Two years ago today, my life changed forever. It was a Monday, I had just had a great weekend with Steve at Eureka Springs, AR celebrating our anniversary. Little did I know that it would also be our last weekend as a family of three.

I was sitting at my desk at work. At around 3:00 in the afternoon I received “the call.” I was asked if I would be interested in taking a 6 week old red-headed baby girl named Isabella. That’s all the agency knew about her at the time. My heart jumped into my chest. I wanted to scream into the phone, “Are you kidding me, of course, yes, yes!”

But it was not that easy. You see, I knew I had to talk to Steve about it. We were foster parents, and this was intended to be only a temporary placement. I had to talk to Steve to see if he wanted to do this too. The original plan was for us to take care of Isabella and love her until it was safe for her to return home. I knew sending her off to her family would tear my heart out, (I had been through something similar before) but I also knew we would be able to help her by providing a stable, loving home. After calling Steve and discussing it, he said it was up to me. I called the agency back and said, “Yes, we’ll take her.” Two hours later she was in my arms. I couldn’t believe what a beautiful angel I was holding. I was instantly in love. As soon as she was in Steve’s arms, I could tell she had him wrapped around her finger already. Watching them two, I was amazed at how such a tiny little thing could melt a big guy’s heart. And I also knew, I was already going to be dying inside when it was time for her to go. But I knew I couldn’t think about that right then. I just needed to enjoy the time we had together.

Well, as time went on, it was becoming more apparent that Isabella was not going to be able to safely return home. We were asked if we would be Isabella’s adoptive parents. We were absolutely honored to be her forever family! Little did I know two years ago today that I had my forever daughter in my arms. I am so blessed and so thankful for her!

This is Isabella the day we brought her home.

This is Isabella and Daddy a couple months ago. She has grown so much since she came to us!

Mommy gets a chance to kiss on Isabella!

It is amazing to see how much she has grown!

Isabella loves bubbles! She has been trying to learn how to blow them herself, but she had not quite been able to figure it out…until now. The other day, we were outside playing with bubbles. I started blowing them at her and she would run through them and giggle. (Which is the sweetest sound, by the way.) I love to see her smile light up as she is playing in those bubbles. She wanted to try blowing them herself. She usually takes her turn trying to blow them, but normally just ends up with “bubble juice” all over her and spittles running everywhere. But we tried it anyway. Here she is getting ready for her first blow.

She didn’t have much luck.

But that didn’t phase her, she was happy to try again.

So she tried and tried and tried.

And then she tried again, but, this time was different, this time, with just a little practice, she was able to get a few bubbles out all by herself. She was so proud!

And when we were all done, she still had “bubble juice” all over her. But it was all worth it! She has blown her first bubbles!!