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, April 4, 2018

My Easter JOY

A happy Mom and two of her three sons  (Mark and Bert--known as Tre by some);   Picture taken along the Foothills Parkway,  4/2/18;
Dear Friends,    After my last several posts talking about my health situation,  I am writing you some GOOD news  today---at least GOOD  (GREAT) news for this Mama!!!!!!   Two of my SONS are now living a little over an hour's drive from our home!!!!!!!    They moved to their new apartment in Maryville,  Tennessee   on EASTER SUNDAY!!!!!!    As I told my Facebook Friends this morning,   I have been singing:  "I've got that JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY ---down in my Heart..."

Of course,  the day after they moved in,   I just HAD to go and see them!!!!!   What a terrific day we had....   Since it was such a great day,   I decided to share it with you... Hope you enjoy our day together ---the first of many I am sure!


Kitchen area of Mark and Bert's new home
We first had to check out the new apartment...I was IMPRESSED... It is roomy and I love the openness and the way it is laid out....  They have an open kitchen/living/dining area with a separate room which can be a sunroom or office.   There are two large bedrooms and baths  (on either side of the living room) --plus a nice balcony...  There is plenty of closet space,  a nice utility room,  and even a separate storage room downstairs...  This is a perfect place for these two guys!


These guys had already worked hard putting things away and organizing!!!!! Afterall,  they had only been here one day!!!!!



Living /dining area  with the kitchen to the right and the balcony to the left



Our First Family Home
Bert helped me find our first little home in Maryville --where we lived in the late 1960's- early 1970's.      The house was new when we bought it.   I probably couldn't have found it ---but we started from Bert's school and then found our little home.  Someone has been taking good care of it.



I remember  the large backyard we had ---and the cow pasture out back!  But--we didn't have a carport...  We had a small garage  (which someone obviously enclosed to make more room in the house).


Four happy and HUNGRY People
We stopped for some dinner  at the TRAILHEAD Steak and Trout Restaurant in Townsend --after checking out  the Foothills Parkway...



We checked out all of the raging water at the SINKS.



Relaxing at the SINKS  --in the Great Smoky Mtns.



More water at the SINKS




Two of my 'loves':   Bert (Tre) and Mark
We had an awesome day in the Smokies ---and I am totally thrilled beyond belief to have these guys fairly close by!!!!!!   They want to get some hiking in soon before both of them have to settle down and go to work...

*************************
Several of you have asked about my health situation...  Right now --it's GOOD NEWS.

I had my Esophagus stretched so that food could pass through and not get stuck... That seems to be helping my stomach problem  so far...

My Cardiologist is working with me to get the proper medications for me and my heart rate.   The good news is that my heart rate is pretty stable now...  We are still working on some wicked side effects from some of the meds --but overall,  I'm  BETTER.   Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Hugs,

40 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Betsy, your header is HEAVENLY. It spells EASTER! What wonderful news!!! I am so glad they are both together, too. Brothers need each other for support! And this apartment, is awesome!!! Bright, light, large rooms, anyone's dream. But having your esophagus stretched sounds awful!!!! Isn't it sore to eat?

Ann said...

Their apartment looks really nice and how wonderful that they are so close to you now.
I'm so glad to hear that your health issues are getting better

Jacqueline said...

Great news all around! I love Maryville and my husband loves Lenoir City. We had thought one day we might retire there but the job brought us from "up north" to Georgia and we love it here too. So, we may just stay here. Three years to retirement so we will see. Great photos of you and your loving family. Jackie

linda m said...

What a wonderful apartment. And it is so close to you. Betsy, I am beyond happy for you. I am also happy that you are feeling better. I pray for you every day. Since you are so close to your boys (and I am so far away from mine) give them a big hug for me.

Janice K said...

That is all wonderful news. I can really appreciate your joy in having your sons living closer to you. Our two daughters live way too far away. Thankfully our son is still close by. So glad you are feeling better.....it's getting time for hiking...if the snow would just give up and go away for several months. God bless your day.

Valerie said...

You are s blessed momma!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Betsy, wonderful news. You are blessed. I am glad your sons are now living close to you! Beautiful photos. Enjoy your day!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful post.It is good to see your sons happy and setting up in a new place. The best part,I'm sure you would agrees that it's close to their Mama.Also good to hear that you are doing somewhat better.I had to check out this post, even before I go to work. Busy day.Drive bus in the morning,then off to Winnipeg for an appointment for my sister and later a concert in Winnipeg in the evening.Going to hear the Collingsworth Family.

Dorothy said...

Thanks for sharing your joy with us! I know you are excited! And I know they will be happy in their new home. Hugs and prayers for all

Jeevan said...

Glad to know your sons had come closer to stay by and see you feeling joyful about their arrival. I’m sure too to see you post much about the happy times spent with them. I really liked their apartment kitchen and you old house is charming still

Enjoy the life and hope u continue to do good in all ways
Cheers

George said...

We did have a wonderful day with Mark and Bert, and I'm sure we will have many more.

Big Dude said...

Looks like a great day in YOUR mountains - hard to beat Maryville as a place to live.

Betsy said...

I can hear the joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart! It’s obvious that you’re over the moon to have your boys back so close to you, as I would be too. It’s hard when our children are all scattered around isn’t it? They have a lovely apartment and I’m sure this was just the first of many wonderful times you will all have together. I’m glad you’re feeling better too my dear Betsy.
Blessings always,
Betsy

David said...

Betsy, It's nice to have family close...as long as I wouldn't have to move north to do it! Great for you having the boys in Maryville... Our son and his family will be a bit closer in the somewhat distant future. Currently they live in Omaha but they'll be moving to Birmingham AL...a reasonable drive from our house.

