The Crazy Tolman Family: November 2008

It all started about one year ago. Ashton had been struggling with PICA and had a blood transfusion, he was finally feeling better and this grateful mother wanted to give back in some way because I felt so blessed. So many strangers had helped Ashton, from doctors and nurses to the strangers that donated blood so my baby could get better. Randy and I knew we were done having our own children, (I had gotten my tubes tied six months before that time) and I LOVE being pregnant....I know crazy. So as I searched the wonderful world of the Internet I came across surrogacy. And as Randy and I talked about it we felt so good about it. I first applied with a huge company....#1 in the nation based out of Boston....well they were way too big for me...I felt like a number and this was kinda a big deal for me. I found this company based in Star, Idaho.....and it felt so right. I am an Idaho girl and I need a company who gets my simple yet busy crazy life. Well after I was cleared medically on paper it did not take too long for me to be matched. I spoke with D on the phone first. Then I had to get clearance from a therapist to make sure I wasn't crazy. And yes I did pass that! V and D flew me and the owner of the company out to sunny southern Cali to meet them and get physical medical clearance from the doctor, this was in June. When I met D I knew at that moment I was going to have her baby. It was a little overwhelming to have such strong feelings about people I had just met. I felt as if I had known them my entire life. Now I was invested so much in them....Giving them another child so they could feel the completeness Randy and I feel with our children. Well between life, vacations, jobs, moving, and just plain timing we finally had the transfer on Monday November 17. Randy and I drove our children to Boise to stay with their AMAZING Aunt Becky and Uncle Paul while we were on this adventure. It was so nice to have our kids with someone who loves them so much and took care of them so well.....we all know black eyes happen!! really they do when you are 2!! or 3 or 4.......
We flew to Southern Cali on Sat night, had an amazing time Sunday eating the best food we have ever had with the best company. D arranged the best massage I have EVER had. I felt so pampered. Monday morning was the transfer. It was so smooth and easy...quite amazing if I may say so. After the transfer I had acupuncture, and as I was laying on this bed with needles in my back and legs I had the most amazing feeling come over me. I was right where I needed to be, right there in that moment. and it felt so good. After a year of searching for that feeling I finally received it. I am pretty sure I am pregnant right now and I can't wait to hand a beautiful healthy baby to V and D. We will find out next week for sure but in the mean time if you pray please pray for this family, if you don't then sent good thoughts out into the universe for this amazing family.

This picture is almost 3 years old and our Kunkel Clan has grown by 2 soon to be 3. But it was taken in front of our house in Clinton, Utah. Randy and I bought this home in Sept 2003 and sold in 5 years later this past week closing on my birthday. It was a sad and happy day. We are thrilled to have our house Sold yet it was so hard because I painted every wall in that house, I planted every bush and tree and every flower, I love this house and we had made it everything we wanted. We have been half heartedly looking at houses here and nothing is the same. I am glad it is not the house that makes a HOME and I will have yet another opportunity to put my magical touches on another house and make it our HOME.