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Tag: 19 kids and counting

  • Jill Duggar Gives Thanks For Life’s Blessings With In-Laws

    Jill Duggar has a lot to be thankful for this year and she decided to do things a little different than normal and spent Thanksgiving with her in-laws.

    She shared several photos of the celebration on her Instagram page and also shared some of the many things she has to be thankful for.

    “So many blessings to count this Thanksgiving…Mama Cathy is well, best hubby in the world, expecting a son,” she captioned the photos. “God’s mercies are new every morning! #happythanksgiving”

    The photos show how much Jill’s tummy is growing and it’s obvious that the baby will be here soon.

    While the family seemed to be enjoying themselves in the photos, it was also a sad time for Jill and her in-laws, as they mourned the loss of Derick’s grandma, who passed away a few days before Thanksgiving.

    Derick and Jill both shared photos of Derick’s Grandma, as well as kind words about her.

    The family is very strong in their faith and knowing that they will someday see their beloved Vergie again has helped them deal with her passing and allowed them to enjoy Thanksgiving in spite of it.

  • Jill Dillard Shares Baby Bump in Thanksgiving Photo

    Jill Dillard (formerly Jill Duggar) of the hit TLC show 19 Kids and Counting, shared a Thanksgiving Day photo on Instagram that not only shows off her growing baby bump, but shares a few things for which she and her husband Derick Dillard are profoundly thankful. Jill and Derick tied the knot in June, and sister Jessa Duggar followed suit on November 1st. Clearly the entire Duggar family has lots to be thankful for this holiday season.

    Derick Dillard divulged his gratitude a few days before Thanksgiving with his own Instagram shots. His were of their unborn baby’s ultrasound.

    Between ultrasound shots and a photo of Jill Dillard’s growing bump, it’s abundantly clear that way more went on in the 19 Kids and Counting household over Thanksgiving than simply eating turkey and pie. This is one grateful bunch.

    “So many blessings to count this Thanksgiving…Mama Cathy is well, best hubby in the world, expecting a son, God’s mercies are new every morning! #happythanksgiving,” Jill Dillard captioned this photo.

    A photo posted by Jill Dillard (@jillmdillard) on

    Derick prefaced this photo, saying, A week before Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for our baby boy! Awesome to think his heart has already beat about 26,784,000 times! Psalm 139:13-18.”

    A photo posted by Derick Dillard (@derickdillard) on

    If what Hollywood Life says is accurate, Jill Dillard isn’t the only member of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s clan that will sport a baby bump in the coming months. They report that Jessa Duggar Seewald, who just married Ben Seewald less than a month ago, might be pregnant, too.

    It sounds like an overall theme of Thanksgiving might be sticking around for a while in the 19 Kids and Counting family.

  • Jana Duggar Edited Out of ’19 Kids and Counting?’

    Jana Duggar was recently edited out of an entire episode of 19 Kids and Counting. Is TLC editing the eldest of the Duggar daughters out of the entire show?

    OK! points out that Jana Duggar was conspicuously absent from the November 11th episode of 19 Kids and Counting. The episode followed eldest son Josh Duggar, his wife Anna, and their children on an RV trip. And even though both Josh and Anna made mention of how proud they were to take this trip without the help of any family members, Jana Duggar accompanied them on this past summer’s vacation.

    It seems the producers wanted to ‘showcase the way Josh and Anna interact with their kids.’ Fans fear that this might indicate a slow phasing out of Jana from the entire show.

    A source told OK! that Jana Duggar became an ‘invisible babysitter’ while on the road trip. She has previously been referred to as the ‘Cinderella Duggar‘ because of all the things she does behind the scenes for the family and their show. Jana reportedly worked tirelessly, along with sisters Jill Duggar Dillard and Jessa Duggar Seewald, to plan both weddings–the first in June and the second in November.

    24-year-old Jana Duggar is a midwife.

    “I’ve been spending a lot of time working under a local midwife,” she said during a recent interview. “I am really enjoying learning about natural birth. I feel so blessed to be able to learn and grow in this area, and I plan on using the skills that I’ve developed through these experiences to help my family and friends now and in the future.”

    Hopefully Jana Duggar isn’t being edited out of 19 Kids and Counting for good. She’s pretty, smart, and a hard worker, too. It would be sad to learn that TLC wants her gone because there’s no wedding on her horizon.

    A current rumor floating about regarding Jana, however, involves Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and Tim Tebow’s mom. They are reportedly working on setting up Jana with Tim. While there is no confirmation on this, they certainly would make an adorable couple–don’t you think? Would that be enough to keep Jana Duggar in the 19 Kids and Counting spotlight?

  • Jana Duggar: Is She Dating Tim Tebow?

