DISQUS

You're still going strong. Imagine what a journal this is becoming for you. I saw the new trailer - pretty intense. I disliked Book II more than all the others because he leaves and I totally don't like Jacob. But he is a pretty bad werewolf. Not sure if I want to see the movie. (I'm sure I will.)

I'm still out here following you. I'm expecting you to be in the next movie this fall. You are an out of control committed fan! These will be great memories you're making.

My eyes got a little fogged when you said that you played tag with him afterward. I believe you capture the essence of parenting so well - first you correct, then get him to chill, and then follow-up with love. He will forever be affected by this approach in ways he will never know or understand -- maybe when he's a parent he might look back. It is their job to test because they need to know where the boundaries exist out in public. You just taught him what he can expect from the world outside of the home and that makes him feel safe when he's with or without you. Excellent story and even more excellent demonstration for the rest of us.

I love how you take a little "commercial break" and give us the reality of your life. That's one thing I like about your writing is that you are always straight-forward and real. You show life as it really is, mixed in with burst of exciting events that only you know how to tell in your descriptive and colorful voice.

Now, why am I not surprised that you shook-up the monotony of the picture line with a different pose? How fun was that! I have to admit that it's hard for me to pick out the actors in the pictures without them looking like their characters. But you are so photogenic with all of them. That conference must have been something else. And something you'll never forget. Did they talk about Movie #2 at all at the conference? Any tid-bits revealed?

Love the "Golden Ticket" comparison. It really is a "modern day" once in a lifetime event. Can't wait to hear all about it.

No way! I can't believe you're going. Okay, so I knew you were a total crazed fan. But now I think non can compare. Sounds like so much fun. I've never met anybody real famous. Unless I consider politicians, but they don't really count. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

BTW-thanks for remaining loyal to my posts despite my little sabbatical. I'm back on the keys again!

Man, can I ever relate. It's so hard to maintain connection with your wife when the kids are young. I can promise you it gets better as they get older. The great thing about this post is your honesty and that it comes from the heart. I think there are many of us who feel the same way you do. I joke with my wife all the time when I say, "We had a great marriage...until we had kids." It certainly changes the dynamic and becomes challenging. Fortunately, it gets better and we get better at figuring out how to do it.

What a great thing to share. Now how often does a guy see all this info in once place all condensed? Thanks for sharing. It certainly helps.

I grew up with my grandparents and my grandma didn't take crap from anybody. She's 80 now and still doesn't. You can take me out of her home, but you can't take the feistiness out of me either. I remember her always say, "Nobodies going to treat any of my kids like that!" And then she took matters into her own hands. And the other one, "Well, you can just tell him to cram it right up his butt!" Funny this gets instilled within us. But I don't think I want it to be taken out of me. We all need a little "ghetto" in all of us once in a while.

I didn't know you worked in HR. I do as well. What do you do?

This was a good laugh! I say make what you want and let him have a bowl of cereal! Just as long as you don't feel bad for him. My wife always tells the kids, "I'm not running a restaurant here! If you don't like it, make something for yourself." It's the holidays. I say make as much damn Filipino food as you want and happy holidays to those who don't like it!

My boys LOVE Legos. I swear they have a billion of them, but they always ask for more. I'm continually amazed at the things Lego creates, but dumbfounded by the things my boys build with their own imaginations. This year, our boys made a few Christmas ornaments out of Lego. I'm thinking of doing a post with pictures of them. They are so cool! Legos sure have come a long way since I was a kid. There was one type of generic set in various sizes. Every been to Legoland? It's one of our favorite places. May you and your son have a bash-building Lego Merry Christmas. As my son's would say, "You can never have enough Legos."

You should be a Soap writer. You really bring your readers in and inject the emotion into us. This is quite a saga. Here's a thought I had when reading. It's unfortunate what he is doing, but it sounds like he is committed to the baby - committed despite others doubts. Maybe the winner in all of this is the child??? The baby will also have a committed "Aunt Alice" despite all the emotion that goes on in the family.

Haven't I always said you'd make an excellent Alice Cullen? Am I right or what. Must confess, haven't seen the movie yet. I could be accused of not being a "real" fan. I'll get there, but seriously, could there be a worst time to release a movie - just before the holidays? Who has time? I guess the "real" fans find the time to see Edward and his ice cold skin and Bella and her skinned knees on the silver screen no matter what's going on.

I'm following ya, but I'm not seeing much. Guess I'll have to check back. (I don't have any room to talk. That's why I figure I have license to give you a hard time.)

Such a great and fun way to raise awareness. I won't be doing the 'stash thing, but plan to support.

Hey, no worries. It's nice to know that someone else struggles to hold it all together and keep blogging at the same time. And yes, don't stop writing. You are far too talented, not to mentioned funny, to give that one up. If you're like me, it's the one that keeps me from going over the edge sometimes. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you. I can clean out those 300 emails for you. Just let me log in and I'll delete all of them. That would just about take care of it. Hang in there.

Hey, I have this! And you are so right, kids absolutely love it. I had it to our two year old in church when she starts to get restless - which is about every three minutes. What on earth did we do for entertainment years ago without such fun technological items? All I know is that I still feel like the 80's really were awesome and I only had a Sony Walkman.

I think you made a wise choice by sending a card from the boys. He'll come around one day. They always do. And they tend to come back to those who they knew were there for them all along, even it our presence is in the background.

Learning to say no is such a great reminder. Sometimes we think we need to take it all on. The suggestion I like most is to living passionately. I am so much more focused when I follow my passions.

Certainly seems like we have gotten away from taking the time to write a thank you note. I believe we underestimate the meaning it has for recipients. I know I appreciate it when someone takes the time to send me a note. Great post.

It's amazing how the more things change, the more they remain the same. I love the twist you give to the post at the end by anchoring it back to relationships. What a great reminder you give we manly-men.

I completely subscribe to the beliefs you share about the happiness that we experience when we give of ourselves rather than in what we can buy. Your comment about it being "counter intuitive" is so true and yet sad that our culture is full of this kind of belief. I admire that you are taking steps to make a difference. It will occur a person at a time making a difference in the lives of others. Thanks for sharing.b

I have 3 sons and this really hits home. So much to teach them. But more to try and help them develop in their characters. Thanks for sharing.

Can't wait to see what you do for his 50th. Better start planning now. It's going to take some work to top the 40th.