Is There Trouble for Ben and Jen?

One of the things I love so much about the super couple that is Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, is that the media seems to leave them pretty much untouched. I mean, there are a ton of pictures with Jen picking up Violet from preschool, or taking her girls to the park. But as for the rumor mill churning about them, and them being the focus of tabloids, well, they’re just not. And I think that makes them even more of a super couple. But alas, this week they have been touched by the unpleasant gossip, and rumor has it that Jen and Ben might just be in trouble after all.

Apparently, Ben has started smoking, and – gasp! – drinking again and Jen just can’t handle it. The whole time I reading the In Touch article, I kept thinking, “Here comes the ultimatum, here comes the ultimatum.” Because no good story leaves out the ultimatum. And while this tabloid didn’t say that Jen gave Ben the ultimate choice, they did say that Jen fears for her marriage, and that she’s very unhappy about Ben’s cavorting ways. From In Touch,

“At Sundance, “Ben was definitely drinking,” a witness tells In Touch. “He had vodka on the table in front of him. This comes just 10 days after Ben was seen purchasing bottles of wine in LA.

“Ben’s started to have the odd beer and go out to bars,” a friend explains. Ben’s wife, Jennifer Garner, knows that he’s been drinking again – and she’s very upset about it.

“Jen laid down the law and asked him not to do it, and he promised he wouldn’t,” the friend adds. But not long after Ben landed in Utah, he hit the bottle. “Jen was hurt.”

While Jen knows Ben love her and their daughters with “all of his heart”, she worries that there’s a part of him that misses his old life. While recently filming The Town, Ben lit up whenever he was around Blake Lively. “It’s obvious that Ben’s been itching to let off some steam… he’s dying to have fun.”

But if Ben keeps drinking, his four-year marriage to Jen might be at risk. Although friends say he has no intention of slipping back into his destructive behavior, specialists not that “when a onetime alcoholic begins dabbling in drinking again, it can quickly turn into a full-fledged problem.”

Also troubling: Ben has already started smoking again, a friend reveals: “It’s the worry of one addiction leading to another that scares Jen.”

Jen is keeping an eye on Ben to ensure he doesn’t fall back to his old ways, but she knows that nagging could drive Ben away, and she doesn’t want to lose him to his addictive nature.”

I don’t understand why the media needs to paint Jen out as this goodie two shoes who will do no wrong and gets flabbergasted if her husband decides to have a beer. While sometimes I do wish that Jen were a little more like her character, Sydney, on Alias, I think she’s just a very nice person that hasn’t let the Hollywood lifestyle get to her. She’s found a good husband, they have a wonderful family, and I think people know that. It’s okay that Jen doesn’t have scandal or drama at every turn. In fact, it’s kinda what I like about her.

Jennifer Garner Touches on Her Marriage, and on Her Divorce

Do I need to say that I love Jennifer Garner? Okay, I will. I LOVE JENNIFER GARNER!! Sorry, I had to get that out of my system before I continued. Okay my BFF, Jen baby, just gave an interview with Parade Magazine and in it, she talks about her marriage to Scott Foley (which is something she keeps pretty mum about, no pun intended) and how she had a lot of growing up to do during their divorce.

In the interview she says she didn’t used to stand up for herself and talk about what she needed and what would make her happy and how that was ultimately the demise of her marriage. She also opens up about how she needed to go to therapy after her divorce to try to deal with her issues and grow up. She actually doesn’t seem bitter about her divorce at all, and she seems to want to put most of the blame on herself. Maybe that therapy didn’t work out so well for her after all. But, not wanting to dwell on the past or the unpleasant, Jen also touches on her uber-fabulous marriage to Ben Affleck and tells us how they manage to keep it so together with bright lights, no privacy, and busy busy schedules on both ends. From Parade via Celebitchy,

“Admitting it’s an emotional struggle.
“I adore going to movie sets and being part of a team trying to create something. And yet, I hate to miss even one bedtime with my girls.”