    Is Jana Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting dating former NFL player Tim Tebow? Her parents have reportedly been spotted in the company of Tim’s mom, Pam Tebow, recently, adding fuel to the rumor’s flame.

    Fans of the TLC show have wondered of late why Jana Duggar, who is 24–and old for marrying age by Duggar standards–has put off courting (Duggar offspring don’t date–they court) for so long.

    Pam Tebow is a big pro-life advocate, just like Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. She has been spotted at events where Jim Bob and Michelle were present, and has even visited the 19 Kids and Counting family’s home.

    So does this mean the two families are working on setting up Jana Duggar and Tim Tebow? Jana’s two younger sisters, Jill and Jessa Duggar, recently tied the knot. In fact Jill Duggar Dillard is now expecting the couple’s first baby. This leaves Jana Duggar miles behind her younger sisters. Are Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar doing some matchmaking on her behalf?

    RadarOnline reports that Jim Bob Duggar has his sights set on Tim Tebow as Jana’s future husband.

    “Jim Bob is no dummy,” a source said. “Tim would be a perfect addition to the family and a feather in his cap. Can you imagine the press attention a Tim-Jana wedding would get?”

    This doesn’t necessarily ring true, however, with avid fans of 19 Kids and Counting, however. Jim Bob Duggar recently told the Christian Post, “I do not choose who my children marry.’

    Regardless of whether these rumors are true or not, one point is beyond clear. Jana Duggar and Tim Tebow would make an incredibly good looking couple.

    Do you think there’s any truth to rumors about some matchmaking in the works? Are Tim Tebow and Jana Duggar already courting?

  • Michelle Duggar Is Not Going Down Without A Fight

    Michelle Duggar is not going down without a fight!

    The matriarch of TLC’s series 19 Kids and Counting is countering a petition that was created to get the show pulled off the air.

    Recently, Michelle and her husband Jim Bob Duggar issued a kissing photo challenge on Facebook where couples posted pictures of themselves sharing a kiss. The only rule was that the couples had to be married. However, when a gay married couple posted a picture of them kissing, Michelle and Jim Bob immediately deleted the photos.

    Many were outraged that the photos were deleted and said that the Duggars were anti-gay. They formed a petition on Change.org to have the show removed from TLC’s lineup.

    “End LGBTQ fear mongering by the Duggars,” the petition reads. “The Duggars have been using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people. You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show.”

    So far, the petition has garnered 170,291 signatures, well surpassing their original goal of 100,000.

    In a counter act, 19 Kids and Counting fans created their own petition to save the show. The petition, created on LifePetitions website, urges those to keep the beloved family show on the air.

    Jim Bob and Michelle Duggarwon't ever back down from their values. See the passage they posted on Facebook earlier: http://t.co/ihJsz4A40F

    — Us Weekly (@usweekly) November 14, 2014

    “Rather than being extreme, the Duggars represent the majority of people in state after state who have stood up for the traditional family,” the counter petition reads. “The real extremists are those who are demanding that a TV network penalize America’s beloved family because they support the truth about family, which they have always expressed in a loving, compassionate fashion.”

    Currently, the LifePetition only needs 50,398 signatures to reach their goal of 250,000.

    Michelle reportedly has her own petition as well that is trying to keep TLC from removing their show.

    Do you think TLC will remove cancel 19 Kids and Counting? Leave your comments below.

  • Michelle Duggar Aims to Save ’19 Kids and Counting’

    Michelle Duggar and hubby Jim Bob have made news lately by issuing a ‘kissing photo challenge’ on Facebook. They issued a rule about their challenge, saying it must feature married couples kissing. When a gay married couples posted their photos, the 19 Kids and Counting matriarch and patriarch took them down. Some people were outraged by that move and have petitioned for TLC to remove their show from the network–calling them anti-gay. Michelle Duggar is countering their petition, however, in her effort to save 19 Kids and Counting.

    A Change.org petition asks TLC to cancel the show because of anti-LGBT activism and statements made by Michelle Duggar. It has already surpassed the intended goal of 100,000 signatures. A new petition, created by fans of 19 Kids and Counting, has since surpassed 180,000 signatures and was said to be ‘growing fast.’

    Michelle Duggar reportedly has her own petition–separate from the one started by fans–to counter those in favor of canceling the show. Hers is said to have only about 6000 signatures thus far.

    Do you think TLC will really consider canceling 19 Kids and Counting? They let Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame off the hook pretty easily and never canceled that show. What Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar said via their Facebook post wasn’t nearly as volatile as Phil Robertson’s anti-gay comment.

    Will Michelle Duggar’s counter-petition and that of the many 19 Kids and Counting fans who want to save the show, be enough to prevent TLC from considering drastic actions against the Duggar family?

