we didn't get photos of the crying and the fighting, but there was a lot of good stuff too

Years ago I began sending our Christmas greetings in a digital format with the supposed purpose of saving time and money.  It won't surprise the people who know me best (and hopefully love me most) that this annual remembrance has snowballed into a three-song, nine-minute slideshow.  

Still saving money, at least.  

The thing about sharing our year in pictures is that we never get pictures of the bad moments -- the crying, fighting, illness, depression, fatigue mess oozing through the cracks of our everyday life..  All of these things are very much part of our reality.

Particularly this year.  It's been a hard one, friends.

Yet the grace and goodness and beauty of it all knocks me out.  And the reason I persist in creating this annual remembrance.  Even though Christmas is over.

Our 7-year-old friend Bronwyn (she's in the slideshow, by the way) stopped by our house Saturday to deliver Epiphany greetings (and goodies).  Well, she and her family.  If you know her you can probably imagine her barreling out the door, sort of leaping out the door actually, calling behind her:  Have a JOLLY EPIPHANY!!

We borrow her words to greet you this new week:  May your Epiphany week be jolly.  May you have eyes to see all the ways Christ has appeared, is appearing, will appear again.

Also, may you enjoy our family's remembrances of 2012 and join us in gratitude for the astonishing grace of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Murphy Family's Year in Review

song 1 is Roll Away Your Stone by Mumford & Sons song 2 is Hunting Song by Where's Ulysses (my sons' former band) song 3 is Joy to the World, Eef Barzelay's version

During the next week or two, I'll post my own version of "Best of" posts.  We leave for New York on Wednesday, more celebrating to do at a beautiful wedding.  I've read a pile of books I haven't told you about yet, another Parenting Unrehearsed post in the draft folder.  We'll see what actually makes it to this space. Once the dust settles, I'll get back to the Monday Buy More Art series.  If you're making art or buying art, I'd love to hear about it and share it in this space.  Do drop me a line, won't you? Amidst the top of my list of thankfulness is this community.  You are dear to me.  Thank you for taking off your shoes and sitting with me here so often, enjoying with me our earth crammed with heaven. Grace and peace from my home to yours today, Tamara