the matts:

It’s no secret that Dan Claitor has been attacking Lee Domingue‘s character and integrity throughout this Senate race, but what’s been even worse is the one-sided media coverage. I have lost all respect for The Advocate, and though I wrote them a great letter to the editor, they SHOCKINGLY didn’t print it. I have copied my letter below for you to read, as well as links to articles Pastor Dino Rizzo of Healing Place Church and Rolfe McCollister of the BR Business Report wrote about the nonsense (he reveals some interesting secrets of Claitor’s buying media coverage, The Advocate’s unethical treatment of Domingue, and his opponents’ undercover connections).

Take some time to read this stuff and really educate yourself. The lies you are hearing and the “whisper campaign” going around are just that- LIES. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- you want Lee Domingue as your next State senator. He has a proven record of creating jobs, bringing life to the impoverished, and doing a lot for the community. What’s a lawyer who has run for three different positions in the last couple years going to bring new to the Louisiana legislature? Been there, done that.

Click here to read Pastor Dino’s blog entry

Click here to read Rolfe McCollister’s first article

Click here to read Rolfe McCollister’s second, even more telling article

Dear Editor,
I have to say that I am thoroughly disappointed by your one-sided coverage of the District 16 State Senate election campaigns. While never once airing Dan Claitor’s “dirty laundry”, you continue to attack Lee Domingue both outright and through “fact sharing” nonsense. Anyone who knows Lee knows that he is an open book and is glad to share with you about his mistakes and failures. Is Dan Claitor willing to do that? What 40+ year old man has not made mistakes or been hurt in the past by friends or associates?

Lee Domingue will never stoop down to dirty politics, because he is here to bring CHANGE not more of the same Louisiana bantor. By harping on things of the past and not focusing on the GOOD he is bringing to our city, our state and the world, you are only hurting the people of this great community. Why don’t you talk about the millions of dollars he has given to give sex slaves a chance at freedom, or the years of hard work and dedication he has put into becoming a successful businessman, or the recognition he has received for his pro-activity in making things happen? Why don’t you write a piece about his PLANS for making Louisiana better, about his partnerships that can help make that happen, or his upstanding character and never-give-up attitude?

It’s disgusting to read the slander you write about him. Do you even check your facts? It really makes some of us believe that you are either being bought and paid for, or are scared of his connections to other local publishers. Really, next time you go to print something praising Claitor and bashing Domingue, I hope you do your homework and find out maybe the person you are attacking is the person you should be thanking and voting for.

My sweet Presley Claire,

I fall more in love with you every day. I am so blessed to have you in my life and to be able to spend almost every minute with you. This has been such a huge month- you are becoming such a big girl!!

You said a new word “nana” for your favorite food (bananas), and every time we get ready to eat, you chant “nana, nana, nana!!!” You also say “hey” and wave with such excitement whenever you see someone new. I love that!

You love to stick your hand in one of Mommy’s shoes and crawl around the room, pushing everything out of the way. You make your toys an obstacle course to get anywhere. You “show love” to everything- your teddy bears, your baby dolls, to us. It’s the sweetest thing. You love to put on my hats and wear my sunglasses, and you are always stylin’ . It’s SO precious when you talk on the phone, jabbering away about stuff only you understand. I love all those things.

Your new favorite thing is to stir up something in your bowl, then eat the spoon and smack your lips. It’s seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen, and you even said “yummmmm” one time after you did it. Thank you for making me smile 100 times a day.

I love how you blow kisses by sticking your whole hand in your mouth and then flinging it out with a huge grin on your face. You are so amazing!

You achieved so many milestones in just a few weeks! You took your first steps- wobbly, but beautiful. You dropped your bedtime bottle, so now we read Goodnight Moon and Bible lullabies before bed. You started this half crawl/half walk thing where you walk with your hands and feet both on the ground. I think that means you’re getting ready for the real walking!

You mean so much to so many people, and you have the sweetest spirit I’ve ever seen. I pray you stay so happy, full of life, smart, funny and determined all the days of your life. We pray for you every night, and sometimes I just stare into the video monitor so I can watch you sleep. You are such a little angel, and I am so eternally grateful to God for the gift of you.

You are about to turn 1 and I am kind of freaking out, but I want you to know that I am SO proud to call you mine. My heart explodes with joy and love because of you. I love you, sweet baby girl. Thank you for bringing more happiness, laughter, and pride into my life than I could have ever imagined.

Love,
Mommy

Seriously? Wow. Let me gather my thoughts here…. I am not the person who says “I hope Obama fails.” I think that’s a grossly irresponsible and immature statement. My future and the future of my children depends on his success (of course, God is ultimately in control- I totally know that, but in worldy terms is what I mean). Anyway, I want President Obama to do good things while in office- just not good enough to get re-elected in 4 years.

And while I am all about improving the economy, spending BILLIONS upon billions of dollars on garbage earmarks and then charging soldiers who are injured in the line of duty seems almost insane. Like is he serious? I didn’t believe it until I read it with my own two eyes. Click here for the sad, ugly truth…

Last night while visiting at a friend’s house, Presley took her first steps! They were quick and sort of a shuffle, but they were steps nonetheless. This morning she did it again- walking quickly from the couch to me. And a few minutes ago she took a balanced, slow, intentional step towards me after being in a standing position for a while.

She is growing up so fast- I feel like the last year has been such a whirlwind of love and excitement…. And in 25 days, my baby girl will be one! Right now- as I type- she is “balancing” Mommy’s checkbook and “re-organizing” my purse and diaper bag. I think her top teeth are finally going to come in soon. She’s been having trouble sleeping and has had all the symptoms for weeks, but I think I see them about to come in now… I think.

Enjoy some recent pics of our perfect little princess and click here for the videos from today’s walking lessons. Of course the few times she took 4 steps all by herself weren’t caught on camera, but we did catch several shots of her shorter, clumsier steps!

Lee Domingue has been the victim of many false attacks over the last few weeks, and though he is completely focused on running a 100% positive campaign focusing on the issues only, he is setting the record straight. We-his supporters- came out in full force, angry at the smear campaign set against him. Click here to read the rumors and the TRUTHS... It’s pretty enlightening, and it’s nice to know how truly credible our next state senator is.

Vote Lee Domingue April 4 if you want a righteous, honest, giving, hard-working, intelligent, man of integrity representing you in the state senate!!

With the economy and the nation in the state that it’s in, it would be so easy for all of us to be inward-focused, drowning in our own problems. But if you are sick of feeling completely helpless and sorry for yourself, I have lots of fun, easy, inexpensive ways for you to help make the world a better place. Interested? Read on…

1. Go vote on March 7th for Lee Domingue. Trust me, you want him to be your state senator. Click here to read why.

2. Participate in Servolution. Simple acts of service and kindness for the glory of God. I could not be more excited about this! Sign up here.

3. Help send JoshBob to Mozambique and Swaziland to love on some poor, sweet African angels. Just a $5-10 donation from lots of people produces big results.  Click here to read about it.

4. Buy coffee and other stuff from Carole and Evangeline Turner so that they can go on a mission trip to Ethiopia, birthplace of Abel Turner. These ladies are amazing… Check out the details here.

5. Pray for us and our adoption journey.

Easy, huh? I am learning that the more we give to help others, the more we prove our faith in God to provide for our needs and dreams.