Justice For All {her song}

My oldest Son, Tyler wrote this song early in our adoption journey. We can't wait for the day when our daughter Justice can dance to her song!

We hope that it blesses you and fills your heart with compassion for the orphan.

Justice For All
Written by Tyler James Whittier

You had a picture and we had ours
it was selfish
not selfless
but after seeing where they live
hearing them pray for
someone to save them

I say go and don't look back
cause I cant wait to see her face
I say go and don’t look back
I cant wait to see her face

Even though they've got dirty hands and feet
they've got the purest eyes
hearts that want to be free
Even though they've got dirty hands and feet
they've got the purest hearts
and their eyes will set you free

So I say go and don't look back
I cant wait to see her face

Her name is Justice

yes it's true
she's my sister

Her name is Justice
yes it's true

and I love you

Her name is Justice
yes it's true
Her name is Justice
Yes it's true

it's Justice for all
Justice for all
Justice for all
it's Justice for all

So I say go and don’t look back
I cant wait to see her face
see your face

Adopting Justice {Fundraising}

We are brainstorming different fundraising ideas to help off-set some of the astronomical costs. The total cost of the adoption will range from approx $ 24,000- $32,000.

Here are the fundraising ideas we've got so far:

1. Garage Sale(s)
(our fall sale brought in $1100.00!) We plan on having another one in the late spring.

2. New Life Artworks:
This is where I sell my handcrafted artworks. http://www.newlifeartworks.etsy.com/
All proceeds go to adopting Justice and then...to orphans in Africa.

3. T-Shirts.
I was thinking about designing and selling T-shirts?

4. Chip-In.
(This is a cool way people can donate any amount easily via paypal)

5. "Change for Justice"
This is our change jar at home. (Thanks Katie!) We put every extra penny in it and then deposit it into The Justice Account the first of each month. (Last Month: $130.00!)

Please comment with any ideas you may have about how we can raise money. We are hard working and determined...... and aren't afraid to get our hands dirty!

More on our family and our adoption journey: http://themathewsblog.blogspot.com/

Random {off the top of my head}

It's been awhile. (and it IS cheaper than therapy...)

1. One of the things I HATE the most is silent disapproval. And I do mean Hate. (sorry)
   
2. I'm thinking the progesterone may be making me weird. (more wierder than usual, how's that?) But...I could care less really....if it makes me FEEL better?
   
3. Shouldn't it be COULDN'T CARE LESS? I'm so confused.
   
4. I am in love with my husband today. He cleaned his closet AND made lunch.
   
5. When I got my nails done yesterday, I had them painted black. Tori Spelling pulls it off....but the jury is still out on me.
   
6. My studio smells like a hamster cage. I think that means there is a dead micey or worse...a RAT. (now what?)
   
7. Adoption is not for wimps, the faint of heart or anymore who doesn't like to have ZERO control of their own life.
   
8. Speaking of ZERO. I have ZERO and I do mean ZERO patience for whiners. (including myself. I have been whining alot lately and it's getting on my nerves.)
   
9. I say "it's whatev..." at least a thousand times a day in my head. It helps me.
   
10. I miss my friend Erin. But it's never a good time to call.
    
11. Today is a bad hair day (FOR REAL)....I look like....A**! (It's Whatev!)
    
12. I love ZUMBA...but I suck at it and it hurts my knee!
    
13. Church was refreshing on Sunday. God doesn't Indian give on His promises. What a relief.
    
14. I ate three pieces of apple sauce cake for breakfast and a brownie for lunch. I think I should feel guilty...or maybe not? AH...it's just PMS.
    
15. A cold beer and my pool floaty. In that order.

Humanitarian Aid {Ethiopia}

When we travel to Ethiopia to pick up Justice, Gladney requires that we bring $200 worth of humanitarian aid items for orphans in Addis Ababa. We would like to bring more! ALOT MORE!

Here is the list of the immediate needs of the orphanages and foster care facilities that we will be visiting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

1. Infant clothing (new); Boys and Girls; sizes 0-12 months.

2. Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers, Extra Large Case – Size 1, 2, or 3; $37.99 each (no tax or shipping on http://www.1800diapers.com/. Use Referral Code: THCE5959 and get $2.00 off the order) Even though diapers are readily available in Addis, it is more expensive to purchase them there and they tend to leak.

