MEET THE FAULKNERS!

Bad Blogger!!!

2011-02-28T21:58:00.000-08:00

Wow almost an entire year since my last post... you can give me the Bad Blogger award now :/

I am going to attempt to get better at this!

Cloth over Disposable!!! Big money saver (I hope)

2010-03-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

So since I was laid off last July I have been trying to find ways to save money. Recently I have decided to switch to cloth diapers. I know I am thinking I have lost my mind, since I just ordered them this last weekend and haven't even received them yet. But I have several friends that swear by them and one that is actually addicted to them (silly girl). I'm a little nervous but anxious at the same time. I really am hoping it works out so that we can save some money.

I am really happy that Joey has taken to breastfeeding because that has also saved us a ton of money not having to purchase formula. Yaay Joey!!! I am also looking at making my own baby food once he gets to that point. No i'm not turning into a hippy and no this isnt like me, but in this economy and only having one income, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

WISH ME LUCK!!!

WOW time really got away from me!

2010-03-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

I just realized I havent posted anything on here in months :( sorry! Life has been a little busy since Joey graced us with his presence!!! My little guy is already 3 months old, wow they grow fast. I wish I slow things down a bit, trying to cherish every moment with him tends to go to the side sometimes when you have a 2.5yr old running around demanding attention as well. Maddie is great with her little brother though. She loves "her joey" so very much and is very protective of him. She always wants to know exactly where Joey is and lets me know when he is crying ;) (i guess i didnt hear the high pitched screaming). What a great big sister! My little brother Mike deployed to Iraq 2 days before Joey was born, and we all miss him terribly. Rob's brother who had depolyed last May got to come home early to go to some special training, we are very greatfull that he is out of harms way now.

Right now we are counting down the days till my mom comes to visit in April. I am so excited that she finally gets to meet Joey, Maddie will be soo happy to spend time with her granni. I cant wait! Then it will be time to start planning Maddie's 3rd birthday, I can believe that we are already there :( time flies way too fast! Here are a couple update pictures of my sweet babies, and my awesome brother Mike in Iraq

Pumpkins here we come!

2009-10-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

I finally found a good pumpkin patch close to home this year... normally we drive an hour and half to go to a patch near a friend of mine and we would have done that yesturday as well but her little girl was not feeling good. So I did some searching and found Hunter Farms in Union. Maddie went on her first Hay ride :) she was waving at everyone that we passed on our way out to the pumpkin fields.

Once we got to the pumpkins this little one walked forever before she picked out her pumpkin (with some help... she would have kept going otherwise) The thousand pumpkins before this picture were just not good enough ;)

Here is her pumpkin and if you couldnt tell by the face its a little heavy ;)

She "has" to help daddy take the pumpkins to the scale

The one thing this place didnt have that the other one does are mini hay bails that you can purchase, so maddie and i will be taking that trip after all ;)

Go Buckeyes!!!

2009-09-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

The College Football season has officialy begun and Maddie is ready!

Our future Buckeyes cheerleader!!!

Our new little friend Chopper!

2009-09-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

Miss Maddie think Chopper is all hers. She is a good little mommy and is always watching out for him. She can be a little rough sometimes, when he first came home she treated him like a stuffed animal :( a little scary, but she has gotten alot better and is picking up under his arms instead of his neck. Chopper thinks it his job to keep her running, he loves to chase after Maddie and nipping her in the butt. It took about a week for Bandit to come around to liking the intruder in his home and now you cant separate the two of them, those two are always wrestling, Chopper may be ALOT smaller than Bandit but he can pack quite a punch! Now I just wish he was as easy to house train as Bandit was.

Maddie's Green Thumb

2009-09-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

At the end of July I was laid off due to the economy. Maddie continued to go to daycare part time thru August, in the mean time i was looking for lots of activities for her to do to keep her from being bored at home with me. My little girl is a great gardener, she has managed to grow 3 pumpkin plants. Cant wait to see if we have 3 little pumpkins for Halloween!!!

TO BE CONTINUED.......

