Katie needs a baby!

I carry your heart (e. e. cummings) in pink
i carry your heart in green

forgotten/forsaken

family - print

chandelier cards

completely - print

Hey guys! I got this email from my very dear friend Amy. Her sister's hubby did the flowers for my wedding (if you remember they were amazing). Anyway, go to this website and buy some awesome art, they will continually be updating it with new stuff! I bought 2 things!

Hello all!

I am quite sure that if you know me at all you have often heard me talk about my sister and how I adoreher and so on. What some of you may not know is something of a more personal nature that involvesKatie and her husband Michael’s desire to start a family. Almost a year ago Katie miscarried at nineteen weeks due to complications during her pregnancy. A couple of months ago they lost their second child nine weeks into their pregnancy.

Katie and Michael are both incredibly strong people and their positivity and patience has been truly remarkable. Katie has diabetes and is already considered high-risk because of that. While her doctor does not feel that it has been a factor in her miscarriages, they have decided to begin the process of adopting. Adoption is something they have spoken of throughout their marriage, and after lots of research and planning and list-making (as only Katie can) they have decided to adopt internationally, specifically from Ethiopia. I am incredibly excited about this prospect for two reasons.

The first reason is perhaps the most obvious--I cannot wait to be an aunt. And I could not be more excited for Katie and Michael to be parents. The thought of finally getting to meet my niece or nephew is thrilling. The second reason is really the whole point of me writing this. Adoption, andinternational adoption in particular, is an enormous expense. So, I have started a project to hopefully assist them with the funding.

I have created some artwork which is available as prints and greetingcards at etsy.com. Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade goods and such, and we are thrilled to be apart of this community. We decided to title our shop Project 8256 (or, project8256 if you are searching forus in etsy) -- because there are roughly 8,256 milesbetween Oklahoma City and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Now, here’s where it gets really exciting: We had originally intended to put 100% of the profits raised from the project into an adoption fund. While creating the artwork used in the project, however, it became painfully clear that there is more that could be done. More that needs to be done. The statistics on orphans in Africa are absolutely staggering. It is truly a crisis--an immense one. While that is partly what drew Katie and Michael to Ethiopia, they are very realistic about the fact that they are really only making the tiniest of dents. This project is a way for us to do a little bit more.

So instead, 100% of the profits will be divided between an adoption fund for Katie and Michael and for AHOPE For Children. AHOPE (African HIV Orphans: Project Embrace) is an orphanage in Ethiopia that not only provides medical and housing needs to children infected with HIV, but it also provides counseling and education (which includes music, dance and art lessons!). We are extremely excited to be able to give financially to this organization, and my employer will match what is donated to AHOPE, dollar for dollar.

So, should you be interested, here’s what you can do:

1. Check out the shop at project8256.etsy.com. We will try to update periodically so if you don’t see something you like, check back.

2. Spread the word. Please tell your family, friends,co-workers and so on about what we are doing. Forward this email on if you’d like.

3. Keep Katie and Michael (as well as the children ofAfrica) in your thoughts and prayers. If you are interested in more information, here’s where you just might find some:

Katie’s website is www.journeyfromethiopia.com

I have started a blog, which can be found at

project8256.blogspot.com

Thank you all so much for your support. I hope youare all doing well and finding yourselves blessed.

Much, much love,

Amy Coldren