Thursday, August 9, 2018

Joe and Kendra's House

Joseph and Kendra Duggar new house

This week on Counting On (check out our recap), we watched Joe and Kendra Duggar put the finishing touches on their house and move in, with help from the Duggar siblings.

In the video clip below, the Duggars and Caldwells arrive for a tour. You'll see the transformation that the house underwent, and you'll hear Jim Bob Duggar share a little bit about what the house was like when he lived in it as a teenager.


Photo/video courtesy TLC

103 comments:

  1. That's a ridiculous amount of space to squeeze a ping pong table... just because it physically "fits" in there doesn't mean it fits. You need a good amount of space around it to play the game. This setup is totally non-functional.

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    1. Blah, blah, blah!! Who cares, it's their first place. They will figure it out or make due. No biggie really.

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    2. Why do you care it isn’t your house . If they want a pong table they can have one.

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    3. I think it is very irresponsible for any of the Duggars to show the whole layout of their homes like this. They show where the nursery rooms are etc. There are a lot of crazy people who are in the public who now know exactly where everything in your home's are and where everyone sleeps. I don't care what kind of security people have you still need to be super careful about your private homes. Think of your children. It's not anyone's business what your home looks like and if you have to go this far by selling your privacy and the security of your children for money then you need to rethink your life and priorities. If you think I am over blowing this then just ask anyone in law enforcement or security businesses and ask them if what you are doing is safe and good sense.

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    4. Not only do they do that, 9:18, but they also post about when they're traveling.

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    5. 9:18 -- Good point. I agree.

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  2. what a beautiful home that Kendra and Joseph have made. It looks so pretty and natural. They are such a cute couple. I'm sure it's crazy to have 15-20 people tour your home!

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    1. Ha, ha! We have 15 people living in our home every day!

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  3. I don't think that as a newlywed I'd want to live in my parents' back yard. Yes I know that's probably what they could afford, but giving someone a house and the property to put it on isn't exactly character building. Joe & Kendra will never learn how to make it on their own from the start. Living in a tiny apartment on what you can afford is not a bad thing. Learning to be patient until you work for what you want is a good, adult thing. Having to put boundaries on when others can visit (or look in the windows) isn't being a grown-up on your own. Those kids are literally playing house in the back yard.

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    1. I have to agree with you, seems like the whole leave and cleave thing wasn't real, especially where the Duggar sons are concerned. They all work for their dad, and so far both Joe and Josh live in properties owned by their father. John has owned his own house for some time, so I assume he and Abbie will live there when they marry, and we don't know where Josiah and Lauren are living yet, but I a fairly sure it will be a Duggar property. The house Jessa and Ben live in was originally grandmas although they now own it, and Ben worked/works for Jimbob, and Jill and Derrick lived in a couple of Duggar properties. I don't think there is anything wrong with helping your children get a start in life if you have the ability to do so, I just think the Duggars should be honest with the viewers, none of these young couples would be in the fortunate position they are in if it wasn't for the TV show.

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    2. I don’t see it that way. They are much farther away from the main house than they would be from neighboring homes in the city. Joe may have purchased the home or be purchasing the home from family. Since we don’t know who paid for the renovations we don’t know who did what, perhaps Joe and Kendra paid for all supplies and materials? They may be paying for the home to be on family property; rent/lease. Joe may have solid savings that made this home possible, why should they live in a small apartment if they can afford more. If you lived in the same town as younger siblings who were old enough to walk or bike to your place unannounced boundaries would need to be set. They have a baby, they are a family, they both have strong families to guide them....I think they are beyond “playing house”.

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    3. Who said it was given to them? Stop making assumptions! Having boundaries is good when you have a lot of siblings or a big family. That is being a grown up instead of just allowing it to happen and then complaining. I know a lot of families who live on the same property. It is nice to have family so close.

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    4. They are totally NOT in the backyard of the main house. There is quite a distance, with hills and trees. Look how Jinger's house is close to next houses on her street. Or look how houses are usually built in any suburbs, almost one on the other.

      Joe is lucky to have parents like he has, who can provide for him so much. Don't be jealous, Anon 9:59 AM!

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    5. Quite a distance? 500 yards is not even the length of my street from one end to the other. I walk that all the time!

      But you're right - they're not in the back yard. They're in the side yard.

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    6. 2:23- Meh... I don't think it's jealousy, but more curiosity- considering the fact that viewers have been satuarated over the years with the Duggar testimony of the importance of being self-sufficient. Now that the next generation has grown up, are getting married and starting families, they mostly stay pretty close to the homefront. None of them leave home until they find a spouse. It's all very puzzling.

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    7. Personally I think it’ssart of them to do this and save some money so they can buy a nicer house on their own, instead of blowing money on a tiny apartment that will take them longer to move out of. As long as everyone respects their boundaries they’ll be fine.

