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, February 2, 2011

Another Special Son

After posting a blog about son Jeff last week,  I thought I'd better introduce my other two sons to you.  This week is my eldest,  Bert.  Bert was born on July 18, 1963.  We lived in Athens, TN where my husband and I were going to Tennessee Wesleyan College.  My mother used to tell her friends that I had my first baby before age 21, and graduated from college before age 22.  I'm surprised that Bert made it through that first year.  I depended totally on Dr. Spock's Baby Book in those days.  Thank Goodness he was a good baby!!!! ha.. Above is one of Bert's baby pictures.  He hated what I did to his hair --but at the time,  I loved it...  Poor little guy!!!! ha




I love this picture of Bert with his son,  Chris (CJ).  This grandson lives with his mother in Florida --and I haven't seen him in several years.  Chris was born on May 29, 1996--and was the sweetest little boy in the world.  I used to keep him alot when he was a little guy.. I miss him very much!!! This picture was taken in 2003.





In 2004,  Bert had an incredible job for a year.  He loves the outdoors (like his Mom) --so he got a job as Restaurant/Food Manager on a small cruise ship in Alaska.   During that time,  he enjoyed getting to know the area --and even did some hiking and camping on his 'off days'...  He loved Alaska ---as most of us do!  The picture above is Bert and another staff person on their boat,  in front of one of the glaciers.





This is a picture of Bert with his sweetie,  Clementine (Clem).





Bert and Clem are restaurant managers, and this is the resort where they work in Galveston, TX.   Hurricane Ike did alot of damage to this place two years ago--so Bert and Clem and her kids moved to Las Vegas to live and work for over a year.  They enjoyed Vegas--but are glad to get back to Galveston.





This picture is Bert, Clem and her children:  Matt and Lily.  This picture was taken a couple of summers ago when they visited us.  They were coming to see us during Christmas this year --but the heavy snow kept them away...  I'm sorry that we didn't get to spend some time together.






This is a very happy Mama --with her son, Bert.  This picture was taken about 2008.





Bert is the son who sent me all of the pictures of the Sandhill Cranes --which are wintering near his home in Galveston, TX. Aren't they gorgeous????

Next week,  I will feature my middle son, Mark, and his family.  Hope you are enjoying getting to know more of my three sons.

Hugs,

62 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, you are blessed with a wonderful family. Your son Bert and his family look very happy. Love the shot of the sandhill cranes and the glacier in Alaska.

Karin said...

So glad you all enjoy warm love for one another. Interesting how we sometimes pass our passions on to our children - you and the out-of-doors to your boys! Have a great week - it's already the middle again.

Whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow today, Lord willing, it will turn spring March 20th, 2011!

Small City Scenes said...

How fun it is to get to know your family of handsome sons. and there I see you with camera in hand--always.
thanks for sharing with us. MB

Jo said...

What a lovely son you have, Betsy. It's good to get to know Bert. He and his family look so tanned and healthy. I love the photo of him against the glacier and the one with him and Clem. And of course the photo with mother and son. They're precious to us, until forever, hey Betsy. Blessings and (((hugs))) Jo

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Very nice to meet your sons thru your blog. Wonderful photos you have shared and such warm, happy smiles.

Have a good day and stay warm friend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy

Your #2 son has a wonderful looking family. I love the Gerber spit curl on his baby picture! :-)

Take care and have a great week :-)

~Ron
*******

Vickie said...

Awww, Betsy - I love his hair! So cute! I did that to my kids, too, so don't worry. Bert was in good company! Well, I did it to my daughter. My two boys were bald headed for a long, long time. Thanks for letting us get to meet your son and his family! Wish you got to see Chris more...

I love Galveston - we've been there so many times over the years!

Janice K said...

Love that hair in the first picture! I did that to my kids too. I thought that was what you were supposed to do if you were lucky enough to have a baby with hair!! Funny thing...I don't think my daughter has ever combed her little ones' hair that way..I wonder why?

The blizzard left us with between 6 - 8 inches of snow but nothing compared to the blizzard we had back when our kids were young. No one is supposed to go out on the roads today unless it is an emergency, but hopefully in a day or two we will be out and about again...after we dig/blow out the driveway,that is.

Have a happy day!

pam said...

