Memorial Day..

Memorial Day is a special moment to me, but should be a wonderful moment to every American. It was at the cost of MANY amazing Americans that we can say whats in our hearts and minds, we can disagree and even love whomever and believe however, with freedom. I have personally known some of these wonderful men and women that paid the ultimate price for this freedom I love.

I also am married to a wonderful patriot. Sal is a great American. I am sure when he reads this he will be very modest and say to me "my sexy mama is crazy" and then he will walk over to me and kiss me on my forehead, LOL.. I also have men and women in my life who serve as well, they know who they are and why we love them. We have been blessed to have amazing people in our military family and our lives would never have been the same without them. My father and stepfather and sooo many other family members have served and still serve-It makes me proud beyond words.

To the many of our fallen, the Urzi Family salutes you. I can never know what posesses someone to join the military and go into battle-KNOWING full well at any given moment you could make that sacrifice that we remember today. You, the fallen have been in our prayers and thoughts daily as well as the loved ones you left behind. Thank you for making my opinions okay to voice and for the many other voices in this country. Thank you for being the steele fabric in this beautiful country's quilt.

I hope those of you today, while you are BBQing and having a wonderful time with friends and family, that you take a few moments to remember those that served and still serving and will NOT be spending this wonderful day safely at home.

On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation! ~Thomas William Parsons

Happy Military Spouse Day!

Ladies and Gents!

Today is Military Spouse Day!! A day that people can verbalize their appreciation for military spouses. Military spouses are the silent ranks, which means that while "WE" don't "serve", we do indeed have a place in the military bubble. Our place is to provide stability to our soldier and our family. It isn't always easy, but it is something that indeed MUST BE DONE. I can only speak for myself, but I also like to play the role of the opposing opinion to Sal. I usually agree with his vent or topic of discussion, but I like to provide another view, LOL. He says I am playing Jedi Mind Games when I do that, muhaha!

What is a military spouse to me? A military spouse has different roles, depending on the person. Some spouses relish in the "being active on post" role, while others prefer not to be involved. Do NOT confuse lack of involvement with not supporting their soldier. We all have different personalities and comfort zones. For me, I am a pretty open book with most people. And if you ask me a question, I'll give you an honest answer. I wasn't always that way. When Sal first joined the Army there were NO FRGs yet and we weren't authorized housing yet because he was only an E1, so I wasn't even living around military spouses in our apt complex. It was new to me and I muddled through and read books about being a spouse LOL.. Nothing I learned or read about in books was really prepatory for my military spouse life. It was a road of live and learn. Not until we went to Giessen Germany did I really ever have a mentor-Then I had several!! I had Lana, Kristy, Lisa, Michele and Melissa. A great group of ladies who REALLY showed me everything wonderful about being an Army Spouse. They are still in my life and I love them like family. My payback to them have been to try and always be a good Army Spouse role model and mentor. My honesty and realistic approach can come off harsh, but it is what it is-I'm not one to sugarcoat things and I think MOST spouses want to hear the truth, as harsh as it may be at times.

Military spouses endure alot! Being alone, making decisions big and small at the drop of a hat, Mom, Dad, Jury, Judge, friend, foe, Nurse, hugger, kisser of booboos, disciplinarian, baker, chef, housekeeper, butt wiper, shoulder to cry on, gardner-I could go on but you get my gist. We also sit at night, in the calm and cry and think about our soldier.. What is he/she doing? What is she/he seeing? We also think and cry about having to wake up the next day and be everything to everyone. We all get to the point of "really? This has to happen again tomorrow? Can't I have a break?"  At times, we even get irritated with our soldiers down range because they aren't here taking up some slack-It may sound wrong, but it's true... It is what it is.

Military Spouses also endure some amazing things- I have helped spouses give birth and watched these amazing brats come into the world! I've watched my fellow spouses of all faiths sit with me and cheer on my children as they have made their first communions and confirmations. They were the family for our kids-we are the family for each other-Good, bad or otherwise. I have also been very blessed to be at the homecomings taking pics for friends and spouses to catch a glimpse of the love and affection that goes on after not seeing each other for a year. I have also been the reciever of a homecoming and watched my sweet love, get off that plane or bus and run into the arms of 6 kids and me. I love watching all the kids talk to him at once, sharing their whole year with them at the same time and in the matter of 20 seconds. I love seeing his face during that time-Total Bliss and happiness.

Each wonderful military spouse has their own story and path. If you know or see a military spouse-tell them "good job'! If she is walking through the airport with 6 kids, 12 pieces of luggage and a frazzled look on her face, Don't be upset if I don't wave back, LOL...

Whew..

That was the most I have blogged in forever, but the Month of the Military Child is VERY near and dear to my heart. I too was an Army Brat and VERY proud of my daddy's service to this country and the sacrifices he made.

