Saturday, January 31, 2015

New Episodes in 17 Days!

19 Kids and Counting has been on break since November, but new episodes are less than three weeks away. What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season, which premieres February 17th at 9pm ET/8pm CT?

Jessa (Duggar) Seewald, Jana Duggar, Joy-Anna Duggar

Friday, January 30, 2015

Medical Update on Derick's Mom

Several readers have requested an update on Derick's mom, Cathy Byrum, so here it is. :)

On April 10th of last year, two weeks after Jill Duggar (now Jill Dillard) got engaged to Derick Dillard, Cathy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Now, almost ten months later, Cathy is doing exceptionally well. She recently had a PET scan and a bone marrow biopsy, both of which came back clear. She will have another doctor's appointment in two months but will not require future scans unless symptoms reappear.

A week before Jill and Derick's wedding, Cathy's oncologist did not expect her to survive another day, but she proved him wrong and even made it to the wedding. Cathy's story is nothing short of a miracle. Jill says that Baby Dilly, due in less than seven weeks, cannot wait to meet his grandma!

Jill Dillard, Derick Dillard, and Cathy Byrum visit Grandma Vergie,
Cathy's mother who passed away in November 2014

Duggars Headed to Alaska

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are on their way to Alaska!

Saturday, February 7th, 2015
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar to speak at ChangPoint Church's For the Love of Life Banquet
ChangePoint Church
6689 Changepoint Drive, Anchorage, Alaska
The banquet (7-9pm) will begin after an all-day conference
Click here to register


Thursday, January 29, 2015

Win More Tickets to See the Duggars

You have another chance to win tickets to one of the Duggars' upcoming events! Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are scheduled to speak at Grace Polaris Church near Columbus, Ohio, on February 21st (click here for details).

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Duggar Baby Bumps

Jill and Derick Dillard spent the weekend with Josh and Anna Duggar and their three (soon to be four) kids. Anna is due around July 10th, and Jill is due March 24th.

Jill Dillard and Anna Duggar

 Derick Dillard, Josh Duggar
Mackynzie Duggar, Marcus Duggar, Michael Duggar

Jill and Derick Dillard

Back home in Arkansas, Jill attended biannual neonatal resuscitation training with her fellow midwives. 


Josie is excited to meet Baby Dilly in just two months!

 Josie Duggar poses with Baby Dilly

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

New Season Sneak Peek

Check out this sneak peek video of the upcoming season of 19 Kids and Counting, which premieres Tuesday, February 17th. Jill and Derick Dillard have the four youngest Duggar kids (Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Josie) over for a fondue party.

New Episodes of "19 Kids and Counting"

As we announced a few weeks ago, the Duggars will return to TLC on Tuesday, February 17th. The new season will feature the wedding of Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald, Jill and Derick's preparations for their son (due March 24th), and updates from the rest of the family.


Monday, January 26, 2015

Duggar Pictures!

What are the Duggars up to this week? Jill and Derick Dillard took a trip down memory lane by visiting...the airport? The newlyweds posed for a picture in the same spot where they embraced almost a year ago when Derick returned home from Nepal.

Jill and Derick Dillard

Here are the pictures the couple took last year in the same spot. At that time, they weren't even engaged, and now, they are just two months away from meeting their firstborn son.



Several of the oldest Duggar kids joined Josh and Anna Duggar in Washington D.C. last Thursday for the National March for Life.

Joseph Duggar and Joy-Anna Duggar

Jana Duggar and Jinger Duggar competed in an intense game of Phase 10 on the airplane.

Jana Duggar and Jinger Duggar

And the four youngest Duggars (Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Josie) had a few friends over. 

 Johannah Duggar, Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, and Josie Duggar
with friends

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Duggar Baby Details

In 2015, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will welcome at least two more grandchildren into their family. If Jessa and Ben Seewald make a pregnancy announcement, or if Josh and Anna Duggar find out they are having multiples, the Duggar clan could grow even more.

Anna Duggar is almost 17 weeks pregnant with her fourth child and is due around July 10th. Jill Dillard is due with her first child, a son, on March 24th. That's only eight weeks away! Josh and Anna will find out the gender of their baby (or babies) soon. What is your guess?





Saturday, January 24, 2015

Josh Duggar Speaks at Pep Rally

Josh Duggar spoke at the Patriot Voices pep rally to kick off the 2015 March for Life. In the following YouTube video, listen to Josh introduce Senator Rick Santorum and reflect on the many weeks the Duggars spent campaigning for Santorum in 2012.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Watch Josh Duggar at the March

Josh Duggar broadcasted live from the 2015 March for Life yesterday morning and spoke to attendees of Family Research Council's ProLifeCon. Below is the video recording of the conference. At 1:10:00, Josh interviews sisters Jana and Jinger Duggar and friends Lawson, Trace, and Josie Bates. At 2:11:20, he speaks with a crowd of pro-life individuals.