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    8. I agree. Married children should stand on the feet. Having parents provide you with a house is not standing on your own two feet. Plus, the young couple need their privacy.

      This comment has NOTHING to do with jealousy. It is about cutting the apron strings.

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    9. You can "blow" money on an apartment and save for a house at the same time. Lots of young couples do it! Even people who aren't married do it. It involves a lot of hard work and sacrifice, and delaying anything else you might want immediately. There's nothing wrong with learning how to budget for everything you need AND everything you want someday, too. When you get handed everything immediately by your parents, you don't learn this important skill.

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    10. I have to wonder how Joy feels living first in a borrowed RV with no working shower, then sleeping on the floor of a house that was only bought to be flipped (are they back in an RV again?). Not that those are horrible things, but you have to wonder how she feels when she sees all those houses and all those furnishings handed to her brothers and sisters. I have a feeling it was Austin who said no thanks to any parental offers, and Joy had to go along with that decision. If the rest of the kids had that same quality of character, they'd also be sleeping on the floor and showering back at the main house.

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  4. I hadn't seen Jimbob in quite some time and was shocked to see how much weight he has gained, and he is carrying it in the worst place, around his middle, putting him at risk for a heart attack or stroke. For the sake of his children and grandchildren and his health he really should try and loose some weight and get a little exercise, I am sure they want him around for a long time to come.

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    1. I’m sure your intentions are good, however what you did was body shame Jim Bob.

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    2. While it's nice of you to be concerned, perhaps JimBob may have gained weight because he is dealing with a medical issue of some kind. There's a whole host of medical issues that can cause one to gain weight-weight gain that all the dietary changes and exercises in the world will barely dent. Let's please practice grace. We often have little to no idea what's going on in someone else's life, much less their body. ;)

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    3. Umm.. It's called age and genetics. You don't know the reason why he's gained weight. It could be from food but it could also be thyroid issues

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    4. Jimbob has struggled with his weight for sometime. I remember on the show he and Josh having a competition to get fit and loose weight with a personal trainer, he also attended weight watchers with Michelle. People are so touchy about everything these days, and if you are in the public eye people are going to comment. I did not see the OP as fat shaming, nothing nasty was said they were just stating facts and expressing concern. Jimbob might not even read this blog, so will not see the comment anyway.

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    5. 7:10. I doubt JB has a medical issue. It’s tator tot casserole, chocolate mess, and inactivity. My husband and I are the same age as JB and yes, age and slowing metabolism is real, but that’s why fewer calories and extra exercise is required. It’s up to JB how he chooses to age, but let’s not play medical make believe.

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    6. 11:35. I agree with what you are saying, and I truly believe you have the best of intentions. However, I have come to realize the only one you can become healthier for is yourself. Otherwise it just feels like guilt and manipulation. JB and Michelle ( who also looks like she has gained a lot of weight in her middle) have a huge home and land. They could make a beautiful home gym and make healthier habits a family affair.

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    7. I don’t think he’s really gained weight, he’s looked like that for the past at least 7 years or so. Remember when he and Josh tried to lose weight together on some episodes of 19 kids and counting, but they kept ignoring what their instructor said? In order to change you have to make the choice to, and 2:22, OP is right, Jim Bob as his family to think about. It’s devastating to lose a family member from something that could have been prevented, I know this first hand.

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    8. Although a medical reasons may be the cause, it is probably he still eats like he is active 30 year old. People like to use the thyroid for weight gain but thyroid issues are rare.

      He is a middle age man that had never had to watch his diet. His weight has creeped up over the years and now it is time to cut back.

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    9. So much judgment about weight nowadays. What's causing this? For those of you who commented, how would you feel if the first thing people commented on, upon seeing your photo, was your flaw or biggest insecurity????? NOT NICE.

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    10. People care about weight and eating habits because they impact your health. It is more about what is going on inside your body than your physical appearance. Jim Bob has known for years that his eating habits can lead to a premature death or a chronic disease like diabetes. He still has 7 children under the age of 18 and it would be terrible if he wasn't able to see them grow up and start families of their own. He has the money and resources to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce his waist size.

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  5. I don't know what gets lost when you post these videos. In the US, I see nothing but a blank space in this post where the video should go. It can be that way for days. Then sometime later, a video might (MIGHT) show up in that blank space, sometimes the intended video, sometimes one totally not related to the post (like a video from a past post, maybe a birth or wedding video). It's so messed up.

    I can't see any video on the TLC website either, when you post links to them here. Yes, I use a strong ad blocker, on purpose, but TLC should be able to deliver their own videos on their own website despite that. If they're heavily loading them down with ads that stop up everything, they need to change that.

    If that's the reason the videos don't show up here either, then you need to be aware of that.

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  6. Didn't we see their house last year? Another repeat.

