We think it’s safe to say the Duggars are in the Christmas spirit. Earlier today, Jessa’s husband Ben Seewald crooned some holiday classics on Instagram, and now they’re offering season’s greetings to all their fans with a Christmas card featuring the entire population of Cincinnati: We kid! It’s just the Duggar clan – continuing to defy the laws of physics and photography as they cram more and more humans into the shot with each passing year. In 2014, the already sizable clan welcomed two new additions in the form Singin’ Seewald and Derek Dillard, and naturally they’ve got more on the way: Jill Duggar’s baby bump is featured in the pic, and it was announced last week that Anna Duggar is pregnant with her fourth child . They’re gonna have to start snapping the pic from space if this family keeps growing. As you might have guessed, Christmas is a big time of year for the Duggars and Mother Michelle explained how the family celebrates in a blog post she wrote last year: “It’s a huge celebration…we make it a really big deal,” Michelle wrote. “It’s a big birthday party for Jesus. We make banners and put them them all around the house…I think we do it a bit different in our family.” Yeah, we think that’s safe to say. As for the fun secular parts of the holiday? Well, even the Duggars have time for Kris Kringle…kinda: “We explained to the children who Santa Claus was historically but focused on his good deeds and ministering to children.” Hey, whatever works. If we were buying presents for that many kids, we wouldn’t want to give some mythical fat man all the credit, either! Watch 19 Kids and counting online to see how the holidays are done Duggar style!
Back in August, Michelle Duggar helped fight an anti-discrimination bill in her hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas by lending her voice to a robo-calling campaign urging residents to express their displeasure with Ordinance 119. The ordinance was designed to prevent businesses and landlords from discriminating against potential employees and tenants on the basis of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Michelle’s robo-calls stated that the bill would enable “males with past child predator convictions” to “enter private areas that are reserved for women and girls.” In addition to lending their names and celebrity status to the efforts to have the bill overturned, Michelle and Jim Bob donated $10,000 each to politicians who pledged to fight Ordinance 119. Earlier today, the bill was overturned in the Arkansas state senate by a narrow margin of 52-48. The Duggars involvement in fighting the ordinance resulted in an accusations of “LGBTQ fear-mongering,” and a popular petition to have 19 Kids and Counting canceled , due to perceived hate speech. Michelle launched a counter-petition to save the show, but given the Duggars growing popularity, it’s unlikely that TLC ever seriously considered axing what’s slowly become the network’s flagship series. Of course, there’s no way of knowing if the bill would have been overturned without the Duggars’ intervention, but given how close the final vote was, this seems to be yet another indication of the family’s growing political influence. Watch 19 Kids and Counting online to see how it all started for the simple family from Arkansas. SO Many Duggars 1. A Duggar Family Pic Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are still working on that 20th kid.
Last week, Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald got married in front of an estimated 1,000 guests. In a moment that reportedly shocked some of the attendees (including Jessa’s parents) Jessa and Ben refused to kiss in front of the crowd after the ceremony, opting instead to enjoy the moment someplace private. Now, a friend of the Duggars who’s also a conservative Christian blogger is claiming that the Seewalds did more than just kiss during their time alone. “Multiple people were discussing that when Jinger opened the door to get Jessa for the reception, she immediately closed the door with a look of shock on her face,” writes the blogger, who goes by the name Mary B. “My own daughters saw as well.” “I am not sure why they would not wait for the evening to pray and then consummate God’s marriage.” “The Lord has blessed them and brought them together. To hear so many people discussing what they inadvertently walked in on was troubling and heartbreaking…I believe Jessa and Ben are deeply in lust with each other.” In accordance with the strict Duggar courtship rules , Jessa and Ben were not permitted to kiss or even hug face-to-face until they were married. If Mary B believes that Jessa and Ben’s relationship is driven by lust, then she’s probably not a fan of the photo of Jessa and Ben kissing that the new Mrs. Sweewald posted to her Instagram page today. That thing is downright racy by Duggar standards. Watch 19 Kids and Counting online to see the Duggar kids fight off temptation at every turn. Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald Photos 1. Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald: In Love Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald in one of their many sweet Instagram moments. Her shirt sums it all up, really.
