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...

Friday, March 9, 2012

The Birthday Boy

Hello on March 9, 2012.... There is a very important person in my life who was born on March 9, 1942 in Gary, Indiana.  George Emery Adams is the eldest of four children of John and Kay Adams.  George graduated from Crown Point High School,  Crown Point, Indiana, in 1960 as the Valedictorian of his class.  He graduated from Manchester College in 1963 with a BA degree in Mathematics.  He got his master's degree at the University of Illinois and worked on his doctorate at Florida State University.

George taught college for many years before going to work in the 'real world' (as he calls it) as an IT Computer Programmer/Systems Analyst.  He retired in 2006 ---and has been extremely busy ever since doing all of the things in life he didn't have time to do when he was younger (photography,  stamp collecting,  converting old vinyl records to CD's,  traveling,  hiking,  gardening,  etc.). 

George's first wife died from cancer in 1998.  They had two beautiful children,  Robert (who lives with his family in Florida) and Kelly (who lives with her husband in Buffalo, NY).

I was fortunate enough to meet this wonderful man in 2000 when we both moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee.  I had been divorced for about 20 yrs. and never dreamed I would ever meet anyone else to be a part of my life... But---God truly brought us together and we fell in love immediately and got married on June 23, 2001.

That is when life BEGAN for ME.... Meeting and marrying George has been the greatest gift I have ever had in my entire life (in addition to having my three wonderful sons).  Thanks to George Adams for coming into my life and bringing me so much happiness and love.

Today,  as you can imagine,  George and I are unavailable since we are out chasing down waterfalls!!!  BUT--if you get a minute,  go to his blog (click HERE)  and wish him a Happy Birthday--since this will be his 70th!!!!!  (Don't tell anyone --but I turn 70 also this year,  in August... Yipes!!!)

Here are some pictures I took of George this past week --while we were in Arkansas..  The first picture above was taken on a hike we took in Petit Jean State Park to Cedar Falls on March 1.  Be sure and enlarge all of the photos to see bigger pictures.




We took a hike on the Rim Trail at Mt. Nebo State Park on Wednesday (Feb. 29).  This trail followed the edge of the mountain and was quite narrow.  George never gets scared --but I was a little frightened of falling on the loose rocks.




George loves photography and will do most anything to get some creative pictures...  Can you see him down at the lakeshore (Dierks Lake) taking pictures of an old tree which had washed ashore????  We visited Panther Bluff Falls and Dierks Lake on Feb. 27.




On Tuesday,  Feb. 28,  we visited another favorite state park,  Mt. Magazine.   Mt. Magazine is the highest point in Arkansas and we love to come here to hike, check out their waterfalls and to eat dinner in their lodge restaurant.  This was the only day on that entire trip when we had a little rain (mostly drizzle) and fog..





This is another picture from our hike on the Mt. Nebo Rim Trail on Feb. 29.  Luckily,  there were some big rocks where we could stop and relax a bit!!!!




Here is a picture from our hike around all of the rock croppings in Mt. Magazine State Park on Feb. 28.  As I said,  this was the only day that it was drizzly and VERY foggy.




This picture was taken on the trail leading to Cedar Falls (in Petit Jean State Park) on March 1st.  This was the warmest day we had all week ---and we both wished while on this hike that we had had shorts and short-sleeved shirts with us!!!!!  When we got back to the car,  the temperature said 82 degrees!!!!!  Pant Pant!!!!!




Finally,  I just 'had' to include this picture.... See why I'm the luckiest woman in the entire world???????  This picture was taken at our cabin patio in the back --with a view of the valley below.

"Happy Birthday, Sweetheart....  Hope you have a wonderful day today!!!!"  AND--thanks to all of you wonderful blog friends for wishing George a Happy 70th....  Click HERE.

Have a great weekend,  and I'll see you on Monday.

Hugs,
Betsy

60 comments:

Ms. A said...

Great shots... of course they have a favorite subject of your... George!

Ms. A said...

Make that "yours". Dang typo.

Catherine said...

Happy Birthday to your George! I hope you spoil him today Betsy and that you both have a wonderful weekend together!
xo Catherine

Twilight Man said...

I love your last photo! So sweet!


I am very happy that you found the right person who showers you with all the HAPPINESS and LOVE!!! Your life now is like made in heavens!

