I Lost My Temper Today.

I saw his worried side glances as he got out the car. Shoulders slumped.

I pretended like I wasn't watching as he went into school.

I lost my temper today.

Loud and angry.

At him.

He said sorry dad.

Truth is - I couldn't bear to look him in the eye.

He had that scared worried sick look.

I lost my temper today.

Not good.

Really.

Not good.

He is the sweetest boy with the biggest most loving heart.

Only a foolish man could forget that.

I lost my temper today.

I cried.

Alone.

In the garage.

In praise of Sprinklers, Gap Kids & Encased Meats

{Pictures: Mesfin singing the ancient song of praise to the God of Sprinklers, the kids styling it up on momma's lap, and Mari's first joyous taste of the holy Johnsonville brat (with mustard and katchup) - they love them!!}

We don't know what's been so hard about this "transition". Mom and (especially) Dad have been jawing a blue streak about how tired they are and how everything's changed. Hey, you try going from living in a hut with cattle and our 8 brothers and sisters to 400 count (ONLY! -they - the parents - have 1200 count by the way) percale sheets and Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion slathered everywhere - to say nothing about brushing our baby teeth every flippin day. Did I mention box cereal over sourgham mush (don't turn your nose up till you've tried it). Well anyways......things are going way better than the reports you've been hearing. We're getting to sleep by 8:30pm and up around 5:30-6am (we fall back to sleep in mom and dad's bed for another hour (did I mention 1200 count percale?). Then its up in the morning pretending we really don't understand English while we gibber in fake Ethiopian. Gosh, YOU SHOULD SEE THEIR FACES!!!!! Mari and I just about bust a gut! And I've got a gut to bust but that's another story. We have breakfast - usually 12 courses since we pretend we don't like anything and make them do the high hurdles trying to please us. Mari does this thing - really she does this - where she'll hold her stomach and act like she starving!! Our parent's are such goofs - they buy the whole thing hook-line-and-sinker (what ever that means)!!!

Then we get the folks downstairs after running around the house knowing we should get dressed for an hour. Once we're in the stroller one of us gives the signal and shouts out Shint (Amharic for - I'm going to pee my pants any second). We promised each other we're going to stop that one cuz the veins in Dad's neck start bulging and he start using words that Momma keeps saying are bad to say but he keeps saying them anyways. We think we might be going too far although Mari is not totally signed on to stop that little nasty trick yet.

We play at the park. Whine in Amharic for snacks - never satisfied with the snacks they offer up. Oh and I almost forgot. One of the two of us always throw a fake (though they don't know it) hissy when the other one is on Momma's lap.

Man - where do we get this stuff. They don't have a clue!!! We better stop soon. One of us has to stand watch while the other does the typing........the parents..........they're dead asleep. Jeez does Pop snore or what.

{Mesfin doing the snappy Africian birthday dance, the kids going ape about blowing the candles out on their birthday cake}

Okay, for the few who are still stopping by to check on the kids - you may have noticed we've been long on photos and very short on text.



Well, that because these darling little cherubs are SUCKING THE LIFE JUICES OUT OF US!!!!!!!!!!!

Fresh shots from the Kidfront

Mesfin feeling his feminine side, whacking the pin-yah-tah at Lincoln's party, Grandma and Grandpa Williams in Chicago, and hanging out in the reflecting pool at Millineum Park. Life is finding its new rhythm

More pictures and an invite

Here's a few more shots. Meeting Grandma Rose, playing outside, helping Poppa cook alfresco. We made rice in the rice maker (they poured in the stuff), boiled noodles, and watched Poppa make split-pea wat (because ALL we really want to eat is Ethio-food). We did it dry cereal today. Man! That was almost a champagne moment for us.

For those who have been asking when do you get to meet the kids. Please give us a call at home (just about anytime except between 1-4) and we can let you know about viewing times at the zoo (fyi - we're the ones in the cages - the animals are the ones running free.

Otherwise the Radtke 4 will be at CSL services this Sunday morning. Serves are at 10:30. Auntie Tracey and Uncle John are stopping by Sunday in the afternoon

A few more pictures from our time in Ethiopia.

Urgent message to the universe

I only have a few minutes to send out this urgent message to mankind and the universe.

WE HAVE BEEN INVADED BY DERANGED MANIACAL ALIEN TODDLERS FROM SOME PARALLEL UNIVERSE!! SAVE YOURSELF NOW!!!

Although they take on the appearance of real human beings they speak in tongue - totally untranslatable, they make sound eminations much like that of a flock of spreeching owls, and their energy and power appears to be limitless!!

It's too late for Karen and I for we have been infected by the worst kind of contagean. We have been weakened in their presence. ALL WE WANT TO DO IS SLEEP!!! God knows how they've done it but they have scrambled our neuro-circuitry evidenced to the point that in the same moment we want to smother them in kisses and pitch them out a window. They have cast a spell over me that has left me with only the flimsiest shred of dignity given I have both willingly, in fact seekingly, asked if they need to go "Scheent" or "Kakala" only to knowingly end up wiping their - well - you know what I mean.

You MUST save yourself.

They are currently in a suspended state of re-energization of their enormously powerful long life lithium/kryptonite energy batteries which is the only reason I am able to post this dire message. Their technology is very advanced to be able to store an almost infinite amount of energy into such a small portable unit. Yet, every night they eventually stop to recharge.

In the beginning we knew something was wrong. They are having way more fun than us. They are sleeping way more than us. And worst of all when we are out in public NO ONE sees through their evil hoax. They listen intently to those who speak their language in our community. They pretend to follow their instructions. But back at our home madness descends.

This all could simply be the figment of an over tired, jet-lagged pair of mid-lifed............

WAIT!!!

I hear noises from their sleeping chamber!

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the male unit. The one who drips copious fluids from his nose, eats food with his hands, and seems to think no actually means yes!!!! I must see what is amiss.

{30 minutes later}

I am back. He had fallen out of his re-energizing chamber. Strange how they can emit endless screechings while giving all the indications of still being asleep. Yet, I sit in the dark rocking this one knowingly smitten by his spell.

They have the power to cast spells - like the one they have over us to be so in love with them no matter who they're being, what they're doing, or what they have in their mouth. Anyways, I was saying - maybe this is simply the ruminations of an "over-tired, under sushi'ed, haven't checked my email since this morning, god I could use a latte" kind of guy.

Like I said earlier - it's too late for me. Save yourself. I shall stay here and get to the bottom of this. I shall find the truth.. But that will have to be tomorrow for all my energy has been sucked dry by these drooling, dribbling, whining, hysterical, funny, gentle, beautiful, strong willed, determined, silly, endlessly hungry, constantly pooping, loud, curious, scared, intelligent, love to help, hate to go to beddy-by little creatures.

At least I still have my health and somewhat youthful (for my age) appearance as evidenced by this self-potrait shot I took of myself today.

Who says kids will wear you out?? Rubbish!!!

I shall report back soon.