The Duggar family, as you obviously know if you watch 19 Kids and Counting online or read any celebrity news for fun lately, are a conservative bunch. In fact, Josh Duggar, the eldest of the 19 Kids and Counting, moved from Arkansas to Washington, D.C., to take a job lobbying for conservative causes. To that end, here’s Josh with wife Anna Duggar, looking to rally support ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Election Day, by appealing to the pro-life community: They make no secret of their political and religious views in the Duggar family, but often times, the manner in which they do so tends to spark controversy. Such as when Jessa Duggar compared abortion to the Holocaust … or when her fiance Ben Seewald’s father subsequently likened Jessa’s critics to Hitler . Or now, to a degree, with Anna Duggar’s Twitter account. Anna is embarking on a Faith, Family, Freedom Tour with her husband, “to encourage voters to consider faith, family and freedom when casting their ballot on November 4th.” Naturally, she’s exposing her followers to a whole lot of pro-life discussion in the process, especially after she re-tweeted a pointed political message: “The Ultimate Act of Voter Suppression is Killing Voters Before They’re Born.” This refers likely to the Democratic party criticism of Republican-supported voter ID laws, which advocates say reduces fraud, but critics argue is suppression. Either way, November 4 is going to be a big day in the Duggar household, win or lose, with control of the U.S. Senate and many local and state races at stake. SO Many Duggars 1. A Duggar Family Pic Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are still working on that 20th kid.
When Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard got married back in June, no one was surprised. After all, they’d been “courting,” and – under the rules of the Duggar family – unless something extreme and unforeseen happens, courting leads to marriage. It was also not exactly a shock when Jill Duggar got pregnant shortly after the wedding. After all, for the Duggars marriage – and life – are about making babies. Jill Duggar Baby Bump Photos 1. Jill Duggar Baby Bump: 18 Weeks! Jill Duggar is just about 18 weeks along. Here’s a beautiful shot of her baby bump as she appears on Extra with husband Derick Dillard. So everything about Jill and Derick’s union is exactly as it should be, but there’s still one part of the marriage that may surprise some Duggar devotees: It seems the Dillards took a special kind of vow and are now in a type of marriage that’s only legal in three states. Don’t worry, it’s nothing scandalous. In fact, Jill and Derick entered into a sort of super-union that legally amounts to a sort of marriage on steroids. For the unfamiliar – a covenant marriage is designed for those rare couples who believe a regular marriage doesn’t have enough rules and restrictions. Under the terms of a covenant marriage, a couple must undergo counseling before they get married and again if they decide to divorce. Divorces are extremely rare in covenant marriages, because it’s incredibly hard to get one and they’re granted only in cases of adultery, crime, or abuse. “I signed their covenant marriage certificate,” said Derick’s mother, Cathy, in a recent interview. “But it wouldn’t matter if those two chose that type of marriage certificate or not, those two would still have a covenant marriage.” Jill is the first of the Duggar girls to walk down the aisle, but most likely all of her sisters will be entered into covenant marriages at some point. That is, if they ever free Jana Duggar and let the girl have her own life!!! Sorry, we get a little carried away on the topic of Jana. Jana Duggar Photos: So Beautiful, So Maligned 1. Jana Marie Duggar Jana Marie Duggar is so beautiful … and put upon, supposedly, by a family that relies on her to help take care of the others but never have a life of her own. If that’s true, it’s sad. Is it time for her to break free?
Earlier this week, we learned that TLC canceled Here Comes Honey Boo Boo as a result of some seriously unsettling conduct from one of the show’s stars, June Shannon. Now it seems Shannon may lose more than just her reality TV fame, as a spokesperson for child protective services in June’s home state of Georgia says that cases like June’s generally result in at least temporary loss of custody. “When there are children who are not able to protect themselves, that are in daily contact or living with sex offenders,” says CPS director Susan Boatwright. “Someone would go out there and assess the situation to see whether the children can stay there or not.” In other words, Mama June can likely expect a visit from the state in the very near future. And considering Mark McDaniel – the sex offender in question – is the same man who molested June’s daughter Anna Shannon when she was 8 years old, we’re guessing authorities won’t be okay with 9-year-old Alana sharing a roof with McDaniel. In case you missed it, the whole scandal began when it was revealed that Shannon is dating McDaniel , despite the fact that he just completed a 10-year prison sentence for molesting one of her daughters. June has denied that she’s in a relationship with McDaniel, but evidence to the contrary seems to surface every day, including dozens of photos of the two of them together. The latest photos show that Shannon exposed her youngest daughter to contact with McDaniel, a fact that will likely result in her three youngest children being placed in temporary housing, while Shannon’s parenting skills are assessed. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Family 1. Reality TV Family This family is way more famous than you are. It’s just unclear why, exactly.