3. Huggies Natural Care Wipes (Unscented); 576 count; $19.99 ***no tax or shipping on http://www.1800diapers.com/

4. Nestle Good Start Supreme DHA/ARA; powder; 25.7 oz. can; $27.99 per can ***no tax or shipping on http://www.1800diapers.com/

5. A + D Original Ointment, Diaper Rash and All-Purpose Skincare Formula; 1 lb.; $9.49 on http://www.drugstore.com/.

6. Purell Hand Sanitizer NXT Refill, 1000ml Item # 2156-08EA $10.95 http://www.cwimedical.com/purell-hand-sanitizer.html


7. Purell Hand Sanitizer NXT Dispenser, Item # 2120-06EA $9.99 ea. http://www.cwimedical.com/purell-hand-sanitizer.html

8. Lubrisilk, 16 oz. Item # 00166PEA $8.50 ea. http://www.cwimedical.com/lubrisilk.html9. Baby bottles; small and large size Gerber plastic bottles preferred (solid colored bottles that come in a multi-color pack of bottles). Replacement nipples for the bottles are also needed.


We will be collecting donations from now until we go which (hopefully) will be sometime before the end of 2009!

Local folks can drop items off at our place or give us a call and we will come pick them up.
If you would like to purchase items online tax/shipping free and have them drop shipped to us; just drop us an email for our shipping address! (mail@themathewsfam.net)

Of course, cash donations are always welcome and will be used to purchase items. (just click on our chip to donate)

Estrogen Dominance, Adrenal Fatique, {Etc.}

This just in!

I have Extreme Adrenal Fatigue, Estrogen Dominance and a few other little "issues"....

OK...we may need to press rewind a minute....

I'm 46. I feel Good. Not Great. Maybe not even good really. (I think I am used to feeling so-so...) Anyway...

After having "developed" a long list of new food allergies....and suffering an itchy rash all over my body for over 8 weeks...I decide it may be a goodd idea to get all my health issues in order and so...

I go to the gyny for my yearly (two years late) and while I'm there, I give him my little laundry list of complaints. Migraines, new food"allergies", fatigue, weight gain...blah, blah, blah...

And after he listens to me complain awhile he puts me on Estrogen...."just a small dose to see what happens..." GOOD LORD!

What happened was....

I GAINED 11....(count 'em...they are all there!) 11 lbs! In just four (4) weeks!!!! AND I feel like...Well....I felt like....CRAP! Worse than I did for sure...hands down! AND on top of that I am bloated and fat AND I HAVE A HEADACHE!

I go back (border line pissed off I might add...) and he says..."oh....yeah...about that...SO SORRY...I guess you don't need estrogen!" (SMILE) YA THINK???? (and I said I liked this guy?!)...

Anyway...Let's keep it moving..shall we?...

He sends me to the hormone clinic...and I meet this super nice gal named Beth. She says...you need progesterone...I'll put money on it. But let's not play guessing games... (THANK YOU FOR THAT!)

I go home with a saliva test. YEP...Spit test. I have to spit into this tube...first thing in the morning...WITHOUT brushing. UGH! It took me all of 45 minutes to fill this tube up wit my morning breath spit....GROSS.

I fill out the paperwork, enclose my $150 dollar check and FedEx it off..

Now...fast forward (Thanks for your patience!)

Beth, (my hormone Doctor) walks in with my chart and says.....I AM GOING TO BE YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND!....(I guess this means she thinks she thinks she can fix me?)

She goes on to say that I have Extreme adrenal fatigue, ESTROGEN DOMINANCE due to the fact that I have ZERO progesterone in my body...Extremely low levels of cortisol, DHEA and testosterone ....and am slightly "off" in several other areas...NICE.....

So....There is a legitimate reason why I feel like...CRAP!? (good news, right?)

Bottom line....(present tense)

I'm taking DHEA, and Progesterone. I am also taking probiotics and several other vitamins/ minerals...

So far...I don't feel all that much better...but I'm hoping to be "back to my old self" (or better?) soon.

In the meantime...

I believe knowledge is power...and it would do me good to know I'm not alone?!

Anyone?

T-Shirts For Justice

make custom gifts at Zazzle


More really cool designs for Justice coming soon!