I love it when I can introduce you to someone I’ve actually met in real life because I can confirm that they really are as cool as they seem “on paper.”  (That comment in no way implies that people I have not met are less cool than they seem.  That would be a really dumb thing to say.  Just the law of witnesses here.  Anyway…)  I happen to know that Alyssa is a bonafide in-the-trenches mother because several attempts to have lunch together have been thwarted by things like fevers, plumbing disasters, kids who peed their pants at preschool, etc. . . . you know, real life stuff.  I turned on my sarcasm radar, but it was inconclusive about her real feelings about this survey.  Decide for yourself.  Also known as “Wonder Woman” on her blog, and rightly so, here’s Alyssa:

Hi!  My name’s Alyssa, but around the blogosphere I go by Wonder Woman.  My husband, “Superman” and I have been married for almost 8 years.  We’ve got 3 kids: two boys, 5 & 6, and a little girl who just turned one.  We live in the heart of Happy Valley (a place I thought I’d never be happy living) and lead a life full of rainbows and unicorns and bubbles.  And the occasional tantrum, dirty diaper, chaotic FHE, and bag of chocolate.  Ours truly is a blessed life

My husband I grew up in Kansas where we met and fell in love. He was the first boy I ever dated and despite looking really hard while I attended BYU-Idaho, I could never find his equal. We married, moved to Utah, and started having children.  How original, right?

What’s your favorite part of motherhood?  Spontaneous hugs and kisses and “I love you’s.” Without question.  I also love being surprised by my children and what they can do.  (Mimicking, mastering technology, learning to read, and the like.  I don’t particularly like being surprised by toilet paper unraveled and dirty underwear hidden under the bed, but motherhood’s about taking the good with the bad, right?)

What part of motherhood would you subcontract out if you could?  Dealing with tantrums.   The whole discipline aspect.  I’m not as good at it as I thought I was.  I think I’m too concerned with my children being happy and not worried enough about them being obedient.  I would also subcontract the dishes.  I LOATHE the dishes.

Name 2 or 3 items on your “bucket list.”  (Some things you’d like to do before you die.)  Visit Europe. The good parts, not the scary or impoverished parts. Be rich enough to pay for someone else’s groceries at random.  I don’t really need to be rich I just want the power to grant and crush other people’s dreams. Also, be cast in a telenovella.

Brag for a minute.  Do it.  What are a few things that you’re pretty good at?   I am musical.  I love singing and playing the piano and listening to all kinds of good music.  I’m pretty good with little kids. I’m also excellent at responding to questionnaires about myself. Keep reading and see for yourself.

What are you loving lately?  Big Bang Theory, Parenthood, and the gorgeous weather.  And I’m really, loving this survey.  Its clever and inclusive.  Gives me a chance to self reflect and dig deep.

Do you have a favorite scripture or quote?  Why? “Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.”  Elder Marvin J. Ashton said this.  This is my favorite quote because . . . . . . . it speaks to my soul.

What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend?  If you’re going to be my friend, you can trust me to be dependable.  If I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it.  I will probably be about ten minutes late, but I will be there.  (Or in this case, I had the survey completed, but I sent it to Steph pretty late on the deadline day.) Also, I really {heart} pop-culture. I can name the last people booted off American Idol and Dancing with the Stars, tell you about Steve Carell’s last episode, and what fashion faux pas Helena Bonham Carter has committed lately.

Desert Island Question.  If you were stranded on a desert island (most moms would actually crave this) and could only take 3 items with you, what would they be?  Chocolate, sunscreen, and a laptop with wifi.  So that I could fill out more surveys.

If you were awarded an “honorary degree” in something, what should it be and why?  Blogging, with a minor in filling out surveys.  Tell me I’m wrong.

Let’s say you’re dying in your sleep tonight.  What would you eat for your last meal? Anything from the Olive Garden, with a Diet Dr. Pepper. Also, I’d order a glass of water from the Fountain of Youth.

