Things That Make Me Smile

It has been cold and gloomy here. We haven't seen much of the sun. The winter blahs are hitting pretty hard right now. January, no sun, cold weather, Nurse Boy hitting the books hard again for school, some challenges in parentland, and NO SUN are all making me exhausted. Wait, I already said the NO SUN thing, didn't I? Seriously, the absence of the sun has taken away a little bit of my spark.

But, NOT today.


Guess what I found in my mailbox?

It made me smile!

It made Sweet Pea smile, too! (Except, I am NOT sharing, so that smile will turn to tears as soon as she realizes that little fact.)

I found Utah Truffles in my mailbox from 2 of my dearest bloggy friends. That's right Suz and Boy Mom sent them to me to cheer me up! Aren't they wonderful?! I have had the privilege of "meeting" them in blogland, but one day I hope to meet them in person. They are so sweet! I don't even mind being the third wheel with them.

Thanks Suz and Boy Mom! You guys ROCK!!!

And, according to my family, I DON'T rock. 'Cuz I ain't sharing. ;0)

Things That Make Me Smile

It's winter and, in case you haven't heard me complain enough, it has been COLD! One way we like to chase off the winter blahs is by making some homemade hot chocolate. Which you MUST top with a very generous dollop of whipped cream.

See? It just makes you smile! You can't help it.

Plus, we may or may not try to squirt whipped cream into each other's mouths.

Can you tell he is smiling?!

And, well, sometimes we miss. But, he is still smiling!


Yep, homemade hot chocolate topped with whipped cream is sure to make everyone smile. Even giggle.

Getting warm is just a delightful side effect.

The "S" Word

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.


(It is Tuesday and I have a True Story to share! Yep, I am linking up with Rachel and Mr. Daddy today.)

Recently I found myself having an uncomfortable conversation with my 1st grader. You see, we TRY to protect our kids' young minds from that of the world. We carefully monitor what TV shows they watch, what movies fill their minds, what video games fill their time, and what music fills the air in our home and cars. Call us over protective, but we like to call it common sense.

The other day, Bruiser was playing an NFL game on our PlayStation 2. It was handed down to us from my very techie brother. (Ya know, because PlayStation 2 is so yesterday.) All of the games came from my brother as well. I had carefully sifted through the hand me downs and only had the "approved" games out for play.

Or so I thought.

I was in the room when Bruiser suddenly gasped and said, "Mom, they just said the "S" word!"

At first, I didn't know what was more horrifying: Them using the "S" word on a PlayStation game, or Bruiser knowing what the "S" word was!

Bruiser was horrified, too. "Mom, I can't believe they said the 'S' word!"

"I know, Bruiser. That IS awful," I said. Then, my curiosity got the best of me. "Can you whisper the word in my ear?"

He leaned in closely and, in a very disgusted voice, whispered, "They said, 'Shut up.'"

PHEW!

I took a deep breath as I reassured him that he is right, that is a very unkind thing to say to someone.

I LOVE THIS KID!

Want to join in on the True Story fun? Head on over to Once Upon a Miracle!

Nothing Random About This

I married the love of my life thirteen years ago today. We met when we were just 18 years old. We didn't have a CLUE what was in store for us! I loved his passion for life, his playful nature, and his eyes. Yep, I have always loved those eyes! He was just a boy then. I was just a girl.

Now he is a man. A man who is an awesome husband, father, and provider. We have been blessed with an amazing family of our own. Our faith is our foundation. It is a strong, firm foundation for which I am so thankful.

It isn't a perfect life, but it IS a fun life! I wouldn't want to spend this life with anyone else. And, I STILL love his passion for life, his playful nature, and his eyes.

Plus, I get to stare into 3 more sets of those baby blues! I am a blessed woman and I couldn't be more grateful!

Happy Anniversary, Nurse Boy! I love you!

Friday Fare!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

It is Friday. Our weather has finally given us a break. It is amazing just how balmy 40 degrees can feel! The snow is melting and my flip flops are calling my name. I won't dig my sandals out just yet, but I am ready for spring! I know, I know. I have a long ways to go.


If only there was a medication to get me through the rest of winter. One without side effects or dangerous warnings. And, legal.


Wait! There is such a thing. I believe it's called dark chocolate. Problem is, I am pretty sure I can pack away more of that stuff than any doctor would prescribe. And, the scale always promises to reveal the side effects. Stupid scale.

Today I am going to share another one of our favorite winter meals. It, like last week's recipe, requires some Bisquick. You might as well know, I like me some Bisquick. I have several recipes that call for it and they NEVER fail me. Plus, I can always mix up some pancakes on a moments notice. Bisquick also makes a low fat version and it works just as well in all of the recipes.

