TAG

Here are the rules:

-Post who tagged you with a link to their blog
-Post these rules on your blog
-Write 10 random things about yourself!
-Tag some friends!

My friend Kim Brown down the street from me tagged me(y0 wut up Kim!). She has amazing kids and is my mentor in life (starting from the PTA days!). Thanks for tagging me Kim, it was good for me to spend some time thinking of these things. :)

10 Random Things I Love About Me

1. I am a great planner! I hesitate to claim that I am an “organized” person because if you saw my house you'd know that wasn't true. But I can plan great things . . . activities, parties, meetings, schedules. You name it – I'll plan it! It's what I love most about my current calling. I can plan all the RS activities and then delegate it out to a fabulous committee!

2. I've started exercising again. I get up at 7:15 (which is a totally reasonable time for me) and get in my workout clothes. Then the whole family gets up for scripture and prayer at 7:20, Brianne leaves for school at 7:30 and I leave for the gym. Brian helps Hannah get the other kids going and then drops off Hannah and Jackson at school on the way in to town. He then brings the younger 2 girls to meet me in Lehi and we swap vehicles. In the mean-time, I do the treadmill for 35 minutes and hit the weight room for 20 minutes. Afterward, I shower and dress before Brian gets there. It's SO GREAT! It gives me time by myself and by the time I get home at 10 am I have already exercised, showered, and gotten dressed for the day. It helps me feel like I've accomplished something great every day!

3. I am a great cook. Just like anyone, I particularly like it more when I have time and money to do it right. I get frustrated when I am in a rush and/or on a tight budget. This week I am doing a freezer meal swap with 16 other people. I made 16 meals in 2 hours (Hoagies on a bun)! Next week we'll swap them out and I'll get 16 different meals back.

4. I've been told I have a great smile – not sure what else to say about that other than “thanks”! It's always nice to have my husband tell me how much he loves my smile. He says it's the reason he first fell in love with me. (didn't you say that honey? well I think he told me that before!)

5. I love to play video games. Alone or with my family. It's not a new thing, I've always been this way. Right now I play a lot of World of Warcraft, but my latest obsession is Tetris on Facebook. Anyone care to challenge me?

6. I've really been getting into politics lately. My husband has always been passionate about it since I met him, but I think it's really starting to rub off on me. I use to glaze over whenever he'd start in, but now I find myself doing my own reading and investigating into the world of politics. Two particular blogs I have on my google-reader are Power Line Blog and Michelle Malkin. I also like Ann Coulter and of course the conservative talk radio line-ups (Rush, Sean, Glenn, etc . . .). To those of you who are not fond of the conservative leanings – perhaps we can have a good discussion some day :)

7. I love to sing. I started taking it seriously in high school. Not serious enough to go professional or even semi-pro, but enough to know I liked it and wanted to continue. It sometimes feels awkward to volunteer myself to sing at an event, but I found that if I didn't put myself out there, no one ever asked me. I sing alto in a choir, but what I really like to sing is any harmony part. I love to hear a good melody and harmony together.

8. I looooove chocolate. Milk Chocolate is my favorite – dark chocolate and semi-sweet is BLECH! Now that the big Hershey bars are on sale at the grocery store 10 for $10 I had better go shopping with a buddy to keep me under control. Chocolate fondu and homemade fudge = WIN!

9. I love musicals. I need to start putting more of them on my Netflix list and educate my kids. Old time musicals and modern musicals. Last summer Brianne was able to see Wicked – so jealy! Moulin Rouge is one of my all time favorite movies/soundtracks.

10. I have a great family. A fantastic husband and awesome kids. My in-laws are so wonderful and supportive. My parents and siblings, grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles . . . /sniff . . . I LOVE YOU ALL! Thanks for your influence, love, and support all my life. I love who I am because you all helped make me ME!

I tag . . .
1. My husband BRAIN KIRKBY, d'oh I mean BRIAN KIRKBY
2. My sister LAURA WHIPPLE
3. My one of my best friends from teen-aged times, HEATHER REDDING.

A note to Heather: I can't figure out how to comment on your blog (she doesn't use blogspot). I R NUB, need help! Hopefully she's reading my blog and will know she's been TAGGED!