Happy Fathers Day!!!

2009-06-25T19:56:00.001-07:00

My husband is a wonderful Daddy! Loves his girls, I am hoping that some day soon maybe he will have a little boy to play with!!!

I Love You Rob!!!

Mom got a new camera!!!!

2009-06-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

Rob finally let me get the camera that i have been wanting (well a similar one)... Here are a few shots from my most wonderfull new camera :)

Happy Birthday to my Little Monkey!

2009-06-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

The ZOO!!!

2009-06-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY MADDIE!!!

2009-06-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

My little girl is getting soo big so quick. Such an independent little monkey, recently she decided she didnt want to be in diapers anymore and started potty training herself :) all it took was buying her some "Tinkerbell" panties!!! What a smart big girl.

I love you Maddie!

Babies first picture :)

2009-04-06T18:34:00.001-07:00

Radiologist said baby is doing good so far. Due date is still 11/22/09, if its anything like its big sister Maddie then I would say count on it being closer to Thanksgiving.

The verdict is....

2009-04-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

The nurse called me the other day to let me know that the culture tested positive for "a herpes virus" basically shingles. We don't know how she got it or from where. The nurse told me that they can actually get it from getting the Varicella shot, the virus in the shot will sometimes stick around and hibernate and on occasion will flare up. Lucky us :( Hopefully this is the only time she gets this.

*Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans (and other vertebrates). It commonly causes chicken-pox in children and both shingles and postherpetic neuralgia in adults.

'and the waiting game begins'

2009-03-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night Rob and I found a small cluster of bumps under Maddie's left ankle bone. My first thought was ant bites, i have stomped a few in the house over the past few weeks. So we went to bed, well tried to at least. Maddie and I were up quite a bit that night, so i decided to make it a sick day for the both of us.
Then I found this....

It got worse thru-out the day so we met Rob at urgent care, "4" hours later the diagnosis was "Atopic Dermatitis" which is a form of Eczema. The doc gave us Hydrocortison cream and said let us know if it gets worse, but this should take care of it. That night we got less sleep, she was up ever 30 minutes screaming 'OWY'. Second sick day seemed to go worse than the first, we layed on the couch all day watching Tinkerbell, didnt eat very much and the rash didnt seem to be getting much better. Well here we are Saturday afternoon and it is worse than ever, the cream seem to make it spread further up her leg. Went back to urgent care, three more doctors looked at it, i asked that they please take a culture of it, which she did and also gave us a referal to the dermatologist. Still no idea what it is, possibly shingles? Was given another medicine and a referal and told it would be 3 days before we would know exactly what it is.

So now we are waiting :( with a very unhappy little girl, and no sleep.

Rub-a-Dub Dub

2009-03-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

It doesn't matter what kind of day little miss Maddie has had, she could be in one of the crankiest moods. As soon as she gets in the tub all that crankiest just goes away!!! She is such a goofy girl and I cant get enough of her smile!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

2009-02-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

Looking for the Stork!

2009-02-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

Rob and I have been discussing this for a while now and have decided that we are ready to add to our little family. Last week I went to the doctor to have my birth control removed (IUD) and when I got back to work this is what was waiting for me!

Beautifull baby roses! I have such a wonderful man.

I am sure showing you the note card may embarrass him a little, but I think its cute!

I cant begin to tell you how excited I am, and how much I cant wait to have another baby. Hopefully I will be blogging about a Positive test soon!!!

Crafts!

2009-02-02T20:51:00.000-08:00

Last May my Mother-in-law had a very bad stroke and lost alot of her movement in her right side. Her favorite thing to do for Maddie was crochet her hats, she made many other things for lots of other people, but my favorite were the cute hats that she made, none of them are the same they all have a different look and match each one of maddie's personalities. I dont want maddie to miss out on those sentimental items. So I decided to teach myself how to Crochet. I knew the basics but never really made anything before. So here are a few things that I have made lately!

This hat and blanket I made for my little brother Mike. He inlisted into the Army last march, Maddie and I are sending them to him for Valentines Day.

