 15, 1970. This child came out smiling ---and seldom quit smiling, all through the years.






Well---Mark is not smiling here ... He had to be 'serious' for his football picture. All of my sons played football ---so I attended lots and lots of games all through the years. Mark and family (wife and two daughters) live in Texas, and Mark is in the home-building business.




The third angel is Jeff. He was born on May 14, 1971. Mark and Jeff are only 16 months apart --so they were almost like twins.





This has always been one of my all-time favorite pictures of Jeff and Mark...As brothers, even though they had their 'moments', they truly loved each other.




This picture of Jeff was taken in 1976 (when the entire country was celebrating our country's birthday). Jeff was about 5 years old here. Jeff has two wonderful children whom he adores. He lives in Chattanooga, TN, and is in the portrait imaging business.





My two youngest sons; Jeff was a blonde and Mark had dark hair. Aren't they cute--all dressed alike??????




I love this old picture---but for the life of me, I can't clean it up!!!! But--I included it because I do like it!!!! Big Brother Bert was holding baby Jeff--with Mark sitting beside them. This picture was taken sometime in late summer, 1971.




Here's another picture of my three babies ---taken in late '71/early '72.




This picture was taken in the early '80's when we lived in New Orleans.




Here is a proud Mom and her 3 'babies' ---taken at Christmas in 2005.

Hope you enjoyed meeting my little sweeties. Even though they are 46, 39, and 38 now (yipes)---they will always be my BABIES... I don't see them as much now as I would like--but I truly can say that, with God's help, I raised three very fine young men that I am extremely proud of.

Hugs,

59 comments:

Jayne said...

I know you are so proud of all of them Betsy. It was nice to see their photos throughout the years. :c)

cherie said...

ms. betsy, i enjoyed this no end! the pictures are priceless! i hope someday i can say the same, of mine!

Darla said...

Isn't it strange how your children can be grown and you still picture them at a certain young age when you think of them? I picture my son at age 4 with watermelon dripping off of his chin and my oldest daughter around age 7 twirling around in the living room...This is a wonderful post Betsy and you should be proud!

Anonymous said...

You babies are magnificent. I like the little pictures and in them you can see their adult features. I like your words along the way too. Nice post.

Abraham Lincoln

SmilingSally said...

We have even more in common! I wore out my Dr. Spock book; it was filled with good advice. My daughter is 49 and my son 44. I have 7 grandchildren.

Your "boys" are darling. Their faces and smiles say it all; they love life and love you.

Thank you for your prayers yesterday. God answered.

Kelly said...

...fun post! Your boys look so happy and nice. I bet you have a blast when you get together!

amelia said...

Lovely family! There's nothing quite like having kids is there...

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is so sweet!!!! I bet they would say some wonderful things about YOU too.
Have a great day, Suz

Mark Kreider said...

You have a happy family through and through. Happiness starts at the top... nice going to hubby and you!

Dorothy said...

What a nice family and I know they are just as proud of you as you are of them!!!

Arkansas Patti said...

Loved the pictures in stages and seeing how they developed. You really have some grand looking boys Betsy.
So great that you went to all their games. Too bad they don't live closer.
Gotta agree with Bert though on his hair do. Bet you dragged it out for all his girl friends.
Enjoy your family and yes---be proud.

penny said...

Hi Betsy, your photos and stories about your children are beautiful and touching. You are a very lucky family to have each other.

Susie said...

It's so much fun to see family pics. Your sons all looked so happy in all their pics. Thanks for sharing Betsy.

Unknown said...

You have reason to be proud! 3 amazing sons, what a joy. I have the same afghan on the back of your couch, my Grandma made in the late 60's! I love old pictures. Thanks for sharing your family with us.

:) Robin

Jo said...

Hi Betsy, the baby photos and subsequent photos told the story of your three "boys'" happy childhood. They are lovely grown men and I can see how they love you. That counts a lot in my books. You can be proud of them and yourself for raising them. (((Hugs))) Jo xxx

Jo said...

Hi Betsy, the baby photos and subsequent photos told the story of your three "boys'" happy childhood. They are lovely grown men and I can see how they love you. That counts a lot in my books. You can be proud of them and yourself for raising them. (((Hugs))) Jo xxx

Janice K said...

My Three Sons.....That sounds like a good TV series!! What a wonderful post, Betsy. Thanks for sharing your family with us.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Betsy, I love getting out the family photos and reminiscing. You have some wonderful memories.

I think the first photo of Bert is darling but I'm sure it doesn't fit his 'manly' self image now;) Guys don't like to be called 'cute'. LOL
Marnie

JLS Hall (Joysweb) said...

You're right - they were adorable kiddoes! And they're still pretty adorable today. Thanks for sharing all those wonderful family photos!

Peggy said...

What handsome sons you have! I bet they are very proud of their mom. Its such a blessing seeing my daughters grown and having children of their own

Rosa said...

Precious memories and precious photos. They do grow quickly, don't they? Where does the time go??? Thanks for sharing and introducing us to your three sons! xo

Loran said...

My mother-in-law always said, "No matter how old you get, you'll always be the kids to me." You have some really good pictures of your kids to remember those years that go by so quickly.

Beth said...

Awww...your boys sure were cute when they were little, Betsy. And they've become fine-looking men, too. You have every right to be proud--you did a great job. Thanks for sharing the pictures----it was fun to how they grew through the years.

JunieRose2005 said...

Betsy,

I enjoyed meeting your sons! They look like fine men!

My oldest child (my son,Christopher) will be 50 this month! And my girls will be 47(Tammy) and 46 (Tina)! Yikes! Time DOES get away from us, doesn't it!!