  • 19 Kids and Counting: Duggar Homophobia Petition Doubles Signatures Overnight

    An online petition asking TLC to cancel the Duggars’ 19 Kids and Counting reality show saw its support numbers double overnight last night. The petition was started because of the alleged homophobic activities of Michelle Duggar and other Duggar family members.

    When we told you about the petition yesterday there were just over 50,000 signatures gathered since it was started in August. That number is now at 123,789.

    When the effort first began, the petitioners asked TLC to:

    “End LGBTQ fear mongering by the Duggars. The Duggars have been using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people. You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show.”

    Reasons given included Michelle Duggar’s support of a campaign against transgender equality in Arkansas. Duggar has recorded a robocall message for the campaign that warned Fayetteville residents that transgender people were convicted child predators who wanted to cross-dress so they could get into women’s restrooms and peek at little girls.

    Her message said:

    “The Fayetteville City Council is voting on an ordinance this Tuesday night that would allow men – yes I said men – to use women’s and girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping areas and other areas that are designated for females only. I don’t believe the citizens of Fayetteville would want males with past child predator convictions that claim they are female to have a legal right to enter private areas that are reserved for women and girls.”

    The petition was started by Jim Wissick of San Jose, California. He noted something that perhaps Michelle Duggar had not considered.

    “Transgender people — who are far more likely to be the victims of harassment and violence if forced to use a bathroom that is inconsistent with their gender identity or expression— deserve to have the ability to use the bathroom in peace and safety.”

    More recently, when Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar challenged their Facebook followers to post pictures of married couples kissing, gay couples cried foul when pictures they posted were deleted and posters banned. The media storm following that issue reignited interest in the already-existing petition. The attention is showing results.

    The Learning Channel & Discovery Networks need to separate themselves from this bigotry and put an end to the Duggar’s show,” the petition insists.

  • 19 Kids and Counting: Will TLC Series Be Cancelled Due to Change.org Petition?

    One thing that is popping out faster than Duggar children on TLC‘s 19 Kids and Counting is support for a recent petition to cancel the show. And after Honey Boo Boo got the axe, people are wondering if it just might happen.

    After Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, the parents on 19 Kids and Counting, encouraged married couples on Facebook to post pictures of themselves kissing, blogger John Becker posted a photo of himself kissing his husband. Soon after, Becker says his photo was removed and he was banned from the Duggars’ page.

    The Duggars’ photo caption read, “God designed marriage to be a loving, dynamic relationship between a husband and wife for a lifetime. God loves marriage and it is supposed to be full of love, joy, fun and romance. We challenge all married couples to take a happily married picture and post it here.”

    However, not all marriages are created equal in the eyes of the conservative Christian family. In response, a Change.org petition was created to ask TLC to cancel the family’s 19 Kids and Counting reality show.

    “End LGBTQ fear mongering by the Duggars,” a letter posted on petition page reads. “The Duggars have been using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people. You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show.”

    So far the petition has over 87,000 supporters.

    But accusers say that the Facebook post isn’t the only sign of discrimination within the Duggar family. Another complaint alleges that they have donated $10,000 to repeal equal housing rights for LGBTQ members. 26-year-old Josh Duggar, the oldest of the Duggar children, is the executive director of the Family Research Center’s Action Arm. In 2010, the FRC was labeled as a “hate group” which promotes “false and demonizing propaganda about gays and lesbians.”

    In addition, mother Michelle Duggar has opposed a Fayetteville City Council ordinance that proposes to allow transgendered people to use the restrooms consistent with their gender identity. She recorded a robocall message for a campaign to defeat the ordinance.

    The recorded message said:

    “Hello, this is Michelle Duggar. I’m calling to inform you of some shocking news that would affect the safety of Northwest Arkansas women and children.

    “The Fayetteville City Council is voting on an ordinance this Tuesday night that would allow men – yes I said men – to use women’s and girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping areas, and other areas that are designated for females only. I don’t believe the citizens of Fayetteville would want males with past child predator convictions that claim they are female to have a legal right to enter private areas that are reserved for women and girls.”

    Michelle Duggar’s characterizing the transgender population of Northwest Arkansas as “child predators” did not sit well with them.

    Jim Wissick started the petition on Change.org in order to stop “rewarding hate with more and more air time.”

    With millions of loyal viewers, it is unclear if TLC will consider canceling 19 Kids and Counting but Wissick hopes that his message will be heard either way.

  • Michelle Duggar and Hubby Incite Hate by Deleting Gay Kissing Photos?

    Michelle Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting fame, along with hubby Jim Bob Duggar, have caused a bit of controversy in the LGBT community in recent days. The strict Christian couple issued a ‘kissing challenge’ on Facebook, but when gay couples submitted their photos, the Duggar family allegedly took them down.

