Our special guest..revealed!

Words cannot express what an amazing week we have had with our friend, our special guest, Steve Wajda! We were sooooo disappointed that Kim and the girls couldn't join us.


October 2007, we saw our Benjamin's face for the first time. Our journey to him was only 9 months...but a very long 9 months. We will be forever grateful to the Wajda family. Their love and care for our Benjamin while we waited, and the many pictures Steve emailed to us, gave us hope...that we would some day hold our little guy. (You might want to catch up and read the post from yesterday...for everything to make sense.)


Last June, the Wajda's returned to the U.S. for a year. Remember, when we met them for the first time...right before we traveled for Benjamin in July? It was such a wonderful day meeting their whole family and thanking them personally for loving our little guy.




Steve and Kim have been traveling all over the country this year, speaking in almost every state. I had been hinting for them to come spend some time with us and I would organize some speaking events for them. I was so excited when he emailed a few months ago that he was planning to be near us and that he wanted to come for a visit. I've had so much fun making calls, sending emails and following up with many locations. Finally, all was set on the calendar and Steve was scheduled to speak four times in our area.



We were looking so forward to seeing Benjamin's reaction when "Uncle" Steve walked in our front door. As you saw on the video, Benjamin was just not sure how to respond. Benjamin is very smart. I really think he remembers Steve although it's been 10 months since Benjamin has seen him at the orphanage. Steve would share with me before we traveled to China, that Benjamin did NOT like him at all. He would cry the entire time Steve was at the orphanage and he would cling to whatever nanny that would take him.



You see, when Benjamin was in China, Steve and Kim were very excited for him to find his forever family, but they thought for sure we would have a difficult time with him once home. Steve is so delighted to see that Benjamin is so happy and running around with his siblings. Awww...the miracle of adoption...and lots of love.



It's been an interesting week watching Benjamin open up to Uncle Steve. The first day, Alaina was 'in love' with Uncle Steve. She wouldn't leave him alone. Then Hudson joined in the fun. He's so cute talking to "Uncle Steve." Very sweet. Benjamin saw his siblings sitting on Steve's lap having so much fun that he slowly got closer to Steve.




This picture, he pushed the chair with the booster seat in it, over near Steve to sit beside him. Very cute, we thought. Then he began giving Steve 'high-fives' and laughing. When we ask Benjamin to sit on his lap, he refused. Not today.



The next day, we wanted to take a picture of Steve and Benjamin before he left town to speak at a different location. Steve's bags were at the door and I think Benjamin might have thought that we were sending him with Steve. Much crying.



After Steve returned, he actually sat on his lap for a quick picture.


The next day...a big hug and smile. Awww...we are getting there...slowly.



Today when Benjamin woke up from his nap, he was calling Steve's name. Very cute. It's all good.


Very soon, I will share more about our amazing week and all the fascinating things we have learned as Steve spoke about his work in China. We were there at all four events and listening intently with tears in our eyes.



At home, we had him all to ourselves as we were drinking hot tea (that we bought while in China), sharing stories of Gejiu, learning more about Benjamin's little life and hearing miracle stories of our miracle working God.



Awww...it's been a good week. I'm still floating on air. Steve returns on Wednesday, April 1, Alaina's 6th birthday. I think Alaina will tell you that having Uncle Steve here on her birthday is the best gift ever.