Funny Times

Last night we received tons of snow. Happy December 1st. So today was a nice slippery mess. As I was leaving to go get the kids from school my sister, Carrie, was leaving my house at the same time and was driving right behind me. I came to a stop sign right as she called me on my cell phone. As I tried to move I realized the ice was too slick and I was stuck so I  told her. So she asked if I wanted a push. Pretty soon I feel and hear her bumper hit my bumper and we both hit our gas. I slowly started moving and we started giggling so hard about Carries great plan. The best part was some teenage boy was crossing the street as this was happening. His mouth kind of hung open with a "what in the world" kind of look. That got us giggling even harder. Good times.

Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles

I realize I have not posted about Joseph and his eyes for a long time.
 Two months ago we took Joseph down to Salt Lake City for a check up. His eyes were not looking good. There was junk building up in his eyes again. His vision in one of his eyes was 20/400 with his glasses on. Our doctor decided he to put him back on a medicine and to start a whole new medicine that will hopefully clear up his eyes completely.  We put him back on the medicine right away. The other medicine we had to see another doctor and do some testing before he is allowed to go on it. It has the possibility of some nasty side effects. I have been kind of dragging my feet about getting all the testing done because I am not sure if I want Joseph on the medicine.
 We took Joseph again to the doctor a month ago and saw the other specialist about the new medicine. I still didn't feel much better about putting him on the medicine. But in between these two visits Rose had broken Joseph's glasses. And between Josephs teacher and me we realized he was reading better and much less stress with out his glasses. So when he had his vision checked this time it was 20/80 in that same eye. We were all amazed. And as his teacher said "it was a miracle".
 Joseph just had another check up yesterday in Salt Lake City and wonder of wonders his vision is still improving. His vision is now 20/50 in one eye and 20/60 in the other. At one point the doctors told us he would never have better vision the 20/80 in either eye. Well that little boy just proved them wrong. As we were driving home from Salt Lake City I was listening to the October Conference on CD there was a talk (I can't remember who it was), that said
"there are things in this world that won't matter in the life here after and if they do matter the Lord will provide a way for them to work out."
 After hearing this I realized that Joseph life is in the Lords hands. Joseph has been given some amazing promises through blessings that he has received. I have to have faith in this. I know what ever happens it will be God's will and Joseph will be a better stronger person for it. So tomorrow he will have a TB test done. And we will go from there to get him on his new medicine. Please keep my sweet boy in your prayers. He is so strong and faithful. He amazes me often with the gospel insight he has. I know through the power of prayer Joseph and our family will be that much stronger. 
 We head back down to Salt Lake City in two months. They were kind enough to give us a Christmas break.

Happy Thanksgiving

We are enjoying our......

Are you????

I am thankful for.....

..... Friends who will do canning with me. It makes the job so much more fun and the time flies by. This year I was able to do canning with 4 different friends and 3 of them I taught how to can. Thanks my darling friends for the good times. I look forward to next year(even though 1 said she won't do it again =}).

I am thankful for....

.... Family time.

We don't always get a lot of it because of Jeremiah's schedule. When we do get it we eat it up.

I am thankful for.....

..... Service.
I have had the blessings of receiving service and giving service.
The other day Isabelle come home with some Chex Mix from our neighbor across the street. We asked her why she was given it and she said because she was shoveling their driveway. Then she ran back outside. As I peered out the window I was filled with joy as I watch Isabelle pick back up her shovel and continue to shovel their driveway.

She didn't stop until she had cleared off the whole drive. She even started cleaning off their other driveway(which is much bigger and longer) but then decided she was done. The next day I received a call from our neighbor, Sister Sorenson, telling me how much she loved and appreciated Isabelle's service. I was so proud of my little girl.

I am thankful for .......

.... Temples

I am so thankful for the blessing of temples on the earth today. I was sealed to my sweetheart and bestfriend for all Eternity. And our children are sealed to us. What great blessing can there be?

I am thankful for....

...... my new glove and hat holder.

All it is, is a shoe hanger.Our closet is way less messy now. And the kids can easily find and put away their stuff.

I am thankful for.....

.... a sewing machine and the talent to know how to use it.

I am thankful for...

..... Gratitude.

I was given a little book with 30 days of gratitude quotes at a Relief Society activity based completely around gratitude. Amazing activity. Amazing little book.

Every morning to go along with scripture reading we have been reading a quote about gratitude. Afterwords we discuss it and then everyone gets to say something the are grateful for and we put it on our Thankful Tree. It has been a really fun experience for our family. As you can see it is getting pretty full.

I am thankful for....

 ..... Sledding

I am thankful for....

.....Snow. doesn't that face say it all?

I am Thankful for........

..... Good Health.
Tuesday night I spent a good bit of the night in the bathroom with my head in the toliet ( I know you all wanted to know that). Then Wednesday I spent most of the day on the couch trying to take care of little Rose and recouperating. I am glad today that I am feeling much better and am able to take care of all my little one and clean my house with out wanting to pass out.
I would like to note that Jeremiah was amazing. He got home from work Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. and finished getting the kids ready and off to school then slept through the day. Once school was out he took care of the kids and made dinner and cleaned up all before he headed back to work again at 8:30. What a great man I married.