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    1. We saw it when it was in construction, we hadn’t seen the finished product yet.

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    2. Nope, not on the show we didn’t.

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  7. I thought I'd heard that this house was moved onto their property so that Grandma Duggar could live in it. Where does she live now?

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    1. Last seen with Jim Bob's sister.

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  8. Want amazing job u done on ur house 😊😊🏡🏡

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    1. LOL@8:54. Thought the same thing😳

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    2. Funny, I saw that and thought "public schooled."

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    3. Yes, all of the Duggar kids are homeschooled. Michelle talks about this in some of the earlier episodes.

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    4. Many comments on this blog contain poor grammar, and I'll bet most of you went to public school. Many of you didn't even know what the "two" meant in the "wife for eleven months and a mother for two" caption in a subsequent post about Kendra turning 20. So maybe brush up on your own grammar before you try to take down some poor commenter.

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  9. Love the new home how cool to get to live in the house your dad grew up in

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  10. Kendra is so sweet

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  11. Isn't this the house that Grandma Duggar (Mary) was living in and is right next to the main Duggar home? It's amazing how much that home was improved with renovation. Joe and Kendra look so happy. They're my favorite Duggar couple.

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  12. Kendra has impeccable taste! Classy lady!

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  13. It looked nice. im not a grey wall kinda girl but they did good

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  14. What a beautiful house. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised and people don't post those critical comments such as "The curtains are too long," "why do they need a game room?" etc, etc.

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  15. Their house is stunning looking.

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  16. It is a Nice house. But why a game room? They will have a big family soon. It is better to make it a bedroom with bunk beds.

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    1. I'm sure it could be made into another bedroom when needed!

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    2. Even if Kendra got pregnant with twins next week, they won't have any kids big enough to need a full-sized bed for at least 2 more years. And it's no big deal to remove the table tennis table, paint the walls in a kid-friendly design, and bring some beds in. It could probably done in a day or two with the assistance of Jessa, Jana, and others.

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    3. Soon? They won’t have two kids old enough to be in bunks beds for at least six more years, so to do that wouldn’t make any sense. They’ll get more use out of a game room for the time being.

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    4. They can enjoy the game room for a while before they need it for a bedroom. Even if they quickly have another child, they can share a bedroom until they are older.

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    5. The game is called - try to play a game of ping pong without running into a wall in this room that is too small for ping pong.

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  17. I enjoyed this clip and look forward to eventually watching the entire episode. The colors that Kendra chose for her house gave it a very classic look. Thank you for sharing this.

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  18. I love the house especially the game room but it needed an air hockey table also. The sisters did a wonderful job as usual. Natasha B.

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    1. Where in the world would an air hockey table fit in that small room? The ping pong table barely fits.

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  19. Ever since we got a glimpse of the log cabin home last season I have been looking forward to seeing their renovations on the inside. So I loved this segment! I like so many features, like the large kitchen with plenty of room for food prep. I also loved the master bedroom and the lovely way the bed was made up so pretty with big comfy pillows. The outside decks are great and I think they will enjoy them for many years to come. I was surprised to see they had room for a ping pong table, and also a small guest bedroom too. That's great for a growing young family. The front porch and shrubbery gave the house a nice homey feel. Good job to all! It appears that Kendra is excited about her new home. I think that's important for a new bride. ��

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  20. Is this very close to the Duggar main house? Like right on their property?

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    1. It’s across the lawn. It sits on his dad’s property, yes.

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    2. Yes, 600 yards from the main house, down behind that shop and storage cluster of buildings where the old camping stove wedding present was unearthed.

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    3. Right on their 20 acre property. Room for lots of houses and still be far more spread out than any street in a town.

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  21. Beautiful!! You guys did an amazing job!

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  22. None of the Duggar married children, except Jinger, have made it on their own...and Jinger is dependent on Jeremy...so...she's just more fortunate she married a guy that had some stability before marriage. None of these kids married anyone who already was stable financially. How is that bringing your children up right? Religion is not the only ingredient in life.

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    1. What about Austin and his house-flipping business? There was a post in this blog just a few weeks ago about Joy and Gideon visiting him at a work site. But maybe to you that doesn't count because he doesn't have a 9 to 5 job that he goes to every weekday? IMHO the last recession showed that working for someone else is often far from being "stable financially".

      And while the grown boys may technically work for Jim Bob in the family business, much of the work they do with selling used cars and real estate is commission-based, it's not like they're just hanging out with Jim Bob doling out an allowance. John David earned enough to buy his own house years ago.

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  23. Lovely home. All the best to Joe and Kendra. Great job Jana and the others who helped.Natasha Marie

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  24. My 19 year old is paying her way through college.

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    1. Okayyyy........good for her 🙄

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    2. I think the implied message is the OP’s daughter will be educated, know the value of her education, be able to support herself and/or contribute financially to a husband and children someday ( as did the Proverbs 31 wife) and not rely solely on others to give you things. It will be earned. That’s a wise thing.

