UPDATING!!

Ok, so I haven't gotten around to scanning pics of Andy... but a "dear friend" has been "encouraging" me to update, so here I am!

Let's see, what's new: most of you know I have been battling headaches for a few weeks. (thanks for the prayers!) the update on that is that I ruled out the meds for my rheumatoid arthritis, my eyes checked out ok, and my dr. doesn't think there is anything wrong with my neck. So, even though that doesn't sound very encouraging, (and I had a "poor me" moment yesterday) I haven't really had a headache today. The ophtomologist suggested wearing my reading glasses all the time to relieve eye strain and I THINK that is working. Time will tell, I guess.
Andy has been real sick since last Thursday. He had a fever between 101-102.6 for 4 days, which had me worried. No more fever, but he's got a respiratory infection and is still real weak. Not good for a Junior in high school with AP and honors classes. We'll do what we can to help him catch up... Got a text from Steph in Orlando saying she had the same symptoms... SHE can't afford to not work for a week while the virus runs its course, so PLEASE pray she recovers quickly... Freddy is Freddy you know...wait, something new about him: he is transferring from Regency to Westshore AMC. He says the change is what he wanted... hope he's right.

Fred & I have been talking and have decided to actively start planning on purchasing land in Texas. We hope to go this Summer on vacation and look around. (plus visit his brother!)

My work is about the same. Some good days, most kinda rough. I do come home with some funny stories to tell at dinner time.

Church is good. We joined First Brandon the first weekend in Jan. Now we are trying to find our place. The 1st thing is to try and get to know the folks in our SS class. That's why we are hosting a Super Bowl party. I have to admit, I am torn about this. In one hand, it's the right thing to do as we are trying to make new friends. On the other hand, I am going to miss hanging with the Ross, Caddells, and the rest of our friends from our KABC SS class.
Have I mentioned I don't do well with change?

Over all, I can't complain. Every night when I turn in, I thank God for my husband, kids, family & friends, and all that He has blessed me with. Even the little kids in my class.
God is good ALL the time!

Celebrating Anthony Thomas Nassar

17 years ago today at 5:02am, the world received Anthony Nassar, Andy to those near and dear. Yes, it's Anthony NOT Andrew. I didn't want anyone to start calling him Tony, so we gave him Andy as his nickname. It fits him, I think.

He is now a Junior in high school. I remember when he was a baby, he was a happy little boy. Steph had a new baby doll to play with and has been his 2nd Mom. He lives to play soccer since he was 5. He had a mustache in 5th grade and now has a full beard because he hates to shave. He's kinda a homebody, though not completely. He likes trying all kinds of foods, though don't offer him any fruit at all, and is the only kid I know that won't have any of his own birthday cake. He is a funny guy with a sarcastic streak. He MUMBLES when he speaks and gets aggravated when we keep saying "huh??". He has the fastest thumbs in the west! I swear he holds the record for most texts in one month. (Last month was over 1400!!)

I like it when we are going to soccer practice and listen to the "oldies" radio station. He and his dad will play Madden Football and I will hear Fred yelling as Andy does some smooth moves on him. Even though he won't admit it, he likes watching chick flicks with me once in a while. Though some people may say I am biased, I think he is one of the best looking young men around.
Someone told me he was a "momma's boy". I don't think so, I think I am an "Andy's mom". I really like him.

I am proud of my son, and I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to work in his life.

PS
I am hoping to put up a slide show of "Andy's life" soon... need to get a hold of a scanner. :)

Visit The Gonsalves Clan

Visit With The Stancos

Life is Good

Well, we made it back home from our NC trip. It was a great time, but I love the feeling I get when we come home, and sleep in our own bed. I don't know, it's a good feeling of security, belonging, and feeling blessed. My brother wants us to move up there, more specifically to the house across the street from them! lol.
I think it would be nice to live in NC, but we can't pay our bills with our good looks, you know? God would have to intervene hugely for that to happen. So, for now, we are happy/content with where He has us.
I loved seeing my "kids", Steven & Savanna. Steven is quiet, doesn't have a lot to say, but Savanna, that's another story! She and I got to go to a pottery place and paint some ceramics. She picked a horse and I got a mug. Her horse was much bigger than mine and we finished at the same time. She is really artistic and she did a great job...
I have to say I really am enjoying this time in my & Fred's life. The kids are older, KINDA on their own, and we get the freedom to go off every so often. It's helping us prepare for that "empty nest" time. That will happen one day, won't it? (just kidding!)

What does God have in store for the Nassars in 2008? I don't know. We are in a transition period with our church life. We are still trying to find out how God wants us to be involved at First Brandon. Some doors have already started opening for Fred to teach a SS class. But I don't know what I am going to do yet. I have always worked with kids, so my first reaction is to gravitate to that ministry. But I am not sure that is where I will be going. We are still trying to get Andy plugged into the youth, there is a weekend retreat coming up that he will be involved in, so I hope that will help him find his place. And, there is a youth trip to New Orleans in the Summer that Fred & I are hoping to participate in, so that will be a neat experience for all of us.

So, stay tuned to see where God will lead us. From past experiences, I know it's not going to be a boring trip!

Back to Mayberry

Right now, Fred & I are in NC visiting my brother. (It's freezing, by the way!) But before we got here, we stopped by the Stancos. (how many of you are jealous?!)

Fred & I really enjoyed visiting with them. It's been too long. Well, Mike suggested we visited Mt. Airy. It's the birth place of Andy Griffith. As most of you know, we are big fans. The town might as well be called Mayberry, it's full of Andy Griffith and the show "stuff". We got to talk with Floyd the barber, yes he does exist and is still alive. There were great little shops down Main Street and we got to see the house that he grew up in.

It was a great time, expecially since we got to spend it with Mike & Linda. Here are just a few pics:




Will post more pics and talk about the rest of our trip later, so stayed tuned!