    It all started following the recent wedding of daughter Jessa Duggar to Ben Seewald. Apparently there was criticism about what some deemed ‘inappropriate PDA’ with regard to one of the photos. This inspired Michelle Duggar to stick up for her daughter and new son-in-law and issue a ‘fun challenge’ for married kissing couples.

    A photo of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar that appeared first on Jessa Diggar’s Instagram was posted to the family’s Facebook page with the invitation for others to post their own kissing photos. Per their Christian beliefs, however, the challenge was issued with some strict guidelines.

    When John Becker, an LGBT blogger, posted a photo to the Duggar’s page, it was taken down.

    A war of words ensued, with Michelle Duggar and her husband using quotes from the Bible as their ammunition.

    John Becker countered on his site, writing the following.

    “First of all, homosexuality isn’t a chosen “lifestyle,” it’s an intrinsic orientation, as anyone with a fifth-grade public school education can tell you. Being transgender isn’t a “lifestyle,” it’s an innate identity.

    Second, folks like the Duggars don’t just “disagree” with LGBT people (whatever that means), they work very, very hard to undermine and obstruct their basic civil and human rights. Whether it’s recording a lie-filled, disgustingly transphobic robocall against a nondiscrimination ordinance in Fayetteville, Arkansas or speaking at hate group rallies in support of marriage discrimination, the Duggar family has a long and ugly history of religion-based bigotry.

    The Duggars would deprive me and my family–and thousands of other people and families like us–of the right to marry, raise children, hold a job, and transact business in the public marketplace without fear of discrimination. That goes way beyond mere “disagreement,” and is about as unloving, uncompassionate, and un-Christian as a person can get.

    And as I told the Huffington Post, that’s exactly why I posted my photo to their page in the first place:

    “[Michael and I] felt that our participation as a same-sex couple would highlight the dissonance between their professed support of love, intimacy, and marriage and the fact that they work so hard to obstruct the happiness and legal marriage rights of loving couples like us.”

    The Duggars clearly intend to hold on to their malicious, hurtful anti-LGBT beliefs. Of course, they have every right to do so, just like they have every right to moderate their Facebook page as they see fit.
    But what I hope they learn from the dozens of beautiful married same-sex couples who responded to their challenge–and the controversy that erupted when they tried to erase us–is that the world is evolving into a place that recognizes and affirms all loving couples, both same-sex and opposite-sex. Such a shame that the Duggars refuse to evolve along with it.”

    What’s your take on Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar taking down photos of same sex couples from their Facebook kissing challenge? Do you think the removal of said photos incites hate?

  • Jill Duggar’s Marriage: “Love Is In The Air”

    Jill Duggar’s Marriage: “Love Is In The Air”

    Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard are quickly settling into married life and their coming life as new parents.

    Will they have 19 kids? More? Maybe just a couple?

    The world will have to wait, but as for now, Jill Duggar is just enjoying being pregnant and sharing it with the world.

    Duggar matriarch Michelle Duggar took to the family’s website to inform everyone that Jill Duggar’s life as a new wife is going really well, even though sometimes the younger Duggars wish the married couples wouldn’t make it so…um…apparent.

    “It’s just so sweet to watch these guys and girls that are really in love,” Michelle wrote about Jill Duggar’s and Derick Dillard’s married relationship. “Love is in the air and it’s good for all of us to be around that, even if the little siblings have to go, ‘Oh no, they’re kissing again, oh my!’”

    http://www.people.com/article/jill-duggar-dillard-expecting-son

    A photo posted by Jill Dillard (@jillmdillard) on

    She added of Jill Duggar and her husband, “I know God’s going to use that love to help stretch in ways that they might not otherwise try, because that’s the good thing about marriage. It really does stretch us and helps us to become the person that God would want us to be.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoCvbOwaA9E

    “You’re much more willing to get out of your comfort zone when it’s with somebody that you deeply love.”

    That’s true. In this case, the comfort zone could have been the completely non-physical relationship Jill Duggar had with Derick Dillard up until they held hands after the engagement and kissed on their wedding day for the first time.

    The famously religious family has stayed close, even though Jill Duggar, and now Jessa, are no longer right there in the house.

    “We always make sure to include them in our family events in case they want to be a part of things,” Michelle said. “They’ll come over and celebrate birthdays and other events with us when they can.”

    What do you think of Jill Duggar’s new life with Derick Dillard?

  • Jill Duggar, Derick Dillard Loving Married Life

    Jill Duggar, of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting, is reportedly very happy with her new husband Derick Dillard.

    The newlyweds tied the knot in June, and are already expecting their first child, a boy, in March 2015.

    According to Jill’s mother Michelle Duggar, Jill has transitioned well and loves married life.

    “I think it’s been a very smooth transition for Jill and Derick,” Michelle wrote on her blog. “She’s got her house set up and she’s already had company over. It’s so sweet to see them starting their lives and their family together.”