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    3. Seriously, good for her! She sounds like she knows what she wants and is willing to work hard to get it. Best of luck to her. She's already accomplishing things no Duggar girl ever will.

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    4. I think it’s very admirable to be paying your own way thru school at 19. But I also think it’s great that some people are already married and settling into parenthood at 19. We don’t all subscribe to the same way of life. I personally was married at 18, but my husband and I decided to persue work and university educations before starting a family. 10 years later were happily married and expecting our first child. I wouldn’t change anything about how my life has progressed so far. I’m sure OP’s 19 year old is having a blast in school- and Kendra seems content with her life as a wife and mother! Let’s lift each other with positive vibes instead of responding with eye rolls. Happy Monday to all!

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    5. Just imagine for a moment a world where every 19 year old girl got married and had a honeymoon baby, and that was it. Nothing after that but more babies.

      Thank goodness most girls don't do that. If they did, I'd be missing my doctors & their nurses, my lawyer, my hair dresser, my pharmacist, my tax preparer, my banker, my teachers, most of the people at the stores where I shop, etc. etc.

      The Duggars may value early marriage and motherhood for women, but what does that contribute to others in this world? Only a larger population of one group.

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    6. While the Duggar lifestyle may work for them, if everyone else lived the way they do, then there wouldn't be any professionals around (not even male ones) to be doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.

      Obviously the Duggars are not opposed to all higher education, they have certainly benefited from the services of doctors and lawyers themselves, and AFAIK they have no issues with Ben going to college, or Derick going to college and now law school as well.

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  25. Wishing you a day of happiness and a year of blessings. God Bless.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENDRA
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

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  26. Don't Americans take off their shoes when entering a house? I hate to think of the amount of dirt traipsed in by such a crowd with their boots and heavy shoes, all over the carpet!

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    1. You never saw the (formerly) white socks on the feet of the people in the main house, I guess. Even with shoes off, there's still a lot of dirt when you live where they do.

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    2. Some do, some don’t, it’s kind of a house by house rule system.

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    3. The tile floors in the main house get very dirty. At one point they showed running the industrial floor cleaning machine as someone's jurisdiction, but I don't think that's the case any more.

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    4. You'd think it would be common courtesy to do so, though, when visiting a newly-furnished home like this in such a crowd.

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  27. Would Jim Bob & Michelle not sit the younger siblings down & explain boundries so that they have privacy. If they lived in a city they would have learned that lesson long time ago. You just don't go looking in your neighbor's windows!!!

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  28. Exceptional job on the house, I was eager to see it! That bedding Kendra picked out is stellar, I am jealous, looks like a classy hotel room with elegant comfort! Even the bathroom is gorgeous, when bathrooms usually are no big deal! The kitchen is a dream, the marble island is a wow and 2 pantries how awesome! The home is beautiful and very classy, just like Kendra! Her and Joe both won the perfect spouse lottery and gorgeous son to add to it. So happy for them! Lots of memories to be made on top of the ones that already were there.

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    1. You know, 12:09 writes very much like how a certain Duggar sister talks...

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  29. Joe, Kendra and Joe's siblings did a good job, the house is beautiful. I like the way Jana and Jessa decorates...Jane

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  30. Beautiful decorating!

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  31. Love your new home. Perfect.

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  32. Congratulations!! Gorgeous decorating skills.

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  33. You guys are so blessed to have a big family. The landscaping looks great. Good job!

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  34. Congratulations on your new home!

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  35. Beautiful home, beautiful couple.

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  36. I love the game room

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  37. The game room is the best part!

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  38. Ignore the criticisms. Sadly, so many people have jealousy in their hearts. I love your home, inside and out.

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    1. Also sadly, some people see jealousy where there is none.

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  39. Congratulations to a really sweet couple

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  40. Great family, love your new home

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  41. Congratulations Joe and Kendra!

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  42. I have watched the Duggars for years, which I thoroughly enjoy! I wish Jana would address the rumors of who Laura (her friend) is. I get tired of hearing what may not be true. I would love to know the actual truth. All the best to each of them. Always anticipating the next show.

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    1. I think that particular rumor is based more on wishful thinking than anything else, and I doubt the Duggars would ever deign to address it.

      I also recall a rumor that Laura was hanging around Jana a lot because she was interested in John David, which I guess could actually have been true, but if so he obviously didn't return her interest. And doesn't really matter then, does it?

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  43. I don't know why everyone thinks that this family should be any different than others. We all have different ideas as to how to raise our family. They are a good family and not asking anyone to help support their children or raise them. Why can't you make good comments instead of disagreeing with how they choose to help their children after they marry and move out. If the children want to live on the parents property, so be it. I think that they are very lucky to have a family that works together.

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