I should mention that this is a recipe you can easily tailor to your tastes. We prefer to use sweet peppers and a sweet barbecue sauce. You can go spicy with this and use green peppers and a spicy barbecue sauce. Either way, it is delightful!

Barbecue Beef Pie

Doesn't it look dreamy? It is!

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

1 small red pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

2/3 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup Bisquick

1 cup milk

2 eggs

1. Cook beef, pepper, and onion in skillet over medium heat, until beef is brown. Drain. Stir in 1/3 cup barbecue sauce. Spread into a greased pie plate. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup of cheese.

2. In a small bowl, stir Bisquick, milk, and eggs until blended. Pour over beef mixture.

3. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup of cheese and bake for about 5 more minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Things That Make Me Smile

Yesterday, Nurse Boy and I surprised the boys and showed up during their lunch hour.

Each boy got to bring a friend to join us at a separate table.

Yes, Nurse Boy seems to be a bad influence wherever we go. They got just a little rowdy.

(I should mention that they are all wearing crowns because they each earned the privilege to go to a grade level "Triple A" party... Attendance, Academics, and Attitude. Yep, these are good kids.)

See, there he goes again. All Nurse Boy's idea.


I think I saw the lunchroom monitor giving us the stink eye.

Taking some time to bond with my buddies always makes me smile.

(It also reminded me just how much I DON'T miss school lunches. Yuck!)

Slide of Horror

We are joining yet another True Story Tuesday this week! This is a true story as told by yours truly, Nurse Boy.

On our trip to my parents' house over Christmas break, we went to The Indianapolis Children's Museum compliments of my sister. That was an awesome Christmas gift! The Children's Museum has five floors of hands on fun with some education thrown in. In the science room, there was an exhibit that showed underground animals and their habitat. You could crawl through two different tunnels with a slide to go down at the end.

I, of course, had to go through.

Parenting has its positives and negatives. One negative might be that you endure the Children's Museum during the busiest week of the year. Which means, you can't pivot in place without bumping into someone or knocking some poor kid over. There are long lines and wall to wall whining and crying all around you. That's just the parents, some of the kids cried as well. The positive is that kids give you an excuse to act like a kid. It is socially acceptable.

So, I wanted to go through the tunnels and down the slides. The first one was easy. When Bruiser got in line, I simply got in line behind him and followed him. Simple and easy. I got to see the spiders, moles, and random kids hiding from their parents. Then down the slide and, viola, childhood revisited.

The second one was easy also. Sweet Pea jumped in line and I followed her on in. There was a ladder to climb at the very beginning and I was so proud. About four kids fit on that ladder at a time so it was slow going. Sweet Pea just went up like a pro, being patient and waiting her turn. We got to the top and rounded the corner.

That is when it happened. When Sweet Pea lost her nerve.

It was then that I turned into psycho dad who was determined to press on. After all, there were six kids in very tight quarters on the ladder behind us. I am slightly wider than the average adult and a heck of a lot wider than the average six year old, so I can't turn around. It was like I was in some one's GI track. There was only one way to go and if I went the other way it was going to be messy.

My boys are different. If they get into a scary situation, I can tell them it is O.K. They just trust me. They might be nervous, but they know that I won't let them die. Sweet Pea is pretty sure that being pushed to do something she does not want to do is worse than death.

Sweet Pea turned and indicated that she wanted to stay and look at that window displaying some underground critter back there. Translation: I ain't going any further.

I said no, we have to keep going.

That is when it happened.

The first blood curling scream.

No big deal. I hear that scream daily when one of her big brothers does something to annoy her. We are in a tunnel and there is a lot of noise out there, so we will just forge on and nobody will notice. So we keep going. Then another scream and panicked attempt to squeeze past me the other way.

First of all, ain't nothing getting past me. I had the space maxed out. So I just picked her up and held her awkwardly in front of me while crawling on one arm and two knees. Now, we get to the slide and there is no way for me to turn around to go feet first with her secure in my lap. I have to go head first. She is screaming bloody murder.

And, I mean screaming. I am about to die, who is this strange man who is accosting me inside this tunnel kind of screams.

I start my descent and realize I have Sweat Pea going head first as well. So, I do the open scissors move with my legs and turn Sweat Pea around. She is still screaming. It is echoing and getting amplified by the tunnel. Kids behind me are trying to go down the slide and piling up behind me and kicking me so I go down. They might have been trying to save Sweet Pea from the kidnapper or they might have been enacting some playground justice for backing up the tunnel. Either way, it didn't hurt. Those punks are going to have to learn either how or where to kick if they are going to get me going down that slide any faster.