So, I should be cleaning and getting ready for my family to visit, but I don't feel like it right now. I have lost my motivation-bahhha. Saturday Ashlee and Kaydence arrive then Sunday my stepdad and mom get here and Monday our fave son in law lands in Alaska!! Next week, Cassidy and Katy come-WOOHOO!!! I wish our whole family could be here, but we will hopefully see them soon.

In other news, Big Sal graduates Friday!!!! Its been a long road but I am beyond proud of him. He has already begun to take his classes for his BA, which he should have next year. Oddly, he HATED highschool and would have rather been hit by a truck that go to HS, LOL.. Its also a little bit of HMMPH! to his English teacher at Greenway High in Arizona. She once told him he wouldn't amount to anything.. Seriously, what kind of teacher says that to another human being? Even without the degree, Sal has become one of the most AMAZING men I know. He has a wonderful career in the Army, a happy family that loves him, soldiers that he mentors and friends that think he rocks! Really, at the end of the day a college degree doesn't make the man. Even though he "acts" like it is no big deal for his graduation, I can see the pride in his eyes. Many times taking his classes I could see on his face a look of BLAH and frustration, BUT success is VERY important to him and I knew he would climb that mountain and conquer it. So my love I write to you..

Salvatore,
I cannot even find the words to say how proud I am of you in EVERYTHING that you do. I frequently wonder how you do it. How do you go to school, lead in the Army, put up with the crap that you do at work, love me, love our children, friends and family. You will always help anyone that needs it. I like to think I am a pretty good person, but I couldn't hold a candle to you. I love the kid I fell in love with 25 years ago and I love and adore the man you have become. You my sweet are the poster child for a decent human being.. I love you! I have a fun memory of you with each of our kiddos.

 With Nicholas, watching you talk to him at our house right after his basic and ait and I was taking pics and noticed that while you were talking to him, he was standing at parade rest. It was so hilarious.

With Ashlee, watching you dance with her on her wedding day was so beautiful and heart wrenching. You doing the soul train was hella funny too!

Cassidy graduating was VERY hard on you and watching you say goodbye when she left to move to Arizona- while it was sad, what was funny was all of us standing outside wondering if you were going to cry.. We won!

Tony's prom night, watching you carefully help him get ready-like you were helping a soldier get his uniform ready for a board.. Pride, love and respect

Dom and Rome-Teaching them to pitch a tent and "camp out" in the back yard. Watching Dom help and work hard and watching Roman hide and act like he was helping.. Even though they didn't make it out there ALL night, you made a fun memory with them.

Thank you for all these years of memories. It hasn't always been an easy climb, but its been worth every step...

Baci, Baci, Baci!

Last but not least.

Its overly emotional to write about our 1st born. Our 1st brat, our 1st everything. Nicholas was always such a good baby and boy. Very easy to parent for most of his growing up. Teachers used to always say that Nicholas was the All American Kid.. Handsome, smart, charming, polite. He made us very proud, always. Nicholas like most brats did not like deployments. He used to have a hard time talking to Sal on the phone while Sal was deployed. He was overcome with emotion and just physically couldnt talk. He would just tearfully nod his head and run off-even as a teenager.Nicholas, joined the Army during his SR year, we were so proud of his decision. He would soon have a son of his own to take care of and he was ready to become a soldier. Not just ANY soldier, but an MP-Son of an MP. He was entering his fathers world in every aspect and God help him. Some of his Drill Sergeants have known him since he was a child so basic and ait were about to become a challenge. Sal was fortunate in being an instructor at the MP school house and was able to peek in on Nicholas and have a vantage point that MOST parents do not get. With that, we also endured saying goodbye to our 1st born when he deployed for the 1st time. Sal had a horrible time with saying goodbye. The tears just couldnt and wouldnt stop. I was asked every few hours by Sal, "When is he going to call?", "Where do you think he is?", "Do you think he is okay?" Sal also stated that being a soldier was EASY compared to being a spouse or child or parent of a soldier. He said it made his sick at the thought. It broke his heart that he wouldn't be there to protect him-something that we as his parents had done for 18 years. Nicholas came home safe and in 1 piece, only to have to deploy again soon after. UGH.. Nicholas is now a parent of his own and he and his wife Meagan are expecting their 2nd child. Nicholas will have 3 kiddos soon, Dominic, Nicholas and the new baby that is unamed at the moment. While Nicholas is not part of our daily lives any longer, he is missed and loved just the same. We are proud of his call to duty and his love of his country.

Nicholas, almost 23 years ago I was an 18 year old girl missing your dad while he was away at basic training. I had you by myself and he missed one of the most amazing things that would happen in our lives. No matter where you go in life or the choices you make, we will always love you very much. The last several years have been some of the hardest in our lives for so many reasons. Thank you for giving us 3 beautiful grandchildren. I hope you cherish EACH and every moment with them because its really a flash of time before they are gone. Good luck in all the things that you do and remember to ALWAYS be your best as a husband, father, brother and son.. Your family is something that should never be taken for granted.