The Latta Family

When they were infants it was so hard.  We were so overwhelmed.  If we held them too much, they'd be spoiled.  If they slept in their crib- they'd feel abandoned.  But if they slept in our bed- we could roll over and squish them.  Or what if they never learned to self soothe.  You think when they're older it's gonna be so much easier.  It's not.  It's different and still hard.  Alexa has been really struggling to manage her emotions lately.  It's been driving me nuts because I know there's a reason for the emotions, but I haven't been able to figure out what.  Alexa talks constantly, but she rarely says things that are indicative of what's actually going on.  I have to listen carefully for patterns in her topics.  It can literally take weeks to finally figure out what is up.  Thankfully I made a change to her bedtime routine which led to some meaningful discussions and finally, finally, finally I figured out what's ...

Today is mine  and Doug's anniversary.  We've been married 18 years.  I thought it would be fun to do a list of random memories from our 18 years.  I asked Doug to contribute.  He said, "That's dumb (except he used words that aren't family friendly, so I censored him).  Well Doug- now my memories will not be so Doug positive.  I'll bet by the time this list is finished, you'll wish you would have participated.  I don't get mad.  I get even.  1. I think in 2003 or 2004 we decided to paint the exterior of our house over Spring Break.  I'd never worked so hard in my life (not even the time we put in a 50 foot long rock bed, and we had to haul at least of a ton of rocks in the wheel barrow from the driveway to the back, in July, in North Carolina). I was physically exhausted.  Actually doing the job wasn't awful, we had good food.  We enjoyed our time together.  We worked well together.  But my body was so tired by...

For my birthday I asked for a FitBit.  I had done some research and determined that it was the best for my needs, intentions, and price range.  I have suspected for awhile that I actually move a lot less than I assumed.  I was/am correct.  Some of you are saying, "How can that be?!  You're a teacher!"  It's actually not that hard to sit a lot.  #1 the classrooms are a tad crowded, and it's hard to get into the rows and help kids without my rear-end being in another kid's face.  Or I squat next to them, but getting up is a challenge and I groan because I'm an old fart.  I usually make kids come to me- we can sit in desks next to each other  where I can concentrate better on what they're asking me, as opposed to being in the rows where I am inevitably distracted by someone.  #2- having computers with slide shows, or some other type of presentation on them- makes it hard to move too far away from the keyboard, where I have to hit a but...

I'm gonna brag on Alexa for just a second.  I recently became very aware of this trait of hers, and in this day and age . . . it's actually rare and pretty praise worthy. She is amazing at: taking a boring situation and not being bored or miserable. The other day we went out to dinner.  We were sitting at our table and no one had cell phones or technology out.  I am pretty strict about that for Andrew and I.  (Obviously- as Doug is his own adult self- he can make his own rules.  But he follows along with the cell phone rule).  I noticed a family with a young child- still sitting in the high chair, soooooo 18 month-ish?  The parents had an iPhone propped up against a water glass, and the child was watching a cartoon.  The entire meal.  Now- there were most likely factors I am not aware of- so I'm trying to not be judgmental, but I won't lie that infuriates me.  (and therefore I am obviously being judgmental).  I ate with toddlers...

I got a little behind on posts- sorry!  See, if I get out of my usual life routine . . . I am thrown off for a week or better while I try to get back to my structured and rigid life.  Last weekend Alexa and I went camping (in a cabin) with her Girl Scout troop.  This has been an annual spring activity for the last 3 years.  One that she and her troop LOVE.  I do too- to be honest.  I love her troop. I love the moms.  My favorite part of the camping is being outside for an entire day.  I LOVE to be outside.  Anyway- we leave Saturday morning, and I'm home Sunday around lunch time.  NOT THAT LONG.  24 hours (well- maybe 26-27 hours).  Certainly not long enough that I'm thrown off for a week.  What could possibly throw me off for a week?!!!!!  I don't know people.  I don't know.  When I stress out, I require my "little" routine even more.  One small glitch and I'm done.  Just done.  The troub...

I said I would post every week,and doggone it . . . I will try. I mean . . . it's March and I'm still working towards this New Years Resolution to post weekly.  This is the longest I've ever maintained a New Years Resolution!!!! 1. I'm reading a book: The Tatooist of Auschwitz : by Heather Morris.  It's good.  It's a Holocaust survival- love story. It's a true story.  The author is retelling it, after interviewing the main character.  I have read Night  by Elie Wiesel about 1 million times and LOVE it (also a Holocaust survival story).  It's such an amazingly well written book.  I mean- if I counted up- I've easily read Night more than 20 times, and I still find something new every time I read it.  Last semester, I was co-teaching with another teacher that has a lot of Holocaust knowledge, and reading the book with him- and his knowledge of the Holocaust brought about so many more things I didn't know or hadn't thought of.  Anyway- ba...

Hello darkness, my old friend . . . . We have a visitor.  Usually I love these visitors, but I have discovered I love these visitors a good 20 feet from my house.  Considering we live in a small town- we actually have a wide variety of creatures that live in and around our yard.  We have a hawk family that I love to watch.  Last year there was a murder of crows living in the woods across the street, and occasionally the crows and the hawk would have a rumble.  That was some pretty entertaining stuff.  I hope the crows don't come back.  #1 they're kind of annoying with all that cawing, and #2 I think they were bullying the hawk.  Frankly- the hawk is a way cooler bird than crows.  They seem more dignified.  I think crows were bringing down our property value with their ruffian lifestyle.  We have a fox that also lives around our yard.  He's okay- except when he calls out . . . that sound is discomforting.  I do enjoy ...