Jill & Jessa: Counting On "Surprise!"
- Jessa and Jinger scout out a location for Jinger’s upcoming photo shoot. They choose Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, which also happens to be the location where Ben proposed to Jessa.
- Sierra is a party-planner who helped coordinate Jill and Jessa’s weddings. Joy, who has been working alongside Sierra for about five years, accompanies her to the home of a gal who bakes and decorates sugar cookies. The three ladies whip up a couple batches of cookies for a surprise baby shower they are throwing for their friend Kristen Young.
- The Duggars all agree that Joy lives up to her name. “Joy is joyful,” says Jessa. According to Joseph, she “will tell you like it is.”
- As the only girl in the midst of eight brothers, Joy has plenty of boys to look out for her. The guys say that any potential suitors will be put through the wringer.
- The older boys begin construction on what they refer to as a tree house but is actually a massive cabin on stilts, built over the ditch in the Duggars’ yard and accessed by a bridge. The older kids all agree that their childhood dreams are coming to life.
- Over the years, the Duggars have accumulated a collection of construction vehicles. Dwayne Andregg, a friend who helped them build their house, lends a hand.
- John-David shares his plans for the future. He makes an income and hopes to have a wife and kids someday.
- Inside the house, Anna and Joy round up the little kids and offer a quarter to the person who finds Jenny’s missing glasses. Joy thinks her little sister, who doesn’t like wearing glasses, may have lost them on purpose.
- Later, Jana, Anna, Jessa, Jinger, Joy, Meredith, and Spurgeon head to Potter’s House Thrift Store to buy dishes for the kids’ fort. The girls also spend time browsing the store’s clothing section.
- “It’s a lot of fun to be together, all of us sisters,” says Jana. “It’s kind of rare these days.”’
- Jim Bob and Michelle surprise the Dillards with a visit to their home in Central America. On one of the days, they travel with Jill, Derick, and Israel to a remote village to deliver food items.
- Jessa and Sierra treat Kristen, who is due with her first child in June, to a pedicure. Meanwhile, Joy, Jana, and Jinger head over to the location of the baby shower. Joy gives instructions, and everyone helps set up. “I felt kind of bossy,” admits Joy.
- After the pedicure, Kristen receives a call from her husband, Justin, who instructs her to put on a blindfold. Jessa, Sierra, and Kristen pull into the parking lot of the location of the surprise baby shower, where a few dozen of Kristen’s closest friends and family members are waiting to greet her. Everyone enjoys an evening filled with food and games.
I really love getting to know the older kids again, for so long it was mostly about all the others. I do however really miss Jimbob and Michelle's voices and wisdom.☺
ReplyDeleteWho cares???? At least she's doing something! If this were your kid would u be so negative????? She can do whatever she want's to make a living!
DeleteThey clearly said that Jinger was "doing it professionally" - meaning her photography. When did this happen? Where is her business? How do you hire her? What does she charge? Does she file an income tax return for this business? I thought she was in the car flipping business, as we were told last week. Confusing.
ReplyDeleteA girl can do more than one thing! She is very intelligent and motivated! Good for her.
DeleteMost people that do photography advertise on the Internet. I know a ton and none of them do taxes for it.
DeleteJinger is really good at photography! I hope she is able to Persue that path as she really seems to love it. But jinger is a professional photographer just as much as Jana is a concert pianist. Jinger would need more than a crash course in basic photography to become a legitimate professional ( someone who has a business and files taxes on that business). I'm sure she would be great person to ask to take pictures bc she seems better than average joe.its sad her parents don't let her study photography in a bigger city. So she has to settle for a life of getting married and having baby after baby....
DeleteDo you work for the tax department? Ha! I would guess that the Duggars are well aware of business procedures, etc.
DeleteYes, and now we're supposed to believe that Joy, who "took a class" about to clean cars, is now going to be a party planner instead. Or maybe too. I'm as confused as you are.
DeleteIf you don't like it don't watch it. I do like it. Please stop critizing other look at yourself better@
DeleteI wondered if I could get the sugar cookie recipe if i dont share recipe w anyone, only make cookies for church and family. I'm dying to make this for my husband. :) Kim call is the email I responded to you with when I shared my opinion about hiphop/ what godly music does and doesn't look like. I understand if you can't share it but I'm thankful if you can!
DeleteI'm praying for the people on here who seem to not have the peace of Jesus. I love you all. Relax. Open the bible with your whole heart and find the love of Jesus. ♡♡♡♡♡
DeleteI don't think that was a "surprise" visit to Central America. You probably wouldn't fly down with family and a film crew and show up unannounced.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the "remote village" family they visited was the same one they've visited before.
Why all the negativity? Does it really matter if you have nothing nice to say why post? It's getting more and more irritating to me when I see comments like yours.
