Happy Birthday sweet boy

Seven years ago a little man blessed our lives. Roman was the last chapter in our family. The final bambino! It was very bittersweet to know he was the last one. 6 amazing pregnancies, so very blessed and that would be coming to an end, it made me very sad, but his being in our lives made me super happy. Romans birth was typical and pretty normal, not too fast and not too quick, he would be the only birth I had an epidural with-AMAZING, LOL Weird, but amazing. At the time he had some complications after birth, toxic level of bilirubin, possible blindness, a few markers of DS and some muscle issues, but he came through all of it like a champ-Or so we thought. Little did we know at the time that some of these issues wouldn't come into fruition until he was around the age of 5-6 and they came with a vengeance.. Vision, minor brain damage and with that came dysagraphia, SPD and anxiety. These are all things we have been recently dealing with and while they can and do pose a challenge to every member of this house, he is still very loved and a blessing to us. He has made us become even MORE patient and to learn some different parenting tools. He is an amazing little man though and we love and adore him each and every day..

Dear Roman,
You are seven today!!!! Yay 7!!!! At the age of 7 you have an extrememly high IQ, you can read and write, ride a 2 wheeler and skateboard like a pro! I love coming home from work and snuggling with you and listening to you talk about what you liked and didn't like at school. I love that you are such a protector of your big brother Dominic and keep him safeguarded from all egg products. I love that you love bacon and think I make the best pancakes and oatmeal. I love your dumb jokes and your eskimo kisses. I love that you are so strong and brave. This year has been a journey for you and I know you hate having meltdowns and fight them so hard.. Somedays they just get the best of us. I know as you get older it will become less of a struggle for you, as you are learning how to cope with these things. My wishes and hopes for you and your future are for you to be happy and loving and do what you enjoy. I think you will make an excellent chef one day and cant wait to eat at your restaurant. Thank you for keeping us on our toes and for the challenge, LOL.. I love you so much, sweet baby boy.. Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Fathers Day!

Fathers day is always bitter sweet for me, well has been for the past 25 years with the loss of my dad in 1988. I get a tiny bit sad because I don't get to call my dad or send him a card or buy him a gift-all I can do is send him a thought and a prayer and spend the day just thinking about the funny things he would say and do. I am lucky in that I also have a stepfather is amazingly kind and loving and puts up with all our crazy, haha.. BUT, my dad is gone and never coming back. He never got to see his amazing grandchildren that my sister and I gave him, he won't get to bounce a great grandchild on his knee and that makes my heart heavy. Don't get me wrong, I know he is watching down with amusement at the crazy antics his family provides. I miss him. I just miss him. I remind our kids that we are here only for a short time and to make the most of it with your family.

On a happier note, I have an AMAZING husband and father of our 6 children and grandfather to our 4 grandmonkeys. There are so many wonderful daddy stories I could share about Sal, he really is one of the best fathers I know. He is strict when its needed and loving and patient always- and trust me, I test that patience all the time!!  A few things that stand out to me are watching him meet his 1st born for the first time, walking a daughter down the aisle, teaching a 16 year old how to parallel park in the pouring rain, saying goodbye to a daughter leaving for college, and being the BEST monster/wrestler to 2 little fellas who think he hung the moon and the stars. I just want to take this moment to say thank you to my husband Sal and Happy Fathers day! I could have never wished for a better father-ever! I love that you are not only the father to our Biological children, but that you have taken so many "kids" under your wing and stepped up to be the father figure they needed, whether it was a soldier, airman or kid in our lives. You took the time in Italy to drive the teen bus after hours so the kids could have a normal teen life of hanging out late at the movies or bowling and ensured they got home safely, you have given butt chewings when needed but amazingly after, you just let it go and move on, you have woken up with my crying because a nursing child was waking up for the 20th time in 2 hours and you just held me and encouraged me and told me that this wouldn't last forever and it would be okay. You have provided so many wonderful memories for this family and I love you!... Nicholas, Ashlee, Cassidy, Anthony, Dominic and Roman are 6 lucky babies to have you in their lives...

Happy Mothers day!

Happy mothers day to women and men everywhere!! Motherhood isn't just about birthing or adopting a baby. Motherhood isn't even for mothers sometimes. I know many single dads who raise their children and have to be both dad and mama, so hats off to them as well! Some people haven't even had children yet, but are mothering to nieces, nephews, friends children, children in general. Our 6 children have HAD many wonderful "other mothers" in their lives, to include my sister and sister in law, my mother, mother in law, great aunts, friends of ours and other military spouses and their teachers. It truly takes a village to help each other out in raising our children and I appreciate all the women in my life who have helped out with our babies through the years, especially as we have all spread out all over the world through the years and can't always be together.