I made this baby hat for my coworkers new Granddaughter.

The wreath below did not take Knitting or Crocheting, but was still very fun.

Daddy's Girl!!!

2009-02-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

Maddie loves her daddie very much. We really only get him three days a week because he works nights monday - thursday. So on those three days that we are all home, she monopolizes his time as much as possible... She deffinately has him wrapped around her little pinky finger (@19 months old)!!!

We are both very greatfull for the sacrifices he makes for this family. We love you Daddy!

Dashing thru the snow (not quite in a one horse open sleigh)

2009-01-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

For christmas we went to my mom's house in Gardnerville, NV. They didnt get quite as much snow as we did here in Washington (which is not normal) but they did get enough for her neighbor to create a small hill for the kids to sled off of in their driveway. Maddie was a sledding fool. What a goof, she had soo much fun, couldnt get enough. Mom's neighbors have three little ones, one little girl that is only about a month older than maddie, she was not having any part of the snow and sledding, did not like it at all!!!

Wow granni is a little excited!

Go baby Go!

MORE MOM MORE!

Uncle Mikey is the best!!! WOOHOO!

2009!

2009-01-03T23:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to the few that actually read this blog ;)

Hope your New Year will be filled with love, laughter and success!

Snow Snow and more Snow!!!

2008-12-17T18:07:00.001-08:00

Saturday we decided to go see Santa and tell him what we wanted for Christmas. When we got to the mall and started walking towards Santa, miss Maddie decided she didnt really need to tell Santa what she wanted. Last year went soo well with Santa, not soo much this year, mom had to sit on his lap with her for our picture :(

Sunday morning we woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground. YAAAAY!!! This is Maddie's first time in the snow, she got more excited about playing with her dog Bandit though. She did try to eat the snow a few times, but everyone knows that you are not supposed to eat the first snow of the season!!! ;) can you see our beautifull new truck in the background!

Our little family!

2008-11-08T14:41:00.001-08:00

A couple weeks ago we went in for our 2008 Family photos. Here are the results. We went in on Halloween night, thats why we have a little bumble bee in the pictures ;)

I'm soo Proud of my little brother!!!

2008-11-07T20:13:00.000-08:00

My dad just emailed me this article and I felt the need to show it off!!! We love you #50!!!

