Three Things I Didn't Expect to Learn in 2014 (Part III)

Achondro...what?

I've had this post sitting in my draft folder for over a week, and honestly, I don't even know how to start. For some reason I've felt like I need to convey EVERYTHING I've learned about achondroplasia this year. Or that I need to tell a detailed story about how we ultimately found out that Otto had dwarfism. But, today I realized that I don't. I'm sure over time I'll come to share those things, but not now.

Today, I simply want to say that six months ago I learned that hearing my son cry in the delivery room was one of the greatest sounds in the world. I never expected to feel so completely happy and at peace when I heard his first screams.

I learned a lot [A LOT!] about achondroplasia and its medical "complications" and special considerations in 2014, but I think what I really learned is that some of life's best lessons are those least expected.

and then there were four...

Three Things I Didn't Expect to Learn in 2014 (Part II)

The More, the Merrier

I feel I need to acknowledge that I realize 2014 has been over for a week now. And, I know most people do their year-end wrap ups in December, reserving the first part of January for things like resolutions, goals setting and fresh starts. For whatever reason, I wasn't able to get my reflections together until now, so you'll just have to bear with me.

Alas, my second learning of 2014 that I never expected has nothing to do with more people at gatherings, but rather, the amount of work [like, REAL work] I take on during the day.

In 2012, I stepped away from a dream job in order to free up my evenings and weekends and spend time with my growing family. In April, I had the opportunity to leave my job at the high school for a position in athletics with my alma mater. Through each of these moves, my job duties and responsibilities decreased...not exactly the promotions that most seek.

I assured myself that I was happy because my job was allowing me to do what I loved most in life, be with my family. I don't have to worry about that project I wasn't able to finish or that dreaded email I was expecting. Except that it's not all I imagined.

I've learned that when it comes my professional life, I prefer more. In fact, the more work I have to do, the merrier I feel. Give me multiple projects and tight deadlines, plus a gorgeous notebook to keep track of it all, and my 9 to 5 life couldn't be better. More on how I plan to make that happen in 2015 at a later date...

image via flickr by  Marc-HongKong

Three Things I Didn't Expect to Learn in 2014 (Part I)

Coffee Shouldn't be Quick and Easy

Matt and I have always loved our coffee. In fact, our first one-on-one date was at a coffee shop. We enjoy trekking all over the Twin Cities [and the world, for that matter!] finding new shops and tasting new brews. At home, however, we have relied mostly on our Keurig single-cup brewer for our caffeine fix. Until now. 

In early December, our Keurig stopped working. No reason. It worked one minute and didn't the next. We descaled it, turned it off for days, talked to customer service for an hour, descaled it again. Nothing we did helped. I unplugged the machine, cleaned it up, and placed it in our closet [a purgatory of sorts before I have time take it to the electronic recycling center]. 

Our single-cup brewer was great. We could make a quick cup of coffee before heading to work without having to brew a full pot; we stopped dumping wasted coffee at the end of the day. We could have hot coffee in the afternoon within five minutes of deciding we wanted one. We could enjoy a drink and not have to clean up after ourselves. But, like I said, our single-cup brewer was great. 

Since giving up on our Keurig, I've pulled our coffee pot and espresso machine out of the closet [ironically, the same one where our dead Keurig currently rests]. And you know what? I've never loved coffee more. On the weekends, Matt and I sit and share an entire pot together. Or we craft homemade lattes and americanos. We compete with each other to see who can produce better crema on espresso shots. And, I'd like to think that I'll soon master latte art. It's a lot more work, but I'm okay with that. Coffee is so much more than just something to drink. It's an experience, a labor of love. And, like love, it shouldn't be quick and easy.

image via flickr by expresso-shots

Update: More reasons to kick your Keurig to the curb.