Hellloooo World!

Geez it's only been a few days, but it feels like months have gone by since I've been "connected" to the world via the internet.  While digging trenches for the sprinkler system on Friday, our telephone/DSL line was sliced in half.  Despite AT&T's "commitment" (their words, not mine!) of being here to fix it before 7pm on Saturday, they just got us reconnected this morning.  Nothing brings light to the impatience and demands of my "microwave" generation then when you're without the internet.  It was kind of a nice "detox" if you will, but nevertheless, I'm so glad to be back!!!

We had a very productive weekend!  The sprinkler system is 85% done.  Jarred just has to finish wiring, testing, and a few other odds & ends, and then the REAL "fun" starts -- covering ALL the pipes back up with the heeps of mud that are in the yard.  However, never fear... the kids are THRILLED with the idea of getting muddy and "helping Daddy".  I'm seriously considering investing in an old fashioined wash board & tub to start doing the laundry in! LOL!  On top of that every sidewalk, driveway, porch, garage, is literally covered in globs of mud.... so much so that Madeline said it looked like a "cattle trailer" this morning!  Ha!  Thank heavens it doesn't smell like one!  My "contribution" to the project will be pressure washing the mud back into the yard this week.  Oh boy, can't wait!  (can you tell my words are dripping in sarcasm. LOL!)

We also mananged to get the posts and support beams of the pergola up last night.   I was cautiously (and slightly frantically) waiting for one of our neighbors to drive over to complain about the hammering, drilling, sawing, etc. going on well after dark and bedtimes, but thankfully all is still well.  Here's a quick picture of the progress so far! 

Here are some other "quick hi-lights" of our weekend:

• I survived another 5K on Saturday morning!!!  I improved my time by about 1 minute, despite having shin splints and doing it in the cold & RAIN! 
• Colby had a GREAT soccer game Saturday afternoon (also in the cold rain) - he scored 7 goals in just 2 & 1/2 quarters before his pulled groin started to hurt.  Thankfully we have a friend that is a physical therapist. He is giving us pointers now to help him heal!  Poor guy is such a trooper! 
• The one huge blessing from all the rain was how much it has helped our garden to flourish!  Yeah!

And now it's time for

MEAL PLAN Monday!

Monday:  Pot Roast & Gravy with Carrots & Potatoes and Homemade Bread.  I'm doing a roast in the crock pot for the first time today!  The house already smells yummy & I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Tuesday: Creamed Chicken "Pockets" & Fruit Salad  (Jarred is going to Dallas this week from Tuesday- Thursday so I let the kids "pick".  This was Colby's suggestion)

Wednesday:  Fish Sticks with Mararoni & Cheese (Chloe wanted this!  Obviously Mommy will be having salad, but YEAH for easy dinners!)

Thursday: Grilled Pork Chops, Pea Salad, Hashbrown Casserole

Friday: Sauteed Chicken Breasts, Garlic Rice Pilaf, Snow Peas