Lauren Toppe Thomas Blog, The Woodlands, TX (2025)

09/05/2025

We have been going to Destin/30a for over two decades. It truly has become a second home. I always feel at peace. No stress. Wake up, go to the beach, lay by the pool. But I do always make dinner reservations 🤭⁣
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Speaking of-I always get asked our favorite restaurants, where we rent, how we find babysitters. I wrote a blog post with all you need to know!⁣
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You can find it on my website laurentoppethomas.com or comment ‘BLOG’ to be DM’d a link to the post. That way you can reference it in your DM’s for the future.⁣
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Happy Friday, friends. ⁣
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08/21/2025

I try to keep about 90% of my content centered on myself. Whether it’s recipes, mocktails, or my journeys with alcoholism, sobriety, and health. I share our lives in stories often, but I strive to keep my kids out of the bulk of my main content.⁣
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But these pictures every year make me want to show off my beautiful family (and the talented 📸). So here’s a little glimpse into us 🫶🏻⁣
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My husband, Isaac. The yin to my yang — we are complete opposites. When I met him at 19, he was aspiring to be a firefighter/EMT. Later he got into Texas A&M, faced setbacks (including academic probation and even dismissal), but pushed his way back, worked nights, studied relentlessly, and eventually graduated. That’s who Isaac is: resilient, steady, and unshakable. He’s solid as a rock and the foundation of our family.⁣
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Isaac is quiet, methodical, and the kind of provider who wants to take care of his family in every sense — physically, emotionally, and financially. Even in the little things, like telling me to stay in the car and lock the doors while he pumped gas in a rough part of Houston (hello Texas Medical Center), his actions show his heart. He’s an incredible father, adored by our kids, and he’s redefining discipline in our home — not through punishment, but through teaching and guidance. He’s been by my side through every appointment, test, hospital stay, and ER visits. He anchors us, protects us, and teaches us to grow together.⁣
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Cooper, age 5. He’s the most empathetic, people-loving little soul. He feels deeply — if you’re sad, he’s sad; if you’re hurt, he wants to help. He’s artistic, creative, and so smart for his age. His imagination is bigger than his tiny body, and he talks nonstop (life with two parents in sales — must be in his blood!). I’m endlessly proud of who he’s becoming 🦖🎨🧪🪐🦎⁣
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cont. in comments

08/13/2025

Two years ago, our marriage was hanging by a mess.⁣
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We had a 1- and 3-year-old, had been through IVF, two brutal pregnancies, and NICU stays. We were both in high-pressure careers. It was the height of my alcoholism—the “IDGAF” era. I was mean. Meaner when I drank. And I wouldn’t even remember what I’d said the night before. Six or seven shots plus wine or seltzers was my normal.⁣
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We stopped caring about each other. We just survived the day. Two miserable people, side by side.⁣
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Isaac and I started dating at 20 and 19. Now we’re 34 and 33—different people in a different chapter. I’m the loud extrovert. He’s the steady, calculated one. And we both had to change. Even though I was addicted to alcohol, we each had faults to face.⁣
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The last couple of years were survival mode—marriage, sobriety, health. But we’ve had a breakthrough. I started respecting him, stopped belittling, started supporting. He showed up for my health journey—appointments, research, everything.⁣
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We’ve shifted our focus away from just money and careers. The kids are old enough to remember their childhood now, and I want them to remember presence, not hustle.⁣
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At the beach, we were in the moment—laughing, paying attention, making memories. That’s who we want to be as parents.⁣
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We couldn’t have a good marriage until we worked on being good people. Couldn’t be good parents without a strong marriage. And we couldn’t have either without a strong foundation of faith.⁣
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I’m proud of us. We didn’t give up. We loved through the hard. God has restored so much in us when we leaned into Him and each other.⁣
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Hard situations will always come in to our lives, the devil will continually try to push his way through. But now we’re standing on cement, not sand—living for each other and for our kids. Next year is our ten-year anniversary, and I can’t wait.

