Has this ever happened to you?

Don't you hate it when you get together a friend who is vegetarian and so you plan a vegetable-based picnic dinner, not because she is intolerant (since she is, in fact, the most tolerant person you have ever met), but because you are respectful, and then your husband shows up unexpectedly carrying a big bag of beef jerky and steers the conversation to how he often ate dog meat while serving a mission in South Korea?

Yeah, me too.

(As a side note: my friend's 4-year-old son was at a neighbor's house. The neighbor asked him if he had any food allergies. He said, "Yes. I'm allergic to dead animals.")

Confession

A little bit of background information:

1. If you look up the definition of germaphobe in a dictionary, it will say "Chris Woods." Chris and I have never shared a drink of water. If someone else's lips touch a cup, Chris will never drink from it. We don't eat off of each others plates or the childrens'--ever. When I first met Chris, I thought this was pretty weird (in a quirky sort of way, not a see-a-psychiatrist sort of way). But after being married to him for so long, I find it shocking, appalling, and disgusting when I see people sip out of their spouse's water glass. Ick. I have been converted.

2. Have you ever had Disneyland ice cream? If you haven't, it's worth the $72 price of admission just to buy some ice cream. ("What?" you're thinking, "Where can you find Disneyland tickets for only $72???" Oh, I say, that's just for one day, one park.) Anyhoo...ice cream. Mmmm.

This story took place when we were in Disneyland recently. (Remember how I was going to blog about that trip? Looks like it's not happening.) My brother-in-law, Nate, got himself some ice cream. When the boys (who had gone to ride the Screamer) met up with my sisters-in-law and me (who chose to hang out in the Bug's Life area with the little ones), Nate's ice cream was about half gone. I guess he got tired of it because he offered it around to anyone who wanted the rest. Chris said, "No way!" Then Nate offered it to me. Chris answered for me, "Megan will never eat out of the same bowl as you. There is no way she will eat off your spoon." But I wasn't so sure (see #2 above). I very quietly nodded to Nate and took his ice cream.

I have never seen Chris so beside himself. As I slowly and dramatically lifted Nate's spoon to my mouth, Chris (very loudly) tried to get me to stop. After I took the first bite, he said, "I can't believe you just did that. Now you need to go talk to the bishop."

I'm pretty sure he was joking. But then again (see #1 above), maybe not.

Standing strong against peer pressure

I think this was a logical shift in conversation:

We were talking about peer pressure. Specifically, it was about friends pressuring you to drink alcohol. Sarah said, "I've got a strong mind and there is no way someone could get me to do something I don't want to do. If I decide when I am young, then that is the way it's going to be." (I wonder where she got these ideas...)

She contined, "I already know what I'm going to name my children when I grow up and no one can change my mind. Emily, Katie, Anthony, and Mark..."

Chris said, "Don't you think your husband should have a say in that?"

Sarah's response shows her vast understanding of marital compromise, "If I have more than four children, he can name the rest of them."

(By the way, I know Sarah very well and I'm guessing right now: No he can't. He may make suggestions, but the approval process will be extremely rigorous.)

Favorite view

When I go places, I don't always choose the fastest route. I rarely choose the fastest route if I can find a way that is prettier. I like pretty. Instead of getting to the freeway on the road where I can travel 45-50 mph, I go on the road where the speed limit is about 25 mph. I know, it's silly. But it's pretty. And it is on this road that I see one of my favorite views. I have wanted to capture it. I waited until winter was over because I thought it might be prettier when the trees weren't so barren. But then the trees got leaves and blocked my view. I tried to take the picture anyway. I wish you could see it in person. A lot of you probably have.

You see that you can see two temples in one view? I know, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple is hidden behind some bushes and trees. It's a better view from inside the car. But still, it's nice, right?

Speaking of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple...

We studied landscapes the other day during art. And then I thought we'd find a good spot to look out and draw the world around us. I chose the grass in front of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. The kids drew some great landscapes. And I took some pictures. Would you like to see?

The landscape we were attempting to draw.

The children working hard on their drawings.

When we sit at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple,

we can look out and see two other temples in our valley.

The Jordan River Temple (almost swallowed by all the houses).

The Draper Temple waaay across the valley in the foothills of the other mountains.

So, that was a fun day.