    “It was truly the joy of her life to marry Derick and they both feel so blessed to have each other,” she continued. “They are just really, really happy to be married and enjoying married life. It’s so special to watch these budding relationships blossoming.”

    Jill and Derick had a short courtship, and followed strict guidelines during that time period. They did not hold hands until they were engaged, and shared their first kiss at the alter after saying “I do.” Jill’s sister Jessa Duggar also abided by the same rules, although she and her husband Ben Seewald waited until they were in private to share their first kiss.

    “It’s just so sweet to watch these guys and girls that are really in love,” Michelle added. “Love is in the air and it’s good for all of us to be around that, even if the little siblings have to go, “Oh no, they’re kissing again, oh my!””

  • Jill Duggar Dillard Living Newlywed Perfection

    Jill Duggar Dillard and her new hubby Derick Dillard are living a life of newlywed perfection–at least that’s what 19 Kids and Counting’s Michelle Duggar hints at on the family website. She recently gushed about how happy her daughter and new son-in-law are, and how proud she is of their accomplishments, in her blog.

    “It’s just so sweet to watch these guys and girls that are really in love,” Michelle wrote. “Love is in the air and it’s good for all of us to be around that, even if the little siblings have to go, ‘Oh no, they’re kissing again, oh my!”

    Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard didn’t kiss until their wedding day–just like sister Jessa Duggar and her new husband Ben Seewald, who tied the knot on November 1st–and they didn’t hold hands until they were engaged. These are two of the rules of courtship as defined by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar for all of their children–and so far it appears to have served everyone well.

    “I know God’s going to use that love to help stretch in ways that they might not otherwise try, because that’s the good thing about marriage. It really does stretch us and helps us to become the person that God would want us to be,” Michelle Duggar shares. “You’re much more willing to get out of your comfort zone when it’s with somebody that you deeply love.”

    Michelle admits to missing Jill, now that she lives in her own home.

    “I think it’s been a very smooth transition for Jill and Derick,” she explained. “She’s got her house set up and she’s already had company over. It’s so sweet to see them starting their lives and their family together.”

    And like any good mom, she makes sure to include the newlyweds in everything the 19 Kids and Counting family does at home.

    “We always make sure to include them in our family events in case they want to be a part of things,” Michelle says. “They’ll come over and celebrate birthdays and other events with us when they can.”

    “It was truly the joy of her life to marry Derick and they both feel so blessed to have each other,” she added. “They are just really, really happy to be married and enjoying married life.”

    It shouldn’t be too long before Michelle Duggar updates her blog and includes tidbits about married life for daughter Jessa Duggar. She and Ben Seewald recently enjoyed their honeymoon at an undisclosed location, but are likely back in the fold with a new life of their own about to begin. Jill Duggar Dillard and her hubby are planning for their baby–and even the preparations for that will be huge news for Michelle to report.

  • Jim Bob Duggar Doesn’t Choose Children’s Spouses

    Jim Bob Duggar, the patriarch of the 19 Kids and Counting family, said during a recent interview with People magazine that he doesn’t choose the people his children marry. Speculation of that notion likely arose because of the tight ship he and wife Michelle Duggar run with regard to their daughters and dating. In fact, Duggar girls (and boys) don’t date. Instead they court. That courtship is designed to learn whether or not that person is the one God has planned to be the chosen spouse.

    Jessa Duggar just tied the knot with Ben Seewald last weekend. Now some are wondering which of the Duggar children might be the next to get married.

    “I do not choose who my children marry,” Jim Bob, who is 50, said in the exclusive interview. “Over the years, I have suggested guys to my daughters or we have had a lot of guys that approach us and are interested in this girl or that girl, but each of our girls have chosen their spouse on their own.”

    So who do you think might be the next of the 19 Kids and Counting offspring to get married? Twins John David and Jana Duggar are both still single.

    “I am such an expert in love and marriage,” John David joked. “Maybe people will steal my advice since I know so much.”

    “Jana is one of the prettiest girls in the world and one of the sweetest girls,” Jim Bob Duggar says of his oldest daughter. “There have been a lot of guys who have been interested in her, I have gone to hear about each one, and so far she hasn’t felt that is the way the Lord is leading.”

    Jinger Duggar was maid of honor at Jessa Duggar’s wedding last weekend. Jim Bob Duggar weighs in on her courtship status.

    “Jinger is just a dynamic girl that a lot of guys have been interested in,” Jim Bob says. “But so far, she has not been interested in the guys.”

    Aside from the twins and Jinger Duggar, the only other of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s children who is old enough to marry is 19-year-old Joseph Duggar. And even though Jim Bob Duggar didn’t offer his two cents worth regarding Joseph, the young man has certainly learned a thing or two by watching his older siblings.