07/22/2025

I’ve become so used to being sick. After a year and a half. It’s in my head. Sitting there. 100% of the time. Sometimes I think I asked for it honestly? In an ‘attention seeking’ way. People always feel bad for sick people, right? It’s quite literally ‘sick’ when you think that in your head sometimes. And I can’t believe I have gotten to a space where I’ve let Evil have so much control over my power. I claim to be a Christian. How? How am I showing that to my kids right now? To my friends? On here? God, if I was an outsider I would be telling me ‘get a grip’. ⁣
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‘You claim you pray and go to church every Sunday, how is God not taking care of you?’. But have I even gave Him the chance? No. I keep playing this sick soap opera out. It’s like a freaking movie at this point. Nothing feels real. Even as I’m sitting here, crying in the car, rambling my thoughts into my notes app.⁣
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At first it was like a game. How many diagnoses can Lauren get! And then….they kept coming. And now I want it all to stop. For the love of everything. Stop. ⁣
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I refuse to play into this chronic illness novel any longer. I refuse to not let God be in control any longer. I don’t know what has come over me. This mind game. But I refuse. I will not, for myself, my kids, my husband, my family, my friends. I cannot live this horrible, quite opposite, of a fairy tale any longer. ⁣
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‘Rain came, wind blew. My house was built on You. I’m safe with You. I’m going to make it through.’⁣
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Your mind is so, so powerful. It can overtake your life. Mental health, chronic illness, sickness. So this is me letting go the title of “chronic illness task manager”. And not only letting it go, but giving it to someone who can make change that I cannot. Letting go. And giving it to God. Know this was not what He has for my life. ⁣
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I’m GOING TO get back to a place where my mental health is not 0/10. I AM physically healthy. I LIVE in a place of happiness. I am AVAILABLE for my friends and family. Shaking up some mocktails, making good food, and sharing all things along the way.

07/17/2025

I feel like I’ve posted this hyperfixation snack/breakfast/late night treat so many times on stories that at this point, it deserves a permanent spot. ⁣
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Instructions for the best thing you’ll ever taste ✨:⁣
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•cocowhip is ESSENTIAL; dangerously fluffy and dairy free 🥥 3 huge scoops⁣
•the best textured greek yogurt EVER protein yogurt in cinnamon vanilla 🍦 trust me 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼⁣
•berries, whatever you’re feeling. apparently I was feeling strawberries, raspberries, blueberries (blackberries are usually a go to as well) 🍓🫐⁣
•DRIED BLUEBERRIES OMG: you can find them at Whole Foods, Kroger, HEB, etc. a local restaurant here used to have the best yogurt bowl and I figured out these were why⁣
•mini chocolate chips, because mini is always better 🍫⁣
•granola, pick your poison, I have so many favorites: I reach for protein cookie butter and the most⁣
•and last but certainly not least, 🍯⁣
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thank me later ✨🫶🏻⁣
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07/11/2025

First vacation sober with only Isaac and not the kids in the books. I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy seeing people with their cocktails by the pool and beautiful drinks at dinner. But at almost 650 days sober, I know I’m getting stronger in my sobriety every day. And our trip to Mexico was a true test of my resilience. ⁣
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Questions I get asked a lot:⁣
•Does Isaac drink? Yes! He was very cognizant and asked if I was okay with him having a drink each time. It does not bother me in the slightest anymore. ⁣
•Did Isaac stop drinking initially? Also yes. When I got sober, he did not drink around me at all. For at least 6 months. Isaac is honestly not a big drinker to begin with. ⁣
•How did I stop? I did not go to rehab or technically work a program. I did attend AA a few times for a sense of community. I got all alcohol out of our house and did not go out to dinner for months. I limited social interactions. The truth? I cried the first time I went to a restaurant and couldn’t order a drink. I started focusing on cooking in the evenings when I would have been drinking. I went to bed early. I leaned on sober friends. Hobbies were huge.⁣
•Setting goals. 1 week, 1 month 100 days, you get the picture. And then I rewarded myself. A new pair of shoes, a massage, my diamond butterfly bracelet from 🦋⁣
•Mocktails gave me a creative outlet. I love finding restaurants who have adapted to the sober curious movement. And I love making them to share with you all! For some who are sober, they cannot do mocktails because it can be a trigger. And that’s totally ok! I sometimes have moments at restaurants where I make Isaac take a sip to ‘make sure’ he doesn’t taste anything. And I have nightmares here and there that I accidentally drank and wake up in a panic. ⁣
•Since I am on social media a lot, I followed other sober creators. Listened to podcasts. Joined a sobriety group on Facebook. I think community is a HUGE part of beating alcohol addiction. ⁣
•I focused on my faith and immersing myself in God’s message and our church. Surrounding our family with other family friends that have the same values and wanted to see me succeed. ⁣
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cont. in comments 🦋

