Word Games

Our family in Arkansas loves to play word games.  This year we did a variation on charades.  We called it "popcorn" since all the phrases we were acting out were placed in a popcorn bowl.  I can't remember all the rules, but it was very fast-paced and lent itself to lots of funny expressions.  Like I said, I can't remember the rules, but I will always remember the laughter.  And also all the references to Donald Trump, which was no laughing matter (but we laughed anyway, what can you do?).

Photo credits to Rebecca of Thousand Word Photography.

Holidays at Home

We had a wonderful, quiet Christmas at home this year.  The only thing that could have made it better was a little snow!

Both Caleb and Noah had been working like crazy during the holiday shopping season, and Caleb even worked all day Christmas Eve.  Finally, at about sundown, everyone was home and ready to begin our celebration.

We don't open our presents until Christmas morning, but everyone loves to shake the gifts and try to figure out my system.  I do not put names on the presents, just a code that changes every year.  I believe this year it had to do with their social security numbers.  Our tree is not real, but every year several people think that it is.  I think that's because it doesn't look too perfect to be real.  In truth, it is barely holding together!  We make sure the missing parts are in the back.

We have our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.  Ham is a favorite.  Judging from the picture below, it looks like the menu was just ham and cranberry sauce.

After dinner, we played our traditonal game of Settlers of Catan.

Then we made our ritual picture with our stockings:

Then we headed to church for the 11:00 PM candelight service.  I just love the lights and the carols:

Christmas Day was spent in our Star Wars pajamas and playing with Lego.

Photo credits to Rebecca of Thousand Word Photography.

The Force Awakens

This was a much-anticipated day in the Seaman household.  Months before, Rebecca had purchased tickets to the premiere of the new Star Wars movie, "The Force Awakens"  as her Christmas gift to her brothers.  All true Star Wars geeks are expected to attend in costume, so her gift included outfits for all. Noah went as Hans Solo, Nathan went as Luke Skywalker, Rebecca went as Rey and Caleb went as Kylo Ren as he has fully embraced the "black sheep of the family" title.

Nathan's roommates Kevin and Digi also came along, and Caleb's friend, Marshall, drove up from Asheville to join in.  They got on the local 11 o'clock news!

Terry and I did NOT go the movie until a few days later when Nathan begged us to go so that he didn't have to keep quiet about the plot any longer.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Noah was in the Best Christmas Pageant Ever this year.  However, I don't know if it was the BEST "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" because he's been in this play before.  He's actually been cast in it three times, but one time he turned down the part so that we could spend time with my Mom as she struggled with cancer.

This year he was Elmer (the tall shepherd).  He added a lot of humor to his small part!

Thanksgiving 2015

This post is out of order.  I do know that Thanksgiving comes before Christmas, but I didn't have these photos in my possession until today.  Rebecca is pretty much the family photographer these days, so when brings her camera, I typically don't take mine and just enjoy being in the moment.

This year we spent Thanksgiving here in Knoxville at Terry's parents house.  All the siblings and cousins attended - there are 17 of us living locally.

Here we are gathered for the prayer before the meal - Every head bowed, every eye closed -  "Lord, make us equal to the task we are about to undertake!"

                                               Here Noah gets caught with his eyes open . . .

                                            Like most families we have the kids table

 

But we also have the "over 18" kid's table (not pictured, Nathan - he must have been getting seconds):

After the meal, we did a little family photo shoot on the front porch and got some classics!

I am seriously thankful that we have an extended family that enjoys being together.  There is always lots of laughter. This year both Caleb and Sara had to go to work (Thank You Black Friday!), so we ate a little early.  Then most of us went to a movie at the Regal downtown.

Photo credits to Rebecca of Thousand Word Photography.

Merry Christmas 2015

It has been ten years since we last sent a Christmas letter via “snail mail.”  Doing things online was easier and cheaper, but I feel that email is now the new “junk mail” and “snail mail” is appreciated more.  So this year I sent out a snail mail version to those we still had addresses for.  Everyone else can still read this version.

We moved from Johnson City to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2012.  Terry no longer works as an engineer – instead he flips houses – some to sell and some to rent.  His Dad works with him most days, and that’s a special blessing.   It’s going pretty well, but it’s a financial roller coaster compared to the steady income he had for years.  It gives us a lot of opportunity to trust in God for provision.  You can check out his work at www.h2hrenovations.com.  Terry was diagnosed with MS in 2013, but we are thankful that he is doing quite well with it.  His neurologist said he’s her healthiest patient.

I’m still homeschooling, but my youngest, Noah, is really my only student.  I also teach chemistry and physical science at a co-op one day a week, and I’m trying to figure out what to do for a career once Noah leaves for college (I still have 2.5 years!).   My life has changed a lot the past few years as the kids don’t need me as much for teaching or for driving them places (all have driver’s licenses now – yikes!).  I spend some time doing the books for Terry’s business.

Rebecca graduated from college this May and moved to Knoxville this summer.  She’s got a fun job and is also developing a few side businesses (photography and reading therapy).   We really enjoy having her around after four years away at college.  She and I took a 3-week trip to England in September to celebrate her graduation and had a fantastic time!  Highlights were hikes inthe Lake District and the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. 

Nathan graduated from high school in May and started college at the University of Tennessee this fall.  He is a nursing major.  He lives on campus with one of his childhood friends, plays intramural football, has an on-campus job and is involved with Reformed University Fellowship. 

Caleb is a senior in high school and is taking all dual enrollment classes at Pellissippi State.  He also works about 30 hours a week at Best Buy.  This past spring he was selected as one of Best Buy’s top salesman in the country at age 17.  He won a free trip for two to Puerto Rico and took his grandfather with him.  This fall he has spent a lot of his free time building furniture with his grandfather and backpacking with friends. 

Noah is in 10^th grade and has joined Caleb working at Best Buy for the holiday season.  He’s also in a Christmas play, so he has learned what it is to be over-committed.  He is looking forward to some relaxation in the New Year.  In the spring semester, though, he will be competing regionally in NCFCA speech.  This involves five to six out-of-town trips for five days each, so it’s quite a commitment for both him and me! 

We are so thankful for friends and family. Please stay in touch, or better yet, come visit!

Milestone Anniversary

Our 25th anniversary was actually back in March, but one thing I wanted to do to commemorate it was to do a family photo shoot.  We waited for the fall when the leaves were pretty and took photos one evening near sunset.  I love the way they turned out!

That last one is symbolic, I think.  We're in the fall of our lives but still looking ahead and still together!

Photo credits to Rebecca of Thousand Word Photography.