DeleteHopefully that was a few years' worth of rice & beans they delivered to the family, since it's been awhile between visits.
DeleteJewels, I think it's good that there is a pluralism of represented opinions on this blog.
DeleteIf you only hear praises you'll start to think that you're perfect, and that couldn't be further from the truth for ALL of us. :)
ReplyDeleteSo many people ask about further and higher education for the Duggar daughters and yet the parents don't answer to explain why not. Does their religion discourage this?
They have travelled around the world with them, discovering different languages, cultures, religions and landscapes. Encouraging ones children to further educate themselves in subjects such as : the Arts, History of Art, Archeology,Anthropology, Litterature, World History, World Politics, Sciences, Medicine, and many many more to choose from, is So important and with the fortune the family amassed over the years, they could have made it all possible. And there are books!
Michelle married extremely young and with so many babies, there was clearly no time for any other interest than them and her religion, but she has the chance to give her daughters something more to their lives. Maybe I am wrong and they do have such interests and some read as much as possible about certain subjects as mentioned above as well as going out into the world to pursue there interests ????Then show us! Their shows would be so much more interesting if these girls had more to talk about, and offer....not only praying and waiting for the husband, having babies, shopping, cooking, family photos, videos,outings etc...( nothing different and not example for other girls either) what is Jana at 26 doing with herself, what has she achieved so far???
I think they are a good example for young girls, staying modest and not letting the world guide them but letting God guide them. I'm pretty sure he is smiling down on them. If Josh would have let God guide him, he wouldn't be in the mess he's in now.
DeleteWhy do so many on here assume God is not in favor of higher education for girls/women? I find that really offensive. You have put my Lord in a tiny little box based on your opinions--not Scripture.
DeleteNot agree with your commment every family is different, these girls are great example in our society that we live in these times.they are obedient to their parent,respectful to other,love God and follow his word. In these times people are without God, they don't follow God and live in a liberal life. I think you only care about education but for me is important to live a life with good morals and the guiadance of God.
DeleteWhat have you achieved so far, besides judging and leaving nasty comments?
DeleteJana is old enough to choose her own husband isn't she? Not Dad or her brothers.
DeleteAnonymous 9:43 :Who ever said God has something against higher education for girls???? I am so surprised at such a statement!
DeleteMore likely to be the "religion" of this family, certainly not God. My family has strong Christian values, morals, pray and believe in God. However we teach our daughters and sons to learn to make choices of their own, have minds of their own and not dictated or controlled by us parents, when they are adults.The Duggar daughters are nice and some are really sweet, but am I wrong in thinking that the family believes daughters should "serve", "obey" their husbands, have baby after baby, be totally dependent (ex: Anna) and therefore knowledge and personal interests, even taking any job outside the family compound should not be encouraged at all and even forbidden maybe?And I am not talking about higher education here. I would be interested in knowing what the men in their religion have written about women and what they allow them to do and not to do. Many would have a better understanding of the Duggar fathers' decisions for his children as he clearly has the first and last word.Very simple question which asks for an easy straightforward answer. I am sure many agree.
The Duggar family is too precious for words in my own heart. They have managed to be in the world but not of the world. It is apparent that many bloggers have not studied the Word in order to know the difference. There is no "so much more" when a family is rooted in Christ's teachings.
DeleteJana had her turn to share with the viewers a couple of episodes ago; she either chose not to reveal what she truly does/wants or was told not to be honest.
DeleteSo this woman isn't due until June and thy have already filmed for a baby shower? you can barely tell she's pregnant.
ReplyDeleteThe list of things needed for a baby is standard, is there a prescribed timetable for acquiring them? Early is good, then they know what to check off their list.
DeleteJune is only a month-and-a-half away. What is the issue?
DeleteShe's the Tacos 4 Life woman & she has said they have no relationship with the Duggars. Very odd, since the Duggars sure were involved in giving her a shower!
DeleteI thought so too! But I guess that's what made her so surprised at having a baby shower at already.
DeleteThe Duggars could have done the shower for charity.
DeleteJewels, June is 2 months away and they likely filmed this a couple of months ago. Usually women have babyshowers at 8 months pregnant. Hence the surprise!
DeleteJewels, the shows are taped a few months in advance. So, she was probably only 5 months along when they threw her the baby shower.
DeleteFun episode!! Joy is indeed a joy!
ReplyDeleteThe show would be a lot better with adjusted brighter lighting in the scenes and fewer TLC commercials. Hoping the best for the Duggars and extended family.
ReplyDeleteAll they have are TLC commercials because the sponsors have run the other way.
DeleteEnjoyed your show!