    “I definitely want to do the same route in courting and getting to know someone in the way my siblings have,” he says. “Doing it that way, I believe that is the way that God intended it. I don’t think God wants us to play around and go out with everyone, but to know for sure that is the one He has for you.”

    It’s good to hear that Jim Bob Duggar doesn’t choose his children’s spouses. That’s a rather outdated form of matchmaking that is likely destined to fail. Instead he and wife Michelle have fashioned some courtship rules that are designed to make them find the right person–with maybe just a little help from their dad.

  • Jessa Duggar Shares Photo of First Post-Wedding Kiss

    Jessa Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting fame married Ben Seewald in a wedding in Arkansas last Saturday. As is Duggar family tradition, Jessa and Ben had never kissed prior to their wedding day. But unlike other Duggar family weddings, they didn’t do so as the pastor pronounced them husband and wife either. Instead they waited for a more private moment out of view of their 1000 or more wedding guests.

    CNN reports that the newlyweds stepped into a quiet room in the church to share their first kiss last weekend. Jessa Duggar–now officially Jessa Seewald–posted a photo of that first kiss (clearly that quiet room wasn’t completely private) to her Instagram account within the past few days, for all her friends, family members, and fans to see.

    Despite all the modesty practiced by the 19 Kids and Counting family, this kiss shared by Jessa Duggar and her new husband shows evidence of a rather passionate union.

    It's great living life with your best friend! @ben_seewald

    A photo posted by Jessa Duggar (@jessaseewald) on

    Prior to marrying Ben Seewald, Jessa Duggar and her fiance were allowed side hugs. Their chests couldn’t touch when the two embraced. Prior to becoming engaged, the two couldn’t even hold hands. These are per the Duggar rules of courtship as defined by the family’s patriarch, Jim Bob Duggar. However all of the Duggar clan appears to agree with the rules, believing them to be what’s right, given their devout Christian beliefs.

    Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald had a rather short engagement. Ben popped the question in August, and the two tied the knot just one short week ago.

  • Jessa Duggar Passes First Kiss On To Parents

    Jessa Duggar and her new husband Ben Seewald have been the subject of quite a bit of fascination in recent months, as the strict guidelines they adhered to during their courtship aren’t often seen with young’uns these days. As part of the Duggar family’s wishes, the couple didn’t kiss, hold hands, or give full-body hugs while they were dating, and often spent their time together with a chaperone. That’s why, when the duo married last weekend, their first kiss was highly anticipated by guests and fans of the show who wanted all the details the next day. But it never happened, even though one of their guests was former television star Kirk Cameron.

    “We flew to the Duggar hometown, not only to be part of the fun and excitement of honoring this precious couple, but as a father, I want my daughters to see what it looks like when a couple reserves their ‘first kiss’ for at the altar. Wow! This kind of moral excellence and purity is rare today, but our sons and daughters are priceless. This dad has only a few years to etch these meaningful images on the minds of his children,” Cameron wrote on Facebook.

    Instead, the couple opted to experience their first kiss in private after the ceremony, so Pastor Mike Schadt introduced them as husband and wife before turning the attention over to Jessa’s parents, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, and asking them to kiss.

    “So, now you’ve seen a Duggar kiss,” he said.

    The reality star did post a photo of a steamy kiss with her new hubby, however, which quickly made the rounds online.

    It's great living life with your best friend! @ben_seewald

    A photo posted by Jessa Duggar (@jessaseewald) on

    The couple is now the subject of a rumor that they couldn’t help themselves and ended up consummating their marriage before they even left the reception after someone who claimed to be in attendance posted the story on a blog. Jessa has not commented on the tale, however.

  • Kirk Cameron Hangs With Duggars and Robertsons

    Kirk Cameron has come a long way since his role as Mike Seaver in the 80s-era sitcom Growing Pains. For years after that series was cancelled the young star shunned Hollywood and instead focused on evangelical Christianity. In 2002 Cameron founded The Way of the Master, a Christian evangelical ministry focused on promoting Christianity through media. The actor now stars in Christianity-themed movies such as Fireproof and Unstoppable.

    Cameron’s popularity among evangelicals has made him one of the most recognizable Christians in the U.S. This week Cameron highlighted just how reality TV is bringing his brand of Christianity back into the mainstream of U.S. entertainment.

    Cameron this week revealed that he was invited to the wedding of Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard. Duggar is a member of the large family made famous by the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting.

    In a Facebook post Cameron wrote that he and his daughters flew to Arkansas to attend the couple’s rehearsal dinner and wedding. He expressed his admiration for the couple’s decision to save their first kiss for their wedding day, describing it as “moral excellence and purity.”