Young Jessa Duggar is gearing up to be a bride this coming weekend, when she will officially become Mrs. Ben Seewald in front of her friends and family. Her many, many friends and family members. This is the Duggar family! Jessa’s wedding invitation has been revealed, featuring a sweet photo of the soon-to-be married duo along with the location and more. Check it out below: Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald Photos 1. Jessa Duggar Wedding Invitation This beautiful wedding invitation beckons you to the nuptials of Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald. If only we could go. “Mr. & Mrs. Jim Bob Duggar request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Jessa Lauren Duggar to Benjamin Michael Seewald,” it reads. The pair will wed Saturday at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Ark. Jessa, 21, got engaged to Ben Seewald , 19, who popped the question in August after 11 months of dating the beautiful 19 Kids and Counting reality star. “We are so blessed to be engaged!” they said in a statement then. “God has written an amazing story through our courtship, and another chapter has just begun! We are thrilled to see what the future holds – especially the wedding bells!” The couple’s registry includes an array of items such as an Apple MacBook Air computer, a bamboo cutting board shaped like Arkansas and a pink hair dryer. Probably for Jessa, not Ben. Gonna go out on a limb right there. 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their children on dates in order to maintain their “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair. It’s the second wedding in six months for the Duggar family, which celebrated the marriage of Jessa’s older sister Jill Duggar to Derick Dillard in June. Jill, the fourth oldest of the 19 Kids and Counting , is currently expecting her first child (they went to work fast) and has gotten to work on a registry of her own. Their Walmart wish list, like their wedding registry, is predictably modest, filled with essentials for the baby and items like Dr. Pepper (for real) for mom. Eldest child Josh Duggar is married with three children, while twins John David and Jana Duggar are still on the market … the latter rather notably. Can’t wait for Jessa and Ben to make it official!
Ben Seewald’s father, Michael, is weighing in on some of the criticism Jessa Duggar recently endured, calling out the critics of his soon-to-be-daughter-in-law. Specifically, he’s calling the critics of 21-year-old Jessa “Hitler’s Doppelgangers.” Yes, he said that. So how’d we get to this point, you ask? Here’s a refresher: After visiting Washington, D.C., Jessa commented on the Holocaust on abortion in an Instagram essay that resulted in some pretty significant backlash. The Duggars, as you know if you watch 19 Kids and Counting online , or read any celebrity news sites lately, are unabashedly religious and pro-life. Jessa also believes Earth is 6,000 years old , but that’s neither here nor there. Well, she’s marrying a young man in Ben Seewald that shares her convictions, as does his family. Michael Seewald proved this by going OFF on her detractors … “Bravo, Jessa, for daring to speak out against one of the great evils of our time even if it means that Hitler’s doppelgangers are enraged,” Ben’s father writes. “Maybe this is why Rush Limbaugh calls radical feminists ‘Femi-Nazis’.” Michael’s full missive describes in detail how he believes that “abortion also is the extermination of a certain class of people deemed unworthy to live.” Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald Photos 1. Jessa Duggar Wedding Invitation This beautiful wedding invitation beckons you to the nuptials of Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald. If only we could go. “The powers that be have legalized murder just as they did during the Holocaust. Any woman who chooses to may go to an abortion clinic and have her preborn baby violently killed.” “In Hitler’s Germany there was legal discrimination against Jews. In our society we may legally discriminate against our own children and eradicate them.” “Tell me how this is not the same thing.” Some many view statements such as godly, and vital in terms of speaking truth to power. Others may think of Seewald’s rant as hate speech in and of itself. Jessa Duggar, for her part, did not go nearly as far when lamenting the human rights atrocities she was so moved by when she visited the Holocaust museum. The controversy isn’t likely to wane anytime soon, whichever side you’re on. As the criticism intensifies, the Duggars and their supporters keep digging in. Will comments from Ben Seewald ‘s family and the like hurt the popularity of the TLC family? Or only make fans more inclined to tune in, whether they agree or not? 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their children on dates in order to maintain their “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair.