I am thankful for.....

......Pizza

We just found a new recipe, Buffalo Chicken Pizza. It is amazing

I am thankful for....

a living Prophet....

What a blessing to know that we have a Prophet on earth at this time who speaks for our Heavenly Father. I always feel so blessed when I get to sit down and listen to General Conference and hear our prophet speak. Sometimes I want to yell out our door "Hey did you know that the prophet of God is speaking right now? Hurry go listen" I think that is what it was like when King Benjamin spoke and all the people gathered to hear him. I could just imagine people grabbing their loved ones saying "come on hurry our prophet is speaking. Let's go hear what our Heavenly Father wants us to know".

This is part of the first talk the President Thomas S. Monson gave as an Apostle. It is so sweet and humble. What an amazing man.

 On  LDS.org there are testimonies from all the Prophets of this dispensation. What a blessing to be able to read, hear and watch these amazing men.

I will leave you with my favorite by Joseph Smith Jr.

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!” ,(Doctrine and Covenants 76:22).

I am thankful for......

...my Parents...

They have been so kind and giving to me. They have raised me with a knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. They have been there for me when times have been tough. And they have been there at times of pure joy.

Thank you Mom and Dad for being good to me. For teaching me. For loving me. 

You are wonderful parents.

I am thankful for....

....... The scriptures.
Richard G Scott said in the last General Conference....

Scriptures are like packets

of light that illuminate our minds

 and give place to guidance

and inspiration from on high.

My wards Relief Society is reading the Book of Mormon in 100 day. We are on day 68. It has been an amazing experience to read it so quickly. I feel so blessed to have the scriptures, that I am able to read them anytime I want. Richard G Scott encouraged us to read all the scriptures we are blessed with and to memorize scriptures. This is something that I will be working on.

Canning

 This year I really got into canning. We had such an abundant garden and we tried our best to use it all and we had very little go to waste. If we weren't able to eat it quick enough it was canned. This year we canned, peach jam, pear jam, mango raspberry jam, peach raspberry jam, pickles, crushed tomatoes, pears, applesauce, pickled zucchini, relish, salsa Verde, salsa, tomato sauce, peaches, apple pie filling, chipotle salsa,  peach pie filling.... I think that was it..... I can't remember if there is anything else. I am not quite done. I have a box of apples waiting for me under my counter. But Jeremiah got tired of having no counter space so he made me take pictures and put it all in the storage room. It great trying new things. We are excited to see what we like and what we will do next year.

I am thankful for......

I am so thankful for the knowledge that I am a child of God. He loves me and wants me to return to him.

I am thankful for......

.....My home.It may not seem much to some but it is mine and it brings me great joy to have a place of peace and comfort to raise my family in.

I am thankful for.......

..... BREAD

Who isn't. The best is when it come fresh out of my oven. I am thankful for the talent and knowledge to make healthy, fresh homemade bread for my family.

I am thankful for........

My Piano. This was my family's piano growing up. I learned (the little I know) to play on this piano. When my parents moved up to Montana I inherited it(They didn't want to try to move it). It is a blessing to have this instrument in our home. Often times one of the kids, Jeremiah or I will be sitting at it playing it. I am trying to get good at playing hymn. Jeremiah has been working on Christmas music. JOY

I am thankful for........

I love that my sister-in-law Ann is doing this so I thought I would copy her. She is so worth copying.

Ooh I will start with Ann... I am so thankful for her. Every time I leave her home I feel the great desire to be a better person. She is a great mother, loving wife, a good friend and an amazing example. She works hard to be her best. I wouldn't mind being like her when I grow up.



I couldn't find a picture of Ann (surprise surprise she is always behind the camera) So I thought I would put up this picture of her big boy Isaac with my big boys that Ann took.
Look at those muscles

Ann I love you!!!! I am so thankful you married Ryan. You are a blessing to the whole Muldowney clan....

July



Another float

I am trying to catch up on my blogging. Here is some of the fun we had in July. I am having a hard time getting my pictures in order, so please forgive me..

We started July heading to Sheridan to spend the 4th with Ryan and Ann. We had tons of fun(as we always do. We made floats, had a parade, played in the water, ate tasty food, and shot off fire works.



I don't know how William does it but he some how enbodies the ideal of summer








Making Icecream



Joy







Rose decided she does like the water









Heres our Float





Keep blowing Joseph





 

Will and Unc Ryan enjoying almost
being hit by a firework

 

  We also had the joy of being there as Ryan blessed his new baby girl Claire. It was beautiful and we were so thankful to be ther for it.

All the cousins(but Rose) for the blessing

Beautiful Rose

I got to go to girls camp again this year.  I have many photos but decided to post just theses two. I was the ward camp director this year. 

My assistant Tanya and Me

These ladies were the best thing there. I had some ups and downs and they were always right behind me helping thing flow.



My other assistant Kristine

My sister and her kids came to visit for about 3 weeks. We always love having them around. We had many fun days swimming. We also made our way up to the falls.