I have truly loved being a mother, when asked in High School what I wanted to do with my life, I easily with all my heart answered- Be a mother. It's been an adventure for sure and hasn't always been the Donna Reed show I had hoped, I haven't always gotten my way in what they choose to do, but when they call for a recipe or call me for advice or call me daily just to say "hi mom", then I know we did something right. When they continue our family traditions with their new families, it makes me shine with pride. When they are stubborn and fight for what they think is right (even when it is against me LOL) I am proud that Sal and I raised 6 individuals who are good and decent and loving and kind. I love their strong minds and opinions. They have given me such joy and pride that I can't even think of the best moments in their lives as there are so many! With each birth, I was just as excited and elated as the first, it never got old. Nicholas, Ashlee, Cassidy, Anthony, Dominic and Roman have made me laugh until I've cried, worry sick, be hot fire angry, be disappointed, be full of pride, and have the privilege of being called mommy.

So, thank you to my sweet children. You will never be too old for me to worry about you, love you, kiss you, hug you, be mad with you, be proud of you. I will ALWAYS be here for you-good times and bad. Thank you kids for making me the woman that I am today. I love love love you, to the moon and back....

My "Army Wife" Life: Month of the Military Child

My "Army Wife" Life: Month of the Military Child: So, April is the month of the Military Child and I am proud and happy to be the mother of 6 of them and our 4 grandchildren also just so ha...

Month of the Military Child

So, April is the month of the Military Child and I am proud and happy to be the mother of 6 of them and our 4 grandchildren also just so happen to be Military Children as well. To be a military child is to be brave, strong, resilient, adventurous, proud, flexible, lonely, imaginative, resourceful, funny, amongst so many other things. I can give you an example of what our oldest 4 kids went through in a 2 year period. We moved to Germany so they started a new school, got settled in and BAM, daddy had to deploy. This would be their first deployment as older children and they knew the risk for their daddio and it was a scary and uncertain time, dad returned safely from 1 year in Iraq and then we PCSd (moved) to Missouri, where again, new schools, new styles, new traditions, new life. This is pretty normal for most Military Children and they thrive very well! When the service members are gone off to war, the community embraces these kids and they all inherit several parents that help take care of them.. It truly takes a village with military families and I love, love, love it! So, in today's installment of my blog, I interviewed our 4 oldest military brats, who are now adults and living all over the globe. SGT Nicholas Giovanni Urzi is an MP and stationed at Ft Bliss, Ashlee Marie Urzi-Seidel is now an Army Wife and medical tech in Tennessee, Cassidy Renee Urzi is living in Texas and going to College, Anthony Giancarlo Urzi is a college student here in Alaska and will be transferring to Iowa this fall to finish school. Our 2 youngest kiddos need an honorable mention, they are Dominic Gianluca Urzi, who is an aspiring comic and future celebrity and Roman Gianmarco Urzi who wants to be a Chef one day. So, here is the interview with our oldest. Hope you enjoy..

ME: Where were you born?

       Nick- Luke AFB

       Ash- Virginia (Ft Belvoir)

       Cass- Frankfurt Germany

       Tony- "mom, you know where I was born" (Luke AFB)

ME: Tell me 2 things you liked about being an Army Brat

        Nick- Moving around and doing something new in different countries

        Ash- Moving to new places, meeting new people

        Cass- Exploring new cultures, having friends all over the world

        Tony- Being spoiled and seeing different places

ME: What are 2 things you didn't like?

         Nick- Graduating in Waynesville, Not graduating at Ft Bliss

         Ash-  Not having dad home for special moments (Ashlee has her own rules and only gave 1)

         Cass- Starting new schools and being far from other family members

         Tony- Moving and leaving friends

ME:   Favorite Duty Station?

          Nick- Camp Darby, Italy-It's our homeland

          Ash- Giessen Germany, it's where I met my future husband and my best memories are there.

          Cass- Ft Bliss Texas because it's where I graduated  and it's my home.

          Tony- Ft Bliss, but Alaska too, because it's where I met Dana Rae (love of his life)

ME:    What thoughts went through your mind when your dad would deploy?

          Nick- Nothing, I knew it was for a bigger purpose and he WOULD be back....

          Ash-  My thought was what would life be life if I lost my dad? I was pissed, upset, sad but also

                    very proud of him for having the courage to do what he was about to do and show

                     amazing strength.

          Cass-  Scared, proud, nervous and sad just because you never knew what could happen.

          Tony-  "Here we go again, I thought it was dumb but a good thing we was going to protect us"

ME: What was life like when he was gone? Did you mom go crazy?

         Nick- Life was normal, we kept going through the motions and mom tried hiding it, but I new it

                   Was eating her inside.

         Ash- When dad would leave we would go on as normal as possible. One example comes to

                   mind, it was Christmas and normally dad would be the one to pass out all the presents but

                   that year, Nick did. He stepped up when dad was gone. Without a doubt, we drove mom

                   crazy!! Dad was gone and with 4 kids at the time, it's hard to discipline all of us for things

                   when you are focused on one child LOL so we got away with some things-BUT it was

                    VERY RARE!!! Mom was always so strong, I don't think I ever saw her shed a tear

                     While my dad was gone which as an Army Wife now, I don't know how she did it

                    because being strong in this lifestyle is easier said than done!!!!!!!