Ben Seewald’s father, Michael, is weighing in on some of the criticism Jessa Duggar recently endured, calling out the critics of his soon-to-be-daughter-in-law. Specifically, he’s calling the critics of 21-year-old Jessa “Hitler’s Doppelgangers.” Yes, he said that. So how’d we get to this point, you ask? Here’s a refresher: After visiting Washington, D.C., Jessa commented on the Holocaust on abortion in an Instagram essay that resulted in some pretty significant backlash. The Duggars, as you know if you watch 19 Kids and Counting online , or read any celebrity news sites lately, are unabashedly religious and pro-life. Jessa also believes Earth is 6,000 years old , but that’s neither here nor there. Well, she’s marrying a young man in Ben Seewald that shares her convictions, as does his family. Michael Seewald proved this by going OFF on her detractors … “Bravo, Jessa, for daring to speak out against one of the great evils of our time even if it means that Hitler’s doppelgangers are enraged,” Ben’s father writes. “Maybe this is why Rush Limbaugh calls radical feminists ‘Femi-Nazis’.” Michael’s full missive describes in detail how he believes that “abortion also is the extermination of a certain class of people deemed unworthy to live.” Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald Photos 1. Jessa Duggar Wedding Invitation This beautiful wedding invitation beckons you to the nuptials of Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald. If only we could go. “The powers that be have legalized murder just as they did during the Holocaust. Any woman who chooses to may go to an abortion clinic and have her preborn baby violently killed.” “In Hitler’s Germany there was legal discrimination against Jews. In our society we may legally discriminate against our own children and eradicate them.” “Tell me how this is not the same thing.” Some many view statements such as godly, and vital in terms of speaking truth to power. Others may think of Seewald’s rant as hate speech in and of itself. Jessa Duggar, for her part, did not go nearly as far when lamenting the human rights atrocities she was so moved by when she visited the Holocaust museum. The controversy isn’t likely to wane anytime soon, whichever side you’re on. As the criticism intensifies, the Duggars and their supporters keep digging in. Will comments from Ben Seewald ‘s family and the like hurt the popularity of the TLC family? Or only make fans more inclined to tune in, whether they agree or not? 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their children on dates in order to maintain their “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair.
Last night on 19 Kids and Counting, Jim Bob and Michelle celebrated their 30th anniversary, while Ben and Jessa decided to try their hand at parenting. In a manner of speaking, of course. Their motives weren’t what you think. If you watch 19 Kids and Counting online or on TV, or know anything about the Duggars at all, you know they have some VERY strict rules for dating. No touching between young couples except side hugs until marriage. It’s pretty tough for a couple of hotties like Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald. Watch 19 Kids and Counting Season 14 Episode 11 Online So what are they gonna do about it? Their approach is twofold … Get engaged ASAP and get married VERY soon after; In the meantime, surround themselves with rugrats! Never fails, and meets the family courtship standards too! On 19 Kids and Counting Season 14 Episode 11 , to help distract themselves from physical attraction, Jessa and Ben take the “little” Duggars to the arcade. There, we learned that since Jessa and Ben are engaged, they can upgrade to holding hands, but still no full frontal hug action until the big day. November 1, y’all. November freaking one. At this point, though, Ben had yet to even propose to his girlfriend, but we know he took care of that in short order. And in any case, they stayed strong. Jessa and Ben are very respectful of her parents and their religious beliefs, no matter how crazy the things banned by the Duggar family might seem. They’re committed to the rules, not finding ways around them, as evidenced by her older sister Jana Duggar tagging along as chaperone for the couple. Better safe than sorry? The arcade trip also made Ben realize that “this could be us” one day and that the “littles” are a blessing. Aww. They all had a derby race, and it was great. Watch 19 Kids and Counting Season 14 Episode 10 Online In the first part of the hour, 19 Kids and Counting Season 14 Episode 10 focused on Jim Bob and Michelle’s 30th wedding anniversary. Congrats!! Naturally, they set up a triple date with Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard, at this point just days away from marriage, and Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald. En route to their destination, Jim Bob gets pulled over – on purpose – as a cop handcuffs the duos together so they can learn how to work together. Scripted, yes. Cheesy, oh yes. But darned if it wasn’t fun seeing them try to complete things ranging from household tasks to a full-on obstacle course. Marriage. It’s a challenge, but well worth it. Jim Bob says it’s all about working together and communicating so that each partner looks after the other. Ridiculous as might be to make a simple point this way, well played, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar , and here’s to the next 30 years of your lives together. Meanwhile, Josh tries to get back on track with his fitness goals with Anna’s help in the B story from Episode 10. What a cute family they are, too. What did you think of these episodes? Sound off on all things 19 Kids and check out some of the things the Duggar family does not allow in the gallery below! 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their children on dates in order to maintain their “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair.
