{pretty, happy, funny, real} with an extra dose of funny

| a weekly capturing the contentment in everyday life |

The rain storm in Austin today? Woah. Earlier this week, though, we enjoyed some of the best I've ever in these parts. Sunshine, cool(er) breezes, no humidity and the skies one of the most beautiful shades of blue I've ever seen made me decide I might just be able to make it in Texas after all. Thank you to those who prayed for my kids, especially Natalie, this week.  We were completely aware of an extra measure of peace and sustenance.  

A few photos to practice contentment this week

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New York in the fall

My sweet cousin Megan gave me permission to share some of the photos she recently posted from a weekend at the family cottage.  My grandparents purchased this little bit of land in central NY when I was in middle school, and now Megan and her husband own it and taking wonderful care of the place that holds so many important memories for our family. Both things -- the family cottage and New York in the fall --  have gotten quite a bit of print from me here on the the blog (and to anyone within ear shot), so I wanted some photographic evidence to prove I'm not just homesick or crazy!

Really, though, can you blame me?

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Happy mail

A wedding invitation with my son's name on it. A gender-reveal card from my sister.  So many good things.

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Parish Retreat rain-out

Christ Church's annual retreat (our fifth since moving to Austin) scrambled last minute to change venues after forecasted torrential rain that would make driving to the camp potentially dangerous (not to mention make it difficult for tent campers!).  Kudos to our church staff (including my dear Brian) for pulling together in a pinch and creating a whole retreat-ish location for us all at our new (not-yet-renovated) property.  We enjoyed great food, encouraging talks from our guest Dr. Amy Sherman, and some good fun, in spite of the rain.  Two thumbs up to Sarah Smith for organizing a rollicking family fun night on Friday.  She organized highly-motivated teams to compete against each other in Minute-to-win-it games, Three Word Stories & Thank You Notes (a la' Jimmy Fallon) and, in my opinion, especially Egg Russian Roulette.

Here: see for yourself.

Parish Retreat. Russian Egg Roulette.2 from Tamara Hill Murphy on Vimeo.

Parish Retreat. Russian Egg Roulette.3 from Tamara Hill Murphy on Vimeo.

Parish Retreat. Russian Egg Roulette.1 from Tamara Hill Murphy on Vimeo.

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time with friends IRL

A quieter season has made space for re-connecting with friends and, well, actually doing things out and about in Austin. Sunday night, I tagged along with Katie to hear Chorus Austin perform Brahms' Requiem at Saint Matthew's Church. It's my first time to hear it performed live, and was made all the richer for attending with someone who'd performed it live herself.  

On Wednesday morning my friend (and neighbor) Kim invited me to join her early-morning walking route.  We left my house in the dark, under a full moon, in order to show up at the doorstep of one of my favorite coffee shops when they switched the lights on.  Coffee, conversation and a walk back home (still under a full moon) was a perfectly wonderful way to start the day.

Have YOU captured any contentment this week? 

 I'd love to hear about it!

| Join in at P,H,F,R to see other wonderful people practicing contentment. |

{pretty, happy, funny, real} in a roller coaster of a week!

| a weekly capturing the contentment in everyday life |

It's been a roller coaster of a week around here:  cooler, sunshiney days to imagine the possibility of fall, wedding preparations, pumpkin farm trips with adorable preschoolers, unexpected illness, and torrential rain requiring parish retreat plan interventions!  What. A. Week. With all the activity I lost track of blogging plans so here's a little catch up on capturing contentment.

A few photos to practice contentment this week

| pretty |

 

Bridal Shower for Rebekah

We Murphy girls were privileged to be included in the wedding shower with Bekah's family and friends.  I'm still trying to get used to the idea of being a mother-in-law.  Honestly, it feels kind of weird.  When I just imagine it as welcoming Rebekah into our forever family, then it feels absolutely natural and perfect.  I guess it's all in how I think about it.  We're especially grateful to become friends with the Cummins family.  I mean, really.  As a first time mother-in-law, I couldn't be any more fortunate! 