Understanding that the push-pull she faces is hardly unique.
“My sisters both are working mothers. I understand that my being an actress as well as being at home isn’t some heroic thing. That doesn’t mean it isn’t confusing or difficult–especially that question of how you find a balance.”

She knows how lucky she is.
“I’m privileged, because I have a lot of freedom. I want to use it to make as warm and normal a life as I can for our daughters.”

On co-starring opposite Patrick Dempsey and Ashton Kutcher in the romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day.”
“I go home and say to Ben, ‘Do you know what I’ve been doing at work all day?’”

Her own romance with Ben Affleck.
“Ben is sexy and kind, but he’s also a riot. We can be very goofy together.”

Finding the time to be romantic.
“You steal the time. You steal a date, you steal a kiss, you steal a whisper. You sit next to each other on the couch with computers on your laps. After the kids are asleep you…well, you know. Whatever it is. You slip away for a night, which we’ve only just now done for the first time. Of course, I call home while we’re away. Ben would be surprised if I didn’t.”

Why her divorce from actor Scott Foley in 2004 was a turning point.
“I had a lot of growing up to do. I’m still conflict-averse. I don’t like to argue. But back then I couldn’t have a fight. I couldn’t work things out because I wasn’t able to say what I needed to say. I didn’t have a voice. I didn’t dare to express myself. It was a huge heartbreak for me to have something fail like that. I knew that this was either an opportunity for growth or I would sink. It’s easy when you’re hurt and angry to just say, ‘Oh, it’s them.’ But I had to come into my own. I thought, ‘Why did this relationship not work? What part of the failure is my responsibility?’ So I went to work on it. I started therapy.”

Gaining a powerful self-awareness.
“It’s not like I didn’t realize I had any issues until I got a divorce. But I had this professional confidence that wasn’t equaled by my own personal confidence in any relationship, not just with men. There was a disconnect. I realized I needed to be more like my character in ‘Alias,’ who was so powerful and confident and an inspiration to me. I understood very well how to be nice and how to take care of people. I didn’t know how to ask for anything that I needed. It was important to balance it out.”

Finding a new relationship with friend Ben Affleck.
“Well, it helped that we were both single at the time. He’s a very good writer.”

So did he woo her with letters?
“Don’t make assumptions. I didn’t say that! Okay…e-mail. He’s a very persuasive writer.”

Counting on friends and family for support.
“I will tell you what I can’t abide–and I think the Internet has really created a space for it–women criticizing other women and mothers criticizing other mothers. It just makes me crazy, whether it’s between staying at home, going to work, how long you breast-feed, if you use formula. I feel like we should just assume everyone is doing the best they can. Women should take care of each other, not tear each other down. I would just like to see a mother who really believes that she has done it all so right, you know what I mean?”

Did Affleck have to work hard to win over Garner’s mom and sisters?
“He doesn’t have trouble wiggling his way in anywhere. Ben is charm personified when he wants to be. He’s not easily threatened or made uncomfortable–he’s very secure in that way. Maybe he just knows I’m nuts about him, and he doesn’t have anything to worry about. Don’t forget we were friends first for a long time.”

There’s nothing wrong with being “nice.”
“I can’t complain. This mix is perfect for me. I am the model middle child. I am patient and I like to take care of everyone. Being called nice is a compliment. It’s not a boring way to describe me.”

Yes, Jennifer Garner is very nice indeed. And I’m glad she doesn’t take that as an insult. When did nice become such a bad thing anyway? I don’t understand why people think that just because Jennifer manages to keep a somewhat low-profile, and because she’s not surrounded by drama 24/7 that she’s somehow boring and uninteresting. I’d much rather read about someone ‘boring’ like Jennifer Garner than I would a train wreck like Lindsay Lohan.

Cutie Watch: Jen and Violet

I love seeing Jennifer Garner anywhere, whether it’s a photo spread or just out for walks with her daughters. Lately, it’s been mostly the latter as Jen has remained mostly out of the spotlight and let her hubby, Ben Affleck shine as he directs his latest movie “The Town.” And because this family just can’t be apart for too long, they’ve all moved down to Boston where Ben is doing his filming.

