I love it when restaurants mess up

It is my opinion that one of the most unexpected happy surprises that can happen to you is to go into a restaurant and have them mess up your order. I say this because most of the time the restuarant will give you the meal or something else for free to compensate for the horrible inconvenience.

It has happened to us recently at Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Texas Roadhouse. Last night Jessica was in need of a chocolate splurge, and I called Chili's to order one of those molten lava chocolate cakes, which would be the final thing I would eat if I knew I was going to die.

I went to pick up the dessert, and the manager came out and was acting very sorrowful, as if I was going to be so angry that I was going to throw a tirade and burn the place down. They were out of molten lava chocolate cakes. Truthfully, I didn't care and I said to just get a chocolate chip lava cake instead. The manager stopped me, and said, "Well, do you want to hear our offer instead?" They gave me the chocolate chip cake for free, and gave us a coupon (that happens to be expired) for a free chocolate cake in the future. So Jessica got her chocolate splurge (and a future chocolate splurge) for free.

When Jessica heard about this, she was jokingly about to call up Chili's to order another chocolate cake, just to see if they would give us two more free desserts.

I'm thinking in the future I might just order something super complicated, and if they mess up I would just act angry so that I can always get free meals.

I've been tagged! Six Things That Make Me Happy!!!!!!!

My wife Jessica tagged me, and being a fun-loving and active participant in the blogging galaxy, I feel bound to participate. If you don't mind, I will not tag anybody else, as I doubt six people will even read this post.

1. Doing things with my family. I especially like to dream up and plan vacations for us to go on, even if they are financially unreasonable at this time. For example, I have already planned vacations to San Diego, Yellowstone, Cleveland, Zions National Park, a super-duper road trip that would take us to quite a few temples that we've never been to before, and several different cruises. And it isn't the thought of the vacation or sight-seeing which makes me smile; it's the thought of cruising down the freeway with my family, singing along to that crazy love song where I overdramatically bellow out my "ooh ooh oohs".

2. Going to sporting events. As I mentioned in my "25 Random Notes" that was published exclusively on my Facebook page, my fatherhood dream has always been to take my boys to sporting events. BYU football games in particular. There's nothing quite like sitting in that massive metallic stadium on a slightly overcast October afternoon, with a hot dog and drink, and watching the cougars pummel whoever they are playing. And then talking football and life with my boys at my side. Oh, and this dream also involves listening to Greg Wrubell on the postgame coach's show. I also like going to baseball games with my dad and I want to take my boys to baseball games.

3. Doing things for my wife Jessica. As much as I like it when she does things especially for me, I think I am most happy when I plan things for her. I planned a little Valentine's surprise for her this year (note to Jessica if you read this: it is a small surprise; don't get your hopes up), and I gain a lot of satisfaction and happiness as I plan and present the Annual Weekend for Jessica. I might not be perfect at doing things for her, but I like to try!

4. The thought of school ending, forever. Do I need to post further on this? Only fifteen more classes....

5. Ping pong tournaments. We used to have ping pong tournaments at least once a year. And it was fun for the whole family to participate. Unfortunately, there was a reorganization in the YCOC (Young Competition Oversight Committee) last year, and now we never play. Oh well, I am STILL the holder of the Beast Jug. Ryan, my little brother, is in charge of organizing ping pong tournaments now and he hasn't done a very good job. RYAN, I TAG YOU TO DO A BETTER JOB!!

6. Temples. I am very grateful that we have temples on the earth today, which provide a way for me to be with my family forever. I am thankful to be sealed to my wife Jessica, and to my three little boys (Hayden, Scott, and Parker). And to my other family members as well. I get a very peaceful feeling when I think about temples, and that's why I like to visit them, even if I don't have the chance to go inside all of them. Hopefully my Temples List expands, though I like the fact that I have never been to the Ogden Temple. When I look at the temples I haven't been to yet in my lifetime, it is depressing to think that they are so far away and that I can't easily visit them. But having Ogden on my "haven't-visited-yet" list makes me keep thinking about it because progress seems reasonable. (speaking of which, when will I ever visit the Vernal Temple? Is there any reason why I would ever go in that general vicinity? I can't think of one. There's probably a better chance of me going to the Bolivia Temple somehow).

Updated Temple List

Yesterday, Jessica and I took Hayden and Parker and went to the open house of the Draper Temple. It was the first open house I had been to since going to the Bountiful Temple back when I was a teenager.

Anyway, the temple was, of course, beautiful. It was interesting to see how tight the space was inside...instead of long hallways like you'd see in the Salt Lake or Jordan River Temples, in the Draper Temple all the rooms are close together. The baptistry was on the main level as opposed to being in the basement like I'm used to. (CRITICAL UPDATE: THE BAPTISTRY IS NOT ON THE MAIN LEVEL. I WAS MISTAKEN. WE ENTERED THE TEMPLE IN THE BASEMENT. MY BAD.)

I have never done a session where you move from room to room. At the Draper Temple they have you move rooms once. One interesting thing I saw was that in the endowment rooms they have one seat in the back row which is larger than the otherS...about twice as big. I guess the Church is going the way of Canada and accomodating large people. I would guess that's why they are larger. Jessica thought it might be kind of like a love seat for a husband and wife to sit in together during the session. I dunno...there were no steel supports underneath, so maybe it isn't for fat people after all. (CRITICAL UPDATE: JESSICA WANTS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT SHE DIDN'T REALLY THINK IT WAS A LOVE SEAT. I'M SORRY, HONEY!)

The celestial room was beautiful. The chandelier is enormous! It was very peaceful. Of course, after being pretty good the entire time, Hayden chose to have a minor meltdown right as we were entering the celestial room. I guess that's what you get with two-year-olds.

I would encourage everyone to go to the open house, if you can. It is a great way to take your children with you to see the sealing rooms, and the celestial room, and to teach them about the temple. I mean, obviously Hayden won't remember going into the Draper Temple, but it was still a teaching moment, and I can't think of a much better place for a little kid to learn about the Gospel than at the temple.

So add Draper to the list of temples I've been to! Here is the updated list:

1. Bountiful Utah
2. Denver Colorado

3. Draper Utah

4. Idaho Falls Idaho

5. Jordan River Utah

6. Laie Hawaii

7. Las Vegas Nevada

8. Logan Utah

9. Los Angeles California

10. Manila Philippines

11. Manti Utah

12. Monticello Utah

13. Mount Timpanogas Utah

14. Provo Utah

15. Rexburg Idaho

16. St. George Utah

17. Salt Lake

18. San Diego California

19. Washington D.C.

This summer will be the open house for the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. I am excited, as this temple is right down the street from us!