07/10/2025

Some days I grieve the version of me that wasn’t in pain. The girl who thought juggling classes at Texas A&M and sorority events was the peak of exhaustion… lol, bless her heart.⁣
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Now I’m a wife, mom, content creator, recipe maker/filmer/editor, full-time medical sales rep, house manager, laundry fairy, snack queen—and also navigating chronic illness, which is a full-time job in itself.⁣
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People ask how I do it all, and honestly? Maybe I’m just unwell in the head 😂—but hey, maybe that OCD hyperfocus has a silver lining.⁣
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Lately, I’ve been learning it’s okay to let go of old versions of myself. To grieve her, honor her, and still move forward. Life is always shifting—and you’re allowed to change too. New jobs, new friends, new routines. Thursday snowcones with your kids can be your thing now. You get to decide. You’re the adult now. Crazy, huh?⁣
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Some days I feel 16. Other days, 26. But then I realize I’m 34, I blink and time is flying by—and I don’t want to miss a second with Cooper and Collins.⁣
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To anyone trying to do it all while quietly carrying the weight of pain, invisible or not—you’re not alone. Keep choosing you, even if the you today looks nothing like the you before. ⁣
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ltt ⁣
🦋✨🥥🫶🏻👩🏼‍🍳🦩🍓📸🩺

07/07/2025

First vacation sober with only Isaac and not the kids in the books. I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy seeing people with their cocktails by the pool and beautiful drinks at dinner. But at almost 650 days sober, I know I’m getting stronger in my sobriety every day. And our trip to Mexico was a true test of my resilience. ⁣
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Questions I get asked a lot:⁣
•Does Isaac drink? Yes! He was very cognizant and asked if I was okay with him having a drink each time. It does not bother me in the slightest anymore. ⁣
•Did Isaac stop drinking initially? Also yes. When I got sober, he did not drink around me at all. For at least 6 months. Isaac is honestly not a big drinker to begin with. ⁣
•How did I stop? I did not go to rehab or technically work a program. I did attend AA a few times for a sense of community. I got all alcohol out of our house and did not go out to dinner for months. I limited social interactions. The truth? I cried the first time I went to a restaurant and couldn’t order a drink. I started focusing on cooking in the evenings when I would have been drinking. I went to bed early. I leaned on sober friends. Hobbies were huge.⁣
•Setting goals. 1 week, 1 month 100 days, you get the picture. And then I rewarded myself. A new pair of shoes, a massage, my diamond butterfly bracelet from 🦋⁣
•Mocktails gave me a creative outlet. I love finding restaurants who have adapted to the sober curious movement. And I love making them to share with you all! For some who are sober, they cannot do mocktails because it can be a trigger. And that’s totally ok! I sometimes have moments at restaurants where I make Isaac take a sip to ‘make sure’ he doesn’t taste anything. And I have nightmares here and there that I accidentally drank and wake up in a panic. ⁣
•Since I am on social media a lot, I followed other sober creators. Listened to podcasts. Joined a sobriety group on Facebook. I think community is a HUGE part of beating alcohol addiction. ⁣
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cont. in comments ✨

05/30/2025

Completely different post than my usual content, but hear me out.⁣
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I know a lot of you have been following my coloring journey, well let’s be honest obsession.⁣
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As someone who thrives off of routine, when I recognized my addiction to alcohol and stopped drinking, my evenings felt completely out of whack. Over the last year I of course have filled it with filming and editing dinners, and recipe content. ⁣
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Content creation is an amazing creative outlet for me. But I was craving more. That’s when I came across coloring on social media. How ridiculous does that sound at 34 years old?⁣
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But when I tell you, this has been one of the best forms of therapy for me. I am not a reader. I am ashamed to admit that, but it’s never been my jam. I love to color, write, draw, use my hands.⁣
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After the kids go to bed, I put on my headphones and either listen to music or binge a Netflix show and well, color.⁣
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It is extremely relaxing and feels like a form of meditation. (my therapist has been extremely proud of this hobby by the way 😂).⁣
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All this to say, meditation, therapy, etc. Doesn’t have to be something intense or that requires a lot of time and effort. Find a hobby that you genuinely enjoy to help ease your mind and relax your body. This has truly transformed my evenings and furthered my mind from thinking about alcohol.⁣
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I have a highlight with my coloring pages! Well two, since there are so many at this point.⁣
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Comment COLOR below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/54vcz ⁣
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05/08/2025