But lately, Jen has also been busy doing her own promoting for the latest film that she stars in, The Invention of Lying. And it seems, Jen has recently thought about giving up the big screen to return to the small screen. As I was a huge, huge fan of Alias while it was still on, I would be more than thrilled to be able to watch Jen on a weekly basis! From Gossip Center,

“And while she’s certainly enjoying her time off, Jen recently told press that she’s pondering the idea of a return to TV.

“I never say never to TV because it has been really good for me,” she said. “I am not a snob about work. The great thing about TV is you can stay in one place.

“Eventually my kids aren’t going to want to be living all over the place. Television would allow us to settle down.”

On another note, I recently saw Jen on the new Jay Leno Show. The interview was very funny with Jen cheering on the Boston Red Sox and talking about Violet’s new preschool. Violet did go to preschool last year but because of the family’s move, she needed to attend one that was a little more local than the Brentwood, CA preschool she went to last year.

What was so funny about the interview was that first, we found out that Ben Affleck is an alum at his old preschool in Boston. And this was the only reason that Violet even got into that same school. Can you imagine being an alum of your preschool? You know you have money when…. Secondly, what made the interview even more fun to watch was that we found out that Violet’s preschool is a coop. For those of you that don’t know, a preschool coop is one that the parents run, meaning that the parents each take turns working at the school. Jen spent a lot of time telling Jay how she spends a lot of time at the preschool serving snack and cleaning toilets (hopefully not at the same time!) Yep, just one more way that Jennifer Garner shows that she’s just like any other mom!

Gwyneth Paltrow Likes to Remind Jen Garner She’s Still There

I’m really not a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow’s. She never does any movies that interest me in the least but mostly, she’s Madonna’s BFF, which means that she has a level of respect for that woman that I just can’t understand. Also, Gwyneth always seems to me to be the type of person that needs to be the picture of perfection wherever she goes. She can never have a hair out of place, and god forbid if her face doesn’t have that perfect, angelic glow that we all think of when we think of Gwyneth Paltrow. But, aside from my petty and shallow reasons to dislike the actress, there may be a new one that is somewhat legit.

According to Gossip Rocks, Gwyneth has been sending personal notes to her ex-flame, and now married man, Ben Affleck. The notes actually do sound harmless enough and Ben’s wife, Jennifer Garner, doesn’t seem to be acting like crazy wife person just yet but, it is clear that she’s not a fan of Ben still being contacted by some of his ex’s. From Gossip Rocks,

“Gwyneth Paltrow is that kind of person who likes to stay friendly with her exes. Especially her ex Ben Affleck.
Friends tell FOX411 the star is big on sending personal notes and gifts for births and other major celebrations, and Ben and his wife Jennifer Garner have been on the lucky receiving end of such gifts.
“Ben and Jen got one of Gwyneth’s famous notes this year just after Seraphina was born,” says the insider. “It was very nice, but it was a little too personal. Gwyneth made sure to mention how she was happy that Ben was finally creating the family he had always wanted, a family, which the two of them discussed in depth when they were dating. It just rubs Jen the wrong way.”
But that’s just the beginning of Paltrow’s too-close-for-comfort behavior. Gwyneth has enrolled her children, Apple and Moses, in the same Beverly Hills school that Violet Affleck attends, according to our source.
“Luckily, Gwyneth and Chris are barely in California three months out of the year, so Jen should not have to run into her too often at school,” says the insider. “The other moms already have a problem with the paparazzi following the Garner-Afflecks, and Gwyneth Paltrow will only make the situation worse.”
So far Garner, and Paltrow’s husband, Coldplay singer Chris Martin, are playing it cool with the Ben/Gwyneth thing. Martin is so laid back, says our source, he actually promotes Gwyneth to stay in touch with Ben. And Jen is taking his cue.
“Jen will always allow Ben to have contact and friendship with Gwyneth,” the pal says. “But she doesn’t always like it.”

