Friday Fare!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

It is finally Friday and I THINK we have rid our home of a very weird stomach bug. Sweet Pea's stomach bug seemed to only hit her at 3 AM. She would be fine all day long, only to wake up screaming at 3 AM every night to announce that the stomach bug has struck again.

My hands are raw from cleaning everything that doesn't move and my washing machine has been working overtime.

But, last night was a silent one. Silence really is bliss!

So, I have a recipe to share with you. It isn't a dinner recipe, but a special treat. After the week I have had, I deserve a special treat! Plus, I have had several requests for this recipe lately, so I thought I would share it with all of you as well.

The Best Peanut Butter Cookies EVER!

This recipe only requires FOUR ingredients!!!

1 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter (I prefer to use Natural)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

(Yes, that really is all. No flour is needed!)

Mix the ingredients together. Roll into balls and gently smash each ball with a fork to flatten. Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes. (I like mine a little moist, so I only cook them for 15 minutes.)

These cookies have fabulous flavor! I will NEVER make any other peanut butter cookie since I have found this easy and tasty recipe!

Have a fabulous and stomach-bug-free weekend!!

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

So, it is no secret that we have some cute kiddos. At least, I think so. I may or may not be a little partial. (OK. I am VERY partial, but facts are facts people.) What you may or may not know is that we have some sweet kiddos. No, not all the time, but most of the time.

The other day I caught some sweetness on camera that put a huge smile on my face.


OK, I laughed out loud.

My ultra "cool" 4th grader was having a tea party with his sister. Complete with ice cold water, imaginary rainbow cake, and all things pink. And, let's not forget the baby dolls and ponies that happily joined them. I just love how this kid can ever-so-carefully choose his outfit, meticulously comb his hair, and search around for his cheap cologne each and every morning, yet come home and happily let his little sister boss him around at the tea table.

She is crazy about her big brother and so am I.


Now, that makes me smile!

Bring On the Lysol

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Last night was one of those precious nights that every mother delights in. After dinner, we all put on our PJ's, grabbed some blankets, and spent some time together in the living room. Bruiser and Sweet Pea both climbed into my lap and huddled under my blanket. Sweet Pea was sitting peacefully in my lap, Bruiser was reading a book to me and amazing me with his ever-improving reading skills, and Dimples was on the couch with his football cards spread out for miles. It was one of those moments when you take a mental picture.

Pretty soon they will all be too big to be in my lap or, worse, they won't want to be in my lap. Pretty soon football cards will be juvenile. Pretty soon Bruiser will be reading chapter books all by himself. While I often joke that one day I would like to go to the bathroom all by myself, I do realize that I just might be lonely when the opportunity arises. Last night was peaceful and relaxing. It warmed my heart.

That is, until Sweet Pea ran into our bedroom at 3 AM screaming at the top of her lungs.

After my heart palpitations returned to normal, Nurse Boy and I tried to understand what she was saying. Just when I thought she had had a bad dream, she threw up into her hands.

Yeah, I am NOT going to miss those wake up calls. Not one bit.

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.


I noticed that Bruiser was feeling down in the dumps lately. Not sure why, but he wasn't himself. So, something had to be done to cheer him up. Honestly, I felt like he and I needed a night away. A night to just enjoy one another. A night to connect and just have fun.


Right before dinner, I whispered to Bruiser to grab his coat. His whole face lit up as he ran to put on his coat. He was quick to ask if anyone else was coming with us. They weren't. We left the house, leaving behind Sweet Pea, Dimples, and Nurse Boy to fiend for themselves for the night.


Once we were in the car, I announced that we were headed to a new restaurant. We went to a restaurant that has a train deliver your meal. You couldn't wipe the smile off of Bruiser's face!

This was how we spent the rest of the evening. It felt great to just focus on him.

Here he is "accepting" our train delivery.


Nothing like some wholesome food to cheer you up. Ha!

He really is a great kid!

Of course, we had to end the evening with sundaes! He practically took a bath in his! :0)



A little ketchup, sugar, and some alone time with mom makes everything better!

Our evening together made us both smile... for a long time!

