Beware...

Beware of negative post:

I cannot believe all the media hype about Jessica Simpson being "fat." Are you kidding me?!?! All because of this picture.
Okay, yes those are NOT the best pants to wear and don't compliment any figure. But come on people, this beautiful woman is not fat! I am furious right now because of a conversation AJ and I just had about it. He even said she is overweight!!! Well, then I must be a giant whale! Guys wonder why us women are so insecure...ugh! Jessica is probably only a size 6 and if anyone calls that fat, then you are all mental. :) Yes, she has gained some weight, maybe 10 pounds, but she is still slim, curvy, and beautiful. I just want to give her a big hug! But at least she has her amazing family and her awesome boyfriend, Tony :)
Okay, I'm done with my rant.
Team Jessica!!!!!!!

random

Okay so I am 2 1/2 months late, but I finally saw Twilight! I went to see it with my sister today. OMG, I loved it! I didn't think it was cheesy at all (like some people had said). I was very pleased that it lived up to my expectations of the images I had created in my head of all the characters and scenes. I was very impressed with Edward. They picked a good one! He is soooo sexy! :) Bella was beautiful, Charlie was perfect - just what I had pictured him to look like. I can't wait for the next movie. I just finished reading New Moon last week. I'm excited to start reading Eclipse.

I can't believe how much I miss my babies when I'm away. I was only away from them for almost 5 hours and I missed them so much. I love coming home to them and their happy, excited faces. I love to hear Jaden say "i love you" and Kaylie's big smile and excited bouncing. I am a very blessed mom to have them.

Jaden had his first solid bowel this week! It was the first one in over a month. I was sooo excited! It has been a week and a half since he has had dairy, so it seems to me that he is lactose intolerant. I'm just glad I figured out what was wrong and now he is all better. I don't like seeing my little boy in pain.

Kaylie has started clapping like crazy. It's so cute when she does it. I'll have to get it on video soon. She will clap when she hears music come on. She will start dancing and clapping. I love my happy little girl.

Isn't it great to have such an unconditional love for your own children?? I was thinking about that a lot today; the feeling of loving someone so much is awesome. Before Jaden and Kaylie were in my life I had my little nieces that I saw a lot. I remember thinking how I couldn't imagine loving anyone so much as I do my nieces, so I just knew that when I had my own kids it would be an even greater love. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be Jaden and Kaylie's mommy. It's the best job ever!

I saw Marley and Me last week with Nicole. That movie was so cute. It made me want a dog so bad. I want a cute lab or a golden retriever. I love my mom and step-dad's black lab Remi. She is the best dog. We are tight. :)

I'm looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday! Go Cardinals! :)

Jaden and Kaylie takin a bath!

This is the first time I have given Kaylie a "real" bath without her little tub that I usually put inside the bath tub. They had a lot of fun. Here's a video

25 random tags about me

My friend Jess tagged me on facebook and I thought I'd do it on here, too. I tag everyone that wants to do it! :)

1. One of my biggest dreams is to go to cosmetology school and be able to do hair in my home salon. I will do it someday SOON!

2. I love taking pictures. I am a picture taking freak! I think Jaden is starting to understand that. Every time I pull the camera out he says cheese and smiles and looks away. :)

3. McDreamy and McSteamy are my favorite guys to watch on TV.

4. I can be pretty sarcastic.

5. I am silly and get hyper a lot. :)

6. I have hundreds and hundreds of pictures from my life that I need to put in photo albums.

7. I love football. I miss the days where I would lay in bed all day Saturday and Sunday in my very own apartment and watch football.

8. I love hand sanitizer when I'm out and about. I use it a lot.

9. I like doing laundry but I hate folding it. I used to love folding it until I had loads everyday!

10. I have the worst time falling asleep at night. I guess it comes with being a mom. I cannot turn off my mind.

11. I can eat pizza everyday. I don't, but I would. I love it.

12. I am a slacker on working out lately. I just got a membership and I need to get back in the habit of going. Once I get in the habit, watch out! I turn into work out mama!

13. I love to blog. I love to write.

14. I talk to my mom and my sister Megan on the phone daily. I love to talk to them and just talk about anything.

15. I had never had macaroni and cheese until I was 14!!! Derek Sessions was the first to make it for me.

16. I have always wanted a lifted, yellow jeep with big tires. I used to honk or wave at all the jeeps I would see. I loved them.