There’s just no need to discuss the family you’ve always wanted with an ex. No reason for it whatsoever. Especially when he’s just had his second child with his wife. A wife who, by the way, he seems to be perfectly happy with. I’m not sure if this story is true or just made up high school crap but, I definitely can see Gwyneth doing some like this. She does seem like she’s got that sneaky side to her that’ll hit you when you least expect it. And, I can’t see Jennifer Garner putting her foot down and forbidding her husband to speak to certain people. I think that people who love people just don’t do that. But, I do feel for her and I wouldn’t mind seeing Jen take Gwyneth down just a few pegs and showing her that her GOOP isn’t all that!

Jennifer Garner Proves she can be Tough

Ever since her run on Alias, Jennifer Garner has proven herself to be somewhat of a girly-girl. Call it motherhood or just her own sweet personality, this Jen is mostly known for being soft-spoken, loving Martha Stewart, and concerning herself most with being a domesticated wife and mother. All good, until you start talkin trash about her hubby, Ben Affleck. Apparently, Jen ran into some trouble with one of Ben’s old friends and former directors, Kevin Smith.

Kevin told some jokes at Ben’s expense that reportedly weren’t necessary to say about anyone, let alone in front of that person’s wife. The director then tried to brush things off because Ben has such a raunchy sense of humor himself. But I don’t think that Ben talks trash about himself or his wife and I think it’s a really lame excuse that the director is making. In fact, I think way too big a deal is being made about this whole thing. And I think that’s probably Smith’s fault too. From Gossip Rocks,

“Jennifer Garner will “kick the a*s” of anyone who makes fun of her husband Ben Affleck.

The actress clashed with her ‘Catch and Release’ director Kevin Smith – an old friend of the ‘Pearl Harbor’ star – because she didn’t understand he wasn’t making serious attacks on the actor.

Smith explained: “Jennifer does not share the same sense of humour as me - she did not like my jokes. I was picking on Ben Affleck and making fun of him because I’ve known him for a really long time and Jennifer goes, ‘You know, if you keep saying stuff about him, I’m going to kick you’re a*s.’”

. And she could - I’ve seen ‘Alias.’ She has a real girly sense of humour and didn’t understand that I was kidding.”

But Smith failed to comprehend how his humour offended Garner - because her husband’s jokes are far more distasteful. He explains, “I remember talking to Ben and being like, ‘I know your lady is not finding me amusing. Ben, I’ve known you for years, and you are far sicker than I am!’ His jokes are way dirtier than mine. He’s made jokes to me, and I’ve been like, ‘Ben, you need to go to church.”

I don’t think the problem Jen had was that Kevin Smith has a filthy mouth. I think the problem is that he used it to speak in a derogative way about Jen’s husband. And I think it’s kind of cute that she stood up for her man and threatened to beat Kevin up. And I don’t think it’s necessary to call it a ‘girl sense of humor’ either. If Kevin wanted all of this to simply go away, he should have kept his mouth shut when Jen told him to. Now he’s just making himself look like an even bigger ass.

A Peek at Jen and Violet

After Jennifer Garner made some comments about how she doesn’t really like being photographed and how her daughter, Violet, has also politely asked photographers to stop, it seems that the two have been making an extra effort not to be photographed. The days of Jen picking up Violet from preschool seem to be long gone (or maybe we really just have lost interest in that same door and sidewalk with beautiful people on it!) But some sneaky photographer has grabbed a shot of the two walking through the park. Part of Jen’s hiding out lately may be in part due to the fact that her hubby, Ben Affleck is off filming Company Men, leaving Jen to hold down the roost on her own. Well luckily, she does a pretty bang-up job of it! Thanks to Pop Sugar for the pic and the caption!

Jennifer Garner Knows how to Keep her Family Together

In the world of crazy Hollywood marriages and even crazier Hollywood divorces, it’s quite impressive when a couple as famous as Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck hook up, get married, have a couple of kids, and manage to keep it all together. One of their biggest advantages is that they both know how to tune out the bad and keep in the good. Jen recently gave one of her fabulous interviews with US and she talked about it all from her family to her career and of course her new movie, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. From US via Celebitchy,

“Q: How are you enjoying motherhood second time around?
JG: “It’s the same thing but crazier (laughs). No, everything is going really well, thank you very much. Everybody is happy and healthy. It feels like it’s only one more but it feels like three more.”