         Cass- Life was hectic but we made the most of it. And only sometimes did we drive you crazy

         Tony- It wasn't too hard for me, I knew dad would be back home and YES She was MEXICAN

                    CRAZY.

ME: What would YOU tell a military child aged 10-17?

         Nick- How lucky they are to experience everything all over the world and not live sheltered

         Ash- I would tell them that they are a special kind of child. We go through so much heartache

                  and separation than most civilian adults and that things will sometimes be hard to do, like

                  say goodbye to many amazing people, but we get to see different cultures and people and

                  places that some people save their whole lives for to see, or never get the chance. We

                  appreciate small moments that most take for granted.

         Cass- That it is hard, but we make the most if it. Not everyone gets to experience this life.

         Tony- I would tell them to enjoy the lifestyle while it lasts!!!

ME: Do you ever resent your AWESOME mom and dad for bringing you up in such a life?

        Nick- Never

        Ash-Never! They have raised us this way, and it's normal for us. It's an honor to be in this life.

        Cass- Never! We always ended up meeting old friends again!

        Tony- Naw

ME: Do you think being a military child better prepared you for the real world?

        Nick- Yes, in every way because we saw everything and had a lot of freedoms to learn for

                   ourselves.

        Ash- I think our parents prepared us for the real world. Being a military child did teach me not

                 to fear change and to never sweat the small stuff and to show those we love that we love

                 them because we should not take life for granted.

        Cass- NO! I didn't know anything about rent, bills, water, trash, LOL Now I have to figure it out

        Tony- Sort of-Major change going from spoiled to YOYO (you're on your own) LOL

ME: Did being part of a military family make you want to join the military or run for the hills?

        Nick- That's obvious lol.. It's been 6 years since I put on the suit (uniform)

        Ash-  I strongly considered it, but then I got married!!

        Tony- Ash, you would have never survived the military HAHAHA!

        Cass- I never thought ever once that I would join the military, It was great as a child.

        Tony- Nah, I ran for the hills! College is my route. I want to live in one spot only!

ME:  Last one- Your fave childhood memory-

         Nick- My favorite moment was good and bad LOL. The day dad got back from OIF1. Right

                   before we went to pick dad up, mom stopped at the post office and my report card and I

                   had gotten a C on something and mom said dad was going to kill me! When he got off the

                   bus, he wasn't  too mad LOL

       Ash- My favorite memory? That's hard because there are so many, but my most fondest goes

                back to when dad was home, he always made it a point to spend time with us one on one

                and make those memories. So, it was homecoming day in Giessen and in Germany, they

                don't have corsages LOL. Dad went all over town to find one and when he couldn't, he got

                creative and made one. He got fresh flowers close to the color of my dress and a purple

                hair tie and a hot glue gun and made me the best corsage ever. Mom was out of the country

                helping my aunt, so he was on his own! He took me to the YAYAs(my other mommies)

                and they did my makeup . My most cherished memory.

      Cass- Giessen Bingo Nights!!!! A lot of the parents were deployed so everyone always got

                together and just enjoyed it all together. We were like one big family

      Tony- LOL Tony doesn't have a fave memory, LOL

        
      

             



Our Roman

I don't think I've shared what's going on with Roman, except privately with people in our lives. Roman has a lot of worries and anxiety and we are not sure why. It causes him to have major meltdowns over things that most of us would find trivial. He as he is getting older also shows signs of depression, to where he could go a few days even without eating- just sleeps. Roman also doesn't like loud noises or crowds and has to know exactly what we are doing, to the hour. Roman has no problems in school and is super smart, has friends and usually is just fine day to day. He has a wonderful teacher that can tell when he is overwhelmed and deals with him accordingly. The people in his private life are also very understanding about Roman and are nothing but awesome with him, and I'm thankful for them all. Romans inner circle is very small and that's how he likes it. So today brings us to a neuropsychiatric appt. where we are trying to determine if its neuro due to some birth and some newborn issues, so friends that is where we are at. Thank you for the love and support

My bucket list

There are so many things I'd like to do before I leave the Earth, I know I won't hit them all-but it should be fun to try, right? What is on your bucket list?

1-Visit Scotland
2-Visit England
3-Walk around in the rain in Paris
4-Celebrate NYE in NYC
5-Ride a gondola in Italy
6-Sleep in!!!
7-Sit on a deserted beach and watch the ocean float by
8-Catch a Salmon
9-Take a road trip across the US for no reason at all, and stop at out of the way places
10-Sleep in!!! ( I am hoping if I put this on the list more than once, it will happen-haha)
11-Survive another round of teenage years
12-Design my dream house
13-Live in my dream house
14-Go on a police ride along
15-Have frozen hot chocolate in NYC
16-Get my nose pierced