A busy weekend

I'm a little bummed.

This weekend was PJ's baptism, and I just wasn't very good about taking pictures of everything. It was a bit of a whirlwind, as Patrick's family was in from out of town and here for about 24 hours total. They arrived Saturday afternoon, and we all went to Strasburg Railroad to see the steam engines. Jack and his cousin, RJ, are both into Thomas the Tank Engine, so they had a great time. They got to ride on a miniature train with their daddies.

I, of course, did not bring my camera to this outing, so there are no pictures to show you. (I didn't get off to a good start.) I'm a perfectionist extraordinaire - remember the sand in the water? - so this kind of thing really burns me up. I work hard and lose sleep trying to make sure that everything goes just right, and then when something happens like forgetting my camera - or I forget to even have us take one nice posed picture at the baptism - I seriously could cry. In fact, I usually do. I've spent most of my life calling this character trait "detail oriented" and pretending it's an asset, but I think in reality, it's more along the lines of "anal retentive" and is really a flaw. I'm learning something about myself that is not pleasant, and maybe God is trying to change me. Heck, He gave me two boys - there's just no way everything will go as perfectly as I plan when I have two energetic boys around. I think I need to learn how to be more flexible and go with the flow. I really would enjoy things like this so much more if I were less preoccupied with getting all the details right. It's not really "right" - it's only the way I want them. Anyway, enough armchair psychiatry.


When we came home from the railroad, Patrick made Chicago-style hotdogs for dinner, since his family is originally from Chicago. He ordered the dogs, the buns, and all the fixin's online in a kit from the Vienna beef website. Now, if you've never had a Chicago hotdog, buckle your seatbelt. The picture is almost disturbing.

See? I told you.

I'm a traditionalist. I had a hard enough time adjusting to the way New Englanders slice their hotdog buns (they cut it down the top - it's all wrong). But a Chicagoan? What the heck are they doing to that poor hotdog? First off, it's on a poppyseed bun. Poppyseed, people! Then, it's got yellow mustard, a kelly green sweet pickle relish, and onions (so far, I'm okay with the toppings, but here's where things just get weird), a dill pickle spear, two little "sport" peppers, two tomato wedges, and to top it all off, celery salt. What the WHAT?? Well, let's just say I stuck with the appetizers and crudite that night for dinner, but it put Patrick in his happy place, and I was so excited for him to be able to eat his favorite hotdogs.

PJ got to meet his Meme (pronounced mem-AY, but I can't figure out how to do a daggone accent aigu on this laptop). This is Patrick's Mom. He also met his Auntie Katie, Uncle Rob, Auntie Alyson, and cousins RJ and Sophie. I'm hoping some of this bunch will send me some pictures to post.

Anyway, here is Meme with PJ. The babies are always fascinated by her since she sings them fun songs.

The next morning was the baptism. PJ wore the same gown Jack did. This was originally my Dad's, and was also mine. Here are a few pictures of him in the gown that I took before we left for church, but unfortunately they're the only ones I have on my camera since I forgot to give it to someone during the ceremony.

We had a lovely party after church, which so many people helped me do. It really was just such a nice weekend.

In preparation for our guests, I planted some flowers outside and I think I found Jack's new favorite thing to do.

Every morning now, we fill up his little watering can and bring it outside so he can water the flowers for me. He doesn't even seem to notice the soggy socks!

Patrick took this picture Monday morning. I think you can tell that I've lost a little sleep in preparation for the weekend (and my arm looks a little like Carrie Heffernan's in the painting that Deacon and Kelly gave her and Doug), but really this is what it's all about. I'm hoping I can learn how to reel myself in and keep my focus where it should be - on enjoying the precious gift that is my family.