Publication:Odessa American;
Date:Nov 7, 2008;
Section:Sports;
Page Number:1D
H I G H SC H O O L FO OT BA L L : W E E K 1 0
Permian’s Mr. Versatility
McClane’s determination serves him well for Panthers, bodes well for his future
BY JOEL A. ERICKSON jerickson@oaoa.com The little boy wanted to carry the football. Like most little boys, he had his share of heroes. Emmitt Smith, Ricky Williams and Cedric Benson all had two things in common. They were Texas icons. And they all played running back. Like most little boys, he wanted to emulate his heroes. But his first tackle football team had a weight requirement. Running backs had to weigh less than 120 pounds. The little boy tipped the scales at 132. He went to his dad, who told his son he could help him lose weight. At 11 years old, though, the little boy had to be committed. So he gave up pizza. Started running sprints and tearing up and down hills. Wore a sweat suit to help shed the pounds. By the time he stepped onto the scales for his first football season, Samson McClane only weighed 116 pounds. He got to carry the ball. McClane no longer carries the ball. At 6-feet, 248 pounds, Mc-Clane is much better suited to bury running backs at the line of scrimmage. “He’s one of the most consistent players we have,” Permian head coach Darren Allman said. “He’s very strong, and I think over the course of the year his speed has increased.” McClane’s blend of strength and quickness has allowed the Panthers defense to switch formations freely this season. When the Panthers’ defensive coaching staff plays a 3-4 alignment, McClane becomes the nose guard. Playing nose guard in the 3-4 requires an athlete to plug holes and take on blockers rather than make plays. But Permian has been equally comfortable playing in a 4-3 alignment this season. For that responsibility, Mc-Clane is no longer a plugger, but a playmaker who can push the pocket and make tackles along the line of scrimmage. Sometimes he has to be a bear. Sometimes he has to be a bull. “We really use him in both situations,” Allman said. “He’s built like we like to have them. He’s not real tall in stature, but he’s one of the strongest people on our football team.” Permian’s powerlifting team has also been happy to have McClane, a two-time regional qualifier in the sport. McClane benches 360 pounds. He can squat 600. If a Permian coach ever needs a tree moved without the use of any machinery, Mc-Clane has to be the first player called. And that strength certainly doesn’t hurt when he has to move 250-pound offensive linemen out of the way. “It’s a physical position,” McClane said. “It brings out the aggressive side in me, because I’m really not that aggressive outside of football.” McClane may not be aggressive, but he has always been determined. Even in the classroom. “During my sophomore year I was the valedictorian of my class,” McClane said. “I’m No. 4 right now, but I’m trying to work hard enough to get back up there.” Letters from colleges have been pouring into the Mc-Clane household lately. A new set of offers from major universities seems to show up every time the family opens the mailbox. Only a few are looking at McClane as a football player. Most are more interested in his status as a National Hispanic Scholar, an honor that helps link gifted Hispanic students with interested universities. And several of those universities are offering full academic scholarships. “It has opened a lot of doors,” said Tommie Mc-Clane, Samson’s mother. “Nothing is in stone right now, we’re trying to sort through all of the offers.” McClane wants to major in business finance, but he also wants to keep playing football. TCU might allow him to do both in college. McClane has already visited the Horned Frogs’ campus in Fort Worth to check out the school and watch the football game. “My dream has always been to play in the NFL, but if that doesn’t work out, hopefully I can pursue a career in business,” McClane said. Two things drive Mc-Clane’s quest for success. McClane’s faith is strong — like everything else about the Permian senior — and he feels responsible to make the most of the blessings he’s been given. “God has blessed me with all of these abilities, and I don’t want to let them go to waste,” McClane said. “I can show people what he’s done through me.” And he already has an example to follow. McClane has three older siblings — two brothers and a sister — but his second-oldest brother, Paul, always found time for his little brother, even though 12 years separate the two. Paul is an Air Force fighter pilot stationed in Panama City, Fla. “Paul is such a highachiever,” Tommie said. “He had to go to the Air Force Academy when Samson was little, but they’ve always been close.” McClane tries to stay in touch with his older brother as often as he can, but the flight schedule of a pilot doesn’t make it easy. When Paul comes home for the holidays, though, the two brothers always find time to get in a few rough-and-tumble wrestling matches. Paul is only 5-foot-8, but that doesn’t mean his younger brother has the advantage. “He still handles me pretty good,” McClane said. “He’s pretty feisty. He used to pick on me all the time, but we’ve always been close.” Paul wants to become an astronaut. From his older brother, Samson McClane learned to set his sights just as high. “He doesn’t really struggle at anything, but he’s very driven,” Tommie said. “He always gets things done.” And he’s learned to love making tackles as much as he used to like breaking them. “When he was in junior high, he played a lot of fullback,” said Brien McClane, Samson’s father. “Now other people tell me that if the linebackers are making a lot of tackles, he’s doing his job. He knows what he needs to do.” The little boy has grown into a confident young man. But Samson McClane still hasn’t learned to take no for an answer.

SAMSON McCLANE PERMIAN SENIOR (KEVIN BUEHLER ODESSA AMERICAN) Permian senior defensive lineman Samson McClane (left) takes down Amarillo High running back Thomas Fraser earlier this season.

The versatile McClane has allowed the Panthers to be flexible defensively, and the senior has plenty of options in his future.

The hunt for the "Great Pumpkin"

2008-10-25T12:59:00.001-07:00

A couple weeks ago we went to Spooner Farms with maddie's little friend Gracie to find The Great Pumpkin.

Gracie (maddie's friend)

The pumpkins were almost as big as Maddie.

We found a couple GIANT spiders along the way!

Maddie had alot of fun looking for "her pumpkin".