Q: What is your secret to keeping your family out of the tabloids?
JG: “We try to be boring (laughs). I try to stay away from it. Ben taught me that you cannot read that stuff, that it’s poison. It is horrible to read anything written about you. I would read the positive stuff if somebody read it through for me beforehand.”

Q: Did you learn anything from this movie?
JG: “Well, I think yeah, of course, there are messages to the movie: that you have to take a chance on love. That it’s worth the risk.”

Q: Would you like to do more romantic comedies or are you itching to go back to action roles?
JG: “I’ve been lucky to be able to change because I did become known out of the gate so much for action. I’m really happy that I didn’t get stuck there. The whole point to me of being an actor is to get to do different things or else you might as well just go to an office and show up every day. Of course, you’re always looking for how to flip it for yourself, as well as how can I surprise people. That’s the fun.”

Q: Would you like to do another movie with Ben?
JG: “A big part of it is that somebody’s got to raise the kids, so if we’re both at work, that’s a bummer for them. But there’s no rush. We’re not looking for anything to do together just now.”

Some, including Celebitchy, think that Jennifer Garner is boring because her family stays out of the spotlight (with the exception of the daily preschool shots of Violet) and when it comes to their relationship, both Jen and Ben keep pretty much mum. But I think it’s one of the reasons why I like her so much. She really does just seem like a down-to-earth mom that has a job that happens to make her famous and she doesn’t get too caught up in the glamour and phoniness of it all. Hopefully, they really are in it for the long haul and this isn’t going to be one of those shocking Hollywood divorces you hear about (*ahem* Brad Pitt.) And if Jen’s looking to hire someone to go through all the stuff written about her to take only pass on the good, I’d like to say I’m officially handing in my application.

I Guess Jen Doesn’t Like All Those Pictures

Every time we see Jennifer Garner picking up her daughter Violet from preschool or art classes, they both have ear-to-ear smiles and they are at the same time, of course, showing off their cute dimples! But all of the smiling and laughing seems to all just be a farce as Jen doesn’t really approve of the paparazzi following her and her little girl around everywhere they go. This is what Jen says to In Style,

“I try not to look, but when I see these [paparazzi] pictures of Violet and me, I’m always smiling like a monkey, trying not to let her feel my anxiety. That was some really good advice I got about dealing with it. But now that she’s older, she’s more able to articulate that she doesn’t like it. She’ll say to them, ‘Please stop flashing your camera in my face,’ but they won’t stop. Then she’ll say, ‘I don’t understand, Mommy. I said please!’ It’s just twisted.”

Aw, I never think that Jennifer looks like a monkey and I think it’s so cute that kids are so innocent that they don’t understand why ‘please’ just doesn’t work sometimes. I guess I should apologize to Jen for posting all those pics of her and Violet and encouraging the paps to keep taking pics. It’s just because we love you so much, Jen!

Because it’s been awhile since we looked at Jen & Violet

It’s been a little while since we’ve checked in on Jennifer Garner and her older daughter, Violet but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t been keeping busy by running back and forth between preschool, art classes, and everything else in that busy little girl’s schedule. This pic was snapped last week as Jen picked up Violet from preschool and it looks as though they each had a good day - check out those dimples on both of them! Thanks to Celebrity Baby Scoop for the photo and the caption.

First Pics of Seraphina!!

I still can’t get used to the name Seraphina Rose but we all have been dying to see the first pictures of her and while Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck don’t pimp out their older daughter, Violet to the media, they certainly aren’t ones to shy her away from it either. So I guess we knew it would be just a matter of time before Ben and Jen started toting the newest addition to the family, Seraphina Rose, around with them on their expeditions. There have been pics of Jen taking the baby carrier to work and to the medical clinic but every time, we were only given a glimpse of the back of the seat….Until now! Enjoy the first clear pic of this cutie’s itty bitty baby face! Thanks to Babble for the pic and the caption.