We finally get situated and slid down. By this time there is a crowd of mothers with fight or flight looking in horror as I emerge from the tunneled slide. Sweet Pea runs to Mrs. Nurse Boy who is laughing hysterically, while I am head first and on my back flopping around like a fish out of water trying to get off the slide. The mothers looked very angry. I am surprised I did not get hit by a couple of diaper bags or fanny packs. Once I got to my feet, I did not make eye contact with anyone and did my best to blend in.

Which was tough because my face was a deep shade of red.

Any nominations for father of the year?

Want to read some more True Stories? Then head on over to Rachel and Mr. Daddy's!

Monday's Random Musings

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Today I am sharing some of my random thoughts from Sunday morning. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

*Alarm goes off too early.

*Frankly, if the alarm is going off, it is too early.

*Hit the snooze... 5 times. It really is amazing that my wonderful husband puts up with such behavior!

*It is COLD when I get out of bed. Plus, I am already running late.

*Yep, this is a set up for a relaxing, happy, joyful morning... NOT.

*I should mention that my entire family shares a main bathroom. Good times. Especially on Sunday mornings.

*Boys are goofing off and come out of their rooms in short sleeves.

*It is 4 degrees outside. Need I say more?!

*Boys goofing off in the car.

*Bruiser has been in the car for 4 whole minutes, yet he STILL hasn't buckled his seat belt.

*Did I mention that he seems to be moving in S-L-O-W M-O-T-I-O-N this particular morning?!

*I lost it.

*Yep. I yelled.

*Loudly.

*ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH.

*After much thought and reflection, I muster up an apology when we get to church. God has really been dealing with me and my short fuse.

*I park myself in Sunday School. The topic? Parenting.

*The challenge? One change you can make immediately to be a better role model for your child.

*I swallow hard. God is really trying to work in me. Anger MUST take a hike. It is noted.

*Just when I feel like a horrible, no good, very bad parent, God encourages me during worship.

*On the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

*I am NOT standing in sinking sand.

*The sermon topic? Change is necessary. Our pastor was referring to the church, but I AM part of the church, aren't I?

*I get it, God. Time for change.

*And, I don't even have to do it on my own! (Good thing, too.)

*Thankfully, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

*Thankfully, I am NOT!

Happy Monday, everyone! Off to have a joyful day. It will be joyful because I have some major help from above!

A Friday Fare Miracle!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

This week has been COLD. I mean the kind of cold that makes you wonder if Hell really has frozen over. I enjoy a little winter. Even a little snow. But, this is ridiculous. When it is -4 degrees first thing in the morning, I am done.

That's right, I am quiting winter. I am not sure how, but I will find a way.

I am thinking that Nurse Boy needs to find a job in Florida immediately. Ah, yes... a beach and some sun. Hot, warm sun. Except for the fact that my hair and humidity don't get along. Sad, but true. Nurse Boy and I once spent 4 whole days in Florida and I looked like a poodle the entire time. Nurse Boy said I looked just fine, but he didn't fool me. He would also kindly ask if I did my hair that morning. He never asks me that... unless we are in Florida.

Since the frigid temperatures aren't going anywhere and Nurse Boy hasn't landed a job on a tropical island, we have indulged in some comfort food as a means of survival. Nurse Boy even cooked one of our favorite winter meals this week. THAT, my friends, is a MIRACLE. One that I enjoyed very much!

And, since you have to see it to believe it, HERE HE IS!

My husband in the kitchen.

Here's hoping his New Year's Resolution is to spend more time in here. Ha!

Beef and Salsa Skillet

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 jar (16 oz.) thick and chunky salsa

1 can (16 oz.) kidney beans, undrained

1 can corn, undrained

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 1/2 cups Bisquick

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup shredded Colby-Monterrey cheese

1. Cook ground beef over medium heat until brown and drain. Stir in salsa, beans, corn, tomato sauce, and 1 teaspoon of the chili powder. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low.

2. Stir Bisquick, remaining 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and the water until a soft dough forms. Drop by 6 spoonfuls onto simmering beef mixture.

3. Cook uncovered 10 minutes. Cover and cook 8 minutes longer. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook about 2 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

This dish is kind of like a chili with dumplings. It is so good~ but my kids won't touch it. Just more for us, I guess!

I am off to go sit under a blanket for the rest of the day. Our low today is -13 degrees and our high is 0 degrees That's right! 0 DEGREES!

Make that TWO blankets and a warm fire...

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

During Christmas Break, we happened to find ourselves in a Barbie Exhibit. You couldn't wipe the smile off of Sweet Pea's face.

The boys were an entirely different story.

