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...

Monday, May 9, 2016

My Wonderful Mother's Day/Week and Memories --- 2016

Dear Blog Friends,  I posted this album on Facebook yesterday --but wanted to share it with you also since my Mother's Day celebrations were so special this year.

First of all though,  I paid tribute to my wonderful mother,  EDITH BALLARD BANKS (1900-1991). Over the weekend, in celebration of Mother's Day, I remembered my "Mama"... Even though she has been gone for 25 years now, I still miss her SO much. I never thanked her enough for being the best Mom in the world to me. She was such a gracious Christian lady---and I only hope that she is looking down from heaven on her daughter knowing how much I love and miss her and appreciate her for all she gave to me. Thanks, Mom for YOU! (Photo taken in 1982)




On Friday (5/6/16), we got an invitation to drive to Dalton to visit and have dinner with my son, Jeff and Daughter-in-law, Dawn. What an awesome day we had--and a fantastic Mother's Day Celebration for me. They fixed Grilled Chicken, Grilled Fresh Veggies, Grilled Fresh Corn-on-the-Cob, and for dessert cake/ice cream... ALL was SO delicious...


This is part of (they have a BIG yard) Jeff and Dawn's backyard. They have veggies and flowers planted. We enjoyed walking around the entire yard seeing all of the beautiful plants/flowers--many blooming already. We are so proud of these two --and the life they are enjoying together.


Not only did Jeff and Dawn cook us an amazing dinner, but they gave me this beautiful Hanging Basket... It hangs proudly in our yard!!!!!


This beautiful angel (Angel in the Garden) was sent from son Mark and his love, Debbie. They know that I collect angels and they also know how much I enjoy Gardening. If you can't read the inscription, it says: "To plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow".... Isn't she gorgeous?


Mark and Debbie also sent me a beautiful Butterfly Suncatcher (with the word, Mom, inscribed on the bottom). This will hang proudly on one of our sliding doors.


This is one of the neatest and most unique gifts I have ever received. It's an ornament which is from Debbie which says: "Thank You for Raising the 'Man of my Dreams'". Is this not just AWESOME? Oh My Godness --how I love it.. Thanks, Debbie, for this --and for making my son SO happy.


I wanted so desperately to see Mark and Debbie on Mother's Day ---but since they are in Texas and I am in Tennessee,  that wasn't possible.  However,  I did have a phone video conversation with them as they were on their way to the Astros Game---AND they sent me a picture.... This is  Mark and the love of HIS life,  Debbie!


I can't end this album without THANKING my wonderful husband, George, who constantly makes me laugh --and has made me so very very happy. He asked if I'd rather go out to eat on Mother's Day --or to have a home-cooked dinner... I opted to stay home and eat one of his delicious meals (scallops/shrimp/sauteed veggies, etc.)... Oh how spoiled I am --not only by my sons but by this awesome, terrific, fantastic man in my life. Thanks to ALL for making my Mother's Day so tremendous. I love you ALL

Hope all of you had an awesome weekend also...  I am one very blessed woman!!!!  Thanks be to God!

Hugs,

36 comments:

George said...

I'm glad you had a wonderful Mother's Day. It was very special.

Joe Todd said...

Have a great day Betsy

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I know Betsy you had the most wonderful Mother's Day yesterday

Linda Kay said...

Sounds great, Betsy...I had a wonderful day as well.

Kay said...

Oh my gosh! You really had a SUPER fantastic Mother's Day weekend! I love all those wonderful gifts you received. You are truly blessed.

LV said...

I have a feeling you enjoy any time with your family. Mother's day they just made it more spec ail and just for you. You and George had to have been made in the good Lords eye for as perfect match. Miss you on the blog, but your health and time together s moe important.

Big Dude said...

I'm sure you deserve a little spoiling.

linda m said...

I am so glad you had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. At least you got to spend part of it with Jeff and Dawn. My son did call and we had a good conversation.

Connie said...

Betsy, it sounds like you had a lovely Mother's Day. You are indeed blessed. :)

happyone said...

Glad to hear you had such a nice Mother's Day.
Your mom was beautiful and I think has such a kind face.

Betsy said...