17. I love to ride on motorcycles or as Utah people call them "bullet bikes" :)

18. Nick Lachey will always be my first husband :)

19. I miss being in performing choir in high school. I regret skipping ("sluffing") it so much.

20. I am very much like my mom in a lot of ways.

21. My longest and first friend is Holly Johnson Fry. We have been friends for 20 years!

22. I have been to probably 30-40 concerts. I love going to them and haven't been to one for a long time.

23. I love playing games. I don't get to play them enough. Card games, fun games, wii, video games.

24. I love to read, but don't have the time to do it much. I need complete silence when I read a book.

25. I hate green beans.

Best Friends

I'm so happy that they have each other to play with every day. I hope they will always be best friends.

Thankful Sunday

My sister did the same thing on her blog today so I thought I'd do it, too. :)

10 things I am thankful for today...

1. I'm thankful that Jaden and Kaylie are healthy and happy kids.
2. I'm thankful for Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill and The Bachelor :)
3. I'm thankful to have AJ in my life and my kids' life.
4. I'm thankful for my family and the fun times we have together.
5. I'm thankful that we are able to buy food, have insurance and pay our bills.
6. I'm thankful to have a bath tub. I didn't have one at my old place.
7. I'm thankful for "girl time" when I can get away from every day life and spend time with Nicole or my sister.
8. I'm thankful for hugs and kisses from Jaden, Kaylie and AJ.
9. I'm thankful for football and the Cowboys, still. :)
10. I'm thankful to have a gym membership and hopefully get back in shape.

apple juice chicken recipe

for those that requested it...

Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (not chicken tenders)

1 or 2 cans of frozen apple juice (might need more than one can depending on how many you are making)
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
2 cups flour
In medium bowl, beat the eggs
In another bowl mix the cheese and flour (big enough bowl to dip chicken in)

Pound chicken breasts flatter than they are in the pkg. don't have to be really flat just a little flatter (I use a rolling pin and wax paper over the chicken so juice doesn't go everywhere)
Dip breasts in eggs then in flour mixture--flour on both sides of chicken
Put in pan and brown on medium heat until both sides look "brown" drain grease after browning.
then put in pan and pour apple juice over chicken – doesn't have to completely cover chicken, cover with lid and simmer for about an hour. Add more juice if needed last ½ hour.

Chic and Unique Boutique

I work for a company called Chic and Unique Boutique. It is an amazing business! Joy Smith is the owner and creator of it and she is amazing! She designs and makes all of her flowers. I just wanted to share with some of my June mama's and you other moms her website. She recently got her website up and running and its awesome. http://hatsandflowers.com

AppLe JuIcE ChIcKeN...yummmmy

A requirement of being a member of the Thomas family is that you love apple juice chicken (and pizza.) My Grandma made it for us when we were little and then it turned into a tradition in our family. Every time one of us had a birthday we would have apple juice chicken. It is so good! My brother Ryan's birthday is on Tuesday so I invited him over for some apple juice chicken. It is easy to make and so delicious. AJ doesn't like it, so more for us! :) Jaden and Kaylie tried it for the very first time and they loved it.

Earlier today AJ was studying and Jaden wanted to help. He just got right up on the table and got a pen and paper and started writing. He is so cute.

Here is a video of Kaylie waving. She recently has learned to wave back to me when I wave to her. She's getting smarter everyday. :)


Here are my babies eating cookies together. Lol :)


Jaden trying on Daddy's coat...


Please don't judge me (June mama's) but when Jaden was having his bowel problems he wouldn't eat much at all and I was worried about him getting enough. He would always ask for a bottle so for a few nights I gave him a bottle of soy milk. Jaden and Kaylie like laying down together and drinking their bottles.

I must say that the highlight of my week is when I was in my car leaving for work and Jaden was at the window waving and blowing kisses at me. My heart just about melted and I got a little teary-eyed. I called AJ on my way home and told him to tell Jaden I was coming. When I pulled in the driveway Jaden was there at the window waving at me saying "mama!" I love my little boy so much. He is such a sweetheart! I love coming home to Jaden and Kaylie because they are so excited to see me! They get the biggest smiles on their faces and dance around and giggle. I love it! If only men greeted us women that way, huh? :)

I ♥ Obama!

What an awesome day in history! I am so grateful that I was able to watch President Obama take oath today. I also watched the Inauguration Ball and it was really neat. It was cool to see all of the emotions from all the different people watching. It's an amazing time to be a U.S. citizen of this great country. I am so happy that I get to raise my children in this country and in a time where America is coming together. President Obama has proved that all things are possible, no matter what your background. I'm eager to see the improvement and change he brings to our country. The next 4 years will hopefully be full of greatness! "yes we can!!!"