Sharon said...

I'm always a sucker for true love stories and this one is a dandy.....Happy Birthday to George and can't wait to see what adventure the two of you have up your sleeve for today!!

pam said...

Happy Birthday George!!

From the Kitchen said...

Happy Birthday to George. That first photo made me dizzy!!!!

If I had known today was his birthday, I would have asked the Crown Theater to put it on their marquee!!

Have a great day.

Best,
Bonnie

Neal said...

Betsy, I am so happy for you and George. You are right, George is a great man and he's a pleasure to be around. Hopefully, you'll have many more years of happiness doing things together.

Connie said...

Happy birthday to George! Great pictures, Betsy! Hope you two have a great day.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to George!
Lovely pictures Betsy :)
Have a fantastic Day!
Big hugs!

Eva

RoeH said...

An IT Computer Programmer/Systems Analyst???

Does he have a clone?

Hope your day with him is great. I'll hop on over with birthday wishes.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Fabulous post and now excuse me while I head over to George's blog to give Birthday greetings.

Cheqna said...

May you have many more wonderful years ahead.

:-)

MadSnapper said...

look out hikers illustrated, here comes George the perfect GQ of hiking. I really love that one of him on the rim, a beautiful shot of scenery and George. these are all good. hope you both enjoy celebrating today

Shug said...

I sent George a Happy Birthday wish, but I'll post another one here as well....HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE!!
You really have some great photos of your sweetheart....I am so happy for the two of you....Happy that you both found each other and that you are spending your time doing the things you love..
Many Blessings
shug

Karin said...

Congratulations to George's dad for having such a wonderful son!! Happy Birthday to your hubby and a year filled with joy and adventures! What a lovely tribute to your sweetheart! Love those photos!Have a great week-end!

I Am Woody said...

Love this!

imac said...

I.ll think of you both 23rd June - as its my birthday,lol.
Congrats to you both.
Julie and I got together in March 2001 too.

Love this trial tale and pics too.

Nancy said...

Betsy, what a wonderful post about your precious husband, George...You made my heart tingle at such happiness and all the fun you two are having...

I hope the two of you have a wonderful day celebrating his birthday.....

Sylvia K said...

What a wonderful post, Betsy! I am so very happy for you both -- you youngsters!! I've got nearly ten years on you!! Hope you both have a wonderful weekend! Celebrate! Your photos are fantastic as always!

Sylvia

TexWisGirl said...

this was so touching. you made my heart swell. God has blessed you both so much...

The Retired One said...

Hi Betsy!
Sorry I haven't been visable for a long long time...I am still blogging (if you are still reading my blog) I just haven't had time to read other's blogs...life is so extremely busy for us...but trying now to catch up with the wonderful bloggers I used to read almost every day. Happy happy birthday to George and glad to see you are still hiking and doing the things you love!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post for George's birthday, Betsy. Love your photos! Wishing you both a great weekend.

Glenda said...

A beautiful post, Betsy! Your lives together define a joyful marriage. Happy Birthday, George!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...you two are the cutest couple. Happy Birthday to George!! Have fun today!

Chatty Crone said...

Wonderful shots of your love. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him.
sandie

Becca's Dirt said...

Awe ya'll are just the sweetest. Great photos of George and that last one - well what can I say but sweet Betsy. I'm going over the George's blog.

Arkansas Patti said...

You ae proof positive that good things come to all who wait. You have been such a blessing to each other.
Not only is he tall, handsome, sweet, and smart but he has great taste in women also.
Heading for his site now.
Spoil him rotten Betsy.

happyone said...

I'll be popping on over to wish George a Happy Birthday.
You are indeed blessed to have found him and him you. : ) It always makes me smile when I read his blog and he calls you 'my beautiful bride'
That looks like a great hike. It's great that you both enjoy it.

Carletta said...

The perfect love story!
I've already been to see George. He posted his pic of the tree. Did he tell you I thought it looked like a moose or elk rolling on its back? :)
Have a wonderful day with your sweetheart the birthday boy!!!

Nava said...

Love the photography and Happy Birthday to George!

Big Dude said...

A man is always very lucky when he finds a mate who thinks so highly of him.

Wendy said...

Happy, happy birthday to your dear, sweet George! How lucky you both are to have each other. I am happy for you.

