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...

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Nothing Better than Family/Friends --and a Great Granddaughter

George, me,  Kelly,  Janet (May 26, 2018)
Dear Friends,    What an awesome month and a half George and I have had!!!!!  It's been all about catching up with family and friends.... Today I will share with you some of the many photos we have taken!!!!!!   Hope you enjoy seeing my HAPPY face as I share my family and friends!!!!

The picture above is George's sister,  Janet,   and his daughter,  Kelly.  They came for a visit and a meal with us Saturday,  May 25.  This picture was taken in our backyard on the deck.


At Bert and Mark's new home --on Mother's Day,  May 13;    Bert (on left) and Mark now live in Maryville, TN.  I love having them so close to us now since we get to see them more.   If you missed my terrific Mother's Day Blog Post,  click HERE.


George, me,  Diana, Mark  (May 20);    Mark's special friend from Texas came to Tennessee for the weekend,  and Mark brought Diana to see us!  This photo was taken on our deck in the backyard.  To read more about Diana's visit,  click HERE



My God-daughter,  Cathy,  and her three beautiful daughters,  came to visit on May 30th.
First Row: George, Cathy,  Betsy,  Bert
Second Row:  Mark, Rhiannon,  Deirdre,  and Aine 
Cathy and hubby, Rich,  live in Texas --and stopped by to see us after attending a wedding in PA.   Cathy and her Mom (also named Cathy) lived with us for several years when Cathy, Mark and Jeff  were teenagers.   We lived in New Orleans and then in Houston during those years (1980's-90's).   Cathy was the daughter I never had... AND it was GREAT to see her all grown up with fantastic kids of her own!!!!!!   We had a wonderful evening catching up when they were here...  SO much laughter and fun---and oh, the memories!!!!!



I love this picture of Pappa (Granddad Mark) with his granddaughter,  Vivi Lee  (May 27, 2018)



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AND HERE IS MY FAVORITE PART:

GRAMMY MEETS HER PRINCESS

George and I drove to Seven Devils,  North Carolina on Sunday,  May 27,  for a WILHITE REUNION...  The only problem was that 2 of our 3 sons couldn't be there.    BUT---there were LOTS of other family members, and we all had a wonderful day together.  Thanks to Mel and Sally for hosting this big group!!

This was my first time to meet my GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER,  Vivian Lee (Vivi)... Oh My Heart ---what a beauty!!!!! She was 4 1/2 months old when I met her on the 27th...


Look at Vivi giving this ole Grammy the 'eye'....... ha ha 



Vivi and Grammy had to have an important conversation!!!!!   I was trying to convince her  that she needs to go home with ME!!!!!   Somehow though,  her Mom and Dad  (Brooke and Tristan) don't think that would be a very good idea.  Ha!!



My favorite picture!!!!!!!   Funny-looking Grammy made Vivi SMILE!!!!!!!  Isn't she just adorable?




ANOTHER SPECIAL DAY FOR THIS MAMA:
Me,  Jeff  (youngest son, born in 1971),  Mark (middle son, born in 1970), and Bert (oldest son, born in 1963),  and Jeff's wonderful wife and my daughter -in-law, Dawn
This past Sunday,  June 3,   George and I,  Mark, and Bert  all traveled to Georgia for a day with  Jeff and Dawn at their beautiful home...   Having all three sons together is such a blessing..... Jeff and Dawn fixed us a fabulous dinner---and we enjoyed chatting/chatting/chatting...  Pure JOY!!!!

When I put this picture on Facebook,  I apologized to my friends that the photo was so foggy-looking.  Let's just call it 'soft focus'..... ha ha .....  NO--really what happened was that the camera had been in an air-conditioned house,  and when we went outside to get some pictures in the heat/humidity after the rain,  not only did my glasses fog up --but so did the camera!!!!!  Sorry!!!!

We have another special event coming up on Monday (June 11).  Bert is taking George and me  (and maybe Mark--if he doesn't have to work) to the Smokies  (Elkmont) to see the FIREFLIES....  (I call them Lightning Bugs.)   That should be amazing!!!!!

Well--- this is some of my wonderful family and part of George's.   Prayers for George's brother, Ken,  who lives in Indiana and has cancer.   Thanks....   My health is better --but I'm still struggling with A-Fib (which limits what I can do)... BUT--the key word is BETTER.

Have a great week...
Hugs,

26 comments:

linda m said...

Those are some fantastic pictures and memories for sure. Your great-granddaughter is just so precious. Ken is my daily prayers.

Dee said...

