They call him Daddy | parenting an adopted child

Recently, our day-to-day has not been easy. Or drama free.

I've mentioned before that we are seeing a new side of Ezekiel. Generally, he is still the jovial boy that we know and love so much, but when he doesn't get his way{even the tiniest little thing}...Watch Out, because several hours of crying, pouting, and completely shutting down will probably be in the future.

{I talk about it here, too}

I'm going to be honest, I often don't have the patience for it. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around a big kid acting more immature than our 3 year old. Yes, he has gone through more than any child should ever go through...of COURSE he has some issues to work out. I'm glad he feels safe enough with us that he knows he can test boundaries without being afraid we're going to put him on a plane back to Africa.

BUT...it's still not fun. At all.

Somehow through it though, it has made me fall even deeper in love with Ben. Anyone that knows him, knows that he has very thick skin but such a heart of gold {probably because he has gone through Refiners Fire so many times in his life}.

It has been so amazing to see how he parents our children...particularly Ezekiel. He is SO patient. SO Kind. SO gentile, has such self-control. {Sound familiar?} He has shown me God's love through how he's been in the craziness that we've seen these days.

Galatians 5:22-23a

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control"

The way that Ben keeps his cool, his even temperament, a kind and loving voice. He kneels down to their level and listens to what they say, and then explains to them why what they're doing is naughty, or disrespectful, or whatever.

Ezekiel has already begun to come out of his "losing it" times easier and faster, which is huge for the entire family. We're seeing such strides in his attitude when he's upset and he's open to talking about what had happened, once he is back in control of his emotions.

Our prayers are being answered in a big way, and He is using Ben as the vehicle to help our precious son gain boundaries while knowing how much we love him.

What a sweet side of Ben I see. Such gentleness in a man. A true guys-guy with such a kind heart.  It's such a blessing to know that we as a family {and myself as his wife} are so high on his priority list.

We've had A LOT happen in the 5 1/2 years of our marriage. 2 out of state moves {1 cross country}, 4 kids {2 adoptions}, there have been major highs and lows in job and financial stuff, and the list goes on. Stress typically draws marriages further apart. For us however, it has brought us closer together. And the chaos that we're going through with the kids right now, is somehow doing the same. I have no idea why that is, I can only credit God for that one but am thankful every day for the man our kids call Daddy.