    In addition to the Duggars, Cameron has enlisted another popular reality show family to help him promote his new movie, Saving Christmas. In another Facebook post Cameron revealed that Duck Dynasty stars Phil and Kay Robertson served Cameron dinner for his 44th birthday.

    Saving Christmas is another Christianity-centered movie starring Kirk Cameron. In contrast to the dramas that Cameron has become known for in recent years, Saving Christmas is a comedy that examines modern Christmas traditions and, according to the movie’s website, “provides a biblical basis for our time-honored traditions and celebrations.” The movie will have a limited two-week run in U.S. theaters starting on November 14.

  • Jill Dillard Offers Jessa Duggar Marriage Tips

    Jill Dillard (formerly Jill Duggar) offered her sister Jessa Duggar (now Jessa Seewald) some helpful tips for a successful marriage recently. Now bear in mind, Jill Dillard has only been married since June, and Jessa Duggar tied the knot on Saturday. Still Jill felt she could impart some wisdom upon Jessa, so that’s exactly what she did.

    “Jessa and I shared a lot with us being in relationships and us getting married, and now they are following along,” Jill explains. “We have great examples in our parents that love doesn’t have to end. Spend lots of time together and remember, the honeymoon doesn’t have to end.”

    Jill Dillard is now expecting her first child with hubby Derick Dillard, leaving many to wonder how long it might be before Jessa Duggar and her new husband announce that an addition may grace their family as well. This will no doubt provide even more fodder for sharing between the sisters.

    Jill admits she enjoyed “walking through relationships” with Jessa before they both got married. That will likely just expand as each of the Duggar girls’ families grow.

    Growing up in the 19 Kids and Counting household certainly provided both Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald with strong examples of what a marriage and parenthood is all about. Parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have been married for 30 years now, and always note their strong Christian beliefs as what has held their family together.

    Jessa Duggar Seewald admitted right before her wedding that she and Ben hope to have a ‘huge family.’ Their children and those born to Jill and Derick Dillard will be cousins.

    “We’re looking forward to seeing more cousins,” Jill Dillard’s husband recently admitted.

    Jessa Duggar was probably grateful to her sister Jill Dillard for sharing tips on marriage. Now that she’s a married woman, too, she will likely start putting that advice into action.

  • Jessa Duggar Shocks Wedding Guests by Not Kissing Her Husband

    After waiting for more than a year to get to kiss her intended Ben Seewald, Jessa Duggar surprised everyone in attendance at her wedding by not kissing him there, either.

    The Duggar family, famous for their reality TV series 19 Kids and Counting, are well-known to have very specific and stringent rules regarding morality and intimate behavior outside of marriage.

    For Jessa and Ben, there were rules that they agreed to up front in their courtship. Father Jim Bob Duggar explained why the family thinks those rules are important.

    “As far as our kids dating, we believe a lot of times if you’re alone with a person, it can create desires that can kind of get stirred up, and you don’t have any accountability, and [that] can lead to some hanky panky,” he explained.

    “Dad allowed them to do a side hug when they were officially courting,” Jessa’s mom Michelle said. “Jessa and Ben have said that was the only contact they would have, when they initially greet each other, when he comes to visit for their first hello, they have a quick 30 second or less side hug and a goodbye side hug and they agreed that would be the only contact they should have.”

    “They want to wait on the physical relationship until later,” she explained. “If there is an engagement that comes about, they will work together on their goals and standards for that.”

    Apparently part of the “goals and standards” for their engagement was that they would not even kiss until the wedding ceremony culmination, when the minister tells them they can.

    Michelle says of her first kiss with dad Jim Bob, “We did not save our first kiss for our wedding day, and we really regret that we didn’t. We really should have.”

    So the day came, the moment arrived when everyone would get to see Jessa and Ben have their first kiss. But they did not kiss then, either!

    While sister Jill had her first kiss with husband Derrick Dillard at their wedding, Jessa and Ben chose to keep that moment between themselves.

    In a reality TV culture where Kim and Kanye reveal to everyone when and where their daughter was conceived, keeping something to yourself because you want to is actually kind of refreshing.

  • Jill Duggar Prepares for Baby, Sister Jessa Duggar Marries Ben Seewald

    Jill Duggar–now better known by her married name, Jill Dillard–is preparing for her first baby. In fact, she and hubby Derick Dillard went shopping recently to see exactly what they might need for their new little bundle of joy. Just a few days later–on Saturday, November 1st–Jill and Derick attended the wedding of her sister, Jessa Duggar. It seems there’s no end to the excitement in the 19 Kids and Counting family.

    Less than a week before Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald’s wedding, Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard were in New York scouting out ideas for their nursery. They spoke to E! News about how they are preparing for childbirth, too.

    “We’re taking Bradley [Method] birth classes right now,” Derick Dillard said.

