Thankful to be home

I haven't mentioned much about the Kind Spring challenge I'm participating in but today's seemed worth mentioning. Today's challenge was to "List 10 things you are grateful for."

"Research shows that individuals who regularly take the time to practice gratitude experience more positive emotions, sleep better, and express more compassion and kindness towards others. The simple act of writing down what we are grateful for is a powerful way to practice acceptance and honor life's blessings. "

I've done the gratitude posts in the past and as always, I am thankful for my family and friends and that I have such a good life (I still fight the urge to say blessed here).

1. My immediate family

2. My extended family and getting to live near my niece 

3. Getting to go to cool places through work. Albuquerque was really beautiful and the sun was so bright. 

4. Having really amazing colleagues. I've said a lot in the past about my current department and how happy I am in my program. However, I have really great colleagues, mentors, and friends around the country. Going to conferences gives me a chance to catch up with some of them and hear the amazing things they are doing. It also gives me a opportunity to hear their advice on various research and career decisions.  

5. Our house and being somewhere safe, with a short commute, and being close to A's awesome school. I am very happy to be back home and really enjoyed my day with A.

6. That things are calming enough that I'm cooking again. My favorite new recipe is creamy chicken and wild rice soup (as I've said before but seriously, everyone should make it. This week. You can use rotisserie or poached chicken. The lemon is not optional. I add mushrooms.). 

7. Beautiful skies and warm January weather

8. E-library. Have I mentioned this one enough? This week I downloaded an audiobook to listen to back/forth from the airport. I checked out an audiobook from my phone. Downloaded for free. From my public library. Months later and I'm still amazed by this.

9. Good students

10. Weekends. It has taken me awhile to be thankful for weekends again but this morning I sat quietly coloring with A while she prattled on about random things and was quite thankful.

The first video reminds me of something you would see on America's Funniest Home Videos.