Jon & Kate

The mother of eight flashed her tanned backside in a blue bikini near her PA home on Thursday.

Thankfully, Kate did keep something covered ... her chunk stripe, bi-level porcupine reverse mullet weave.

Audigier tells TMZ that he sent a bunch of free stuff for the Gosselin family's eight little rugrats a few months ago, but the only member of the family brave enough to wear it in public is Jon.

The designer's taken notice and predicts we'll be seeing a lot more tigers, skulls and rhinestones in the near future -- Christian says he's sent Jon a box full of the tattoo inspired goods.

According to the documents, "plaintiff and defendant have been unable to agree as to the equitable distribution" of their marital property. It goes on: "Plaintiff [Kate] is and has always been willing to negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement."

But we checked this out with some Pennsylvania lawyers, who say this is boilerplate language -- everyone who files says this. The real test is when Jon gets served and the lawyers try pounding out a property settlement.

TLC is blasting back at reports claiming Jon Gosselin's alleged mistress -- Deanna Hummel -- will appear on the show when it starts back up in August.

TLC just released the following statement:

"There are no plans to use her. We are in hiatus and all future episodes haven't even been planned."

Wait, Jon and Kate's "reality" is planned by TLC?

There's a report floating out there that Kate Gosselin has been separated from Jon for two years. That's not true, and we have the lowdown.

We now know what Kate checked on the divorce papers, which are confidential. There are two grounds for a no fault divorce in Pennsylvania -- the first is waiting 90 days after the papers have been served. Then, if both Jon and Kate agree the marriage is "irretrievably broken" ... the divorce can proceed.

And there's a second option -- that they have lived separate and apart for 2 years. But that doesn't mean they've actually been separated for that long. It means she must wait 2 years from the moment she considered the marriage kaput and began living separately (if only in different bedrooms). We're told the real separation between Jon and Kate is very recent and Kate checked the box just to get the clock ticking.

We found out Kate checked both boxes, and here's why. Jon may not agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If that's the case she has to wait the two years. So by checking both boxes, Kate is hedging her bets.

Ultimately, she would have to prove to the judge when she considered herself separate from Jon.

Perhaps Kate was just happy because she covered up her chunk-striped, bi-level porcupine reverse mullet weave.

The docs, which were filed in Montgomery County, PA, are under lock and key -- safely hidden away from the media hype that has fueled the show's massive ratings.

We're told all the court clerks were personally called by the head of the department, and told under no circumstances are the papers to be released -- and if they were, it means BIG trouble.

If you notice our screen grab from the court's website, the docs weren't scanned in for public viewing (circled).

What we do know: Kate filed the papers and the filing cost her $282.50.

To his credit, the "Jon & Kate Plus 8" star did spend some quality time with some of his kids at their PA home, but his wife was nowhere to be seen.

After a breakup, some people buy new clothes or completely change their hairstyle. Hopefully Kate is one of those people.

Jon is moving out and so on and so forth.

So we gotta ask...

Jon and Kate Gosselin just filed papers for divorce, this according to People.com.

According to the report, the papers were filed moments ago in Pennsylvania.

The two have been married for ten years. They have 8 kids together -- hence the title of that show.

Jon, minus Kate, gabbed away outside his Pennsylvania home yesterday -- giving no insight to what tonight's "big announcement" will be, though still wearing his wedding ring.

Most telling: When asked where Kate was, Jon said "I have no idea."

We spoke to a rep for TLC and she tells us, "When you have eight kids, someone is bound to get hurt. It's nothing tragic. Everything is fine."

Think he'll still have it on after that big announcement on Monday's "Jon & Kate plus 8"?!

Meanwhile, Kate has been doing some explaining of her own -- after pictures surfaced of her allegedly spanking her daughter Leah in front of a bunch of paps.

Kate told Life & Style: "Whether the paparazzi are there or not, I am a mother first ... I love my children and when they misbehave, I discipline them as I deem appropriate for the situation."

Watch out, Jon.

Kate's infamous 'do went in for a little touch up at DHD this week -- either that, or she's been getting the 'do done at Ben's Shoe Repair by accident.

Would you really be surprised?