Texas has been a little on the cold side for Texas, and we had one day that really felt cold with a biting wind, but compared to Utah, it's been pretty nice. Today and one other day the temperature was near 70, which is really nice. Max and I have been able to make several trips to the park. Jennie usually comes, too.
On Thursday morning Jennie and I took Max to the library story time while Elise went to the hospital to welcome Maverick Roy Jackson into the world. Max loved the story time and we had fun watching him participate. He obviously knew the routine really well.
Early that afternoon, Maverick was born. He weighed 8 1/2 lbs and was at least 20 1/2 inches long. We're not sure they measured him quite right and suspect he might be a bit longer. So far he has been an angelic baby. We've all enjoyed holding and loving him. Especially Max.
I haven't been home at all, and I don't have any pictures, but I've heard that Roy's had a good week with all of our other kids. Crista spent the weekend at our home (because Matt's out of town at a marketing convention) and a lot of the family went up to Snow Basin to ski on Saturday. Caitlyn went too, but her foot has been bothering her and so she stayed in the lodge and helped with Finn and Ruby. Everyone in Utah (except Matt) got together Saturday night for pizza and games. We love to be around our family.
Jennie and I went to church with Max today. Andy had a talk prepared in case there was time left after their two speakers were done. Lucky for us there was, because he gave a really great talk. He spoke on obedience to the commandments and told us a story of when he was a candidate to be a Green Beret. The Star course, a land navigation course, was a test all the candidates had to participate in. It was 35-40 kilometers of very rough and thick terrain (Andy said it made Jurassic Park look good). There were a multitude of rules they were not to break. Of course, it was inevitable that some would be broken--the idea was not to get caught. There were three opportunities to pass the course. Andy said that one candidate, when it got dark, took a light (not allowed), put it above his head and just started running. Andy thought it was pretty gutsy, so he stayed a ways behind and kind of watched him. One of the "lane walkers" (police), called out to the runner and asked for his roster number. The guy asked, "you don't know it?" The lane walker said, "No." The candidate said, "then forget it" and took off running. Later he got caught walking along a road (they weren't supposed to get any closer than 10 feet from a road). The lane walker sited him and said, "Don't think for one minute I didn't know who you were when you had that light." Apparently the numbers were put on each candidate's back with strip tape that showed up loud and clear with the night vision glasses the lane walkers had. Andy's point was that you might think you are getting away with your choices, but someone knows what you're doing and at some point you have to account for your actions. This particular candidate was thrown off the course and asked not to come back. He never became a Green Beret. Those three opportunities to pass the course are important, though. Most of the guys, if they didn't make it through with enough points could try again, and then again. Sometimes, even if they never passed the course, they could still become a Green Beret if they'd shown perseverance and a good attitude and integrity, etc. Andy likened this to repentance. Heavenly Father wants to give us more chances. He wants us to try again and again.
It's apparent as I write these letters that we have been blessed extensively in our family. I am so thankful for all of you.
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