Dear Betsy, you are such a wonder in that you always "accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative" as the old song goes! So wonderful that you got together with all three of your sons and the you got to see Vivi your great-daughter. She is a delight. And seeing your "daughter" Cathy with her girls must have been a real treat. thank you for sharing all these wondrous happenings and family gatherings. Peace.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Awesome and joyous pictures!!! Especially of you and little Vivi! Does George have a plan or a lens to capture the fireflies? I look forward to that.

Ann Thompson said...

You've been busy and having fun. Your great granddaughter is adorable

Ruth Hiebert said...

Thanks for giving us this glimpse into your family life.Vivi is so sweet and I think she loves her Great Grandma.

Lady Di Tn said...

BETTER is wonderful to hear. Often I may read but not write a comment on blogs but i will try to do better. I am so happy you are getting so much family and friend time and it sure seems to agree with you. Keep smiling. Peace

Betsy said...

You are amazing my friend. I’m so blessed to get to know you. First of all, I will definitely be in prayer for your brother-in-law. And I so, so, so enjoyed seeing all of these smiling faces in the pictures. Your family looks like a very loving one. And what a special time to meet your little great granddaughter for the first time. She is darling, just like her grandma. I hope you’re soon feeling 100% dear Betsy. My prayers are with you.
Blessings always,
the “other” Betsy

Busy Bee Suz said...

Prayers for George's brother and your A-fib. I know it's only slowing you down slightly.
That Vivian is ADORABLE! Yes, I YELLED that. What a little angel pie she is. I know it must have been heck waiting that long to see her!
How cool that you have two of your boys in the area now. How long does it take for you to get to their house? What a joyful day it must have been to have all of you together at once.
XO

Betsy said...

Wow, you are one busy lady. I love the pictures of your so adorable gr grand baby. A doll she is! I love the way she is giving you the eye. She knows you love her to pieces. She resembles her grand dad. I looked at these pictures twice because they are all so full of happiness and sweetness.

Chatty Crone said...

I always love to see your posts on the family! And she is a doll!!
Love,sandie

Linda said...

How marvelous! I wish I had grandchildren, but neither of my daughters had kids. Two of my husband's stepchildren have kids, so we have had some moments approaching grandparenthood, but for me, it's not the same. And they live a full day away anyway.

Linda P said...

I'm glad that your health is a lot better and you've been enjoying those family times that are so precious. My husband and I have been doing the same. It's really special to be with loved ones you don't see so often isn't it? Now that two of your sons live nearer you must be overjoyed. Your happy face shows this. Then how delightful to see the youngest member of your family! She's very cute. Have a lovely time in the mountains watching the fireflies. Magical!

Marcia said...

What a whirlwind of daily gatherings. So nice of you to share.

George said...

We've certainly had a busy six weeks - no wonder I feel tired. But it has all been wonderful.

David said...

Betsy, I can see that you were one happy grandma! This is the family time visit time of the year, that's for sure. My wife's godson and nephew today, daughter tomorrow for a few days, some cousins that I've never met in a week or so, our son and his family in July...a full calendar of family visits for us too! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Susie Swanson said...

There's nothing like making wonderful memories with family. I know you enjoyed every minute of it. You have a beautiful family. Blessings and Love.

Lady Fi said...

Awww -- your princess is adorable!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

You HAVE crammed a lot of family stuff into these few weeks, haven't you? Little Vivi is so sweet. She has such an expressive face. You are blessed...but then I know you know that.

Connie said...

Great family photos, Betsy, and Vivi Lee is adorable! Have a nice weekend.

Lowcarb team member said...

Vivi is indeed a little princess!
Lovely, lovely photographs.

Family times are just so special.

All the best Jan

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Oh isnt it the sweetest smiles? Makes my heart smile seeing her smile at yuu. I see all the fun all of yall were having. Family is the best

BeachGypsy said...

Oh Betsy, going to see the lightning bugs sounds truly wonderful! Especially in the Smokies! I grew up watching (and chasing!) the lightning bugs in the Tennessee mountains. Memories clear as a bell but I forget what I walked into a room for? ha ha ha LOL Enjoy your trip, and please make lots of pictures for us okay?? Safe trip! I love all the pictures here....so many happy smiling family faces and warm sunshine days!

Jeevan said...

Completely there couldn’t be better time than get together with family and friends! Oh how sweet of you going up with conversation at the cute little great granddaughter? Lovely photos of being together with your dear ones and it should be a boost of energies to you and George.

Cheers Betsy

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Awesome times for sure. I’m doing a similar thing in EU right now. I am glad we are friends too.

Nancy Chan said...

Hi Betsy! Gorgeous smiles on all your faces, great to see you enjoying your beautiful family and cute grand kids. Thank you for updating me with Ginny's situation. Will continue to pray for her quick recovery! May God bless you and Ginny!

Sandi said...

Betsy, I just read on Chatty Crone's blog that Ginny is doing better and has even been up and walking today.