I think i found my "GREAT PUMPKIN" ;)

Our trip to OHIO!

2008-09-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

On August 30th we flew out to Columbus, Ohio. This was Maddie's first trip out to where her daddy grew up (in Dayton). After a 4 1/2 hour red eye flight into Cinncinati, an hour layover, then a 30 minute flight in a "tiny" plane we finally touched down in Columbus. Rob's brother and brothers family lives in Columbus, and the rest of the family lives in Dayton. We spent a few days with them and a few days in Dayton. Here are a few good pics of the trip!

Family Picture!

Grandpa Steve's friend Mary

Maddie and her Cousin Willie

Maddie and her Grandpa Steve

Dad his boys and his beautiful grandbabies!

We had a lot of fun visiting the family but were also glad to come home to our own beds :)

SURGERY... AHH!

2008-09-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

Maddie has had 9 ear infections since December. So Rob and decided it would be best for our little girl to have the doctor put tubes in her ears, so she doesnt have to be in soo much pain this winter. Her surgery was August 26th at 9:45 am, I was not aloud to feed her after 12:00 the night before. I think that was more difficult then letting the nurse take her away for the surgery. The surgery went great and very quick. Miss Maddie was a champ!!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY MADYSON

2008-06-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

Madyson Paige Faulkner born June 19th 2007 8lbs 6oz 21in long
Maddie 6 months old X-Mas 2007
First pair of shoes!
My goofy girl :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADYSON!

Granni Weekend!!!!

2008-05-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

YAAAY Granni came to visit for the weekend. Even though i did miss a 10 year reunion that would have aloud me to see some old friends, i hope they had a great visit with each other. We had a great visit with MOM/GRANNI!

With my mom living in Nevada, we only get to see her a couple times a year if we are lucky. Now that Madyson is here, we have got to see her alot more. We know who is loved here ;) I absolutely love having her around. Rob and I recently purchased our first home and this was mom's first visit since then. So i got my own personal interior decorator for a weekend. Mom and I redecorated our kitchen. I have to say that we did AWESOME!

Batten Down the Hatches!!! Maddie is Walking!!!

2008-05-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

Our little girl is walking now... It started on Mothers Day, she took her first two (and only two because mom got too excited) steps, a week later she was up to five, now poor bandit cant take a nap with out maddie bothering him. The girl just learned how to walk and she is already trying to run. They grow up sooo fast, i cant believe that in less then a month my sweet little piglet is going to be ONE!!!

Too Many Blogs sooo Little Time!!!

2008-05-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

I am not soo good with keeping up with soo many blogs... after a day at work i come home with miss maddie and its pretty crazy until she is asleep!!! I promise i will try to be much better :)

Please feel free to check out Madyson's website @ www.babiesonline.com/babies/m/madysonpaige

LOTS OF PICTURES THERE ;)

It was a Granni weekend!!!

2008-02-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

Maddie got to have a slumber part with her Great Grandma and Granni this weekend. So that mom and dad could have a night off!!! She had lots of fun playing catch me if you can and sharing her lunch with her granni (eeww) !!!

Mother and Daughter

2008-02-19T20:24:00.000-08:00

My sweet little girl is growing up so fast :( lets just hope and pray that she doesnt get stuck with mom's big feet ;)

Madyson's new Big Girl car seat!!!

2008-02-19T20:08:00.000-08:00

She probably could have lasted longer in her little car seat, but mom couldnt help herself! She is a very observant little girl and likes to be able to sit up and see the world while she is in the car. Plus its easier to get her out of this one ;)

Going to Grandma's house for Christmas

2008-01-02T21:48:00.000-08:00

So after about an hour of nothing but this in our site we were finally on the home stretch. It took us about 16 hours out of a day and a half to get there. Madyson first BIG road trip!

2008-01-02T21:45:00.001-08:00

Just finished our lunch in Weed, CA. Now we are headed back onto the road to Grandma's house :) Maddie is ready to Roll!!!

2008-01-02T21:41:00.000-08:00