I snapped this photo of them in Barbieland. I think this photo says it all.

Sweet Pea, on the other hand, found herself face to face with Barbie and ... I think that MUST be Ken.

Yep, definitely Ken.

How to Be Pinkalicious!

This is a story of life imitating art.

Pink art. Girly art. All things princess-like, art.

Grandma and Grandpa Nurse Boy gave Sweet Pea this book for Christmas. It is titled, "Pinkalicious." It is about a little girl who made PINK cupcakes with her mom. She ate so many cupcakes that she came down with a mean case of Pinkatitous and turned pink.

This is Sweet Pea's dream. One she wanted to come true.

One afternoon while visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Nurse Boy, Grandpa asked if we needed anything at the store. Sweet Pea promptly asked for PINK CUPCAKES. We all laughed. But, Grandpa followed through, as only a Grandpa can. He returned from the store with the brightest PINK CUPCAKES we had ever seen.

Sweet Pea didn't waste any time. She dug right in, while Grandma and I held our breath. (These things were GLOWING with pink dye. The kind of pink dye that might reside on your carpet, towels, and furniture for the next 5o years.)

There was no stopping the dream...

Beautiful, don't ya think?


She was in heaven...

She was proud...


She was cute...

She was a mess...


She was loving every minute of it...



Her mouth was stained...

Her hands had never been pinker...



She was DELIGHTED...



Her fingers tasted sweet...


SHE WAS PINKALICIOUS!!!!!


And, surprisingly, she wasn't alone!

Want to read about more examples of life imitating art... or maybe just life imitating all that is crazy and unplanned? Head on over to Once Upon a Miracle for some more laughs! They NEVER disappoint!

Monday's Random Musings

Mrs. Nurse Boy here. I am back from a big bloggy break! 2010 is finally here and I say, BRING IT ON! I love starting off each year with a clean slate and new expectations. Truth is, each year I fall more and more in love with my husband and kids. Each year we all learn something new about ourselves and each other. We continue to grow closer to God and strive to be all that He desires us to be. Each year is a blessing, and for that I am grateful.

Despite some terrible weather and frigid temperatures, we did take a short trip to see Nurse Boy's family. We spent 17 hours in the car. I am sure you can imagine the love. My heavenly kids NEVER bicker, fight, or get grouchy. Nope. NEVER. ;0)

We also rented a brand new car for our trip in hopes of not breaking down on the road. Good thing, since our van refused to start upon our arrival home. Here's hoping 2010 includes the purchase of a newer van with a fabulously inexpensive car payment. Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?!

Well, it is Monday and it is time to start off with some randomness regarding our trip:

~Mad Libs are a ton of fun. Stupid fun. Fun that will send kids into delirious fits of laughter.

~There is nothing peaceful and quiet about riding in a car with 3 kids, 10 and under. NOTHING.

~Thanks to all of the new seat belt and car seat laws, my kids never sleep in the car. Of course not. THAT would be heavenly.

~We never wore seat belts on long trips as a kid. Who am I kidding? We never wore them on short trips. We couldn't even dig them out of the scary crevices of the seats. It really is amazing we are all still alive!

~Grandpa and Bruiser have the same sense of humor, as was proven during their identical fits of laughter during a New Year's Eve Three Stooge's Marathon.

~Don't rent a new car for a trip. It will only cause envy and highlight everything quirky or lacking in your 10 year old van. Especially when you have to tow it to your mechanic upon your return home.

~Yes, we have a personal mechanic. We know him WELL. I am pretty sure we have put several of his kids through college. You're welcome, Mike. You are welcome.

~I miss that new car smell. I am pretty sure our van lost that new car smell on day 2 of our ownership. Yes, all of our kids have pooped, peed, and puked in our van. Let's just say that our van smells like... well, it just smells.

~We also got a taste of satelite radio. Definitely LIKE!

~I remember traveling in a huge station wagon with a blanket, a pillow, books, and an ice scrapper for the inside of the back windows. My kids are spoiled with heated seats, video games, and a DVD player. Yet, they STILL find reasons to complain.

~I love heated seats. Toasted buns are strangely delightful.

~Nurse Boy and I are officially familiar with every. single. exit. between here and his parents' house. I do believe we have stopped at each and every one of them over the past 13 years.

~Sweet Pea has a new talent. She likes to scream, "Bruiser is teasing me!" I am convinced that Bruiser delights in these squeals. It is my childhood haunting me. Yes... I was the one squealing... I'll admit it.

~Payback is never pretty, is it?!

Seriously, we had a lovely Christmas, a delightful trip, and are thankful to get back into a regular routine.

BRING ON 2010!!!