Natalie and Jay, American Intended Parent in Ogden, Utah, USA

Explain your reasons for wanting a surrogate/donor:

Our children were born in 2008 and 2010. We are sadly unable to have our own children anymore due to an emergency hysterectomy required after the birth of our daughter. This left us devastated, as we desired at least four children, but we are grateful Natalie is still alive and able to care for our children. We have been foster parents and have looked into adoption. There was heartache associated with both these options due to the uncertainty we faced. It was so difficult to grow so attached only to have things fall through in the end. These experiences have funneled us into the realm of surrogacy, and we know it is the right move for us. We are so sure of it that we already have a handful of embryos ready for transfer.

How would you best describe yourself(s):

We have been married since 2007. Our life circumstances have continually improved and we are a well-established family living very happily and comfortably, though our hearts, like our home, are still just a little empty. At this point in our lives, this is how we are choosing to grow our family. Jay is the main provider for our family. He is currently the Vice President of Quality at a nutritional supplement manufacturing company based in Layton, Utah and is a stellar provider. He graduated from high school in 2001 and serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the beautiful land of Greece. He received his bachelor's degree in microbiology in 2008 and earned his master's degree in public health in 2012. His most prominent characteristic is his patience. He is also professional, driven, and hard-working. He adores children and has always wanted to be a father. When he was asked at the age of five what he wanted to be when he grew up, he replied, "I want to be a dad." That has never changed, and his an excellent father. Jay enjoys working in the yard, playing guitar, cooking, reading, teaching his kids new things, and traveling. Natalie graduated high school in 2005. She attended college on and off for ten years while she raised two babies and managed the home while Jay completed graduate school and worked full-time to provide for the family. She graduated magna cum laude with her bachelor's degree in Athletic Training in 2015, beautifully balancing family life and school life. While she is a licensed athletic trainer, she prefers a more family-friendly job and is a school bus driver for the schools our children attend. Her favorite part of the job is getting to see her students every day and helping make their day a little brighter, but also really enjoys the time it gives her with her own children in the summer, over holidays, in the evenings and on weekends. Natalie enjoys writing, reading, having a clean home, volunteering at the kids' schools, and sometimes playing video games. Our son C is 14 years old and is active and friendly. He is very independent and has great ambitions to travel the world after becoming a commercial airline pilot. Our daughter E is a sweet, positive young lady of 12 years. She is more than eager to take care of a baby or two and is already planning on learning how to change diapers, make up bottles, and put them to bed. Both children do well in school and have grown to be good people. We know we can raise great kids based on our experience with these two! We are confident that any more children we have will be just as wonderful as their older brother and sister are. We love to travel! Together, we have visited multiple countries and gone on many adventures. We all like to ski, go boating/waterskiing, scuba dive, hike, and play music together. We are all hoping to travel to Europe in the next few years.

Use this space to communicate a letter to potential Surrogates/Donors:

In the process of seeking a gestational carrier on our own, we know it is a very difficult choice for some women to make. We have been searching since April 2022 for a woman to be the "oven" to one or more of our "buns." In the process of searching, we have learned a few things: 1. This is a very difficult favor to ask, even if the party being asked is financially compensated. 2. It takes a unique, special woman to be in the position to do this for another family. Pregnancy was very easy and enjoyable for me. I loved carrying and nursing my babies and, even at 42 weeks with my daughter, I was very happy and had no issues. My experience is not the common one among our circle of acquaintences, however. The act of pregnancy is so special but also carries with it inconveniences--inconveniences which are much easier to assume if you know you're growing your own family. I know carrying a baby for someone else cannot be an easy task. Bless you for pursuing this endeavor and seeking to give another family the fulfillment of raising a child that, genetically, is theres. Rest assured that any child borne to us via third party will be deeply valued and loved--this is based on empirical evidence . We have two excellent children and strongly desire more of our own genetic children. They are beautiful, healthy, and stable. We have been great parents and are proud to say we have a solid relationship with each other and the kids as well.