I am so excited to have Deanna and Steve on the blog today. Deanna and I go way back. We used to teach together many moons ago. I am a speech language pathologist and she was an educator for the deaf. We worked very closely together and I miss seeing her smiling face everyday. Ultimately she found her true calling and now teaches preschool were she teaches young minds academics and the love of the Lord.

Deanna and Steve love the outdoors. They love to hike, love the water and generally just love the great outdoors. Deanna is even known to climb a tree or too so we had to get some tree shots. This park was made for them and we were even able to catch a few trees with leaves. Sadly most have already fallen to the ground but that did not phase the Carlsens.

Deanna and Steve’s love story started four years ago when they were set up by a mutual friend. Their friend hit the jack pot cause Steve and Deanna are perfect for each other! They have been married for two years now and still act like newlyweds. Steve and Deanna have decided to journey into parenthood via adoption. I am so excited for them to find their baby that God will send to them. They are looking high and low and I just know they will be the most amazing parents. They wanted to do an adoption photoshoot and I could not be more excited to photograph their session for them. They brought a sign with the word “HOPE” on it. It fits their journey to a “T.” They are the most faithful and hopeful people I know. They have so much love to share with a child. They brought several adoption books, a handmade baby quilt and a very special teddy bear made out of one of Steve’s dad’s shirts. The teddy bear is extra special since Steve’s dad is smiling down on them from Heaven.

The path through adoption has been tricky and not without heartache. So far everything has been difficult. In fact the original session date had to be rescheduled as there were tornado warnings that day and their family did have a tornado touch down by them. I feel the tornados have been par for course for these two on this journey. They will not give up and they will persevere!

Thank you Deanna and Steve for letting me capture this special time in your lives. Deanna you may not be showing but you are definitely glowing. Love you guys!

Enjoy a few snapshots of their adoption announcement session!