An Open Letter to Harps

Regarding a store in Arkansas, Click here for a link to the story.

Dear Harps,

Are you kidding me? Why in the hell are you using the "Family Shield" on your US Weekly magazine this week? Are you trying to protect my children from seeing what LOVE looks like? Are you trying to protect them from what a FAMILY looks like? I assure you, my kids are well aware that two men can have a baby together. So you aren't protecting them from anything. You are just coming off as another Homophobic business.

I don't usually buy US Weekly, but I bought this issue for the SOLE purpose of sharing it with my 4, 7 and 9 year old children . . . to use it as a teachable moment about what a FAMILY can look like and of course, about Surrogacy and giving. Not to mention, how do I know that my kids are going to be straight? I like to share images of couples together, regardless of gender, so that once they figure out who they are and who they're attracted to, they will have seen that there are possibilities and it's not always just one way. That they won't go through their lives thinking one way is "better" than the other or that there is only one way to be.

So, NO THANK YOU. My family doesn't need you to protect us from this. And for the customers who complained, how about you tell them, "It is 2011", because it seems to me they think it's 1951 and maybe give them the number to PFLAG, in case their kids come out later. With views like that, if they end up being gay, those kids are going to need all the support that can find.

Glad that I shop at Safeway,

Kelly Rummelhart

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I will post about the article too, but maybe later. Figure I might as well since I bought it.

Has My Uterus Has Been Snubbed?

I think my Uterus has been snubbed but I have decided not to take it personally. Instead I'm going to investigate.

It all started this morning when I got my copy of EW magazine. There is a great article/cover on Gay Teens on TV. It got me thinking about the presence of the GLBT community in the media in general, which then got me thinking about the GLAAD Media Awards . . . which then got me wondering . . . How in the HELL has my uterus never won a GLAAD award? Sure, sure, someone needs to submit an entry on my uterus' behalf, which I guess, is the problem.

You know me, you know my uterus. It is strong, passionate and able to carry multiple babies at one time! It is a Super Hero of sorts. (A future post will discuss it's powers . . . complete with its Rainbow Cape!)

So, 2 sets of twins in 2 years for 2 different Gay Couples! My followers, friends and surrogate agency, Growing Generations, know that my Uterus, up to this point, has been pretty exclusive . . . being Gay has been a pre-requisite. A few people have considered my Uterus to be a bit Homosexist, some may venture to say Heterophobic!

Hell! If I decide to do a third journey, and you're straight & looking to use me as a surrogate, I've decided on the following criteria . . . because "Having a gay friend will not cut it".

You must have/be at least 3 of the following (if you're straight):

* Posed for the NOH8 campaign

* Worked along side several GLBT people for an extended amount of time

* Been Cast in RENT ( Maureen or Collins gets extra points)

* Your Name is Kathy Griffin or Margaret Cho

* You know what the letters in HRC, GLAAD, GLSEN, and PFLAG stand for

* You have donated time or money to The Trevor Project

* Created your own It Gets Better Video

* YOU have 2 Dads or Moms

* Have The Next Family, After Elton or Greg in Hollywood bookmarked on your computer.

Some of you may think I'm not being serious, but you know what, I kind of am. I entered the realm of Surrogacy in October of 2007 and started my blog March of 2008. I have fought for "Gay Rights" since the early 90's and am not going to stop now. So, I think it's okay to be a bit picky about who I decide to help.

After all, it's my body and I can do whatever I want with it . . . I just think holding a GLAAD award would totally bring out my uterus.

Three Months Has Flown By!

Guess What? Three months ago I gave birth to the Wonder Twins. Can you believe that? What I can't believe is that I still haven't posted pictures. I haven't shared my pictures of Harper and Gideon because parts of my journey, was and continues to be, just for us. I have to be totally honest and tell you it is hard to go from being so open about everything to keeping some things private . . . but I get it and will kindly oblige. If George and Sanj had asked me to not post pictures or not share our memories, I would've gladly followed their wishes as well. Now, with that being said, I figure pictures that the Neil and David share on television (not pictures that the media snaps without consent) are "up for grabs", so I might as well post them here too so my readers can see how big and beautiful my surro babies are getting.

So, here are a few pictures that Neil shared when he co-hosted Live! with Regis and Kelly this last week. I especially love the fact that over half of the pictures had items (outfits & hats) that I gave them. Yay Babies! Here is a picture that someone put online of the 5 pictures. However, they aren't as clear as they were on TV. I do have my own (clear) copies of some of the pictures shared, but would feel weird putting those up. I know it sounds stupid since they are the same but these ones Neil actually shared.



If you want, you can watch the opening of the show HERE. FYI- at 3:51 is when the pictures are shown . . . again, they are bigger and more clear on the video, not to mention you get to enjoy Kelly and Neil's comedy.

Now, I can't just show off one set of twins . . . . . Here are Natasha and Anjali shopping with Appah (Sanj) at Trader Joes last weekend. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! (wait for it, it takes a little time to load I guess)


After their second birthday, the girls traded in their binkies for bike helmets! Apparently, they LOVE them and like to wear them all the time . . . while playing, sleeping, bathing and eating :)

Who says you have to be riding a bike to be rockin' a bike helmet?!

My New Year's Resolutions

I noticed most bloggers did an end of the year post. Ooops! Guess I didn't get the memo in time. Actually, I've been a little busy. Between working at Ruby Q's, a New Year's Weekend Trip to Seattle and loving all the pictures of the babies/family in People Magazine (more on that later) . . . my mind has been elsewhere. So, to make it up, I figured I'd share my New Year's Resolution Resolutions.

* Get back into shape. Whether I do a third journey or not, I need to get this body back in shape. Back to back twins can do a number on your body . . . so can not being "thin" in 9 years. So, whether it's for myself, for a future surro pregnancy or both, I need to get off my ass and start working out. My Uterus is a Magic Fountain, but my body is my Temple. And my temple needs a lot of work! :)

* Read More. I used to be an avid reader but with a boutique, teaching, three kids and a television addiction, reading isn't in the cards. I am making a promise to myself to read more this year and hopefully, for life.

* Drink More Water. I do a great job of drinking lots of water when I'm pregnant but not so much all the time . . . that is until 2011. This would be a perfect time, since I don't have to pee every five minutes anymore.

* Get Hired as one of the 12 Days of Giveaways Elves on Ellen next year. It would be fun to be in the audience and get everything, but I'd love to dance on the stage in an elf outfit . . . "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year . . ."

* Find a literary agent/publisher for my Surrogacy Book idea. Need help on this one, don't even know where to start.

* Reach 200 Followers for my blog! As of today I have 113. I'll need help on this one too . . . so feel free to share my blog and tell them to start at the beginning, March of 2008. (See Blog Archive by Month/Year to the right under the Map).

* Reach 50,000 hits. As of today I'm at 27,759. Again, I'll need your help here :)

* Figure out why the Kardashians are/continue to be famous.

I think it's all doable. Well, except for Kardashian thing . . . we may never have the answer for that. Usually once I put my mind to something, I do it. So First stop to more followers and hits . . . post to Twitter. Here I go! :)