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This week, Eloise and I caught Story Time at Barnes and Noble. We had a really fun morning in the cheerful children’s department, listening to a few fun stories and perusing a ton of other books. I’m admittedly obsessed with books, for adults and for children, and it’s fun to see that same love growing in Ellie. We had finally whittled our selection to take home with us down to just a few books when another one caught my eye. What do you do with an idea? might be a little bit over Ellie’s head…but it sure strikes a chord with me.

Reading it takes me back 7 years. To the time when the idea of running my own photography business suddenly, spontaneously popped into my head. It reminds me of the nervous excitement that the idea brought with it. The idea was almost too good to be true.  I hugged it tight and didn’t let it go. It always felt right. I had found my nook in the world. A missing part of me that I never knew existed. And after all of these years (how are there suddenly so many years in between that moment and now?), I still feel so grateful for that nugget of an idea that has blossomed into one of the most surprising and fulfilling parts of my life.

* “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” said Confucious…and Mike’s Grandpa King. Two very wise men.

*Bookstores. Yes, there is an argument for e-readers. (I’m quickly running out of space as I hold out for my floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in a future home library). And, yes, also an argument for ordering books on Amazon. (So much cheaper?). But there is also something so incredibly pleasant and calming about book stores. Don’t believe me? Check out Powells the next time you’re in Portland, Oregon or The Book Loft in Columbus, Ohio, and then try to tell me your life isn’t a little bit happier. Those places are MAGIC.

* “No, YOU’RE the best!” Ellie and I have a new little game. She says, “Mommy, you’re the BEST!” and gives me a huge hug. You can imagine what line comes next. Can I just bottle these moments and save them for a rainy day? Nothing compares.

How can this not be the brightest, most random, fun gold star of my week?! Since we adopted Dorey nearly five years ago, Urban Pooch Canine Life Center has been our favorite place in the city for grooming, boarding, and doggie daycare needs. The facility is state-of-the-art, the services are convenient and reasonable, and the people there are just the best. They love Dorey like she is their own and go above and beyond to give her the best care possible. And, as if that’s not enough, they sometimes offer random events and treats for the neighborhood community. Like free caricatures of your pups. We couldn’t resist, and stopped by during our family morning walk last Saturday. The artist, Marlene, asked whether we wanted Eloise to be included in the sketch. (Heck, yeah!) She asked what Eloise was into these days (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse). Mike and I were shocked and delighted at how well Marlene captured them, for as much as Ellie and Dorey were moving around. So much fun.

*Urban Pooch. For all of the above reasons and more.

*Spring has sprung! Taking walks, hitting the playground, having afternoon picnics in our front yard, shopping for beach and summer clothes, anticipating all of the warm-weather city fests and events. Oh yeah…THIS is why we love living here so much! After long, hard winters, it’s always so pleasant to remember how amazing Chicago is in the summer time.

*Photos! With the start of the nice weather comes the start of my “busy season.” My favorite outdoor locations…Lincoln Park, Olive Park, Winnemac Park, Montrose Harbor…are all starting to look lush and beautiful again. I’m just itching to get behind the camera more this year and am so excited about the sessions I have lined up so far. Can’t wait to share some new photos of my beautiful little clients with you soon.

Ever since we lost Hannah, I haven’t been able to have flowers in the house. I used to love them. A little bit a sunshine to brighten our space. But lately I haven’t been able to see flowers as anything but condolences. Sad reminders of the worst time of our life. This week, I happened upon some pretty pink and yellow tulips at Trader Joes. They looked sweet and cheerful, and they jogged a memory of another very special bouquet.

It was a Thursday afternoon last June, two weeks after Hannah’s 20-week ultrasound and Spina Bifida diagnosis. We were all waiting on pins and needles for bloodwork to come back to determine whether Hannah would have mental handicaps in addition to her physical ones. “Living Hell” doesn’t come close to describing those 14 days. My phone finally rang…I couldn’t breathe…then my doctor gave me the best news we could have gotten. “Her brain is fine, Jen. The tests are absolutely normal.” It was a rare occurrence…most times with Spina Bifida there are some brain abnormalilies. So it gave us hope. “You’ve got this, Hannah. We’ll get you through this.” I felt a renewed strength. So much joy flooded through me. We needed to celebrate.

I called my mom and asked her to meet me and Eloise for frozen yogurt. It was a lovely, sunny day so we walked to Lincoln Square. They were having a Farmers Market, and as we meandered through it, I saw a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen. Peonies. They were light pink, fragile and delicate, but so full and fresh. They 100% symbolized my baby girl. The baby girl who I already knew so well. Sweet and strong. Bringing that bouquet home was like brining Hannah home. Just like that, she was forever a member of our family. For as long as I live, I will associate peonies with my Hannah. And they will always make me happy.

So, I bought the tulips this week. It was an experiment. Can I handle this? Or will even tulips be way too emotional and end up crushing me? When I brought them home, Eloise was delighted. “Aw, you didn’t have to bring me flowers! I love them so much!” She hasn’t stopped talking about how much she loves “her flowers.”

Oh, my girls. I love you both so much.

*Easter Surprises. I am still smiling about what a sweet day our Easter Sunday turned out to be. There was nothing better than seeing Ellie’s joy as she raced around our house in her pajamas, finding eggs and her basket. We dressed up, went to Church, and I found my own surprise. Fr. John’s sermon really touched a chord with me. It was personal and perfect. Our Church community is truly a special place. Loving, accepting, down-to-earth. After mass, they threw a really well-thought-out egg hunt for the kids, complete with an appearance by the Easter Bunny and a toy raffle. Ellie made us all laugh when she passed up all of the adorable stuffed animal options and instead chose a big, plastic beach toy shaped like an alligator. “Chompy,” of course, came to brunch with us, which was a lovely, lively, yummy time. It is the first time in just about a year that we were visited by that festive but relaxed, contented and peaceful feeling. It felt great that we were able to experience that feeling again.

*Go, Eloise, Go! While her Coach, her “team mates,” and, of course, her adoring parents cheered her on, Eloise kicked her first goal at soccer class. All the way up the field, all by herself. It. Was. AWESOME! So proud of my “Lil’Kicker.”

*Wrinkles Puppy Returns. He was my favorite stuffie growing up. From the time my mom bought me Wrinkles Puppy, he was my go-to guy. He even went away to college with me. When Eloise was a baby, I always had him in her nursery, watching over her. This week, Ellie’s been fighting a cold and has been clingier than normal with me, at bed time, especially. Last night, I tucked her in with Wrinkles, and told her mommy’s old favorite toy would cuddle with her when I couldn’t. For the first night all week, she didn’t call me in a million times for cuddles and she slept soundly through the night. And I had to smile when I checked on Ellie and saw her hugging Wrinkles tight. Such an unexpectedly sweet moment.