The video contains a few technical glitches but gives viewers a taste of what went on at yesterday's March for Life.
 

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Duggars and Bates March for Life

Josh and Anna Duggar and their kids had a few visitors join them for the National March for Life today in Washington D.C.

 Lawson Bates, Josie Bates, Jinger Duggar, Josh Duggar, Jana Duggar, Trace Bates

 Mackynzie Duggar

 Josie Bates, Jinger Duggar, Josh Duggar, Jana Duggar, Trace Bates

Josh and Anna Duggar pose in front of the Family Research Council Banner

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Joseph Duggar Starts College

Joseph Duggar turned 20 yesterday. What is he up to these days? After high school, Joseph attended ALERT Academy in Big Sandy, Texas. It was difficult for the family, especially Michelle, to adjust to him living so far from home.

Now, Joseph is a new student at Crown Bible College in Knoxville, Tennessee. That is 10 hours away from his home in Springdale, Arkansas, but only 30 minutes from where the Bates live in Rocky Top, Tennessee. Joseph is known to rise at 5am and spend an hour reading the Bible and praying before starting his day.


Duggars Trending Now

The Duggars are gaining national (and international) recognition. This morning, two of the kids made the Yahoo! Trending Now list, which highlights the most popular searches of the day. Both Jill and Jessa, listed as "Jill Duggar" and "Jessa Duggar," were listed in the top three, alongside "iPhone 7" and "Australian Open."

 Jill Duggar Dillard and Jessa Duggar Seewald

Monday, January 19, 2015

Duggars March For Life in AR

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and eleven of their children spent yesterday in Little Rock marching at the Arkansas March for Life.

Jeremiah Duggar, Jim Bob Duggar, Joy-Anna Duggar, Michelle Duggar, 
Jackson Duggar,  Jana Duggar, Jinger Duggar, Justin Duggar, James Duggar, 
Johannah Duggar, Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, Josie Duggar
with friends at the AR March for Life

Jessa and Ben Seewald also attended the March but are not pictured above. What are the Dillards up to? Jill and Derick had a date night at P.F. Changs yesterday evening.

Jill and Derick Dillard

 Josh and Anna Duggar will be at the D.C. March for Life on Thursday. Click here for details.

More Resources from the Duggars

At the request of our readers, we updated the Store page to include even more Duggar-recommended resources. Are you looking for family movies? Encouraging books for young men and women? Homeschooling curriculum? Uplifting music? Visit the Store page for photos and descriptions of 38 books, DVDs, and CDs to encourage your family.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Read the Bible with Jill and Derick

During their first full year of marriage, newlyweds Jill and Derick Dillard plan to read through the Bible chronologically. They started on January 1st in the first chapter of Genesis and will end on December 31st in the 22nd chapter of Revelation. Want to join the Dillards on this spiritual journey? Click here for a copy of the chronological Bible reading plan.




Saturday, January 17, 2015

Win Tickets to See the Duggars

As we advertised earlier this week, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are scheduled to speak at Grace Polaris Church near Columbus, Ohio, on February 21st (click here for details). The venue has offered us a pair of general admission tickets to raffle off to our readers.

So if you live near Columbus or want to take a road trip, or if you know someone in the area who would enjoy this event, follow the directions on the Rafflecopter widget below to enter the raffle.

Duggars to Attend March for Life

Josh and Anna Duggar will be at the annual March for Life on January 22nd. Details below:

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015 at 8:30am ET
Josh Duggar to speak at ProLifeCon 2015
Watch the live webcast online, or attend in-person
Family Research Council Headquarters
801 G St. NW, Washington DC 
Click here to register

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015, 9:30-11am ET
Josh Duggar to attend March for Life Breakfast Reception with Rick Santorum
Renaissance Hotel, Ballroom East 
999 9th St., NW, Washington DC
Breakfast pastries and drinks served
Tickets are free but required; click here to reserve

*Thursday afternoon, Josh and Anna Duggar will participate in
the March for Life   
12:00pm ET rally (12th St., National Mall, Washington D.C.)
1:00pm ET March (14th St., National Mall)



Friday, January 16, 2015

The Duggars and Cross Church

When First Baptist Church of Springdale was founded in 1870, the 13 original members could not have imagined the impact their church would have on tens of thousands of people, including Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 19 children.

In 1979, First Baptist Church of Springdale--which included Shiloh Christian School, founded in 1976--moved from downtown Springdale to a site on Johnson Road.

