The Latta Family

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Don't miss out on this month's specials from Thirty-One Gifts

Click here to shop the Thirty-One Gifts store.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Trip to New Orleans

After we arrived home from visiting family in Birmingham during Christmas, Shane had a surprise trip to New Orleans planned for me. I was so excited because I had never been there. We went some friends of ours, Tonya & Tommy, and Linda & John. We all had a wonderful time. Here are a few pictures from our trip. There is not any set order of pictures all just random. Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Pineapple Cheese Casserole

Pineapple Cheese Casserole

2 (20-oz.) cans of pineapple tidbits, drained

10 T. plain flour

2 c. sugar

3 c. Sharp cheese, shredded

2 tubes of Ritz crackers, crushed

1 c. melted butter

Place pineapple tidbits in a 9x11 in. casserole dish.

Mix flour, sugar and cheese. Sprinkle over the pineapple.

Crush Ritz crackers and then mix with melted butter.

Cover top of casserole with mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Enjoy! This recipe is super easy and fun to cook with the help of your little ones.

Trying to Stay Focused

Some days are harder than others when you are trying to stay focused and be productive. At the end of the day I always think about the things that needed to be accomplished that I didn't do or simply just plain forgot about. I have to write things down so I will not forget them.

So, I just wanted to share a free printable daily planner that I have come to love. It is from moneysavingmom.com. You can click here -----> Daily Planner to print out the planner for free. Also, while you are there check out all the other planners <------here. The meal/menu planners are also a favorite of mine.

If you have a planner that you really like I would love you to share it with me.

Have a wonderful productive day!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Storytime with Matthew- "Will, God's Mighty Warrior"

Storytime with Matthew is when he shares some of his favorite books. All books listed in this section, are read before bed and have Matthew's approval. Only books that he gives two thumbs up will be shared. He has high standards.... so you can be assured these books are really good....(For a four year old of course).

Will, God's Mighty Warrior #2 : The Mystery of Magillicuddy's Gold

By: Sheila Walsh

Illistrated by: Meredith Johnson

Summery: Will and his first-mate Josh are pirates, sailing the rough seas in Will's backyard when Will shares his secret. He has half of a treasure map leading to Magillicuddy's gold. He had found it stuck between two pirate books he'd bought at the bookstore. The young pirates' quest for the missing half of the map leads them back to the bookstore which just happens to be named Magillicuddy's Treasure House of Books. Convinced more than ever that the owner is a pirate, Will and Josh are determined to continue their search for the missing half of the map. It's an exciting adventure as our buccaneers learn that some things-even ancient treasure maps-are not always what they seem. And in an unexpected twist, they discover that some treasures are far, far more valuable than gold and silver.

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Matthew loves this book! We have to read it over and over again. He loves the main character, Will, and his dog, Ralph. The pictures throughout this book are beautiful and adventurous at the same time. As well as has a great ending to this adventure as pirates. Matthew gave this book two thumbs up and made me put up my thumbs too, for a total of four thumbs up!
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Giving Instructions

Giving Instructions

The word "instruction" comes from the words "in" and "structure" and basically means "to put structure into." When someone comes on the scene and gives instructions, that person brings structure to the situation and helps people know what to do. Dad or Mom sees the need to clean up around the house or get ready to go out and begins giving instructions to move the family in a positive direction.

The parent adds the structure needed at the moment to make family life work. Unfortunately, because of the well-worn relationship between parent and child, kids may react with resistance. At that point parents often become more intense in their instruction or just give up. What was meant to be a move toward order and structure has turned relationships into chaos.

Remember that you're not giving instructions just to make your life easier. You're bringing the much-needed structure into the situation. If you don't provide the structure, who will? Of course, the way you give instructions affects the strength of your relationships with others, but don't let resistance keep you from your job. Without instruction, family life falls apart.

"But they don't appreciate me," is an excuse parents sometimes tell themselves that motivates them to want to give up. The fact is, that whether they appreciate you or not, they need you! So, continue to work on your own attitude and frustration level, but hang in there and keep giving the much-needed structure to your family.

Proverbs 19:16 says, "He who obeys instructions guards his life."

What are some things that your family in the instruction giving process?

This parenting tip comes from the book, Good and Angry, Exchanging Frustration for Character In You and Your Kids, by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

If you'd like to continue to receive tips yourself, you can sign up at http://www.biblicalparenting.org/.

Matthew's New Bike

I know this is a little late but this is the first chance I have gotten to really blog since before Christmas. The last month and a half have been defined only as a blur to our family this year. I vow that next year can not and will not be as hectic as it was this year.

On a brighter note, I wanted to share a few pictures of Matthew riding his new bicycle he received for Christmas. You would of thought he had a motorcycle, lol! He was so fun to watch. And with in ten minutes we learned to value of a good helmet.