Oh the Winter Doldrums

We are smack dab in the middle of another Utah winter and it doesn't seem like there is an end in sight. We finally got rid of the inversion but that has left us with Arctic Cold air. I don't know which is worse. The kiddos (minus Harlee) slept over at Denice's on Friday night so Brett and I decided we needed to get out. We bundled Harlee up and headed up to Sundance in hopes of seeing someone super famous. Of course, that didn't happen. Sundance was winding down and there wasn't much going on. It sure was nice to have some quiet time just to be able to talk-Harlee was really into "Max and Ruby" playing on the DVD player. I am enjoying my first week of being unemployed. I loved my job but I have loved having lots of time at home with the kids too. I feel a little less stressed about the day to day activities because I know I don't have to go to work. I am sure that in the future I will need some way to maintain my sanity but for now I am enjoying the extra time with my family. I took the girls to "Jumpin Jacks" yesterday. Kelly and Triston met us there and we let the kids run around for a couple of hours. It was a good way for them to expel all of that extra energy and a good way for us adults to have a rational conversation with one another. Thanks for the idea Kelly-it's was so nice to get out. It's almost the end of January and February is going to be a busy month for us. Here's to hoping that it flies by and brings us that much closer to Spring and warm weather.

Inaguration Day

Today was a historical day for the United States of America. It was hard for me to explain to the kids why it was so historic. They have never had to see the difference between blacks and whites and they have yet to learn it in a History class. To them, Barack Obama is no different than any other President. Today hope was renewed to the USA. A country with so many differences and the fact that we could come together enough to elect and African American President is a miracle in and of itself. I wanted to share a part of his Inaguration Speech that really stood out to me. This hit really close to home for me. I don't think that change will be instant. I think we need to take President Obama's advice and be kind to each other. I hope that my children will never have to experience that kind of persecution and that we can all learn to love one another.

"That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

Winter

Yes, it's winter time and not much goes on in the winter time. We have been staying busy with Jr. Jazz basketball though and Brett has started school again only this time he is going to finish. He just found out that there is no cap on what his work will pay out for school this year so he is going to double up on classes and hopefully he will have his Bachelor's Degree completed by about March of 2010. We decided since I won't be working-for who knows how long-that this would be the perfect time for him to take some more classes. I am sure it's going to be tough on all of us but I know it's going to be worth it in the end. Mostly we have just been getting our "RockBand" on and playing a little "Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party" to pass the long, dreary winter nights. Look for us on tour very soon.

The Economy Strikes Again

I found out today that after Jan. 21 I will no longer be employed with Auto Trader Publishing. This is a result of the wonderful state of today's economy. I do have to look on the brighter side of things-at least they waited until after Christmas to give us all the ax. The whole office is being shut down. For some reason I was extremely emotional about all of this. It couldn't be because I have worked there for almost 4 years and have made some really good friends. I am freaking out a little because we did depend on my meager income. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do. Life at our house is a little crazy these days and doesn't leave much time open for me to work. That was the best thing about my job-I was able to pretty much choose my own hours. I don't know if I will have quite as much luck finding something that good. If any of you out there know of anything or anyone who needs some help a few hours a week so I can supplement our families income please let me know. For now I will put my faith in my Heavenly Father and know that like always, He will guide us through the obstacles that lay ahead.

Old Friends

Today I was able to catch up and re-connect with a really good friend of mine from High School. I think it has been about 12 years since we have seen each other. We were able to re-connect through Facebook which is so amazing to me. She lives in another state and was here visiting family for Christmas so we decided to get together for lunch. I am amazed how easily we were able to catch up after so long. Thanks for the nice lunch and the fun girl talk-I hope that we are able to do it soon and let's definitely not let another 12 years pass us by.

GO UTES!!!

I think the title says it all. We watched last night as Utah became the only undefeated team in the country. They were the underdogs as usual but came out on top over Alabama. GO UTES!!!!!

Sledding

It wouldn't be the beginning of a New Year without our annual sledding day. With Brett being out of commission I knew I couldn't let the kids down so I agreed to still go along. We even talked Denice into it this year and Brett hobbled along and spectated the whole event. I always dread it but it always ends up being way more fun that I had expected and this year was no exception. Brynlee freaked out as soon as we got out of the car. I drug her down the hill with me twice and gave up because she was still freaking out. She filled the rest of her time playing on the playground-who knew that playing on a playground in snow was more fun than sledding itself. Once she realized that Kiyah, her BFF, was sledding by herself she decided to give it a try. She tipped over at the bottom of the hill so I ran down to make sure she was okay. She looked up at me and through her snow covered mouth she said, "I want to do that again." All it takes is a little push and a little crash I guess. The boys are speed demons and Trevin can't seem to get enough. There's never enough spin or enough hill-he just keeps coming back for more. McKade is quite content to rid on a tube or sled with someone with no worries about speed or crashing. We left Harlee at Grandma and Pa's house because she would have been miserably cold.
After sledding we crashed at the Hunt's house for some yummy soup, chili, Lemon Bars and fun. Thanks for letting us crash at your house for two days!!!

New Year's

Happy New Year's. I can't believe it is already 2009. What a year 2008 was for The Ruoti Family. I am glad to put 2008 behind us and move on to a new year. This year we celebrated New Year's Eve with The Hunt Family, The Mayhew Family and the Olsen Family. It was nice to be around good friends. I think we sometimes tend to forget how much we need good friends in our lives. We ate a lot of junk food, played some wild and crazy games and had quite a few good laughs. Laughter is so good for the spirit. It's been a rough week so all that laughter helped-ALOT!!!! I have made a few resolutions for myself in 2009.
1. First-I am going to run in a marathon. I have a friend from high school who is going to run in the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay and she is looking for some team members. I have been wanting to do this for a while and this is a great opportunity. I am going to have to start training here in the next couple of weeks. I am scared stiff but I am going to pull this one off.
2. I am going to try and be a better mom to my kiddos. I guess I feel inadequate and I am going to put a better effort into spending "QUALITY" time with the kiddos.
3. I am going to be a better wife. We all get caught up in life and I think the thing that gets put by the wayside is our significant other. He is my other half and I can't and don't function well without him by my side-this has been proven in the last week.
4. I would like to be able to attend the Temple at least once a month. This is hard for us because we have to arrange for a babysitter and fit it into our oh so hectic schedule.

These are small things for me but a start on a long list of things that I need to do.
Sorry I don't have any pictures from New Year's Eve. I forgot my camera. I think that I may forget my head if it wasn't attached to my body.
Happy New Year's!!!!