A Memorial Day reflection...

Jillian usually does the posting, but I wanted to add this, so you get to hear from me this time. As you all know, we spent the past week in Minnesota visiting family and friends. While, the entire trip was amazing and fun, we did have a serious moment on Thursday in preparation for Memorial Day. Just down the road from Mike & Emily's house is Fort Snelling National Cemetery. As it should, it very much resembles Washington National, and is a very beautiful but a very sad and humbling place. The kids, Curtis and Anna however looked it as an endless oppurtunity to play hide and seek. The smiles on their faces was refreshing.

What many don't know is our son, Curtis Cole Counts has a name that is very important to us. Allow me to explain in my typical long-winded manner.

See, both of my grandfathers served in World War II, and both were heroes in my book. Fortunately, I got to know both of them and got the opportunity to look up to both of them.

My maternal grandfather, Bryan Curtis (TEC 4, US Army) and much of my mom's side of the family lived in the midwest, mostly Minnesota, while I was growing up. I saw him on occasion, but only have great memories of how much he made me laugh for hours on end while we sat on the couch and he told me corny jokes. I didn't know much about his life except what my mom and grandma have told me. Before he passed away, he recorded an account of much of his life and planned on doing so for the his children (7) as well. He only finished his before he passed away. My grandma gave me a copy of the tape while we were there this week. I look forward to listening to him tell the stories again. He passed away in 1997 while I was at the Boy Scout National Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Our son's first name, Curtis, is his namesake. Little known fact, my mom followed in his footsteps a bit, and she served in the US Army for a couple of years, and it was her time in the Army that lead her to Houston to meet my dad.

Then there's Papa, my paternal grandfather, George H. Counts (Lt. Col., US Air Force, Ret), who lived in Pearland while I was growing up. I saw him on a regular basis and learned a lot about him and what his life and the war were like. He really was one of my heroes growing up. He was highly decorated in WWII with numerous air medals, distinguished flying crosses, and a couple of purple hearts. I miss him dearly. He passed away when I was in college. My dad, Daryl Cole, followed in his footsteps and served in the US Army, and I took a stab at it in college for a couple of years in USAF ROTC but was medically DQ'd and honorably discharged. Curtis shares mine and my dad's middle name, Cole.

And to all of those who have served our country, and those who have friends and loved ones who have lost their lives doing so, let us honor them. Those who have died have not died in vain. You have served a greater cause than yourself and paid the ultimate price. May you rest in peace in heaven with our Savior who paid the ultimate price for us.

--Jacob

We're off!!!!

We are off to Minnesota tomorrow, SO excited!!! Can not wait to see Michael, Emily, and of course little Anna Jayne! We have already made some plans to visit Jacob's grandma Dub as well as some other family during our week there. I am sure it is going to be a fantastic trip...tons of pictures to follow!!!!

I will leave the grandparents with some new pictures of Curtis to tide them over for the week we will be gone :) By the way, he has started to pick up new words like crazy...really adorable! Today when we left the grocery store I said "oh man!" that has become his new favorite phrase. He has also picked up some random words out of our conversations like bathtub, snacks, and right there. Today we are working on saying Anna...so far he has said it three times, hopefully he will get it when we are in Minn!!

Frownie Face

Had to share this adorable "frownie" face...definitely the cutest when he is faking it as seen in above picture!!

Tuneless Tuesday

Look at these musical geniuses at work!!! I love the second picture where Clare is doing an adorable boogie!!! One more week until Minnesota!!!!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all and especially my beautiful mother. This was definitely not the mother's day I had hoped for but still had many beautiful moments. Jacob bought me a gorgeous arrangement of Mums and Lilys (St. Catherine's flower) and some great gift cards to pamper myself for the rest of the year. Next week we head to Minnesota to go see Mike, Emily, and Anna Jayne, we are absolutely thrilled! I think a change of scenery could do us all some good right now! Thanks again to all of you who have been keeping us in your prayers. Everyday is better than the last.

St. Catherine

We did indeed lose our precious little angel. The doctor confirmed this morning that although the egg sac was present, the baby never formed. Hopefully things will take care of themselves this week, otherwise a DNC will need to be performed next week. This has been the greatest struggle of our lives. Thank you for all of those who have kept us in your prayers. We could never have survived this without you. Without the rock of our father, we would be lost.
Going back a few weeks, throughout the pregnancy (in such a short time), we of course talked about potential boy and girl names. The only name we could agree on was Catherine, after St. Catherine of Siena, and we were at a loss for any other name. Well, last week when we first knew there was a problem Jacob and I decided to pick a name for our beautiful baby as we thought this would help with the grieving process. Since Catherine was the one we could agree on, Catherine it was. St. Catherine of Siena was an amazingly holy and strong women, and it was not until this morning that we realized the awesome significance of our choice. We found this morning through the research of my beloved sister in law that St. Catherine's feast day this year was April 29th... the day before we found out our little one was in trouble. The opening prayer for Catholic mass around the world today is an intercessory prayer of St. Catherine. We also found out that she is the patron saint of miscarriages. Sometimes God can send his messages of hope and mercy loud and clear! The peace that Jacob and I have received from knowing these things has been our greatest comfort. They have allowed us to know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the will of the Father. May his will be done, not ours. We long for the day we will be reunited with our entire family while resting in the arms of our Lord. Please continue to pray for us as we heal and mourn our loss. Also that things will take care of themselves naturally and that a DNC will not be necessary. Thank you for our overwhelming love and support. We are truly blessed.

Prayers Please

Please keep us in your prayers...things are not looking too healthy with our pregnancy. Its all in Gods hands...thank you.