Response to Monday's Post

Dear Mrs. Nurseboy,
First I want to say thank you for the post yesterday. As you know my love language is words of affirmation and that post made me feel very loved. I did not cry because because I am dead inside, but I did manage to wipe away a few imaginary tears like Jake from the Bachelor. I want everyone who reads this to know that everything that Mrs. Nurse Boy said is true. Every last nice thing. Before you get mad at your spouse because he is not perfect like me, you should know that she caught me being good like 10 times over the last 13 years and included every one of those times in that post.

Mrs. NB, Thank you for noticing those times though and remembering them. I of course have a lot of flaws. Fortunately you make up for most of them. I am so blessed to have a wife who wants to work with me not only at home but in our entire life. Our kids are fortunate to have parents on the same page because you make sure we communicate about them. We are fortunate to enough to have a great marriage because our marriage is a priority to you. I am successful at work because you support me and make it so I have flexibility to go the extra mile when needed. I am not saying I have nothing to add to those things, but we are a partnership and I appreciate what you bring to the table.

You are the love of my life and I am proud to be your husband.

So now that is done and people can go on to reading this blog without feeling nausea.

Monday's Random Musings

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

It is Monday, but there will be no groaning over here. Today the kids and I are staying home for President's Day. It will be all about sleeping in and getting caught up on a little cleaning and organizing. I am actually looking forward to a lazy day with my crew.

Today's post is inspired by Valentine's Day and the love of my life. Next to God, of course.

Nurse Boy and I met back in 1992. It was our senior year in high school. Yes, I am showing our age. We dated all through college and were married a couple weeks after Nurse Boy graduated. (I graduated a semester before him, since I am an overachiever and all. ;0) We have known each other for 18 years now. He inspires me to be a better woman, wife, and mother each and every day.

Here are some of the random reasons I love him (in random order) :

** He is handsome both inside and outside.

** He willingly cleans the kitchen after a 12 hour work day.

** He watches Project Runway with me.

** He scrubs the tub like no one's business. (He may or may not get bleach all over my fuzzy bath mat and shower curtain, but he helps me clean. For that I am thankful!)

** When it snows, he shovels the walkway and stairs for me before he leaves for work. In case you didn't already know this, he gets up before God most work mornings.

** He lovingly tucks the kids into bed every night so I can enjoy a little peace and quiet in the evening.

** He is passionate about his faith and wants our kids to grow up with the same passion.

** I love his eyes. And, his long eyelashes.

** He can say a lot to me just by using his eyes. Those glances are meant only for me.

** I love the way he praises the Lord. Uninhibited.

** I love it when he reaches for my hand at church during praise and worship and gives me a special squeeze.

** He always listens to my worries and concerns. Trust me, I have a lot of them. Most of them rear their ugly head late at night. It doesn't matter the time, he is always there for me while I over analyse everything.

** He recognizes our marriage as a covenant. Even in our worst fights, I never fear that either one of us is going to give up. The goal is to grow closer to one another and to God. We both find so much security in knowing that the other one is in this forever. With God, all things are possible.

** He is an AWESOME father. He is hands-on and so much fun!

** He cleans the cat box. And, the cat hair all over the stairs. And, the cat barf. (Hey, Mocha is old. He creates quite the mess.)

** He makes me laugh. Every. Single. Day.

** He supports my desire to stay home and constantly reminds me to not over commit myself. (I may or may not always take this advice, but it is full of wisdom.)

** He always has my back. He knows my hurts and wounds. He knows my dreams and desires. He knows the real me. And, he still loves me. Just as I am.

** He doesn't judge me. Or say I told you so. Even when he would have every right to.

** We are a team. Truly. In EVERYTHING.

My list could go on and on. I am so thankful that I have someone supportive, fun, and encouraging by my side through all of life's ups and downs. There is no one else I would rather spend it with!

Thanks, Nurse Boy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

So, today is Valentine's Day. I made a special little treat for my 3 sweet little valentine's. It is a "healthy" take on an all time favorite. Only 2 ingredients are required!

All you need is a box of funfetti cake mix and 1 can, or 1and 1/2 cups of diet cream soda.

Mix well and cook per the directions on the box.

I chose to frost it with Cool Whip Free, plus I couldn't resist some festive red, pink, and white sprinkles.

It was a hit!

Happy Valentine's Day to my special little guys!


And, Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!!!