Glad your health is improving somewhat. Mine is too but I do have another stent scheduled for installation.

We've eaten at Trailhead too... It's where one of my wife's sisters had to have the Heimlich maneuver performed after she choked on a piece of steak... Ahhh...memories!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Lynda said...

Praising God with you for such excellent news with the boys and your health. God is sooooo good to encourage us and bless us especially after a hard past year for you!
The brothers look like they enjoy being with each other so hope this will be beneficial to both of them and they get to make many wonderful memories together.

I am beyond thrilled for you at their proximity to your house!
LOVE,
Lynda

Judy said...

What a nice up-lifting blog. I KNOW you are happy to have your sons nearby. Their apartment looks very nice. I am glad you are feeling better too.

Fun60 said...

Oh how I envy you. My son has just moved to the north of the country after living round the corner from me. Lots of lovely family visits to come for you. Pleased to hear that your health is progressing in the right direction.

Arkansas Patti said...

Sooo happy to hear the good news all the way around. Health seems to be doing much better and under control and how about your younguns being so close by now? Great news. Families tend to get so spread out these days and how lovely that yours are moving so close. Enjoy them and keep that health on the up swing.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

A joyous post all the way around dear Betsy.

Your sons live closer and your health is better. Thanks be to God.

Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

Connie said...

Betsy, I am so happy for you that your two sons live so close now. They have a lovely home. It sounds like you had a fun time visiting them there. I'm glad to hear good news about your health concerns too.

Chatty Crone said...

I am glad they are working on getting your medical in shape.

And I think that is so awesome your sons moved back home. I wish mine would but I doubt it.

Love that top Iris so beautiful.

Sandie

Betsy said...

I know you are so happy your sons are closer by. Nice place they have . Good to hear that you are mending . I just can't imagine having an esophagus stretched. You have been through it for sure. So glad to hear that you are up and running and feeling good. You look good that's for sure. Very happy.
Betsy

Linda said...

Looks like a great day! I'm glad your sons moved closer. Keep on getting healthy and take time to breathe and get sunshine.

Linda P said...

So glad to hear the good news that your sons are now living closer to you and that your health issues have improved with the treatment. Praying that you get back to full health very soon.

diane b said...

What joy it must be to have family close by. Their apartment looks super and I love Mark's shirt. Glad your health is improving.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Such a happy post, Betsy. I'm so glad to see Mark and Bert looking so happy together, and their apartment is beautiful. I'm thrilled for you because I know how special their nearness is to you. I'm so glad, too, to hear that progress is being made on your health issues. You seem to have your glow back in the photo of all of you at the restaurant.

Linda G. said...

Look at your smile in that first picture! I can tell how happy you are to have two sons living nearby. Your sons’ apartment looks very nice. I am happy that you are feeling better.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I am so glad to read your health good news! I understand your excitement over having your 2 sons so close by....a moms dream. My son bought a house about 10 miles from me after looking everywhere. Even other states 💃💃💃

Marcia said...

What good news for you in so many ways. I've never heard of someone having their esophagus stretched. But if it helps with your health issues - wonderful. You said the sons are an hour away but if they drove half way and you do the same they are only 30 minutes away! Take care, friend.

Happytrails said...

Betsy, I am so happy for you to have 2 of your sons so close to you now. It looks like y'all had a grand day together with many more to come. Keep on with the good health improvements.

BeachGypsy said...

Very glad to see a post from you and even better....it had such great news!---so glad to hear they'll be living so close to y'all! Definetly news to make a Mom happy. Glad you're feeling better and sure hope all your meds and all get all sorted out real soon and with the least possible side effects. Oh gosh I do remember singing that little song years and years ago for Sunday school and VBS for our kids. Happy weekend my friend!

Lowcarb team member said...

It is so nice to have family close by and their apartment looks great.
I'm so pleased to read that your health issues are slowly getting better.

Sending my continued thoughts and prayers to you.

All the best Jan

Lady Fi said...

Oh, how lovely for you!

Dee said...

Dear Betsy, what an attractive apartment (condo????) your two sons are now in. It seems so spacious and welcoming. And your being so close will mean family get-togethers will happen much more frequently. How wonderful for you and George and for your sons.

I'm glad to learn about what's happening medically/physically for you. I hope that each day you are feeling more energized and ready to resume your traveling to state parks to enjoy nature. Peace.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

What a fun post to read! I could just feel the joy joy joy in this post, how thankful I was to read of your good news in your health situation, and to have your sons close at hand again! What an incredible blessing! Such a lovely place they've got to move into, and how wonderful that they can be closer to you too! So happy for you! Blessings and hugs :)

Merlesworld said...

You are so lucky to have your sons move so close to you looks like you had a great day together.
Merle..................I

Betsy said...

Hope you are doing well Betsy. Look forward to more of your postings.
betsy

Beth said...

Betsy -- I'm back blogging after two years. But I've following you on Facebook. I'm glad you have two of your sons nearby. It's great that they get along well enough to live together.
I'm sorry to hear about your health issues but it sounds like things are coming under control. I have food stick in my throat, but unfortunately I didn't need my esophagus stretched. I was hoping it could be solved that way. Turns out I have a hietel hernia that is forcing air up in to my esophagus and causing things to stick. I have to be very careful when I eat. Take care! Beth

Barb said...

Glad that your sons are closer to you, Betsy! They have a nice place. Also happy to hear you're on the road to feeling better. I have a friend who had her esophagus stretched, and it has made a big difference when eating. Stay positive!

Sally Wessely said...

I LOVED seeing these photos and reading the blog post. I knew the news, but I am just now reading your post. Betsy, I am SO happy for you. Hugs.