Ceil and I wish you the most merry of Christmases. May you be able to experience and worship the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Like many of you, us Murphys had a busy but fulfilling 2025, going through events both good and bad.
In January we happened to be keeping Shivonne & Millie when a rare snowstorm hit town. We had a blast introducing them to the powdery stuff. Ceil still makes a mean snow angel.
On February 19th we were devastated with the news that Mary-Clayton’s dear dad Tommy had passed away, completely unexpectedly – a loss we’re all still mourning to this day. We celebrated his life on March third in Cartersville.
April: Mary-Clayton delivered a 4H speech in Jackson Hole, so Will flew out with her. After celebrating Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday, we ate a late family lunch at Kimball House in downtown Decatur, the Michelin rated restaurant where Matthew creates delicious desserts, pastries, and other dishes.
We spent a restful week at Pawley’s Island in late May. Winnie loved the beach. Anna and Goose joined us for the first half of the trip. Little Melina turned two in June. She so enjoys life and keeping up with her big sister, leaping headlong into everything she does, with great delight. Will and Thomas attended baseball games in San Francisco, Sacramento, LA, Anaheim, and San Diego.
July: Anna vacationed in Idaho with her college roommates. Anna caught a big fish. Dave took a week off and “worked” behind the scenes at the MLB All Star Game and Home Run Derby, helping set up and break down for the pregame ceremonies, as well as at the fanfest across the street. It was like summer camp, sweating out on the field in shorts and t-shirts all day - periods of activity interspersed with time sitting around in the shade of the dugout. A preview of my next career?
August: we all gathered in Hilton Head for several days with the Miller and Rollins clan – 25 in all, under one roof. So much fun to be all together after a few years without a big beach trip. Back home, Ceil kicked off another school year, teaching art at the Veritas Classical School in Alpharetta. After living with us for a couple of months, Matthew moved into a rental house in Smyrna. We immediately missed the gourmet meals he’d cook for us. Instead, he took a turn as the clubhouse chef at the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake.
September: Ceil flew up to northern Virgina for a dear friend’s baby shower. We were able to be with Ceil’s beloved Aunt Corinne when she passed away. In October we returned to Jefferson for her funeral.
October: Anna had a weekend getaway to NYC with her college roommates. Will & Mary-Clayton flew the girls out to San Francisco to visit with Uncle Thomas & Aunt Holly. Shivonne turned four at the end of the month. She and Millie wore princess dresses to trick or treat with the little Norman boys.
November: Will & Mary-Clayton took the girls to their first game between the hedges. Dave & Ceil took the girls to an open house at Truist Park, where the girls had their faces painted and proudly sat on Blooper’s lap “without being scared”. Caleb roasted the turkey, and Matthew and Anna helped Ceil prepare a fun Thanksgiving dinner. The day before we joined Mary-Clayton and her family at the National Cemetery in Canton to bury her father, with full military honors.
December: Dave drove down to Macon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his high school football team’s state championship. Mary-Clayton flew to New York City to help 4-H ring the opening bell at NASDAQ. Christmas with the family here in Atlanta.
Ceil and I so enjoy our lives here in northern Atlanta, serving and doing life with dear friends and family. We look forward to an exciting new year. In a few weeks Dave will be retiring after 38-1/2 years in the metals industry. Work hasn’t been quite as stressful this past year, thanks in part to having an understudy to train. Can’t wait for the next chapter in our lives – the calendar is already full of fun and needed things to do. Will starts a new job at Emory University Hospital, with less crazy hours than he’s had in the ER. Anna & Caleb are expecting a baby girl in April, their first.
Should be a great new year. We hope yours is as well.
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