Jessilyn & Damon

We want to share a glimpse into our lives and the adventures we cherish as a couple, in hopes that it resonates with the dreams you have for your child’s future. As avid adventurers, my wife and I find joy in exploring the great outdoors through hiking and biking. Whether it’s discovering local trails or embarking on scenic routes around the country, we believe in the power of discovering nature. Music is another passion that fuels our souls. We love attending live local performances and find these events inspire magic and wonder. We truly love music of every genre! Traveling is not just a hobby for us; it’s a way of life. We treasure the opportunities to experience different cultures, taste new cuisines, and create connections with people from all walks of life. In all our adventures, we carry a deep appreciation for life’s moments, both big and small. We envision sharing these experiences with your child, nurturing their sense of wonder, and supporting their interests as they grow.

Building traditions into our marriage has been of utmost important for us. Some of our favorite traditions have become: 1. Annually hosting a family-friendly party at our house for St. Patrick’s Day 2. Cutting a slice of our annnual christmas tree trunk to save and decorate! (and add to our collection) 3. Incorporating all of our pets -- chickens and all! - into our annual holiday card 4. Visiting the Florida Keys, where we got married, for our wedding anniversaries

Jessilyn’s Family - While my immediate family is just the four of us -- my mom, dad, and my older sister -- I come from a big extended family. My mom’s side of the family being a very large (and loud!) Italian family from the suburbs of Chicago and my dad’s side of the family being a bit smaller (but also loud!) French Canadian family rooted in Florida. My sister and I have really nurtured the relationships with our female cousins the most -- our kids will have lots of loving ‘Aunties’! My parents taught us the value of family, hard work, education, and integrity. Neither of my parents went to college. They worked incredibly hard to give my sister and I a better future and impressed the importance of education being the ‘ticket out’ -- we both graduated from law school. We certainly have our fair share of family squabbles but family remains at the very core of our life. Absolutely nothing comes before family. Damon’s Family - I grew up in a fun supportive and loving environment in a suburb of Dallas, TX. My father was in education as a teacher and later as a principal. My mother stayed at home and also worked part-time jobs. My house was the place to be growing up. We were always playing basketball, cards, and video games while my mom made her famous chocolate chip cookies. I am the oldest and my two sisters have three and four children. When we are all together it is madness and I love it. These are some of my favorite times of life.

Our pets are a HUGE part of our life. They are our furbabies. We can’t wait to introduce them to our children. We know it will be fun for the kids and also teach them very important life lessons about responsibility, unconditional love, and, even, loss. Mojo is an eleven-year-old blue heeler who is smart, very loyal, and the best snuggler around. Lola is a four-year-old Jack Russell/Terrier who is loving, mischievous, and full of personality. Sir Belvedere is a fifteen-year-old Persian cat with a quirky, playful personality. We have four, fun chickens in our backyard --Betty, Ashley, Autumn, and MJ. Fresh eggs are a part of our daily meals!

We must say, we absolutely love our home and our neighborhood! We still pinch ourselves when we go for walks (several times a week!). We live in a historic and charming community, and it really has a sense of warmth and community spirit. It’s a place where families gather at local parks, children play together outdoors, and there’s a sense of unity that fosters a safe and nurturing environment. We enjoy exploring the local cafes and eateries, where we savor delicious meals and embrace the rich blend of traditions and flavors that define this part of Texas. Whenever our nephews and nieces are over, we walk down to the end of the street for donuts! From community events to cultural festivals, there’s always something exciting happening that celebrates the culture and diversity of the area. Our neighborhood means so much to us because of all the cherished memories and forged meaningful connections. We are excited about the possibility of sharing this loving community with children, providing them with a home filled with love, laughter, and endless opportunities to explore and flourish.

1. Damon was inducted into his college’s Athletic Hall of Fame for his excellence in coaching and playing volleyball -- one of his life’s passions. 2. He has dabbled in standup comedy. At his peak, he was headlining in Dallas and even did a few shows in China! 3. Damon was born on Christmas Day!

Damon is the most relentlessly optimistic human I have ever met. He’s the kind of person who believes that there will be a parking space left when there is absolutely none in sight and all of a sudden a front-row spot just shows up! It’s that exact optimism and support that has kept me believing that the perfect match for our family is out there just waiting for us as we are waiting for them. He has been a math teacher for many years as well as a volleyball coach. He has made an impact on so many young adult lives through both of these avenues. He’s truly passionate about volleyball, as a player and a coach. Damon believes deeply in the lessons that athletics and competition teaches children - commitment, collaboration, resilience, grit, and so much more. Damon has also tried his hand at standup comedy! I may be biased -- but he’s actually pretty funny! This hobby of his showcases his creativity and ability to not take life too seriously. Damon is an incredible uncle to 9 nieces and nephews. They absolutely adore ‘Uncle D’. He is the kind of Uncle who practices volleyball with his niece on the sand courts, tutors his nephew in math, and on the ground building trains and legos with the kids. He will be a fun-loving father who is hands-on playing with his kids and coaching them through all of life’s ups and downs. A child will be lucky to call him ‘dad’.

1. Jessilyn lived in 18 houses in 4 different states by the time she was 18 years old. Her parents liked to move a LOT. It was tough as a child but taught her how to be adaptable. 2. She is incredibly close with her sister who is only 1.5 years older than her and whose name is Jennilyn! 3. Jessilyn was born on Mother’s Day!

From the moment I met Jessilyn, it was obvious she was not just a dynamic personality, but a force of nature. We met randomly and she was entertaining my large friend group almost immediately. Jessilyn transforms every room she is in with her enthusiasm and zest for life. This is most apparent when she is interacting with one of our nine nieces and nephews. She is so genuinely happy to see them that she is an immediate favorite. Their faces light up when they see Aunt Jess, even if it is only on FaceTime. She amazes me with her ability to get things done. She has worked as a lawyer, on a presidential campaign and is currently a vice president of one of the largest banks in the world. She is beloved by those that work for and with her, a testament to her compassion for others and hard work. In recent years, Jessilyn’s commitment to her friends and her passion for children has turned her into everyone’s favorite babysitter. She also puts this passion to work as a volunteer leader in the Dallas CASA charity, an organization that looks after children that are in the foster care system. In all of these scenarios, her thoughtfulness stands out. She is the person that always has special activities planned for visiting children, small gifts, and toys to let them know that she loves them. I am lucky to have a chance to team with her to raise a child and can’t wait to do so.