Thanks for the new table Grandma!!!

some random stuff :)

It's rough being a mom sometimes! I layed in bed last night and couldn't fall asleep for hours. My mind was racing and worrying like crazy. There has been a lot on my mind, but the main thing I'm worried about is Jaden. He hasn't had a solid bowel for a month and a half now! It's either mush or diarrhea. (sorry if that is TMI.) I kept in contact with his nurse and doctor this whole time, but they didn't seem alarmed about it at all. I really started worrying when he started holding his stomach before and after he was going to the bathroom. Anyways, long story short I now have him on some acidopholus from the health food store and yesterday I had to go to the lab and get a stool analysis kit. I had to take his mushy poop in a container to the lab to get tested. We won't find out for a couple days what is wrong. I'm hoping its nothing serious! I'm starting to think that he may be lactose intolerant. So now I've decided to elliminate all dairy for the whole week to see if he gets better. Please keep him in your prayers. I love my little Jaden and I just want him to be okay!

On a happier note, Jaden and Kaylie are still having fun playing together and loving their time with Daddy. Their Grandma and Grandpa (AJ's parents) sent them at Toys 'R Us gift card for Christmas and so I went and bought them tons of toys. Here they are playing with them.
They love getting pulled around by Daddy in the wagon. And Jaden loves to pull Kaylie around in it. It's pretty cute.

We bought Jaden a battery operated Spiderman toothbrush. He loves brushing his teeth!

Grey's Anatomy update! I am now on Season 4. I can't believe how much I love this show! I can't wait to be caught up with the current episodes. I love McDreamy :)

I am finally almost done with the New Moon! (2nd book in the Twilight Series.) It's a very good book. I wish I could find more time to read. I love it! Hopefully I will finish it tonight and be able to start on the third.

Today is the Cardinals game! Go Cardinals! I think it'd be so awesome if they made it to the Superbowl! wooohooo!

I got my gas bill last week...it went from $44 to $118!!!!!!! What?!??! I had been turning the heat to 70 or 72 because it is so cold in Jaden and Kaylie's bedroom. I worry about them being cold at night. Well that can't happen anymore. Back to 68 we go! I hope my bill changes next month. Responsibility...blah!

Happy Sunday! I'm off to take a nap now :)

last chance! :) i'm going private

I have gotten all the emails and comments from those that have sent them. I am going private very soon and I don't want to forget anyone, so please let me know if you haven't already. I need your email so I can send you an invite. Or you can email me at LaurenThomas05@yahoo.com

MoMMy SuRvEy!

1-How long have you been a Mom?
19 months!

2-How many children call you Mommy?
2 :)

3-boy or girl
one boy, one girl!!

4-Did you know what you were having?
yes - I could NOT wait

5-How old were you when you became a Mom?
22

6-How long were you in labor?
Jaden - like 20 hours
Kaylie - 5-6 hours (I love being induced)


7-What's your favorite thing about being a Mom?
all the hugs and kisses and always having a reason to smile



8-Whats your least favorite thing?
having to feed the kids first when I'm starving!


9-Do you want more kids?
yes :) not for a few more years though

10-Do you plan on having more sooN?
no


11- How many times have you been peed on?
a few times

12-Spit up on?
a thousand

13-Is your child named after anyone?
Jaden's middle name Aristotle is his dad's favorite greek philosopher. Kaylie's middle name Nicole is named after my best friend :)


14-How did you come up with their names?
I've always loved both their names


15-When your child gets in trouble, who is the bad guy, mom or dad?
we are both about the same...we don't have to get mad at Jaden much

16-What is the longest you have been away from your child?
3 days, when I went to California to visit Des



17-Bedtime routine?
bottle for Kaylie, books and playing with the kids, binkies and 7:30 bed time for Jaden. Kaylie bed time 8 because she still gets rocked to sleep :)


18-Are your toes painted?
yes

19-Last movie you saw in the theater with your kids?
the last time was when Jaden was like 6 weeks old, AJ and I tried to see Die Hard and we lasted through the previews cuz Jaden started screaming

20-One thing you will not give up just because you're a mom?
getting my hair done and making myself feel pretty



21- One thing you did give up now that you're a mom?
going to the bathroom by myself LOL


22-Best Mom perk:
having beautiful kids that are happy and healthy and sweet. hugs and kisses from them are the best!

24-Your child is napping, you are:
sleeping or blogging :)

25-Where is your child now?
Kaylie is sleeping, Jaden is playing with daddy


26-Favorite place to buy maternity clothes?
ugh - no where....but I guess Charlotte Russe, they have cute loose shirts

27-Would you do it over?
yep - being a mom is the best!!!