Disney Drop⁣
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Well that was an experience. Everyone who braves Disney World, I consider you a champ. Because WOW was that a lot of work. ⁣
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Long story short, my grandma wanted our core family, my parents/brother, aunt/cousins to all come. My cousin is currently working at Disney World. ⁣
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Yes, there were some magical moments and it is fun to immerse yourself in a world away from your normal 9-5 and chores around the house. But I would be lying if I said I’m dying to come back soon. We are more of a lay around at the beach, take a nap, laid back dinner, listen to the ocean sounds and crab hunt at night kind of family (hence why we go to Destin/30a every year).⁣
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But that’s what makes each and every individual family their own. Everyone has their thing. ⁣
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I think Cooper and Collins are not quite at the right ages yet. And we totally messed up by making Pirates of the Caribbean Collins’s first ride. ⁣
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Tips from someone who is INEXPERIENCED and had NO IDEA what they were getting themselves into:⁣
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•Pick the top 2-3 rides, top 2-3 experiences/shows and top 2-3 food finds before you enter the park. ⁣
•Magic Kingdom is quick to get around and the most kid friendly (IMO) while Epcot is way larger and Hollywood Studios is also not quite as simple to navigate. ⁣
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•Guardians of the Galaxy absolutely 1000% yes.⁣
•If you can do it, lightning pass absolutely.⁣
•I don’t think a ‘planner’ (personal preference, don’t come for me) would have done better because the kids right now are so unpredictable. I never felt unorganized. But I wish I would’ve researched the layouts of the parks earlier on. ⁣
•What’s your goal. Does your family want to go all out on rollercoasters, do you want to take pictures with characters, are food and snacks a priority, etc.⁣
•If you’re a Frozen fan, I loved Frozen Ever After. Maybe even teared up 😅⁣
•DOLE WHIP: specifically I loved the orange vanilla swirl Fanta float from Sunshine Tree Terrace.⁣
•If you’re traveling with extended family, make sure your apps are fully loaded with everyone’s bar codes linked together ahead of time. GET FAMILIAR WITH THE APP.⁣
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cont. in comments

03/11/2025

Decided after 15+ years of bleach it was time to go to my roots. ⁣
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Throughout my health journey this past year, I’ve taken a big hit to my hair health as well. From the 35 lb weight loss, to malabsorption of nutrients, and medications, they all affected the strength and quality of my natural hair. ⁣
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I added extensions last year and immediately felt a confidence boost. My hair had broken off from all of the forementioned reasons. I wore clip in extensions forever. But always loved my natural hair as well. As time went on, clumps were falling out from the methotrexate and immunosuppressants. ⁣
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You know what does a heck of a lot of damage to hair? Bleach, baby. Even the tiny little baby lights. So my amazing friend and hair stylist , took me to my natural color today and we went back long with the extensions. ⁣
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Chronic illness has taken so much from me. I’m tired of taking it lying down. I’m ready to continue pushing, advocating, fighting for answers and treatments. Why not look and feel confident while doing it. ⁣
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I am all about making changes if it gives you a little glimmer and pep in your step. You do you. Make yourself happy. Take life back. Even if it’s something as silly as a hair makeover. If it brings you even a tiny bit of joy in your life, it’s worth it. I needed some joy. I’m so glad the sun is out, spring is around the corner, and God is on my side to continue fighting my health journey along side me. ⁣
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If you are looking for a hair colorist or extension specialist in the Houston area, is a queen!⁣
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Cheers, yall. ⁣
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02/25/2025

34. Lots of mixed emotions today. Everyone close to me knows I love birthdays. And well, especially mine. Always have. I love celebrating people. I remember my mom always throwing me the best birthday family and party celebrations growing up. Birthdays have always been extravagant in some type of way for me. Not just the presents. But the experiences and people I’ve celebrated with each year. ⁣
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Sobriety (oh here she goes again, but really) has given me a lot of clarity and mental maturity. It’s allowed me to start thinking and processing differently. ⁣
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Even though I was just in the hospital and have been going through well, absolute hell, with my health the past year and a half. I also have to continually weigh the factors in my life that I am blessed by. Not everyone has access to healthcare. Not everyone has a career that, over the last 12 years, has allowed me to become knowledgeable in the healthcare environment and build connections to allow me to see doctors quickly, get referrals, testing, etc. And honestly, not everyone has the personality to fight doctors and advocate for themselves when they know something isn’t right.⁣
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Not everyone has a fruitful career, a loving stable home environment, a husband who has been by them every step of the way, and kids who think their mom placed every star in the sky just for them. Parents who drop everything to see their grandkids, friends (old and new) that support me in the wildest most amazing ways, a creative mind that let’s me have fun in the social media world whether it’s cooking, coloring, making new ‘internet friends’, etc. ⁣
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And most of all, a persistent curiousity. To learn, explore, grow. The biggest of all, curious in my relationship with God. I’ve always been a Christian. But being led to our church home, friends, and family through Him. It’s been extremely powerful. I still have a lot of questions. I’m not all the way there. But wow are we surrounded by the best people to be on the journey with. (cont. in comments)

Lauren Toppe Thomas Blog

09/05/2025

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08/13/2025

07/22/2025

07/17/2025

07/11/2025

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07/07/2025

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