One Year Down, Many To Go!

Its has been a very exciting December, packed with all sorts of festivities. All in one month's time we celebrated Duquesa's Birthday (Dec. 5), the birth of Christ, and our first Wedding Anniversary (Dec. 31, today)! Here is a brief recap:

On Dec. 4, after bribing all the right people, I finally was able to pick up Jerome's birth certificate that is written in about 12 languages. With this I can soon obtain Jerome's first passport from the American Embassy, which will enable me to bring him home without smuggling him into the country as my pet squirrel monkey.

On Dec. 5, Momma Quesa turned 23! I celebrated by spray painting her name all over the Colosseum and setting off fireworks from my Ducati at the Carabinieri as they chased me on their police motorcycles along the top of the ancient Roman wall. And then I woke up and made her a really nice breakfast. Duquesa, Shelly and I spent a few hours shopping along the Via del Corso until we found her the perfect pair of Italian boots. I like how good she looks in them. I am NOT so sure I like how many heads she turns as she clips along the sidewalk in those boots while pushing a stroller. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I married a most beautiful lady, and she could cause accidents 9 months pregnant.

Dec. 6, Duquesa and Jerome went to their first Papal Audience with Fiorella, Kevin and Eleonora. They had special tickets that allowed them to sit all the way in the front. D said it was amazing, and we will get pictures from Kevin soon. Benedict XVI spoke predominately about world peace and the sad state of religious freedom in Turkey. Jerome was a good boy the whole time, and he got to show off his breastfeeding skills to the Pope. I think Benny was impressed.

The next few weeks were devoured by Christmas cookies and cards. I gained 30 pounds and developed arthritis in my writing hand. Next year we are eating Christmas sushi and sending Jolly emails.

I taught a class in a seminar on Prayer in the Context of Christian Marriage. Duquesa, Rachelle and Jerome were all able to come and sit in on it. They said it was good. I am not so sure since Jerome fell asleep. Perhaps I could have used a rattle as a prop to make it more interesting.

We were invited to dinner on Christmas Eve by our wonderful neighbors, Alessandro and Silvia. It was nice to be in an Italian family setting, and the 5 course meal proved to be a very unique experience. Don't get me wrong, it was excellent; I am an adventurous eater, but some of the dishes required a little bravery. The ladies did very well trying everything as Jerome preferred to stick to his nursing. Normally when we Americans think of traditional Italian food, we think of pizza, pasta, calzones, etc. So it surprises me how much of their cuisine is seafood. As Rachelle said, it was hard to eat things with eyes and all. In the end, we ate till we were satiated and enjoyed the lively company of our hosts.

Jerome's first Christmas fell on the same day that he turned 4 months old. Although we missed being with the rest of our families, we enjoyed the day together and tried to celebrate in a way that would honor Christ. The walk to Christmas Mass was surreal. Passing by palm trees and a sun soaked beach on a warm day didn't feel much like Christmas, but it helped that Jerome was in his little reindeer outfit and that Shelly wouldn't stop singing "White Christmas." We continued our Sunday tradition of going out for cappuccinos after mass with Mark and Jessica Wunsch and their 5 month old daughter, Felicity. Then Mark brought his guitar back to our place so that we could sing carols until our voices gave out. Duquesa made the Hunt family Christmas drink and Rachelle made a coffee cake, and Jon saw that they were good, and he ate them and was full. Then on the seventh hour, he rested. But then the serpent came to Duquesa and said, "Look here at this chocolate. It will not make your tummy burst, but instead it will make your tongue dance in yummy coco goodness!" So Duquesa ate of the chocolate and brought some of it to her husband and forced him to eat it too, and his tummy burst. Serpent 1, Jon 0.

By the way, the contents of this blog are all true, but not all historically true.

Our first Anniversary has been simple so far, but very enjoyable. We have just been spending some relaxing time together looking at our wedding pictures and reflecting on the many highlights of 2006. We are looking forward to opening two very special bottles of wine reserved for this date (a Brunello di Montalcino and the last bottle in existence of a sparkling red batch made by local) and eating a gourmet meal that Rachelle will prepare for us this evening (I think it will involve veal, baked potatoes, green olives, and fresh baked bread). Other than that, we are making plans for a very ambitious 2007.

We are so blessed by all of our family and friends, and we are grateful for all of the love and example that you provide us. The Word stunned all creation and infinitely raised the dignity of humanity via the Incarnation, and although we celebrate it every Christmas, we should live it all year. Here's to trying in 2007! Buon Anno!

Serpent 1, Humanity ∞.

Lil' Bello

Jerome giving directions

Felicity and Romeo hold hands.

Naked little body

Momma in her new Italian boots!

Cool Cowboy

Angelic Mother

Seafood being dished up at Christmas Eve dinner.

Beautiful Rachelle and Jerome after decorating the tree.