ReplyDeleteLove
ReplyDeleteGosh I was thinking the opposite of Anonymous for sure. I was thinking how wonderful it was that each girl can explore their interests without a ton of pressure about what they will select. (She referred to them needing continuing education.) I think what it comes down to are two models here - one says you are not a productive member of society if you don't have a "real" job, a "real" education (I.e. at a "real" school) and live separated from your family in a "real" apartment. In all of the Duggar shows I have seen independent kids who know their giftings and skills and choose to accelerate in them. I imagine watching them further their education would make for boring TV, honestly. I don't see limitations being placed on them by anyone. Does not each person have the right to craft a future of their own making even if it is so different than the one someone else makes? I grow tired of the criticism. Live and let live!
ReplyDeleteThe problem is they are not further pursing those crafts. It doesn't necessarily have to be through college either.
DeleteI agree, a lot of higher education courses are expensive and do not necessarily lead to good jobs. Why shouldn't the older girls let their siblings get to know them while they are saving on rent, etc.?
DeleteBut we don't know whether there are limitations being placed on them or not. Not everyone needs higher education but if none of the older kids want it, why not just come out and say it and set the record straight? With all the secrecy it's very easy to believe that their parents won't allow them to.
DeleteCynthia-
DeleteTheir religious beliefs do place strict limitations on them. For the record, I cannot imagine having shared dormitory style bedroom quarters with so many younger siblings at the age of 26. At that age, I owned my own home, had a Master's Degree and a professional career. Marriage and family came later. To each his own, but I don't buy that the Duggar children have much freedom at all, especially the females. Their main job is to marry or stay under the authority of dad.
Each person should have the right to craft a future of their own making, but do girls in their religion truly have this right- not so sure- the parents clearly have a very strong influence over them
DeleteFor a better understanding of the way this family works, Please can the Duggars explain what "their" religion exactly allows and does not allow daughters to do and have in life and also what the rights of sons are. I'd also be interested in the rules their religion dictates towards the relationship husband/wife.
DeleteI'd be so grateful for clear answers.
Thank you and may God bless you
Thank you for replying to the above comment. I completely agree with you. And as far as higher (University type) education goes, I know so many friends and family members who are drowning in student debt and are working in a field that isn't even using their degree. Sadly, many of these are making less money annually than my husband who doesn't hold a degree. Education isn't everything. Character and experience go a long way too.
ReplyDeleteI love your show just like to see Michelle and Jim Bob more.
ReplyDeleteI wish they'd stop asking all of the kids about courtships! I know TLC wants to build up suspense but it's pretty obvious that there isn't any...just let them live their lives and announce when they are ready!
ReplyDeleteAmen. I agree.
DeleteI loved that show as I do all of them, so glad they are back on again. I really missed them a lot and enjoy them. They should not be punished for the brother. The rest are awesome and good for us all.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the recipe for the short-cut cake balls that Joy and Sierra made!?
ReplyDeleteYes! I want to know too!
DeleteLook online -there are a lot of versions of that recipe available.
DeleteI thought Jana was supposed to be building this tree house? All of a sudden, there's an unrelated adult male helping. Who hired him? He was the former campaign manager for Jim Holt. Tight circle of friends there.
ReplyDeleteHmm.. courtship perhaps?
DeleteI'm guessing he's a licensed contractor.
DeletePraying for your family!!!!don't let anybody to stop you of bringing the good example of our Lord Jesus christ who is our shepherd and help us in every situations of our life. May God continue to bless all of you and strength your faith. Love duggar family.
ReplyDeleteAMEN!!!
DeleteReally enjoyed this episode featuring Joy. She is truly aptly named!
ReplyDeleteI agree!!!:)
DeleteI am reading the comments; it shows people have not followed the show over the years. The Kids boy and girl have over the years taken (classes) in several different interest, for the life experience and save money as they do it themselves. As for the baby shower the young lady is a friend of the family so why shouldn’t the Duggers do a baby shower for a friend. The tree house was her idea and she asked her brothers for help as they have the experience in building the man helping is a family friend, so he offered to help shows some people do not have close friends. Family and friend’s values have declined in the years form how it used to be. If you don’t understand the family values that they have, then do not judge. If more parents took a parent role and not the friend role the younger generation, we have now would not have the I am owed thinking.
ReplyDeleteHi there, so I have read all of these comments and most of them are very rude. If you haven't been following the Duggars since the beginning then what can you say about they're family? If they were a normal family with 2 or 3 kids yet they still did all of the same stuff they did now excluding the television part then you all would not be judging them like this. The only reason why you do this is because you are jealous of they're life and what God has gifted them with. Learn to be Thankful with what you have. About Josh's decision lots of people make that decision but they are not on national television. You have to think of the Duggars as regular every day people like you and me. God bless. Please do not put nasty comments.
ReplyDeleteI find it very offensive that you would call Josh & the other Duggars people like "me." Or like anyone else who never did anything close to what he did, or like anyone else who lives life with no problem upholding perfectly fine standards of behavior.
ReplyDelete