    “Yeah, [it’s] husband-coached childbirth,” Jill added, “so that he can know how to help me in labor and in pregnancy—and that’s what I want the most, is [for] him to be able to know what to do when that comes.”

    On Saturday, Jill Duggar knew exactly what to do to help sister Jessa Duggar get through her big day. It was only a few months ago, after all, that Jill Duggar became Jill Dillard.

    Jessa Duggar walked down the aisle–escorted by her father, Jim Bob Duggar–and met her groom in front of more than 1,000 wedding guests, at the First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas.

    Jill Duggar wasn’t the matron of honor for her sister, however. That honor went instead (at least that of maid-of-honor) to 20-year-old Jinger Duggar.

    Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald didn’t kiss at their wedding, as most newlywed couples do. Instead they opted for that first time kiss to take place during a private moment following the nuptials.

    “They wanted their very first kiss ever to be in private,” Pastor Mike Schadt said in an interview with People.com. “It was important to the both of them.”

    Another couple took the place of the bride and groom for just a moment–sharing their own chaste kiss for the wedding fun. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who have now been married for 30 years, kissed in front of the wedding guests instead.

    Jessa Duggar and her new husband were spotted kissing at the reception afterward, however. And Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard–along with the rest of the 19 Kids and Counting family–were there to cheer them on.

  • Jill Duggar Dillard Talks Pregnancy Cravings, Filming Childbirth

    Jill Duggar Dillard, the 23-year-old daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, famous for their 19 Kids and Counting reality TV show, is busy working on a brood of her own.

    Married to Derrick Dillard and well on her way to having a son of her own, Jill is eager to have as many babies as she can.

    “We’re open to as many children as God will give us,” Jill told People Magazine. “We believe children are a blessing from the Lord and a gift from him.”

    “We’ve talked about adopting, too,” husband Derrick added. “My mom was adopted.”

    “Yeah… this will be only her third blood relative that she knows,” Jill said. “She had two sons and now her grandson.”

    The Duggars are adherents of what is referred to as the Chirstian Patriarchy Movement, sometimes called “Quiverfulls”, after the scripture in Psalm 127:

    “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

    The Movement is not just about having lots of children. It is also about an order of headship that is established within the home. It has been described as: The husband leads, the wife submits, and the children obey.

    Jill and her husband are following in her parents footsteps regarding childbearing. But she also picked up something else from Mom: pregnancy cravings.

    “I seem to be following my mom in that,” she said. “Like the dill pickle thing. In my first trimester it was everything cold … because I had nausea. And then I just wanted everything salty, sour, cold.”

    Since the family practically lives with their lives exposed to a reality TV audience, might Jill and her husband consider filming the birth of their son?

    “We’re still talking about that,” Jill said. “There will definitely be lots of lead up to that. Right now they are filming fun things like the gender reveal and those types of things. Also, we’re doing diary cam at home.”

  • Jill Dillard (Jill Duggar) and Hubby Learn Baby’s Gender

    Jill Dillard (formerly Jill Duggar) and her husband Derick Dillard of 19 Kids and Counting fame have learned the gender of their unborn baby. They’re having a boy.

    E! News reports that three of Jill’s siblings were there with her and Derick when they learned whether their baby was a boy or a girl. Joy Duggar, who is 16, James Duggar, who is 13, and Jenny Duggar, who is just seven, accompanied Jill and Derick into the ultrasound room.

    “Oh yes, there was some screaming in the room,” Jill Duggar said. She also shared that she is 18 weeks along in her pregnancy.

    “I thought all along we were having a girl. Everyone made their guesses,” she added.

    Derick Dillard had just one wish.

    “I was praying for a big, healthy baby,” he said the night before their ultrasound appointment. “And Jill added, ‘Just healthy, healthy.’”

    “We could have a giant,” Jill said of of their baby. “I called Derick’s mom and she was telling me that when Derick was born, he didn’t fit into the newborn clothes and his shoes were a size two.”

    “He stretched out his legs full length,” she said of the baby during the ultrasound. “He was trying to be like Dad.”

    Jill Dillard recently hinted that she is willing to go the way her parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, went with regard to the size of their family.

    “We are open to as many children as God will give us,” she said in a recent interview.

    That certainly makes it sound like Baby Dilly–as the couple has affectionately called their unborn baby since they learned of his existence–likely won’t be an only child.

    Derick and Jill Dillard have created a baby registry at Walmart, and have registered for some rather unusual–however frugal–items.

    It must have been incredibly exciting for Jill Dillard, her husband, and her accompanying family members to learn the gender of their unborn baby. Jill Duggar is certainly all grown up–isn’t she? And sister Jessa Duggar will tie the knot within a couple of weeks. How long do you suppose it might be before she and Ben Seewald announce that they are expecting, too?