*Aspen reads Joey's memoir "In Real Life" and figures out Joey's mom alcoholism. *In my book, Joey's mom is sober. But in real life, she isn't sadly. I hope this chapter can be educational to help teach people about how to explain addiction and what to do.* I hope you guys enjoy. Send suggestions! Love • Bree 🌺

For homework, Aspen needs to read a chapter book. Aspen couldn't find a book she liked on the family book shelf so she decided to read Joey's first book In Real Life.

Joey and Daniel have never told the kids about Joey's moms alcoholism because of them being so young and that she has been sober since Aspen was born.

Joey's mom called to talk to the kids to see what's been new. Joey and Daniel noticed that Aspen looked upset while talking to Mom Mom, but didn't wanna say anything in front of Joey's mom.

After Joey's mom ends the call with the kids, Everett and Max being to play while Haven, Luna and River take their afternoon nap.

"Aspen, can you come here please?" Daniel asks Aspen as she walks into Daniel and Joey's bedroom. "Yes, Papa and Daddy?" Aspen says as she sits down on the bed.

"Why did you look mad at Mom Mom?" Daniel asks Aspen. Aspen thinks about what to say before she said anything.

"Because she made Daddy sad." Aspen says as she looks down. "What do you mean? She made Daddy very happy today when she called us." Daniel says confusingly.

"No, she made Daddy sad when he was little because she drank." Aspen says as Joey's face becomes pale. Joey and Daniel weren't ready to tell Aspen or any of the kids about this until they were teenagers.

"Who told you that, sweety?" Daniel asks Aspen, knowing Joey didn't and he's embarrassed.

"I read Daddy's book. Not Children of Eden." Aspen says softly. Daniel and Joey realized that Aspen read Joey's first book.

"I appreciate you are reading sweety, but Papa and I could have taken you to the book store to get a book for your reading level and your age." Joey says as he fixes Aspen's hair.

"Well, it had to be like one book, not a book series and all we have Daddy's book series. So, I just picked your book! I enjoyed your book, Daddy. You did great on it." Aspen says with a giggle.

"Mom Mom is an amazing person, Aspen. I want you to know that. She isn't bad or evil. She just had her struggles and made bad decisions when Daddy and Auntie Nicole were kids." Daniel says and Aspen nods.

Joey finally gets the courage to speak to Aspen. He never prepared on what to say because he thought he had time.

"Mom Mom made some bad choices when I was growing up, Aspen. She made decisions that were dangerous and hurt a lot of people's feelings. What she did was wrong and I don't want any of you guys to make the same decisions she did. She doesn't want any of us to go through the same problem she did. It took Mom Mom a very long time to realize what she was doing was wrong and to figure out how to fix it." Joey says and Aspen nods.

"Doesn't it still hurt your feelings? What did she do? Hazel's Daddy keeps getting drunk after not drinking for a while and she cries a lot." Aspen says.

"Mom Mom did the same thing for years. Addiction is a disease but is not a reason to hurt people's feelings. Mom Mom didn't care except when she got another drink. But now she does. She wants to be there for Uncle Jett, Auntie Nicole and I. She especially wants to see you, Ev, Max, Haven, Luna and River grow up. It has hurt my feelings but time can heal wounds." Joey says as Aspen hugs her Daddy.

"What Hazel is going through is the same thing Daddy went through." Daniel says as he rubs Aspen's back.

"Hazel told me her Mommy and Daddy are getting a divorce. She's sad." Aspen says with a frown. "I'm sorry to hear that. But Hazel's mommy wants the best for Hazel. It will be okay." Joey says.

"Mister Will struggled just like Mom Mom too But he is sober too. Addiction can run in families, so we all have to be careful. That's why Daddy and I do not drink alcohol as much. Alcohol is for adults but sometimes adults can't handle it and drink too much." Daniel says.

"Mom Mom has been sober ever since you were in my belly. That's a long time!" Joey says to Aspen and she smiles.

"Do you understand? Do you have anymore questions, Aspen?" Daniel asks Aspen.

"Yes I understand. And no, I don't have any questions Papa and Daddy." Aspen says. Daniel and Joey hug Aspen tightly and kiss her cheeks. 

A few hours after talking with Aspen, Joey decides to vlog what happened.

"Hey guys! I'm sorry I haven't vlogged much today! Daniel and I have been busy and just hanging out with the kids today. But, I wanted to come on here and tell you all what happened today. So, my mom called to say hello and to see what we were doing and such. Daniel and I noticed that Aspen looked upset. But we didn't say anything until the phone call was over." Joey says as he turns the camera off.

"Sorry, River was fussy. But he's okay now, aren't you bud?" Joey says as he kisses River.

"So anyway, Daniel and I talked to Aspen and we found out that she read my first book, In Real Life. I was a bit taken back because I wasn't ready to explain my mom's struggle with alcoholism to any of the kids just yet because they are still little and I don't want any of them to think of my mom in a negative light. I am so happy that Daniel was there to help me explain it to her." Joey says as Daniel walks into the bedroom and sits next to Joey.

"I think Aspen is smart enough to understand what being drunk means and we told her what addiction is. One of her friend's dad is an alcoholic. I want her to know that there is a positive light at the end of the tunnel so she can tell her friend that." Joey says.

"I think she took the conversation well and she understands everything we talked about. She didn't have a lot of questions but Joey and I are ready for more questions in the future. She knows that Joey's mom isn't an evil person or anything." Daniel says.

"I just talked to my mom on the phone and we cried about it. But she understands that Aspen is old enough to figure things out. We might talk about it with Aspen but we don't know yet. But we are going to end today's vlog here, Daniel and I are exhausted from the day. I hope to see you in our next vlog, bye!" Joey says as he and Daniel wave.