What homemaking job/task gives you the most satisfaction?  Vacuuming.  Without question, vacuuming is the most satisfying activity for me. The floor is so clean when I’m done!  But really, it’s probably because before vacuuming I have to wipe the counters and table, sweep, pick up dirty laundry, toys, shoes and scrape soggy cereal off the floor.  By the time I’m done vacuuming, I’ve actually cleaned most of the house.   So now that I think about it, I actually HATE vacuuming because there’s so much prep work.  Thanks, Stephanie.  Now I despise the only chore that gave me a sense of satisfaction.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?  Bruno Mars “Amazing.”  Because, DUH.  I’m aMayzing.

Tell us about your blog:

The aMayzing Wonder Woman  It’s about me.  Mostly random, occasionally profound, and often sarcastic.  But always aMayzing.

Thanks, Alyssa!  I’m thinking next week we just ought to continue the interview since she’s clearly so attached to this survey.  What do you think?

I’m at Women’s Conference today at BYU, but I wanted you to meet Stephani (who is only one “e” short of being as cool as me 🙂 ).  Thank you so much to all of you who chimed in on my post about Natalie.  You have given me some great things to think about and look into, and more importantly, you made me feel understood and hopeful.  Thank you.

Can I just say that the more I do this Find-A-Friend Friday feature, the more my faith is restored in humanity in general?  I love discovering an army of able, righteous, strong women fighting the same battle along side me.  Ladies and gentleman, meet Stephani:

(p.s.  I know this post has some trouble with some of the spacing, but I’m too tired to find all the coding errors, so please forgive me.)

Hello! My name is Stephani and I am delighted to have this chance to share a little bit about myself! I am 33 years old and just last Friday my husband (Corey) and I celebrated our 11^th anniversary. We have two wonderful children – our son is 9 and our daughter is 7. After six very long years we are blessed to now have twins (a boy and a girl) on the way. We have lived in Houston, Texas for the past eight years but will only be Texans for two more months. In June we are headed up to Ann Arbor, Michigan and we are excited!

I am the oldest of eight children, seven girls and one boy. Nope, the boy isn’t at the end. He’s smack dab in the middle. My mother decided one little bundle of energy was enough for her! Though I was born in Colorado, I spent most of my growing up years in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I headed off to BYU in 1996 and graduated a few months after I was married with a degree in American Studies. I went on to teach second grade until our son was born in 2001. My husband graduated from BYU in 2002 and we headed off to med school in Houston. He just graduated in 2010 with an MD/PhD and we are thrilled to, at last, be done with school. He has almost completed his first year of residency here in Houston and will complete his last four years of residency in Ann Arbor.

I want to take my kids to Israel. My husband and I, in 2007, had the blessing of visiting Israel. It was a life changing experience that I would like give to my children.

“Righteous sorrow and suffering carve cavities in the soul that will become later reservoirs of joy” Elder Neal A. Maxwell

“Everything will work out” President Gordon B. Hinckley

“We owe everything to the Lord. We are so blessed to be involved in a faith based work, a work in which we can create families, support families, defend families, teach families, and prepare them for the blessings of eternal life—and love them, love them, love them.” Sister Julie B. Beck

Each of these have offered their comfort and direction at various times, as I’m sure they will continue to do.

I have also found that revelation flows the most swiftly when my children are involved. I am quite certain that this is due to the fact that the Lord knows I would seriously mess them up if He didn’t send revelation on their behalf rapidly. It has been such a blessing to be able to turn to Him for anything and receive the guidance my kiddos need.

We have experienced many miracles over the last few months which have resulted in two sweet babies on the way. We couldn’t be more blessed.

