Aughts 2000-2009

• after living in my house for 12 years in Sandy, Utah - my mom and I moved into a townhouse in Draper, Utah
• going to Disneyworld for the first time with my mom
• being in my high school's performing choirs, Chamber, A' Capella, and Madrigals
• the fun choir tours to Disneyland and San Antonio, Texas
• graduating from Jordan High - 2002
• becoming an aunt in 2002
• going to New York City for the first time
  
• moving away from home to live in Arizona in 2005
  
• working for Liberty Mutual and getting my Property & Casualty License
• working at 24 Hour Fitness, meeting AJ and becoming friends
• spending 2 weeks in Boston for my job training - soo much fun!
  
• September 26, 2006 - finding out I was going to become a mother!
• another trip to Disneyworld, this time with my dad, brother, sister and extended family - Sept. 2006
• finding out I was going to have a son! January 2007
  
• June 2, 2007 my little Jaden was born...the day I became a mother and my life changed for the better
• moving back to Utah with Jaden into a little tiny apartment just him and I - Sept. 2007
• finding out I was pregnant again :) realizing that my kids are going to be 10 months apart!
• October 2007 finding out I was going to have a daughter!
• April 11, 2008 my little sweetie pie Kaylie was born

The last few years of the "aughts" were definitely some of the hardest times of my life and probably the hardest times I will ever have, but it has all been worth it. I do not regret anything that has happened and know that everything has happened for a reason. I think back to so many moments where I could have done or chosen something different. I'm sure glad I didn't. I'm thankful for the choices I've made in my adult life so far and thankful for the mistakes I have made and learned from and grown stronger because of. Most of all I am so happy to be a mother to the two greatest, happiest, sweetest, most beautiful children ever. I sit here today December 31, 2009 - the end of an amazing decade and can honestly say that I am happy. Life is good and I look forward to the next decade and to this new year 2010.
Happy New Year everyone!!!

Merry Christmas!

We had another great Christmas this year. It was fun being here in California for a change. AJ's family (his grandmother, aunt, uncle, and 2 cousins) all came into town on Wednesday before Christmas. It was a full house, but it was a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed getting to know their cousins Ashli and Jason. They were so much fun to play with and so good with them. AJ and I did our last minute Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. We got some good stuff for the kids. We got Aaliyah a nice new bed comforter set and some toys and clothes for Jaden and Kaylie. Jaden and Daddy put out some cookies and milk for Santa Claus that night. It was so fun to see and hear how excited Jaden was to feed Santa.

Christmas morning the kids woke up around 7:30, but we had to wait for Aaliyah to come over before we could all open presents. So I of course made a Starbucks run for everyone and got me a yummy strawberries and creme with my 2 shots of coffee. Good stuff :) Then Aaliyah got there and we started opening presents! I could not believe how many presents there were for everyone. AJ's brother Damon just started passing around presents and everyone just started opening all at once. Everyone was spoiled with presents. Jaden got a nice Christmas train set from Granddaddy, a Lightning car from Uncle Charles, and some clothes. I think by far his favorite present was his big Lightning he got from Mommy and Daddy. The look on his face was amazing. He was so excited. He rode in it forever. He was a happy little boy. Kaylie got a Princess ride-on toy, a doll set for tea parties, a Dora doll, a baby doll almost the size of her, and some clothes. AJ finally got a plasma tv he has wanted for sooo long. His dad wrapped the remote, when he opened it he took off running outside and screamed like a little boy, he was so excited. I got a pocket size video camera which was so cool and some gift cards and some clothes. It was a lot of fun to be with so many people on Christmas, opening presents, playing games and eating good food.

It was a great Christmas and I'm so thankful it was such a fun one and we were all together as a family. I missed being with my family, but it was nice to do something different for Christmas and experience new traditions.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Love you all!

It's almost Christmas!

We're having a lot of fun at Daddy's house. It's nice to all be together for the holidays. AJ's daughter Aaliyah was here the whole weekend and we loved hanging out with her. Jaden and Kaylie love their big sister. They have also enjoyed getting to know their Granddaddy and Grandma.

Jaden is so excited for Christmas and for Santa to bring presents. It's so much fun this year because he understands who Santa is and what goes on. Sometimes when he gets something or I hand him something (even if it's a sippy cup) he'll say, "I got this for Christmas."
Kaylie loves to walk around and look at the tree and all the cute decorations in the house. She will point to things and say what they are.
"Santa!" "snowman!" "tree!"
We went to the mall the first day we were here and the first thing Jaden asks is if we are going to see Santa. There was a really long line and we were tired, but I couldn't resist, he just loves Santa. When it was Jaden's turn to see Santa he walked right up to him and just stared at him in amazement before he sat on his lap. It was really sweet. The people behind us were just dying over how cute his expression was. Even after three times this year, he is still just as excited to see Santa. He asked for a car again. Oh boy if he only knew what he's really getting for Christmas!!! (I think I'm the most excited for his present.)

Jaden wrapping a present for Daddy


they were so excited to see Aaliyah in the morning, they had to wake her up.


waiting in line to see Santa Claus

Road Trip!!!