The thrifty "monogrammed" gift bag held a special gift from my mother (now a "grandmother-in-law"?) for the engaged couple: a beautiful candy dish and platter that was given to her 45 years ago at her own wedding.  (Upon seeing the giftwrap, my daughter asked "What's the M for?"  I guess we're all getting used to the way this whole in-law thing works!)

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Godparents Go To the Pumpkin Farm 

Speaking of getting used to new relationships, remember how Brian and I became Godparents this past spring? Talk about good fortune!  Emmett has provided us already with many good stories and lots of happy moments.  Brian has taken especially well to the role of Godfather (in fact, he'd prefer Emmett to just call him The Godfather instead of Brian or Mr. Brian) The first photo above is not posed, and not unusual, in the friendship forming between these two guys.  Emmett's adorable older sister Lucy is actually Kendra's Goddaughter.  I guess that makes us God-grandparents??  (Trying to figure this out reminds me of this scene in You've Got Mail.) 

We'd had to postpone the pumpkin farm trip once, which turned out to be quite providential as the day we visited was relatively empty so the kids could just run from one thing to another.  Also, the temperature didn't get above 85 degrees, which was hot enough for all of us.  The good news is that Brian and I haven't lost all of our skills caring for little ones.  These two sweethearts couldn't have been more well-behaved, and we still took a 3 hour nap after dropping them back home with their parents.  May God bless all you parents of little ones with increased stamina! 

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Pumpkin Farm Outtakes

Lucy cracked me up with her photo opp savvy.  She wanted a photo with the pumpkin she'd painted.  At first I thought she didn't realize I was aiming the camera yet. Then I realized she knew exactly what was going on.  She was also enamored with all the painted cutouts, but unfortunately -- even with a hay bale to stand on -- wasn't quite tall enough for the full effect.  This did not deter one bit.  Her brother, on the other hand, just pulled himself up with his arms and feet to get centered perfectly.  Oh my, they cracked us up. 

I snapped the shot of Brian and the kids walking at the pace we'd kept all morning.  I was not always quite this far behind the pack. Also, we were not the only ones tired out from the excursion. 

Wedding Prep Outtakes

This was Invitation Addressing weekend.  We did our best to work with good humour, as you can tell by the cheerful signage. The designer who created the wedding invitations recommended we do our work with a bit of wine.  We followed her instructions to the letter.  (which may or may not have actually helped, but what happens in the Wedding Zone, stays in the Wedding Zone.)

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Sick Days

Natalie's not been feeling well for quite awhile.  This week we started some doctor appointments to see if we can help her get back to her energetic, vibrant, fun-loving self.  We feel that sometimes an afternoon in Mom's bed, watching The Artistocats is an important part of her health regimen. If you think of it, pray for her? (to be honest, I'll accept prayer for all of my kids!)

Have YOU captured any contentment this week? 

 I'd love to hear about it!

| Join in at P,H,F,R to see other wonderful people practicing contentment. |

{pretty, happy, funny, real} - Easter Sunday

| a weekly capturing the contentment in everyday life |

| pretty |

Our Easter table.

I stopped by the Next to New shop the day before to get matching water glasses and white place mats.  I found some clear bottles at the hardware store and "pencil" daffodils at Central Market.  Napkin rings are just odd bits of ribbon I'd stashed away.  

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Easter desserts

It's always wise, I've found, to invite dinner guests who have culinary degrees: lemon tart and blueberry pie from our friends.  Also, who can pass up the dark chocolate, caramel and sea salt truffles from Central Market?

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Easter egg hunt

Our guests (a co-worker and her roommates + another co-worker) not only brought dessert, they also brought the party.  They walked through the door with painted eggs, cascarones and a pinata. No one was exempt from the fun.

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Pinata

When's the last time you tried to crack open a pinata?  It's serious work.  We all ended up channeling long lists of people we'd like to take a crack at.  Cray-zay!

Family

Missing Alex and the boys' girls, but glad to be together!  Please notice the confetti.  We found this on our floors, beds and porch for days afterward.  A happy reminder.

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