Thanks Giving...

     A little over a month has passed since I wrote last, and boy has there been a lot to happen since the start of my 25th year of life.  I'm home for the holidays, enjoying time with my family and friends, and it feels great to partake in a bit of  "r&r".
     After making my narrow escape from the wrath of hurricane Sandy,  I went straight to work on my beloved CMA Awards show in Nashville.  It felt great to be back working with my "adorable" CMA family (Carrie P. and Traci J. among my other wonderful "brothers and seesters"), and the show was stellar.
     Then, after 'wrapping' (ha, get it....) the CMA's, we dove headfirst into the holidays, taping "A Country Christmas", set to air in December, along with some pretty adorable little "elves" that added many a magical moment to the show.

      As for that list of "fabulous 5 challenges" I'm working towards, a progress report of such is as follows:

1. run a half-marathon - my "training" has began, but this one is still very much in the works...
2. read the Bible through in it's entirety - thanks to a very special someone, I now have a reading plan to follow, and am enjoying my study time thoroughly!
3. make a thus-far scrapbook of my life - I've bought the paper!
4. select/read 50 of the "100 greatest novels" of all time - just another reason to keep visiting bookstores... 'the end' is near for novel #2.
5. journey to the remaining states I've yet to visit - none added to the list just yet, but the mapping/planning has begun!

      You can see, I've a ways to go, but I'm excited for the 11 months to come!  Because as we know, "life's a journey, not a destination".
      Finally, a week has passed since my mega-consumption of turkey and dressing, but "thank you's" to the Lord continue to go up in abundance, as I consider all my blessings just for the past year alone!  A few of my reasons to give thanks this Thanksgiving:

One really adorable little bundle of joy...
 

a second chance, a new tradition...

and numerous opportunities to share with others about my relationship with the Three in One,... in addition to many others including, but not limited to:  life altering experiences (Tribeca Film Fest!), new beginnings (Michelle and Jacob, Sarah and Marcus), abrupt cross-country road trips, an Olympic-filled summer, gelato in Roma', meeting new friends (Noel and Austin, Allison, Rachel, and the "Three Amigos"), catching up with old friends (Carrie V!, Sarah L., the list goes on), and finally, for plans that turn out to be dead-ends... all of which I am beyond thankful.  I can only describe it as "grace".

     I hope you each had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.  May we never fail to give thanks to the One who grants us so much.  Let us start by remembering the "Reason for the season"...