Our road trip started out on Wednesday. We left around 4:30 pm and got to Reno at around midnight. AJ's parents paid for us to stay in a hotel (thank goodness) so we were able to split up the long drive to San Jose. The kids did soooo awesome on both trips. Neither one of them ever had long crying spells or anything like that. Only a couple of times they got whiny and ready to get out. I only had to stop 2 times on the first day and 2 on the second day. Jaden was really excited about getting to stay in a hotel. I explained to him where we were going and a lot of the car ride he sang that song "Hotel" by Flo-Rida where he says Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn! It's really cute when Jaden sings it. I was so worried when we got to the hotel room that Jaden wouldn't go to sleep. He was extremely tired, but so wound up. I had to call and ask for another crib so they both slept in a crib and after about 30 minutes finally went to sleep. We slept until 8 am and then had room service breakfast. Then we left for San Jose at around 11. The kids were so excited to see Daddy. I'm glad we are here and having a fun time with Daddy and the rest of the family. I really hope the kids do so well on the drive back, too!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I am writing you this letter to ask you for a big favor. Would it be possible to move my house and everything in it (including us) to Arizona or California?
I hope it's not too much to ask, but I'm really ready to get out of Utah. We need some diversity and warm weather in our lives!


If that's too much to ask, here are a few simpler ideas...










Thank you!
Love,

Lauren

Up on the Housetop!

Tonight my friend Ashley invited us to the church Christmas party in our neighborhood. My sister Megan came with us and we had so much fun. Jaden was so excited, he talked about it all day because he knew he was going to meet Santa Claus. I asked him what he wanted to ask for and he said a new car and a choo-choo train. Uncle Ryan told Jaden to tell Santa that Ryry wants a new car and a computer and Megan told him she wanted a Wii and I did, too. On the way over there he kept saying over and over what everyone wanted as if he was trying to remind himself to tell Santa. The party was a lot of fun, great food and great people and of course Santa...

We were told we had to sing "Up on the Housetop" to get Santa Claus to come so we all started singing. Then we heard some bells and Santa appeared! The look on Jaden's face was priceless! I wish I would've taken a picture. It almost brought tears to my eyes because he was so happy and excited. His mouth was wide open and he was gazing at Santa like he was the greatest thing in the world. It was so awesome to see him so happy. Jaden was eager to get in line and wait to meet him. I took Jaden and Kaylie in the line and we waited. Jaden kept telling everyone to wait in line and wait their turn. Finally when it was their turn to go he took off running so fast and hopped right onto Santa's lap. Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas and Jaden told him a car and a computer. Kaylie was hesitant at first, but I picked her up and sat her down on his lap next to Jaden and she just stared at his big white beard and smiled at him. Santa asked Kaylie if she would like a new doll for Christmas and Kaylie nodded her head and said "yeah." After they had their turn they got a little treat from Santa and said thank you and we went back to our seats. Nights like tonight and seeing their faces just light up make being a mom even better! I love that I get to experience all these amazing things with them and be right there by their side. Christmas is much more fun and exciting with little kids that understand what's going on now! :) I can't wait for Santa to come and we can leave him cookies and milk and open presents!

Thankful Thursday

• cell phone insurance (freakin' water damage, again)
• that my kids go to bed so well - no hassle
• Jason changing my oil and checking all the fluids
• Christmas cards with photos on it - I love seeing all my friends' cute families
• my t.v. shows - One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl, 90210
• we are able to spend Christmas in San Jose with Daddy
• Nivea chap stick
• yummy cherry rainbow candy canes
• the sweet text messages I get daily from AJ
• my daily phone or video chats with my mom
  

2 1/2 years old!

My little boy is officially 2 1/2 years old now. (as of Dec. 2nd)
I know I am not biased when I say that he is extremely smart. His teachers at the child care tell me that all the time as well as complete strangers. I am amazed at how awesome his memory is. He remembers things from months ago. I'm so proud of him and how much he loves to learn and ask questions.

Some of Jaden's favorite things...

cuddling with mommy under his Cars blanket
playing with Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, Doc, Dinaco Blue
watching Cars, Dora, Dinosaur Train, Jungle Junction
apple juice
taffy, chocolate, suckers
"firetruck" hat
playing football in the house
reading books
drawing
listening to music
singing songs

I love you Jaden Aristotle James!!!

Happy Birthday to Nicole!

Nicole and I...

This is when we became close friends. Summer 2002 right after graduation. I let her chop my hair off after her being in cosmetology school for only 6 weeks. She did awesome!

November 2006 I was visiting from Arizona. This is her in their new home as newlyweds.


Here we are at my baby shower (the first one) Jaden is in my belly, March 07


Brindley and Jaden meeting for the first time @ Pizza Factory, July 07

September 07 - first month I moved back to Utah


Baby shower #2 pregnant with Kaylie, February 08


St. Patrick's Day 08 - me, Nicole and Jess


April 11, 2008 my little Kaylie was born. Nicole was there in the room with me playing my "husband"/"partner" haha! I am so thankful that she was there for me through that whole labor. She is a true friend!



Tulip Festival April 2008


August 2009

Happy Birthday Nicole! I love you tons and tons. I am so grateful for your friendship. I love all the good times and hard times we have had together. We have been through a lot and I'm so glad we are still so close. Thank you for all that you do for us and for being an awesome best friend.