30% – I have a total of five onesies and two burp clothes for the twins (we gave away every last baby item during our years of infertility). How in the world am I going to come up with everything I need for two?
20% – How in the world are we going to get our family and all of our stuff to Michigan?
10% – I can’t, for the life of me, figure out how handle my son’s latest development of complete inability to follow through with any given task
10% – How do I help my daughter deal with elementary school drama?
10% – How can I better show my appreciation for my husband?
10% – Is this going to be a throwing up day?
10% – General business of the day

In the last few months I started a personal blog, separate from our family blog, entitled ‘Becoming’. It’s a place where I can share some thoughts and experiences (the good and not so good!) on my personal journey to become more like the Savior. I am hoping for the blog to function as forum for all to share ideas and insights along our very different roads that are all leading us back to Him. I would love it if you hopped on over! www.stephani-becoming.blogspot.com

Okay, people, you really need to know Montserrat, also known as “Cocoa” in the blogosphere.  She fascinates me because she is so many things that I love (faithful, Spanish and Hispanic heritage, from Georgia like me, chocoholic…), and also so many things that scare me to death (homeschool, 8 children, farm …).  She pulls it all off with an amazing grace and a remarkable attitude. She is truly inspiring, and any visit you make to her blog makes you want to do more and be better (but not in a guilty way).  I honestly believe that what she does with her family out on a remote farm is just as magnificent as any woman in history has ever done.  She rocks.  Here’s Montserrat:

Hola! My name is Montserrat (moan-say-raht) but most people just take the “rat” off and call me Montse (moan-see). My name comes from the monastery outside of Barcelona, Spain. I am 33 years old and have had a ‘heap o living’ in my life already. My wonderful husband and I live on a 4,200 acre alfalfa farm with our seven daughters and one son (soon to be two sons!) in Northern Nevada. We farm with my husband’s brothers and their families. We also homeschool our children.

I am a “mixed” breed. My mother is Mexican and my father is half Spanish, with his other half being descended from good old Mormon pioneer stock. The oldest of five children, I was born in Salt Lake City and grew up in Miami, FL and Byron, GA. My husband served his mission to Georgia, our branch being his first area. That is were we first met, but since I had just turned thirteen you can bet there wasn’t anything inappropriate going on. J I went to Ricks College (BYU-I) at the ripe old age of fifteen. My parents tried to find someone who could keep an eye on me and remembered that Elder ‘W’ was also going to Ricks. He’s been keeping an eye on me every since! We were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple by President Hinckley in December 1994, one month after I turned seventeen.

What’s your favorite part of motherhood?

I love the hugs and slobbery goodnight kisses I get from my children. I enjoy just being with them, watching them, learning who they are. They are each so unique! I enjoyed hearing this quote given by Sister Jean A. Stevens this past General Conference:

“Elder M. Russell Ballard has taught us the importance of the Savior’s admonition to “behold your little ones” when he said: “Notice that He didn’t say ‘glance at them’ or ‘casually observe them’ or ‘occasionally take a look in their general direction.’ He said to behold them. To me that means that we should embrace them with our eyes and with our hearts; we should see and appreciate them for who they really are: spirit children of our Heavenly Father, with divine attributes” (“Behold Your Little Ones,” Tambuli, Oct. 1994, 40; emphasis added; “Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children,” Ensign, Apr. 1994, 59).

“There is not a more perfect place to behold our little ones than in our families. Home is a place where we can all learn and grow together.”

Name 2 or 3 items on your “bucket list.”  (Some things you’d like to do before you die.)

My husband and I really want to serve a mission together when our kids are grown and gone. Someday I WILL write a children’s book. And I want to learn how to play “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on my violin before I die.

Brag for a minute.  Do it.  What are a few things that you’re pretty good at?

Playing the piano has always been a favorite talent. I’m glad my parents instilled that love of music in me and my siblings. Being able to play practically anything when called on at the last minute has been a tremendous way to serve.

I am good at staying cheerful. It’s just a natural thing that can drive others (especially those that like to be pessimistic) nuts, but that’s part of my disposition – to be truly happy and cheerful.

I can also make really good wheat bread.

What are you loving lately?

Hot chocolate on a stick, my quiet study times in the mornings before everyone else wakes up, feeling my son move and kick in my womb, hearing my children laugh as they play together, and listening to all the great programs at the Mormon Channel on my iPod when I go walking or clean the house.

6. Do you have a favorite scripture or quote?  Why?

One of my favorite scriptures has always been Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

It goes along well with my favorite quote from Sis. Marjorie Pay Hinckley, “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.”