I love getting to know your family.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Ir is good to get to know your family.I couldn't help but notice your camera in the picture,what a difference from the one you use now.You have a handsome son,and have every reason to be proud of him.
Ruth

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy, it's so much fun to see photos of your family. You have another handsome son and he looks very happy. I wish my children would allow me to show recent photos, the brats...:D Have a good day and take care!

Rita said...

Betsy,
Thank you for sharing your family with us. How much fun to get to know them just a little. Such a nice looking group. It is very cold in central Indiana right now with snow and ice. Most schools closed so I am home - hoping to rest and get over a sinus infection.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I don't know why Bert would object to the baby hairdo. It's adorable. :) So sad about the broken relationship with grandson, CJ. Bert captured a great photo of the sandhill cranes.

Out on the prairie said...

Lovely to have such a nice family.

GreatGranny said...

Thanks for sharing your sweet son and his family. I have a G-grandson I never get to see. My middle son, Andy shares the same birthday as Bert and he lives close to Athens, AL.

From the Kitchen said...

I am enjoying getting to know your boys! I love Bert's "kewpie" hair style : ) !! I can also hear the "oh mom, what were you thinking?"! I miss our two boys every day but know they are healthy, happy and successful and that means so much. Bert has led an interesting life. Good for him! I hope you can see that cute grandson soon.

Best,
Bonnie

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Helloooo Betsy! What a nice post of your eldest boy! There is definately a resemblence between you & your son. A good looking fellow! I've got just one son and it's been years since I've seen him. ((His wife...'nuf said,sigh.)) Have a great week. Stay warm! x-cassie

Kay said...

Sounds like you have a wonderful family. Bert has his mama's smile.

RoeH said...

What a wonderful family you have. You are so proud of them. They are lucky to have you. And vice-versa! :)

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love that Kewpie Doll hairdo! Mothers just love to tweak their baby's hair into curls (regardless of gender).

You've a nice family, Betsy. I know you'd like to spend more time with them.

Loren said...

Betsy,

Just makes me smile hearing you share about your 3 Sons! You have much to be proud about :) I hope you get to see your grandson in the near future! What a gift to have had so much time with him when he was little! Being somewhat of a new grandma I can't say how much joy and happiness it brings sharing days with my grandkids!!

Thanks for allowing us into your family! Looking forward to "meeting" Mark :)

Have a blessed day Betsy! **HUGS**

Darla said...

Yep, those boys can pull on a Moma's heartstrings!!! I loved all of the orchid photos in the last post...

Neal said...

Interesting. I think that picture on the cruise ship is a picture of the same glacier that I posted on my blog today...what a coincident.

MadSnapper said...

yet another handsome son and thanks for introuducing us to him and his family. these are great post, cant wait to meet the 3rd son

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Bert looks a lot like you, Betsy. I'm glad he and Clem were able to return to Galvaston. You are lucky to have such wonderful sons.

I have a baby photo of myself with almost the same curl on top! It was a popular hairstyle for babies at that time :)

Rose said...

I have enjoyed getting to meet your sons..can't wait to meet the other one.

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Betsy, Yes, I'm still InAmazingGraceland, just doing my dogblog business when I thought of you! We're in Phoenix for the winter and will be back in N.Idaho in the Spring...soon I hope!!
xx-cassie

Ginny Hartzler said...

I LOVE this series on your sons!!! And I adore the picture of you and Bert!! I am sorry to hear about Chris, I know that is HARD! Especially when you had him quite a bit when he was little. Chris looks so much like Bert. I LOVE your heart header!!! How did you do that, is this a picture you found?

ruthinian said...

Hello Betsy... it's been awhile. I missed a lot in blogging so I am catching up. I already quit my 2nd job and I only have 1 more weekend to work for it so hopefully I can visit other blogs in full blast after next week.

You got a beautiful family. I can sense how proud you are as a mother. Bless you.

Barbara said...

Beautiful family, I see you are a proud Mama, hugs my fried, love you dear.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I do know you Love your son!! Bert seems to be happy, which is what is important!

Busy Bee Suz said...

You have such good looking son's betsy!!!!
He and his "new" family are beautiful. I do hope he gets to see his Son in Florida too, that is too far!
xoxox

amelia said...

Your son looks like a wonderful guy Betsy. A real family man!

