Dear December,
You came as if November never even started. The year was in a hurry to get to you. It must be the happy songs and the positive vibe that you bring with you that made everyone rush back to your arms. You, December, is not exactly the most awaited month in our family calendar because… we don’t have a favorite month. Any month that involves going home to the Philippines is my favorite month ever since I have joined this adventure of moving countries and residences with Jeff and now our three children.
We moved here in the United States on the second half of the year and it was a good decision, health wise, especially that I gave birth to Jeff Junior. Although I am often plagued with the disease called homesickness (for the Philippines, that is), I do not regret this decision.
Montana is beautiful. As a country girl myself, I love it here.
We started December with a trip to Helena to the USCIS office in this state’s capital as part of my immigration process. It was cold. The roads were covered with snow and Jeff almost hit two deers that were crossing the highway – yes, the highway! – on our way back to Kalispell. It was a great trip though as we were able to spend some time as a family in a different place. It was a welcomed change to my already bored soul.
But we did look forward to you, December. Christmas was the reason for it. But it was not because we were excited about the gifts. We – Jeff and I – already decided early on to spend as little as possible this season. Nevertheless, we were showered with so much gifts, blessings, and love from family and church members and those alone make us feel much loved.
As winter wonderland came to Montana in lightning speed, the children too are growing in unprecedented pace.
The twins are talking more and I can actually have conversations with them and I can understand them and they can understand me. Two years flew by so fast and the two creatures who were once babies are now hyperactive toddlers who are giving me enough headaches to last me a lifetime. I have been wishing that they’ll grow up fast but hearing the comments by my aunts and friends with teenagers, I wanted to work on a truce with these two – and well, Jeff Junior included – and let them grow until they’re about five or six years old and then freeze them in amber. How’s that?
Jeff Junior is growing very fast too. He’s only three months old but he’s already wearing clothing sizes of six to nine months old. We have another giant in the making.
Danielle, Jeff’s daughter from his first marriage, was here to celebrate Christmas with us and the twins, Nick especially, were crazy about her.
In the four days that she was here, there was no shortage of giggles, hugs, and kisses in our home.
I’ve been cooking and baking a lot. I am currently addicted to roasted potatoes and  discovered a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies. I also worked on a combination of a cookie-brownie recipe which I experimented with Antoinette helping me out in the kitchen.
And… of course, how can I forget? Philippines won the Miss Universe 2015 crown ending a 42-year drought for my beloved country. I am so happy so here goes some selfies because the Filipinos are the most beautiful creatures this year. 🙂
I don’t know exactly how 2016 will work for us (who does anyway?) but we are a family and we will live this year and the years to come with much love and optimism.
As Jeff would always say: “It doesn’t matter what we do, as long as we’re together.”
Happy and hopeful,
Cris Ruffolo