Though our lives may be hard and full of trials we can still choose to be happy and content with whatever situation we find ourselves. We are commanded to “be of good cheer!”

What do you gravitate toward during your unscheduled time?

It depends on the time of year. In the winter I enjoy sewing and quilting. Spring and summer you’ll find me working in my garden. And in the autumn it’s baking and canning with all the harvest. You can bet no matter what the season though, I will always have a good book in hand.

Tell us some of your best mom-tricks  (things you’ve figured out that work well for you).

Keeping a good routine! Kids thrive on routines. We don’t really stick to a certain time schedule but rather the same flow throughout the day. When it’s time to work, we ALL work. When it’s time to eat, we ALL eat. And when it’s time to play, we ALL play. It makes our days runs so much smoother.

What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend?

Sometimes I can have a really sarcastic sense of humor. It can throw people off when we first meet. Also I am a total nerd (actually I prefer dweeb) and love to talk about odd facts. And if we ever play Scrabble be prepared for a knockout, hard fought game!

Friends are great for venting.  What’s been frustrating you lately?

Politics. Enough said on that one! Another is feeling alienated sometimes because my husband is the bishop of our ward. Some people assume that he tells me everything that is going on, who he’s meeting with, and what everyone’s problems are (which he doesn’t!) so when they are mad at him for various reasons they show it towards me or my kids as well. Of course, this doesn’t happen all the time, but enough that it hurts.

What parts of your testimony are you the most sure of?

I know that Jesus is the Christ! I Stand All Amazed is my favorite hymn as it was the starting point of my testimony. At thirteen I began memorizing that hymn – the words as well as playing it on the piano. A little fire was started that couldn’t be stopped. I studied the words and the accompanying scriptures which led me to other scriptures and hymns. Studying the atonement and what it means in my life has truly helped me through trials. Jesus Christ is my Savior and redeemer! I’m not one for writing poetry but the following just came out one day. It is my testimony of Jesus Christ.

The wondrous works thy hands have wrought,
The majesty of thy being,
Doth cause within my humble heart,
A peaceful quiet knowing.

Thou art my Savior, my Master, my Healer,
My soul from sin redeem.
Oh, beautiful Lord, my Rock, my Pillar,
Thou King of all supreme!

Thy suffering pains no man could share,
In agony that night spent!
And still, next day, the cross to bear,
That all mankind might repent.

Three days thy body lay in tomb,
My Lord, the Anointed One.
What joy is found, the empty tomb!
Victory over death is won!

Thou art my Savior, my Master, my Healer,
My soul from sin redeem.
Oh beautiful Lord, my Rock, my Pillar,
Thou King of all supreme!

My sins are great, my soul doth grieve,
“O wretched man that I am!”
Yet, in thy bosom, sweet reprieve,
Cleansed by the blood of the Lamb!

What homemaking job/task gives you the most satisfaction?

I love, love, love to do laundry! A good thing as we have loads of it around here – especially in the summertime. I love the whole process of washing it and hanging it on the line, then folding and smelling, and smelling and folding it when it’s crisp and dry.

What’s something unexpected in your life, and how have you dealt with it?

2008 was a hard year for me. I had two miscarriages, one at the beginning and one towards the end of the year. Right in the middle of that my husband was called to be the bishop. Talk about lots of changes and highs and lows! My husband is the one that helped me the most, keeping steady and strong, and lending a listening ear. He is the rock of our family. Boy, do I love him!

Tell us about your blog:

Chocolate on my Cranium was started a little over three years ago. If it’s not obvious from the title I am a die hard chocoholic. I talk about everything from mothering, home making, and homeschooling, to sharing crafts and tutorials, and also what life is like on the farm. I hope that those that stop by feel welcome and at home there. I gave everyone in our family chocolate aliases – but am running out of ideas so if you have any for the new baby boy due in July please let me know!

See?  I told you she was amazing.  Go spend some time in the archives of her blog and you won’t regret it.  Thanks, Montserrat, for sharing your awesomeness with us.