Jim Bob Duggar was a member of the first graduating class of Shiloh Christan School. For his first official date with his future wife, Jim Bob took Michelle Ruark to the Shiloh junior-senior banquet.

After the banquet, the two sat in the Ruarks' living room and talked for hours. As Jim Bob left, Michelle stood in the doorway of her family's home and prayed: "Lord, if this isn’t the one you have for me, I can’t imagine anyone better."

In 1984, Jim Bob and Michelle were married at First Baptist Church of Springdale on Johnson Road.

Fast-forward 23 years. Jim Bob and Michelle had 16 children and were expecting their 17th. Before moving into their current, 7,000 square-foot home, the Duggars had lived for more than ten years in a house on Johnson Road that had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. When they moved out, their Johnson Road house was demolished for the expansion of First Baptist Church of Springdale.

In 2009, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar renewed their vows at First Baptist Church of Springdale.

On June 21st, 2014, the Duggars were back at First Baptist,
renamed Cross Church in 2010, for another wedding. As Jim Bob walked 23-year-old Jill down the aisle to her new life, he had to have been thinking about the impact the church and its congregation has had on his family over the years.

With five campuses and a weekly attendance of around 9,000, Cross Church, associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, is now the largest church in Arkansas.

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com, TLC/David Welker

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Huckabee for President? Duggars Say YES


When Governor Mike Huckabee ended his show on the Fox News Channel on January 3rd, the Duggars were thrilled to hear that he is seriously considering running for president in 2016.

The Duggars met Mike Huckabee while Jim Bob was serving in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002. Jim Bob and Michelle were interviewed on Huckabee's show in 2013.

Not only do the Duggars support Huckabee, but Huckabee supports the Duggars.  

"I've pointed them out as an example of something that's wholesome and wonderful, and I've known them since Jim Bob was in the legislature when I was governor," Huckabee told PEOPLE.

The Duggars eagerly await Huckabee's announcement, which will be made sometime this spring, on whether he will run in the next presidential election.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their children campaigned for Huckabee during the 2008 presidential election. "Should I run, I'm hoping they'll do it again," Huckabee told PEOPLE. "And now there's more of 'em!"

"If I can get 'em registered in each of the states, I'm going to win just by virtue of their votes!" joked Huckabee.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Video: Duggars in El Salvador

Take a look at this video filmed by the Duggar kids documenting the mission trip they took to El Salvador in December 2014.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Accessing the Bates Blog

Several readers have been having difficulties accessing our new blog about the Bates family. We made a few changes on the technical side and are wondering if anyone is still having issues? If so, can you describe the issues? The blog URL is batesfamilyblog.com. :)

Monday, January 12, 2015

Celebrating Jana and John

To celebrate their 25th birthday, twins Jana and John-David Duggar went out to Cracker Barrel with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and Grandma Duggar.

 Michelle Duggar, John Duggar, Grandma Duggar, Jim Bob Duggar, Jana Duggar

How do the twins spend their time? John has his pilot's license, does construction work, and is a Washington County constable. Jana is very skilled at the piano, and Jim Bob often describes her as a concert pianist. Both Jana and John have a heart for serving others and are involved in various ministries.

John-David Duggar and Jana Duggar

Duggar Twins Turn 25

Wishing Jana Duggar and John-David Duggar a Happy 25th Birthday!


Duggars to Speak in Ohio

Here's a special message for all you Ohioans: The Duggars will be in the Buckeye State in February!


Saturday, February 21st, 2015
A Night With the Duggars
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar to speak at a fundraiser at Grace Polaris Church
8225 Worthington-Galena Road
Westerville, Ohio (Suburb of Columbus)
Performances at 3:00pm and 7:30pm
Fundraiser will benefit the Columbus Crusaders Youth Sports organization
Event will also feature a performance by Christian comedian Anita Renfroe
Tickets start at $20; click here to purchase, or call 800-965-9324
*The venue has confirmed that Jinger will attend the event with her parents, in place of John-David. The Duggars may decide to bring additional family members at the last minute.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Seewalds at Church

Jessa and Ben Seewald went to Cross Church this morning. Looking for encouragement this Sunday afternoon? Check out the sermon that the Seewalds heard, called "Not I, But Christ" (video embedded below).

During worship, the congregation sang "Lord I Need You" by Matt Maher (soundtrack embedded below).



Saturday, January 10, 2015

Duggars Celebrate their Team's Win

The Duggars (and Seewalds) are loyal Razorback fans! After attending the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball game this evening and watching their team beat Vanderbilt, several of the kids went out to celebrate. Tabitha Paine, sister-in-law of Erin (Bates) Paine, also went with them. The group grabbed ice cream at Braum's, which also happens to be Michelle Duggar's favorite date night destination.

