Heidi left on Friday to go to her sister Ericka’s wedding in San Francisco, and I’m very happy she had this wonderful opportunity. I really am.She tried, in vain, to take Silas with her - he has not been fully adopted yet. So I am, for the next 3 weeks, Mr Mom!

As Heidi packed and planned her trip, she worried quite a bit about how I would cope, and I think she wondered if the kids would survive. I’m not exactly the “Mr Mom” type: I hate to cook, I’m useless if woken up in the middle of the night, and compassion is not exactly my greatest strength. But I was perfectly confident that I would be able to handle this - I mean, how hard could it be?

I was going to find out… (Keep in mind - everything I’m about to tell you happened BEFORE Heidi made it to San Francisco.)

Friday - 6:00 pm

We dropped Heidi off at the Ouagadougou airport at about 6:00 pm. We huddled together to pray a short prayer and gave her hugs and kisses. As she walked into the check in area, her last sight was her 3 boys, smiling, waving, happy. She left knowing all would be well. Ah, the sweet bliss of ignorance…

I wondered why Jakob seemed so calm watching his source of daily nourishment fly away. The minute we stepped away from the airport, he enlightened me: “Can I have a treat?” Then I remembered that I had told him a long time ago, as a way to appease his young mind, that we would eat endless treats, play video games and watch movies till our eyes popped out while Mommy was gone. It would be an endless party. I hadn’t expected him to remember that conversation.

“Not right now, kid. We need to get home.”

“Then we can have treats?”

“After dinner.”

Pause

“Are we having treats for dinner?”

“No more talking about treats!”

6:05 pm - Friday

We make to the car. I strap the baby in and get ready to start the car. I have exactly 45 seconds to start the car and get the A/C on before we all start sweating profusely. I turn the key - nothing. The car is overheated! The baby starts crying.

6:15 pm - Friday

I sigh. I hailed one of the airport parkers who graciously runs out to find me some water. In the meantime I open the radiator which steams and sputters. He comes back beaming, with a liter of water in his hand. Umm, I don’t think that’s going to be enough… We empty the small jug and he runs to get more. The baby is crying - very loudly.

6:45 pm - Friday

30 minutes and 6 trips later, the radiator is full and we’re ready to head off. I wave to our friend and turn the key - a slight moaning sound, then - nothing. The car is dead! The baby is screaming!!! I turned to Jakob and seethed at him (very unfairly) “Can’t you do something about your brother?!?”

“Can I have a treat after?”

I moaned. I assembled a small group of able bodied men who helped me push-start the truck. We’re finally off!! I pull over, thank our friends and take a minute to feed the baby (while the A/C goes full blast). We pull away and everyone seems content. Regaining my calm and confidence, I imagine all the wonderful things I’ll be able to do since Heidi’s gone. I’ve always wanted to watch the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy with all the deleted scenes - here’s my chance! By the time we’re home, I’m downright excited.

If only I had known what is to come… Read on for more humiliation.