I know God exists because in a world of 7 billion people, I was lucky enough to meet and marry Nate. He has never failed to open the door for a woman or give his seat up on a monorail. Nate believes trees should be climbed and shopping carts should be ridden. Put a nephew in a laundry basket, and it becomes a space rover exploring the moon, and he’s frequently the guest of honor at our niece’s tea parties. Basically, I married my favorite Disney character, Peter Pan… But only if Peter cleaned toilets and did all of the laundry, too. <3
It is with great, great joy that I share on today of all days that this great man of mine is finally going to be a father…
WE’RE ADOPTING! <3
I’ve started this blog post a million times and the only common thread between my million drafts has been the huge smile on my face as I write them!! :)
We have roots in adoption on both sides of our families and always knew that regardless of our ability to conceive, we wanted to bring a baby home through adoption. Our journey to parenthood kept getting delayed for one reason or another (I’m looking at you, Tennessee and gallbladder surgery!) All it took was Nate asking, “What do you think about adopting?” over lunch one day to change our lives forever.
It’s hard to believe that last August we were deciding whether we’d adopt domestically or internationally and learning the intricacies involved in open vs. closed adoptions. In September, I would have told you with complete confidence we’d be adopting from Africa or China. Imagine our surprise when after a month of exhausting research, we were signing with a domestic agency for an open adoption!
I’m excited to share the more beautiful details of our adventure so far… And let me tell you, it has been an ADVENTURE. God has been showing off left and right. It’s with tears in my eyes that I write that we already have a promising match and I really, truly feel in my heart that I’ve sat in the same room as our to-be-born baby. <3
But with all the joys and excitement of adoption comes the scarier and unknown parts too. It’s for that reason that we’ll keep most details between us and our families until we bring our baby home. But just know an amazing story is unfolding and I’m already documenting it for future blog posts I hope to share once we’re parents!
Want to help?
As soon as we started sharing our exciting news with friends and family, we were floored and humbled by how many people’s first reactions were “How can we help?!” Our baby isn’t here yet and we already feel blessed by the amazing village who already loves him or her so much.
If you’re interested, we put together a small list of ways you can help us between now and baby-time!
- Prayers, pixie dust, happy thoughts, best wishes. We need all the love and good ju-ju we can muster! <3
- If you know someone who is engaged, let them know about our photography! We’re already so thankful for any referrals, but this will increase 10 fold once we’re parents. Yay for being self employed! <3
- This also goes for anyone who needs family photos or anniversary photos! ;)
- We’ve never, ever made prints of our Disney art photos available for purchase. To help with our adoption fees, we’ll be offering them for sale for a *very* limited time. You can view our Disney store front here, and also check out prints from some of our other favorite trips.
- We’ll be running wedding and portrait print sales between now and baby. I’ve been dragging my feet on starting a newsletter but it’s been on my mind this year. Until we start emailing promotions to you directly, keep checking back at the Root Photography blog and Facebook page for any announcements on specials.
- Share this page! (Or even the link below.) :)
- If none of the above applies to you, a family member set up a Go Fund Me page for us. We wouldn’t be starting this adventure if we couldn’t afford it, but that doesn’t mean we’re too proud to accept a little help. It turns out adopting babies is expensive! ;) If you’d like to skip your Starbucks for a day and donate $5, we’d be honored. We were strongly opposed to fundraising when we began, but my heart has been reminded over and over again that these things take a village. That’s nothing to be ashamed of if it makes life a little easier as we transition to our new roles of Mom and Dad.
“Mom and Dad.” Oh my goodness. <3
Congrats, Jensey and Nate!! So excited for y’all ❤️
I’m am happy dance, pee my pants, pop the champs excited for you guys!!! I can not wait to follow along on this amazing journey! Congratulations!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I am so excited for you two (three!) I’ll be in touch about a session this fall when we’re in town!
First… We are so so excited for you.
Also, I have baby stuff to give away. Let me know when you want to come and get it :)
So happy for y’all! Can’t picture a better set of parents! Best of luck <3
I’m smiling from ear to ear! What wonderful news, and what wonderful parents you’re going to be!
Oh my goodness…you and Nate will be the BEST parents!! Very thrilled for you all!
Prayers and pixie dust! You will BOTH be amazing parents!
<3 Aaron and I are so excited for you!!! Quite fitting announcement for Father's Day :)
I am so so so happy for you both! We’re planning a trip to the West Palm area for late October/early November and really want to schedule a family session with you so we’d be more than happy to help in that way :) :)
This is very exciting, indeed! Congrats on this journey. I can’t wait to see you guys as parents, even if it’s just through photos. :-)
We’ll definitely be contacting you for a family session either in the Fall or Spring, as we’re expecting in September. (I’ve been dreaming of a Root family session. ❤️)
Please make sure the e-mail address you send specials to is the one listed here, not our wedding e-mail! :-)
Aww you guys!!! This post has me all teary. What amazing news! You can totally tell you were made to be parents and I’m so happy that you’re finally getting a chance at the adventure. Sending you all the Pixiedust for good news soon. Congratulations to you both. <3 P.S. How cool that you announce this on Fathers Day as m husband and I were watching the "I love Lucy" season where she's having a baby too. :D
This make my heart burst with happiness! You two are just the greatest and that is going to be one lucky and blessed child!
I am so excited for you guys, I had to pop over to the blog to leave another comment – your exciting news has actually been a topic of conversation in our house! I hope you all know what a positive impression you’ve made on the world through your photography and your spirits!! Baby Root is a lucky one indeed!!
oh my gosh. I HAVE TEARS!!! you guys are going to be the most incredible parents and i am so so so so so thrilled and excited for you!!!!! congratulations!!!! i cannot wait for more updates!
Congratulations to all three of you! This is so exciting, and as someone who hopes to be a foster mom someday, I always love to hear about other families who have come together through alternative channels.
I couldn’t think of a better pair of humans better equipped to be parents. You two bring so much joy and love to everything you do and that little baby is going to be the luckiest baby alive. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart, and I can’t wait to congratulate you in person and give bone crushing hugs in October. <3
I am beyond giddy and all warm and fuzzy inside at this news! Congratulations! Can’t wait to follow your journey. <3
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