Ben Seewald, Jedidiah Duggar, Tabitha Paine, Jeremiah Duggar, Jessa Seewald, Jackson Duggar

Friday, January 9, 2015

More from the Duggar Archives

We enjoyed sharing yesterday's #TBT video so much that we decided to post two more. (At this point it's technically a #TBF, or just a really late #TBT.)

The first video is from the 2006 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, back when the Duggars had 16 kids and counting. In the second video, the Duggars prepare for a road trip out west with their 16 children.




Thursday, January 8, 2015

#TBT Video: Duggars in 2007

You have probably seen a number of news clips featuring the Duggars, but have you seen this one? It dates all the way back to September 2007....that's almost eight years ago!

The Today Show visited the clan at their home in Arkansas, and then Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 17 children, accompanied by Grandma Duggar, took a trip to New York City to chat with Meredith Vieira about life in a large family.

During the interview, Meredith asked Jill Duggar, then 16 years old, if she wanted to have 17 children, and she said "yes ma'am!" Watch the video below:

Video no longer available

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Duggars Look Ahead to 2015

The Duggars had a busy 2014 and are preparing for another year that could be even busier. They welcomed two sons-in-law into the family in 2014 and are looking forward to the arrival of [at least] two new grandchildren in 2015. (Jill Dillard is 29 weeks pregnant, and Anna Duggar is just over 12 weeks pregnant.) In addition, the super-sized family will continue their hectic schedule of homeschooling, speaking engagements, and filming.

What else do you think is in store for the Duggars in the 2015?

Michelle Duggar homeschools Josie Duggar (5) and Jordyn Duggar (6)


Photo: Alpha Omega Publications

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Duggars' Response to Gun Controversy

Once again, the Duggars are being criticized for their decision to allow a member of their family to use a gun. Jedidiah Duggar received a gun for Christmas, and the photo of the 16-year-old posing with his gift has gone viral. We want to take a moment to clear up the controversy by giving you the facts.


Many of the online articles that criticize the Duggars for this photo left out one key piece of information, which is the Duggars' stance on gun safety.

This is not the first time the Duggars have been under fire for allowing one of their children to handle a gun, and it will probably not be the last, as the media seems to take advantage of every possible opportunity to spark controversy about this family.

The Duggars understand the importance of teaching their kids how to safely use firearms in order to prevent or minimize the likelihood of accidents.

Here is what Jim Bob Duggar said about the issue when it was brought up by the media in 2011:

"We believe it is important for children to learn safety about guns and knives. To learn how to use them properly and to learn not to use them to hurt others but to use them as a tool."

The Duggars, who defend their constitutional right to bear arms, only allow their older children who have been instructed in gun safety to use fire arms.

"It's really not the gun or the knife; it's the person that has it in their hands," added Jim Bob.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Duggars on 40/29 News

Angela Taylor from 40/29 News recently sat down with the Duggars to discuss the family's 2014 highlights and what viewers can expect from the super-sized clan in 2015. Video below:



Have you visited our new blog? Check out the Bates Family Blog (www.batesfamilyblog.com) for all the latest updates on Gil and Kelly Bates and their 19 children, as well as recaps and info on the brand new reality series Bringing Up Bates.

Video courtesy of 40/29 News

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Duggar and Dillards Watch BBall

Yesterday afternoon, Jill Dillard, Derick Dillard, Justin Duggar, and Dan Dillard (Derick's brother) went to a Razorback basketball game in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Duggars and Dillards are loyal Razorback fans and were thrilled when their team beat the Utah Valley Wolverines.

 Justin Duggar, Derick Dillard, Jill Dillard, Dan Dillard

Jill also posed for a baby bump photo. Yesterday, she was 28 weeks and 4 days pregnant.

Jill (Duggar) Dillard

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Photos: Duggars Celebrate Christmas

Check out these pictures from the Duggars' Christmas Day gathering.

 Derick and Jill Dillard

 The Dillards carve the Christmas turkeys

 Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, Justin Duggar, Josie Duggar,
Michael Duggar, Johannah Duggar, Mackynzie Duggar


 Josie Duggar with her matching doll

 Johannah Duggar with her matching doll

 Derick Dillard

 Derick and Jill with Jennifer and her gift to them

 Jackson Duggar, all decked out in his cowboy costume

After Christmas, Jill and Derick went eagle watching with Derick's mom and brother.

 Dan and Derick Dillard 

Jill Dillard, Derick Dillard, Cathy Byrum, Dan Dillard