I just loved reading this Betsy and I can feel the love and happiness in every word. Beautiful family and beautiful gifts too. I also collect angels and I think yours is very sweet. I also love the gift from your daughter in law. Your are surely blessed. We had Alex still with us which is very unusual for us to have a child at home for holidays so it was very sweet. We were able to face-time with the other two and all of the grandchildren so it was a great day here too.
Blessings my sweet friend,
The "other" Betsy

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Betsy! Sounds like you had a wonderful Mother's Day! Beautiful post and images. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Janie said...

What a great weekend! You have wonderful men in your life, both husband and sons. I love the butterfly sun catcher.

David said...

Betsy, Sounds like you had a terrific Mother's Day! My mom has been gone for 21 years now...and I miss her too. Laurie got plants and flowers plus calls from our kids and she was a happy camper too. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Jim and Sandie said...

An absolutely perfect day filled with lots of love.

Jim and Sandie said...

An absolutely perfect day filled with lots of love.

Arkansas Patti said...

You really had the perfect day. They know how so spoil you. I love that saying on the angel and how sweet the words from your DIL.
Glad you had such a wonderful day.

I Am Woody said...

What a wonderful Mother's Day! Such thoughtful gifts! :)

Ann said...

Sounds like a wonderful day for a most deserving lady :)

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What a wonderful Mother's Day you had -- with all the lovely meals, get-togethers and sweet mementos given by those who love you most! And you so deserved all of it! Also loved the photo of your mother. What a lovely lady and role model!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Betsy,you were treated as you deserve to be treated.I am happy for the love that was showered on you,but I also know that this is not the only day you are loved one.I too was treated very well by my son and granddaughter.
Hugs,
Ruth

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

It sounds as if your Mother's Day just couldn't have been better. You are loved.

Linda P said...

So pleased that you had a wonderful day in so many ways. Thank you for sharing the day through words and photos.

Chatty Crone said...

Glad you had such a nice time - Dalton is only about 45 minutes from me!

Marcia said...

What a nice weekend you had. We started Sunday morning with a FaceTime conversation with daughter Emily. She was home sick from church with flu. Granddaughter also had a touch of something. After church we went to DC where daughter Sarah and son-in-law William had lunch prepared for us. We had a wonderful walk in Rock Creek Park. She made a heavenly upside down lemon merenque (sp?) pie. I had three small pieces it was that good. Very light.

Judy said...

What a special Mother's Day you enjoyed.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

So glad we both had such a nice Mother's Day! I'm so behind on blogging/visiting. So many other interests have been taking up my time...and I'm just plain slow as well. haha! I spend way too much time reading the news, but I've found the election process to be fascinating in so many ways. How are you feeling about the way it is going?

diane b said...

Your post is so uplifting. It makes me happy when I see how happy you are. Its catching.

Linda said...

Very sweet post! I miss my mom too.

Lady Fi said...

Looks like you were well and truly celebrated!

Small Kucing said...

Am sure your mom is smiling in heaven when she saw this post.☺

I love the garden. So spacious. Yes, i never thought of that....to plant a garden means believing there is a tomorrow. A very good one.

Neal said...

There's no doubt that you are spoiled. :) Looks like you had a great Mother's Day!!!

Jeevan said...

Glad to know you had a wonderful mother’s day along with your son and DIL – they live in a beautiful environment! Both you sons shares happiness in these photos and Debbie’s note is very sweet and truly said. You are really blessed to have sons, DILs and Hus who loves u so much :)

Cheers and Keep smiling

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Glad your Mother's Day was fine. Wonderful pictures of your family. I had a nice quiet Mother's Day. Our son was here from California for a week which was great. We had a nice visit. My husband had minor outpatient hernia repair surgery the next day so I have had a week of pretty close-to-home activities. Just now getting back into some birding locally. Have an excellent day tomorrow and enjoy your weekend.

BeachGypsy said...

Greetings from beautiful Charleston, S.C. Betsy! I'm a new reader to your blog and I am enjoying reading all about your adventures--especially the trips, hikes, and waterfalls. I love waterfalls as well. You have such a fun blog and I am enjoying all the pictures of the flowers y'all grow!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love that picture...what a heartwarming post :)