For Today. And Many More to Come.

“There was a steaming mist in all the hollows, and it had roamed in its forlornness up the hill, like an evil spirit, seeking rest and finding none.”

Charles Dickens

The view from our balcony.

Signal Point

It had been a long, long time since I’ve posted. To make up for that, I’m going into overload.

Since we’ve been back in CQ, friends here have asked, “How was America?” Mostly, I just sigh and say, “So, so pretty. And nice. I forgot how nice it is there.”

One day last week, we unexpectedly found ourselves with a few free hours before dinner. What better way to spend it than on a hike? Signal Point is just down the street from Michael’s parents’ house. Beautiful, I think, is an understatement.

Documented, of course, by Michael and his amazing new camera.

And, More

So, the actual Part One of our trip to America was spent in Alabama with my family. Amy and Lee got married (pretty pretty pictures here!) on the 8th and we spent a week prepping for the wedding and just hanging out with my parents and sisters.

Wednesday the 5th was my mom’s birthday and also, not coincidentally, the day everyone really rolled into town. Heaven knows the last time my mom had all her girls together on her birthday, and heaven only knows the next time it will happen.

Mary Emily and Mama.

The Farnsworth girls. 🙂

This is what it’s really like at our house.

Can you believe that this was the very first time we met Lee? Amy and Lee started dating at the end of July/end of August 2010, and Michael and I left for Asia very shortly after that. So the first time we met our brother-in-law face-to-face was the Wednesday before the wedding. Life is crazy. But (by the way!) we heartily approve. And goodness knows Michael is thankful for some more male back-up.

Now for the wedding weekend report. Lee is from a small town in west Mississippi and apparently the thing to do there is make the rehearsal dinner an event to rival the wedding itself. It was a dress-up affair with an after-party and DJ. Michael and I were struggling to stay up late two nights in a row (I am choosing to lay the blame for that on the jet lag) but it was great fun. I don’t have any photos from the wedding day itself (please, I was busy and that is what photographers are for!) but it was absolutely lovely.

Sisters, lined up per age order, at the rehearsal.

Our new, complete, family photo.

Us and our husbands (!!!). I’ve been married three years now and usually feel kind of old but apparently somehow, deep down inside, I still think I’m about 9 and can’t believe we’ve grown up enough for this.

Part One

America.

That’s what we’ve been up to lately. Going home (where is home?). Spending lots of time with those dearest to us. Stuffing ourselves to the gills with yummy Western food. Playing. Talking. Laughing. Being outside. Amidst it all, Michael got a new camera (Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to him!).

We arrived back in CQ last night, late, and woke up early this morning. In a few minutes I’ll scoot on off to class (never mentioned that my ride is a sweet electric moped, did I?) and life will resume its normal rhythm. For now, I’m happy to be sitting on my own couch in my bright orange living room, but missing parents and siblings (of both sides–I have the bestest in-laws) and foliage.

Here are a few snapshots from MeiGuo (that would be America to you English-speakers). More to come, whenever we get around to uploading and editing. Hopefully soon.

BeBe (Michael’s mom) and adorable 2-year-old niece Katie Page.

Sister-in-law Holley and a few of the kiddos (Chase, 4, and Katie Page). They move so fast that they’re pretty much equally blurred in real life.

Riley, 6, and Chase. Love the expressions!

Suzanne and Matt (Brag alert: Matt ran a 2 hour, 54 minute marathon on Sunday! Lightning fast!), Mark and Holley, and Michael and me.

The view during an afternoon hike on Signal Mountain.

Break time. I love America!