Fleece as White as Snow

You can see this blanket that Madison has recently become attached to. She's had it for quite some time - but as of late she's been carrying it around and having it in bed with her. It is in the shape of a lamb, and something that we've had as long as we've had Madison: we actually received this in Nanning, China. Daddy remembers one of our many breakfasts at the Majestic Hotel (also known as the Mingyuan Xindu Hotel). Madison, Mommy and Daddy were eating dragon fruit and tater tots (part of a balanced breakfast!). We were eating more food than that - I think there was congee around as well, but there were some other good foods too. We always had enough to eat - it's just that there were occasionally some unusual items on the buffet. The dragon fruit was one of Daddy's favorites, and we found it really funny that there we got tater tots for breakfast, halfway across the world. This was not long after "Napoleon Dynamite," which made tater tots one of the cooler things to have on a menu. You going to eat your tots?

Anyway, as we were having one of our first meals together, another adoptive family came into the hotel restaurant. They were returning to China to adopt another girl, and they were also bringing along another daughter that they had previously adopted from China. It was this daughter who was saving up money, and wanted to give Madison - and all the other little girls - a special gift. It was a lamb blanket that we've held onto ever since. It is a very special gift, one that we've treasured for a few years now. It's neat to see Madison with it so often now, because it brings back wonderful memories of our adventure of a lifetime.

Today was a big day at church, one where Madison visited for the second service. It is always such a joy to see Mommy and Madison walk in the office, and today was no different. Mommy went to be prayed for upstairs, as today's service marked the end of the fasting. To that extent, there was much rejoicing and eating of chocolates and so forth.

Mommy and Daddy didn't do much of that when we got home from church, though. It was such a pretty day outside, but we didn't have the strength to do much, as we were pretty busy. We just collapsed on the couch and pretty much fell asleep. However, we got up a little later, because it was time to return to church. There was another service tonight, one that Mommy and Daddy actually got to sit and enjoy without having to work - so we left Madison with Ye-Ye and Nana for a bit.

Madison had a great time there. Ye-Ye and Nana endured a few episodes of Strawberry Shortcake, which Madison was enthralled with. I'm treading carefully in that direction right now: we don't want to have to go out and collect a bunch of Strawberry Shortcake stuff, and yet Madison clearly really likes the fruity girl. One neat thing is this: there was a Strawberry Shortcake bicycle donated to Madison last year, one that she hasn't seen yet. Ye-Ye and Nana have it in their basement, and we'll be giving it to her soon when the weather starts getting warmer. That'll be a really great moment!

THE SHREK CHIA CAM

1/30/11

1.30.11: We've got some sprouts and leaves on the top of his head now, and Shrek's hair seems to be getting fuller. This probably accounts for the big grin you see on his face with this frontal shot. Again, I can't stress enough how brilliant Mommy was by suggesting we plant some seeds in his nose!