The Internet is all a twitter with people being “over” all this Michael Jackson “hoopla,” but I’ve go to say that I think it’s a good reminder for all of us. He was larger than life for sure, with lots of friends and family. His life had its ups and downs, but one thing is for sure, his kids love him.

At the end of the memorial service at the Staples Center today, Paris took the mic and told the world what a great Dad Michael Jackson was.

Isn’t that all we are all searching for at the end of our lives — to be known as a great Mom or Dad?

“The Orlando Sentinel’s” TV Critic, Hal Bodeker posted on his blog tonight that Jon and Kate Gosselin have been living apart for two years. TWO YEARS! Not the 4-6 months they have both mentioned on their show. This makes me mad.

That makes their Hawaiian wedding renewal ceremony a big, fat fake. The photos of them dressed all in white with beautiful Hawaiian leis around their necks, fake. Adorable, happy children dressed in matching outfits, fake. Smiles all around, fake. Fake, fake, fake.

I know it’s reality TV and I shouldn’t trust it, but I fell for it. I didn’t watch the show very often, but guess that I watched it enough to care. I believed what I saw. I felt it was a real portrayal of a young family dealing with how to cope with eight children. I wanted to get tips on how to organize my own family life.

Now, I find out it’s a “ruse” as Hal says.

*UPDATE*

Thanks Slopez for commenting and letting me know that Hal updated his blog with corrected information from the Associated Press — Jon and Kate were living apart for two weeks not two years.

So, maybe I won’t be quite as mad about the reality of the show not being real, but I still think the wedding was a poser. I think it was probably TLC’s idea to have them renew their vows and they did it for the fanfare and the trip to Hawaii.

By now you’ve heard of the  mess that Jon and Kate of “Jon and Kate Plus 8” are in over Jon’s bar-hopping episode with a younger woman, headlined on “People” magazine as ‘Caught With Other Woman.” Jon and Kate are all over the press these days with questions looming about their marriage and possible infidelities. I really hope their marriage isn’t in jeopardy: That the strain of having kids hasn’t gotten to them.

I think the popularity of their show isn’t about how many kids they have, but about the relationship between the two of them.

Don’t we all see a little of ourselves in Jon and Kate?

They bicker, they glare at each other, they bicker some more. If your marriage doesn’t have any bickering, then kudos to you, but I bet most people reading this would have to admit that it exists in their home to some extent.

What’s appealing about the show is that they are (seemingly) shown as a real couple, with real problems. Kids run everywhere, toys are everywhere, their time is torn to shreds trying to keep and run a house full of little people. When and how do they find time for themselves? Although their experience with eight kids is exaggerated for most families, we all have the same strains on our relationships.

The reason we can’t have Jon and Kate divorce is that it might shed light on other marriages, maybe our own, that there is something wrong.

Because Jon and Kate can argue on national television and still be married, gives us all a little breathing room that we’re not alone. Marriage is hard and having kids adds to the stress. There are times you can’t even complete sentences with your spouse without being interrupted by one of your adorable offspring. Jon and Kate have this time eight.

I’ve read that the couple is trying to work through this mess privately. Nothing is revealed yet, but I’m hopeful they will stay together and give all marriages hope.

**** UPDATE 10/9/09 Anna Duggar Gives Birth To Baby Girl

*** UPDATE 9/1/09* Michelle Duggar Pregnant With Baby Number 19 

** UPDATE 8/4/09* Find out if it’s a boy or a girl for Anna and Josh.

* UPDATE 4/13/09 * From Ann and Josh Duggar’s Web site:

We are now working full-time together at our pre-owned car dealership and eagerly awaiting the arrival of our new little one! Season 2 of the series recently retitled “18 Kids & Counting!” on TLC will also highlight Anna’s pregnancy and keep viewers up to date on Josh & Anna’s life. You can check the TLC website for more information on the Duggars’ Television reality series.”

Each and every day I get someone coming to my site looking for the answer to “Is Anna Duggar Pregnant?” I don’t know the answer. If she is, I don’t think she’s telling anyone.

The question is swelling around Anna’s mother-in-law, who recently gave birth to her eighteenth child. Yes, 18 kids. And she wants more. Michelle Duggar has been quoted as saying she’d love to have more children. Her eldest child, Joshua Duggar, recently got married — to Anna. The young couple — in their very early 20s — apparently didn’t even kiss before their wedding day.

They, like their parents, want as many children as God will allow. Now, can you see why people are asking if Anna’s pregnant already? I’m sure it won’t be long before there is news of a grandchild for the elder Duggars. Who knows how long it will be before there’s an announcement from Josh and Anna; in the meantime, I assume people will still Google “Is Anna Duggar pregnant?” until they find out.

Maybe they’ll announce it on their official Web site.

NEW HERE?

If this is your first visit to Balancing Motherhood, thanks for coming! I’ve including a few of my favorite and most potpular links to get you started:

• About Me. I’m a full-time working mom of two kids: a three-year-old and a newborn.I’ve worked in media for a long time and love to use the Internet to connect to other moms.
• I like to make kid’s birthday cakes. I post photos (including disaster ones) and have made a duck cake, a Mickey Mouse cake and a Race Car cake.
• Sometimes I write about hot topics in the news. Lately it’s been a lot about the Duggars and the Octomom.
• Follow me on Twitter.
• Working from home is a hot topic that I try to post about when I hear good advice. Here’s the archive.

That should get you started. Thanks for visiting.

• Avon Helps Women in Tough Economic Times — Women are making money selling Avon. Start up costs are only $10. Watch the video to see how one mother makes enough money to send her children to private school, help pay the mortgage and pay for family vacations.
  
• Quit Caffeine While Pregnant — this is not news, but apparently many pregnant women don’t cut the caffeine from their diets. It’s hard. Being pregnant again, I can attest it is hard to cut so much out. We can’t deli meat, soft cheese, sushi, the list is huge. Then come the beverages. Don’t drink alcohol. And, don’t drink caffeine. You know how hard it is to get a decent drink in a restaurant when you are pregnant? And, if you are diabetic, forget about it. Your options are even less. Try a No-jito or Cos-No-Politan.
• The “Today Show” is offering an email newsletter called, “100 Days of Holidays.” Might be something to sign up for to lift our spirits.
• “Sex and the City” sequel is confirmed!
• I think I should by this outfit. What do you think?
• View ugly celebrity outfits.