Thanks for visiting my blog again!


Junie

Connie said...

What really handsome boys you have. I know you're so proud. They'll always be your babies no matter how old they are.

Neal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Neal said...

That's for sharing. Our kids are always our babies....no matter how old they are....funny how that works.

Unknown said...

The pics of your 'babies' are priceless! You have a beautiful family - thank you for sharing with us. Love, Judith

EG CameraGirl said...

Very nice to meet your family, Betsy!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Wonderful memories of the kids, what a fun bunch of boys.

Dirt Princess said...

Great post! They are lucky to have you :-)

Becca's Dirt said...

I can see you beaming as you wrote this. I would be smiling too. Nice looking bunch. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Judy said...

Hi Betsy, Those photos of your sons are just great. I really enjoyed seeing your boys. I have to say the baby picture of Mark is my favorite. What a little doll and so happy. You are so right, they will always be our babies!

I Am Woody said...

Thanks for introducing us - I can see just how proud you are of them! I hope they know what a special Mama they have!!

Sunny said...

Betsy,
What a heartwarming post. Congratulations on raising three fine sons. Who needs Fred MacMurray!
My son will be 41 in a few days, isn't it unreal how the time flys?
Have a great day.
Sunny :)

Rose said...

Betsy! I so enjoyed seeing your babies in all their stages! Thank you for letting us have a glimpse of them as they grew up, and thank you for using the link to my blog.

Diane AZ said...

Betsy, you've got some great pictures and wonderful memories of your boys! I was blessed with three fine sons also. :)

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

You have so much to be proud of!!! You are a special lady and you have these wonderful Sons to prove it. Hugs my sweet friend...m..

Cookie said...

Such handsome babies! My boys (ages 5 and 7) don't like it when I call them my babies. I hope they come around again when they're the same ages as your babies! ;)

A Brit in Tennessee said...

They are a healthy and handsome bunch of lads ;)
I can see you in all of them !
What a treat to meet the family, thanks for sharing with us...

Snap said...

Beautiful family, Betsy. Thanks for introducing them to us! Loved all the pictures.

Janie said...

Great photos of the 3 fine boys you raised.
I, too, relied heavily on Dr. Spock's baby care book. What would we have done without him?

Shelley said...

I loved looking thru all these photos - I can see why you still call them your babies! Wow - you did accomplish a lot at a young age! Makes me exhausted reading it - lol!!
Love ya,
Shelley

P.S. I will be back to blogging regularly soon. I'm adjusting to my classes. I went back to school. I'll post soon! :-)

Jen said...

A house full of boys...how did you survive? lol
Great post with all the pictures and seeing their age progression.
I don't know what I would have done with out Doctor Spock either!

Anonymous said...

What handsome sons and you should be very proud of them. Thanks for sharing those cute baby pics (however, they might not appreciate it!! ha)

RA said...

This is such a warm post, Betsy. I enjoyed every milestone of your sons, which you shared with us. I hope that one day I can be as proud as you for raising such fine men. Have a wonderful day. Hugs and love :)

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Betsy, you can truly say, "My 3 sons are remarkable". They are great, and I enjoyed seeing their pictures through the years. I need to do a post like that about my 4 children one day. I have to say this...I know you were a truly REMARKABLE mother, as well.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Thanks for introducing your sons to me.You have every right to be as proud as can be of these guys.
Blessings,Ruth

Cheryl said...

Oh Betsy I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Wonderful photos and memories over the years. You should be so very proud of yourself. I am still having a hard time adjusting to my empty nest, even to go by the school where Ashton just graduated, moves me to tears!!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Bestsy, you have a beautiful family. Where did you live in N.O. and how long were you there?

Diane said...

It seems that your babies are always your babies, doesn't it. Great shots, Betsy, they all look like guys you can be proud of.

Rambling Woods said...

Awww...they always are us babies aren't they. You got me to thinking... I started college at 17, got married at 18, graduated and had my daughter at 21..... Geesh... Why was I in such a hurry.....Michelle

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hello Betsy,

Thanks so much for popping in to check on me tonight. Your visit did make me feel better....and I really do not know where the time goes in a day! It really gets to me some times and I guess this week it has left me just standing and staring at stuff! Just aggravating...I guess I need to get over it! hahaha Tomorrow is a new day and I'll try again.

You have three good looking boys there! I know you are proud of them....and yes I know, me at 51 years old and still my daddy's little girl (me being the baby) and momma's baby...my mom turned 78 years old on August 31...just hard to believe..

Hugs to you,
Steph

Tammie Lee said...

Betsy, you have such a wonderful and growing family. It just makes me smile and I can tell you have many smiles in your heart too!

Small City Scenes said...

Remember the TV show 'My Three Sons'? well it must have been about you and three handsome young men. Thanks for the wonderful story about them. Neat pictures. MB

Inday said...

Ah Mother of mine. what a wonderful family: you and your babies.

May your tribe increase!

Lagean Ellis said...

Gorgeous family! Wow, Mark and I are just barely a month apart. I was born Feb. 16th, 1970 and my oldest sister and I are a year and 9 days apart, my youngest sister and I are 19 months apart.
I think I need to come visit, sit on the porch, drink coffee, view your photo albums then walk around a see those beautiful plants! heehee
What a wonderful life.
Our children are GOD's greatest gift to us. I have just one, but he is absolutely my life.
~Hugs~

SquirrelQueen said...

Betsy, that a fine looking group. They were adorable as children and very handsome now. In the photo of all four of you together, you look more like their sister than their mom.
Hugs,
Judy

Connie said...

You have much to be proud of in your sons, Betsy. Nice to meet them all. :D