My grandson turns 11 today. I took him shopping for a birthday gift and we went to Wendy's for lunch. Dessert was at the Dairy Queen.

Hugs

Wendy said...

p.s. - love the pics - especially the one of you two kissing!

Ann said...

What a sweet birthday post for George. A very Happy Birthday to him

Fred Alton said...

Betsy, thank you for telling this wonderful story of how you met George. At the time you moved to Hendersonville, I was pastor of the Donelson Church of God. Those were wonderful times. I've wished George a Happy Birthday on fb!

Donna said...

How wonderful that you found each other and cherish your time together! I'll go over to his blog and wish him a happy birthday!

Susie Swanson said...

Such a sweet post..Happy Birthday George..

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man...I am so glad he came into your life! You are both an inspiration to us all.
Heck, if I look as good as George at 70, it will be a miracle!
xoxo

Sally Wessely said...

Big smile. This post just warmed my heart. You two are just perfect for each other. I thank God that you two were put together.

I love the first photo of George.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

This is a lovely post, Betsy, both from a photography standpoint and for the tribute to George. I love that photo of George standing on the rim trail, but it did make my knees a little weak with its height and narrowness. :)

diane b said...

What a wonderful feel good post. It is so warming to see and hear how two people are so much in love. It is a fine tribute to george who sounds such a clever, fit and thoughtful person. You are a lucky girl. The photos are super and it looks a wonderful place for hiking if a bit scary. Love the last shot. (I'll beat you to 70 by 2 months.

Jean Campbell said...

Congratulations to the Birthday Boy and Best Wishes to you both. He and I have 1942 in common.

eileeninmd said...

Hi Betsy, beautiful scenery and shots of the Birthday boy!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This is a great Love story...Happy Birthday to George! His photos are so talented

Sandy said...

Great shots of your favorite person. Wonderful love story, congrats on meeting and marrying your soul mate. (o:

Birdman said...

Those are great hiking shots you took. Envious!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Finally,, the big KISS!!! Aren't we the luckiest gals in the world?? Guess you could say that you and George met, and have been FALLING for each other ever since!!!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Looking for waterfalls sounds like the best way to celebrate any birthday -- let alone one's 70th! The two of you are so blessed with health, strength, imagination -- and each other!

Angela said...

Those are all such incredible pictures Betsy! I'm so glad that you and George met and fell in love and are traveling around enjoying life the way it should be!

Happy Birthday George!

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Hope you both have a fine weekend! Excellent birthday tribute to your loving husband. Have a wonderful Sunday tomorrow!

Tracy said...

Betty, I am so happy you have found the love of your life and found each other...isn't life grand? Your trip looks marvelous; so glad you enjoyed yourselves...

Andrea said...

Hello Betsy, since we have been blogging friends for a few years now, i already seem to have known the two of you, what you are, who you are and what you do. But this is the first time i learned about George's educational background. You found a great man, and intelligent at that, haha! I envy people good in Math as i am not that good at it, although we are forced also to take Calculus I in college and we also have lots of Physics and Engineering courses. You are an awesome couple together, so keep happy, keep love that way, and have more hikes and waterfalls. More power and take care!

SquirrelQueen said...

Happy Birthday George!
I love all the photos of the places you two have visited lately. What I really like is your header shot, I want to tiptoe through those tulips.

Sorry I haven't been around. I'm just now getting over a nasty head cold and haven't been on the computer that much lately.

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Betsy, what a truly heartwarming story of you and George. I wish you both many, many years ahead filled with love and adventure.
Rose

penny said...

Lovely pics Betsy. You two are sooo cute together.
Happy waterfalling!
cheers :)

Jeanne said...

I think the two of you are so lucky to have found each other. What a perfect match! And I have something in common with George - I too was an Adams before getting married. I'll have to check out his blog too.

laveta'splace said...

I'm glad for you and George to have found each other. Sounds like a fairy tale. That last photo is so sweet.
John and myself found each other later in life and it has been the best years of both our lives.

JDS said...

This is an absolutely fantastic post, Betsy. I never knew the "back story" of you and George.

I am thrilled that the two of you are still out chasing waterfalls the year you turn 70. May you still be doing it the year you turn 80, and the year you turn 90, etc.!

Janie said...

I love your trail photos and especially that last kissy pic!
You and George have a wonderful love story. I'm so glad you've found happiness together.