Now all you Mom's have to do this!!! :)

Just a little video of Jaden

I'm mostly posting this for my mom because You Tube and My Space just wouldn't upload this video. So here you go mom :)

NiNe MoNtHs!

a

My baby girl is 9 months old. Oh I just love her soooo much! She is such a joy to have around. She is always smiling and wrinkling her nose at everything and everyone. I love her sweet spirit and her little diva attitude. Her new thing is she likes to scream, a really high pitched squeal when she is in her high chair waiting for food. If I turn away for one second and not feed her, she will do it. Sometimes that is not fun to hear! Ok, most of the time it's not fun to hear! :) But we still love her and her little personality. She is getting stronger everyday. She is now letting of furniture that she is holding on to. She is getting better and better walking around with her push toy walker. I can't wait until she is walking around and chasing her big brother. My little girl is one tough cookie. A chair fell on Jaden and Kaylie at the same time; they both cried, but Kaylie lasted about 30 seconds and Jaden went on for a couple minutes. I love her and I am so thankful that she is my little girl.
Here's a cute video of her doing her wrinkled nose and laughing. :)

I'm going private

I'm tired of people reading my blog that I don't want reading it. I'm tired of anonymous comments being posted. I want my privacy. Please leave a comment with your email address so that I can add you to my list and send you the info once I go private (which will be in a couple weeks.) I'm all about anyone reading my blog, but I want to know who is reading my blog. Thank you :)

Forgive and forget...

Forgive and forget? I have the forgiveness part down, but forget? Who in the world came up with that part? Forgetting is the hardest of them all. I would love to erase it all from my memory. Have I really forgiven if I can't forget??

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness." - Robert Muller

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future." - Paul Boese

"To forgive and not forget is like burying the hatchet with the handle sticking out." - unknown

"We may not know how to forgive, and we may not want to forgive; but the very fact that we say we are willing to forgive begins the healing practice." - Louise Hay

"Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don't want the other person to forget that we forgave." - unknown

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget." - Thomas S. Szasz

Sister bonding time

My sister Megan and I went and had "sister time" today! We hadn't done that in a loooong time. We decided it's been since before I moved to Arizona and that was a few years ago! Since then I've had my kids attached to me or she has been busy with her hubby. It was a lot of fun to spend time with her. We went and saw the movie Bride Warsand it was really good and very funny. After that we went and ate at Chic Fila and then went to Bath and Body Works and checked out their sales.
I am thankful that my sister doesn't live far away and that we were able to get together for some bonding time. We've decided we are going to do it once a month! Thanks Megs for a good time. Love you!

I am back!

I am soooo excited because AJ got me a gym membership to Gold's. I am so sick of being out of shape and not feeling energetic like I used to. Tonight I worked out at the gym and I feel so good! I'm pacing myself so I could only do about 15 minutes of cardio, but I am going to work up to my old work out routine soon! I am ready to wear my smaller clothes again and feel better! Yay for working out! :)

19 months!

Big Jaden is 19 months old! He's my favorite little boy. I love to see him learn something new everyday and see his smile when he succeeds at something. He is such a big helper. When I come home with groceries he is at the door waiting and trying to help lift anything he can. He loves to put things away for me, throw trash away, clean up the floor, and give Kaylie her sippy cup or binky. He loves to climb up in my bed and watch TV and lay under the covers. He also loves to pretend to go to sleep and snore. He loves to brush his teeth and get his hair done. He is talking so much more! It's so fun to be able to communicate with him and have him understand what we are saying. He's a pretty good listener, unless it comes to us wanting to change his diaper or take away something he can't have. At his 18 month doctor appointment the doctor was amazed by how smart he is. He couldn't believe that he already tells me when he needs to go "poop" or has already gone. Potty training will be starting in the next few months! He has only gained 3 pounds since he was one year old and he is now 29 pounds! And he is 34.75 in. tall! He's a tall boy for his age, 97%! I hope he stays tall! cross your fingers he doesn't take after my short genes :)
Overall Jaden is a really good little boy and I'm so proud of him. He is very sweet to other people and likes to say hi and bye to everyone and wave. He also is pretty good at sharing his toys with other kids, even Kaylie. He is always so in tune with other people's feelings and likes to give kisses and hugs oh and high fives and "bumps". And if he kisses one person in the room he has to kiss everyone else, or high five everyone else, etc. It's pretty dang cute. I love him! I can't believe he is almost 2 years old!

Grey's Anatomy :)

One of my favorite shows ever! I really need to start listening to my sister more often. She has always told me that I should watch it, but I never listened. She said the same thing about One Tree Hill. Next time I will listen to you Megs :) Anyways AJ came here and he likes the show, too so I decided to join in the fun! Nicole's cousin has all 4 seasons on DVD so we borrowed them. AJ and I have been watching it every night. We are almost done with season 2. It is such a good show! I highly recommend it to everyone. :)

I have nothing else to blog about...I'm having a "blogging block."

Kaylie has 2 teeth!

Kaylie's first 2 teeth came in this week!



This last picture you can't see her teeth, but I just thought it was really cute. :)