A Quick Update

Well, just a quick update on life in the Sousa household. At the end of October, we welcomed another niece into the family. Justin's step sister had baby Paisley Noelle on October 30th. Hopefully we'll get to meet her soon. Krysty sends us lots of pictures, which is great! Justin's been finishing up his last of surveying for the year. It's been getting VERY cold, so the rivers are not necessarily pleasant to be in right now. We had our first rain of the year last week or so... on and off all week, but luckily, tuesday and thursday it did NOT rain, and Xavier got to participate in running club at school!! My parents came up for Halloween, and I have a ton of pictures, and I just need to get them onto my computer to put them onto the web for everyone to see!! It was fun, we went to the Plaza, and the kids got PLENTY of candy, that's for sure! luckily there was enough adults to relieve them of this candy!!

This week, Noon has been busy with a school performance, which concludes tonight. I think she's glad to have nothing to do for a change! Luckily Justin's been working in or near Arcata, and has been able to take her to and from school late at night. Also, in news this week, I had my last day of work at the preschool on Thursday. It was a decision that I'm glad I made, but still, occasionally wonder if I should have not made it. However, I have lots of other possibilities, and I was never really happy there, so the idea of just making it so that I can try to work from home with my Jewelry business or find a job closer to home in Fortuna is just an idea we wanted to have from the beginning. Plus, I get to do more things with Xavier's classroom, and will with Quinn's when he goes to kindergarten, so I completely look forward to that!! On friday, I got to participate in the schools "muffins with mom" event. something I would not have gotten to do if I was still working! So, it's all good!!

The coming month is bringing a lot of stuff our way. Xavier gets Monday AND Tuesday off for Veteran's day (the school was smart on that one!!) and so i get 2 days extra with my kids... we're hoping to get to see Madagascar 2. 2 weeks ago we got to go see Beverly Hills Chihuahua... that was fun! I'm hoping the rain will hold out because i'd love to take my boys on a nice little picnic or something. yesterday, sun, today... clouds, so who knows. As it gets closer to Turkey Lurkey Day, my brother will be visiting. I'm excited to see him.. it's been a bit over a year. Sad that I cant' visit with my Sis in law as well, but hopefully we will be able to soon. We'll go to Justin's Dad's for the actual day of turkey-ness, and then the day after, we'll meet my parents and my brother (who is having the festive day with his in-laws in Sacto) at my Uncle's house in Gridley. Justin Hopes to get out to a Basketball game in Chico while we're there, I hope to get to a friends house in Lincoln (hi Susanne) and also my friend in Live Oak who hasn't been doing well, health wise. Her son and Quinn went to Blue Lake preschool for about 6 months before they moved to Live Oak, so I hope to get there. and then, if you can believe it, it will be Christmas time. heck, I've already seen christmas holiday advertisements already! can't we think about being thankful for stuff before we ask and beg for gifts??? It's all about consumerism, and I know.. Our market is really poor right now, but GEEEZ.... It'd just be nice to not get the push YET!!

anyways, lets see, what else. I'm big time into my exercising, again. I have been trying to go in 2-3 times a day, if i can... classes in the evenings, an early moring short work out, and a mid day bigger work out. i'm determined to loose 20 more lbs... but i'm to the point where it's getting really really difficult, because i have already cut my calorie intake down so drastically that if i do it any more... i'll never be able to eat normal meals again without gaining weight... hence why i'm trying to up the exercise so i can keep my calorie intake somewhat normal. I may have convinced Noon to come try some classes, but we'll see. They teach Hip Hop and Break Dancing on Tuesday and Thursday nights... i think she'd enjoy it! though she swears, she cant' dance!

Our animals are doing good. Mushu finally got nuetered on Friday... cost me and arm and a leg, but was necessary, and now he can go back to being a cheap dog!! when you look at the daily cost, i am so glad i have a small dog. I guess it wouldn't matter what size dog i got though, these types of vet bills woudl be important!! Purdy is having fun going outside, and has gotten locked in the shed a couple times already, gizmo just sleeps around and gets fatter.... and our beloved Jack Jack... well, he was so sad when Mushu was gone for the day on Friday... but he's happy to have his friend back. I think getting Mushu was a very good decision for us to do for him.

well, hm... let me think if there is anything else. Xavier's art classes start back up again, after a stint of not having them due to his teacher being gone. these classes have been wonderful for him. he is very artistic! has a talent. Quinn gets to go to Kids Korner a LOT while i go work out, and both children are doing a little gymnastics this month, now that soccer is over. I am hoping to get Xavier into CubScouts, but the night is just an odd one and I just haven't been able to get ot it yet. Hopefully Justin'll be able to help me out with that this week!! I think Cub Scouts will be very very good for Xavier. No... I don't think i have my kids in TOO much... but it's easy to get that way. :)) I'm still doing horseback riding lessons (thanks MOM and DAD!!!) and I'm having a blast!! the horse i have is finally starting to be stuborn and obstinant with me.... but, that's ok. I need the push to use my legs more and not rely only on my reins. I got 2 jump 2 weeks ago, and last week we worked on me being able to sit her canter, which is a bit bouncy.... i still think it'll be a few months before i'm really doing a lot of jumping.. but it's great... I have regained a lot of my muscles... just gotta regain control. And plus, I'm not used to a horse that is so sensitive when it comes to foot pressure only!

Ok, that is all from my side of the sousa household. Have a good week/month, and I'll try to post some pictures soon!!!