I envy him the job on the ship to Alaska!! I went there and loved it!

mamahasspoken said...

I like the hair too and besides it's what you did back then! When I saw his birthdate all I could think was you are close to my mother's age (if she was still alive).

Sunny said...

I can see you are a proud Mama :)
How exciting to work on a cruise ship, I'd love to go to Alaska.
☼ Sunny

Mr. Bill said...

You are blessed!

Beth said...

Enjoyed 'getting to know' your son, Bert. Handsome man. It's tough about not seeing the one grandson--I miss mine in Texas a lot and I get to see him twice a year. But such is life amid divorces, huh?
Loved the proud mama picture with her son--I have several favorites like that.
Hope you're keeping warm. We went from 20 - 50 and now are heading into the teens with a fierce wind. BRRRRR!

SquirrelQueen said...

Aw, I love that little curl you gave him. It's nice to meet your sons, they seem like fine men.

It looks like Bert has had some interesting adventures.

Arkansas Patti said...

I just love that baby picture. You certainly have a handsome family Betsy,I sure see your influence in their faces.
What an amazing job to have worked on a cruise ship in Alaska. That would be a dream job.
By the way, we dodged the bullet, lots of rain and now really cold but no snow or ice. Thanks for asking.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I used to watch "My three sons."

Did yiou?

Did you go on the cruise ship when he was working on?

Bookncoffee said...

Enjoyed reading about your son and his life. Thanks for sharing. Hope you all are doing well as this cold front slices through. More snow in forecast I hear. Spring will be sweet.

mudderbear said...

I enjoy meeting your family. It's fun. You and your son look a lot alike and I'll bet he is a great guy, just like his mama.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your sons with us...special Mom...special boys! Great post!

Lola said...

It is nice to get to know about you & your sons. This one sure looks like mom. That same infectious smile. Love it.

LV said...

Betsy, nice tribute to your son, Bert. You have some fine looking sons with great families. So sad about the little fellow you have not been able to see. Perhaps in time, he will find you.

Kirigalpoththa said...

I love his job! Lucky guy!!

Diane said...

Bert looked like you even as a little guy. Thanks for sharing your family Betsy. Diane

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, You have a lovely family. We had a bit of snow this morning didn't we? All the snow is gone now here. Had a ton of birds come this morning, too. Have a great Thursday tomorrow!

carolina nana said...

You must be very proud of your son and his success. He looks a lot like you by the way !!
Have a blessed tomorrow.
Marilyn

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Awww...they're always our "babies"...that Bert is a handsome man!!!

Colleen said...

The love for our sons...special. Love his smile, much like mom's. A hope & prayer that you will see the little guy, in due time. Betsy, thank you so much for sharing your family. Love your blog & all your pics;specially the birds. Bless you & George

Unknown said...

i must say that i love your sons hair in the baby photo. he's nice enough looking now but then.....just darling! cute grandson you have also!

Together We Save said...

Thanks for letting us get to know your son... I love all the pictures.

diane b said...

It is nice to learn about your family. he does look like you. I'm glad he is happy with clem and family and that they are back in Galveston. It must be sad for you not to be able to see them often or the sweet little grandson.

Pedaling said...

I am very much enjoying getting to know this part of your life.
what a wonderful man your son is.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your oldest son and his family with us.

KathyA said...

Gorgeous family, Betsy! And I loved the little curl in his hair!!

My son, Mike, (our eldest) will be 35 on Sunday. He's leaving for Killington, VT tomorrow to ski and celebrate.

Fred Alton said...

A fine son and his family! Like us, it seems you live many miles from the kids. Sorry they didn't get to come for Christmas but we know why. Loved the picture of the Sandhill Cranes.

Rose said...

i think it's great doing a post on each of yourchildren bert and his family look happy and contented . he maybe in your footsteps re taking photos. take care rose

Janie said...

I think I see the resemblance between you and Bert in that last photo. Looks like he has found a happy life, which is what makes us moms happy, too.

ratieh said...

what a happy family Betsy! =D

have a nice day!

hugs, ratieh

Lynda said...

Restaurant work is very hard. I was a waitress for about five years - - during summers in high school at a resort in the Catskills and then for "regular" restaurants when I realized they paid more than office jobs.
Your son has had some good travels. Their family looks very happy together.