Carrie and me enjoying the falls

My sis Julia and her kids came a weekend and I couldn't help getting a picture of her little girl with Rose 

Rose and Cousin Alexis (29 day apart)





Mike and Joe turn the big 8







Isn't Rose cute? These are the rest of the pictures I couldn't get in order. Enjoy. 

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Fun in the Water



Wyoming is getting a Temple

In General Conference yesterday President Monson announced that we were getting a temple in Star Valley, Wyoming. I am so excited about this announcement. This is the first temple in Wyoming. Unfortunately it is over 5 hours away from Casper. Which makes 3 other temples still closer but not in Wyoming. I still feel as it is a great blessing.
 Our Stake President told us we have to have 2 stakes in Casper to be considered for a temple. I kept feeling as listening to conference this weekend that I have work I can personally do to help make this happen.

1-Year-Old Rose

Casper Chase

 So on Sunday my friend asked if I wanted to run in a 5k. So on  Tuesday we ran the Casper Chase before the parade.It was for an awesome cause. It was for all the families of fallen soldiers from Casper. One of them was a friend of mine from High school so it was so nice to remember him and do something for his family.

 I am not sure what my time was but I felt great. I kept pace with another lady running. We were almost to the finish line and she turned to me and said "Lets finish this strong I know you have it in you" I said "okay" and started sprinting. I heard her behind me say "I can't go that fast" Well I finished it with a sprint. I will say I felt like throwing up afterwards but within a few minutes I felt great.

Here is Jenn and me before the race (of course it is because we are smiling).

Runs in the Blood

Yesterday after church I had one of the primary teachers come up to me and ask if I knew William was suppose to give a talk that day. I was shocked. I never saw anything that said he was suppose to give a talk. She told me not to worry. Apparently he got up and pulled out his scriptures. He read the first Article of Faith then proceeded to give a talk on it. She said it was a great talk and was amazed the he did it. Well I was amazed too. But then I was reminded who is father and his grandfather are. I have been greatly blessed to be married into a family of great scriptural scholars. And a apparently it runs in the blood and my kids are being blessed by it too.

Top Secret

This might look like some regular paper and a picture of some alien to you.

But it is actually a secret message.

Isabelle wanted to send a secret message to some cousins of hers.

We used lemon juice to write it with.

We better not tell you how to discover what is says or you might ruin our secret mission.

Got to Love the Girl who Loves her Daddy

Isabelle adores her daddy. She has from day one. I came out of my room yesterday to find the two of them like this. I can never get her to take a nap, but snuggling up to Daddy is always appealing.

Good luck to the guy who tries to marry this girl. Her Daddy is already planning on buy a shot gun when she turns 16

Fun in the Mud

Today as I was rocking Rose to sleep for a nap, Michael came home from the park covered in mud and with no boots on.

“Michael” I asked “what happened and where are your boots?”

“Well mommy Joseph had a very bad idea. He took us to a mud pile and we got muddy and my boots are stuck.”

I chose right then not to yell, though I was very tempted. I remember going out to the fields one day when I was about their age. My sister, a friend and I found a muddy pond. Well of course we jumped in and played in it for about an hour. We came home with mud covering our bodies.

So I told Michael to take everything off and get some new clothes and take a shower. Soon Joseph came home. Of course he was even muddier. First thing out of his mouth “Mommy I got muddy”

“Well I can see that Joseph take off your stuff and get into the tub”

From the bathroom came “Don’t worry Joseph Mom is not mad”
Hmmm interesting. “Joseph where are Michaels boots? And where is William?”

“Michaels boot are stuck and we can’t get them out and William is still playing”

I got the boys started in the shower, though they wanted a bath. After a couple minutes I got worried that William was still not back so I got on my coat and boots to go find him.

I made it all the way to the park before I saw him. He had even more mud then Michael and Joseph combined.

“Oh mommy (with tears in his eyes) I got stuck and I couldn’t get out and Michaels boots are stuck.”

By now I was laughing
“Ok show me where his boots are.”
He led me to a huge, and I mean HUGE mud pile. Bigger then the lot our house sits on. At first we couldn’t find the boot. I made William got out to get them since he was covered with mud and I was not. Poor William tried to pull them out but couldn’t and he started slipping and got a bit stuck again. So I had to go out and get my boots muddy and tried to pull out of the boots. Needless to say I am covered with mud and the boots are still in the mud pile.
William started crying “We need to call Daddy and he will get them out.” Because of course Daddy is all powerful. I love that my kids think so.
“Ok William lets get home and when Daddy get home we will send him down to get the boots”

All the way home William was crying “oh my stupid boots” He was having a hard time walking with his boots and snow pants caked with mud.

When we got home of course I had to get a picture. Then I sent William to the bathroom to take a shower. I heard him crying about wanting a bath and not a shower. I had to explain to him he had so much mud on him he would be taking a mud bath so he needed to take a shower.

So today the boys will be cleaning my bathroom which is now covered in mud (good thing I was going to clean it today) and my front door. What a great day to have off of school.