Tuesday, August 18, 2020

'Highs and Lows' Recap

Counting On "Highs and Lows"

  • The night that Jinger and Jeremy announced their pregnancy to the family, Jinger started having symptoms of a possible miscarriage. The next morning, an ultrasound revealed that the baby had passed away.
  • “Not having walked through this before but talking to others who have walked through it, I think the woman definitely can take it harder for the sense that she was carrying that life within her, and she was sustaining that life physically,” says Jeremy. “So as difficult as it was for me, I was just thinking it’s got to be that much more difficult for her. I just wanted to be a comfort to her.”
  • Later, Jeremy pulls off a surprise birthday party for Jinger. “I just wanted to celebrate Jinger with some of her closest friends and family,” he says. Jeremy sets up tables and chairs at the Mahoney home.
  • While Jinger (along with Felicity and a friend) attends an iPhone photography workshop, Jeremy meets up with the Duggars at their hotel. Jim Bob, Michelle, Ben, Jessa, Ivy, and Jana, along with Laura DeMaise, have come in from Arkansas. Michelle is really looking forward to spending time with Jinger and comforting her after her miscarriage.
  • As Jinger learns how to take great iPhone photos and how to develop them in a dark room, Jeremy is getting last minute things together for the party. The Vuolos meet back at home, and Jeremy tells Jinger that he is going to take her on a date, so she puts on her new dress and curls her hair. They leave Felicity with a babysitter, and Jeremy puts a blindfold over Jinger’s face.
  • Back at the Mahoney house, the Duggars are helping set up, and the classical musicians are practicing. When Jinger and Jeremy arrive, the musicians start playing ‘Happy Birthday.” Jinger sees a group of friends, and then the Duggars come out to greet the birthday girl.
  • “I want Jinger to know how much people love and appreciate her,” says Jeremy. “She’s an incredible woman, and she’s incessantly selfless, always caring about others and pouring out and serving and using her time and energy to love others.” At the party, friends and family share words about Jinger. Jinger presents his wife with a custom painting of Jinger and Felicity.
  • “The picture really caught Jinger’s heart of loving Felicity, being such a good mom and nurturing her,” says Jim Bob. “It was just so special.”
  • “This is the best birthday party I’ve ever had,” says Jinger.
  • The next day, Michelle, Jessa, and Jana take Jinger out for coffee to show their love and support following the loss of the baby. The miscarriage had happened about a week earlier. Michelle knows that different couples grieve differently, and she always asks her children how she can best help them in times of struggle. “You mean the world to us,” Michelle tells Jinger.
  • In Arkansas, Jessa and the kids take Ben to Vold Vision to have laser eye surgery so he will not need to wear glasses anymore. The procedure goes very well, and Ben is thrilled with the results.
  • Meanwhile, John and Abbie get together with Joy and Austin for a carriage ride to see Christmas lights. Abbie is six weeks away from her due date, and she and John ask for words of wisdom. “It is really strange giving my older brother parenting advice,” says Joy-Anna.

102 comments:

  1. Jeremy & Jinger have become pretentious. Black tie, fur, and live musicians for a catered birthday party. What next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeremy wanted Jinger to feel special. I don't really care what they wore, she is a musician and having live music must have been a treat. I'm happy for her that she had her family and friends around her on her birthday and especially after her loss.

      Delete
    2. Don't forget commissioned art work! They have to out-do everyone.

      Delete
    3. And a commissioned portrait. Life in LA.

      Delete
    4. Why not? Everyone has their own idea of fun. Others spend hundreds of dollars on tickets to sporting events or concerts, indulge in expensive cars, or go on vacation three times a year. And when you dress up thinking you're going to a fancy restaurant, that's totally normal. It goes without saying that you don't wear the same clothes as you do in the drive in of McDonalds ...

      Delete
    5. @9:31-I hope a lot more sparkling apple cider and beautiful parties!!!

      Delete
    6. I’m betting a luxury car for Jeremy, if he doesn’t have one already. Maybe a Range Rover or a Porsche Cayenne.

      Delete
    7. I would agree it was a striking contrast to the typical Duggar event, with paper plates, pickles, and tater tot casserole!

      Delete
    8. Personally, I would appreciate a party that my husband put together to show how much he loves me.

      Delete
    9. Do you think maybe her wrap was a faux fur?

      Delete
    10. Husbands don't need to put together parties for 30 people to show (operative word) they love wives. What's wrong with some tender and meaningful words in private instead?

      Delete
    11. 8:55 - Husbands don't need to, but many want to. Why is it wrong to gather friends and family in honor of a loved one? Birthday parties are a common occurrence and, yes, 30+ people may be in attendance (though most are less formal events). I'm sure that Jeremy shared tender and meaningful words in private too. It doesn't have to be an either or.

      Delete
    12. 8:55, tender and meaningful words are great, but if that's all my husband did for my birthday, I wouldn't feel that loved, honestly. I think birthdays should be special. Tender, meaningful private words should be taking place all year long!

      Delete
  2. Why can't Ben tell time on a wall clock?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wondered if he is the one to teach this in home school!

      Delete
    2. Maybe the eye surgery will help with that problem. lol

      Delete
    3. I thought the same thing. Analog clocks are still very common and everyone needs to know how to read them. It's ridiculous that he couldn't tell the time.

      Delete
    4. I was shocked by that!!

      Delete
    5. Public schools aren't teaching time telling like that anymore. Cursive writing either..

      Delete
    6. lol it's the age of everything electronic

      Delete
    7. I think this is the result, of how popular phones, and other forms of digital clocks, have became. A couple of months ago, there was a news story in England, about how the schools, were thinking of removing analog clocks, because a majority of the children, did not know how to read, analog clocks. I can't remember, if it was my teachers, or my parents, who taught me how to read an analog clock, but either way, I am glad that I have this skill.

      Delete
    8. 8:38 I don't know where you live, but I can assure you, schools still teach analog time. I'm retired from teaching now, but I volunteer in my local school. I help the kids with telling time.

      Delete
    9. 1:10, I read that too. I thought it was idiotic to "solve" the problem by removing the clocks rather than teaching them how to tell time. 🙄

      Delete
    10. Who knows why? You'd think he could figure out that the "big hand" was the hour and the "little hand" was the minute and that there are 60 minutes in an hour. lol

      Delete
    11. If you really want to confuse kids these days, give them a rotary phone to dial, a record to put on a record player, or a cassette tape to rewind. Have them look up a phone number in a phone book or read a paper map too. You have to be able to do things in life without counting on technology to do it for you, and that includes reading a wall clock. Is Ben dyslexic?

      Delete
    12. Actually, at 8:38, public schools in CT do teach cursive, analog and digital clock trading!

      Delete
    13. 3:24 I agree with some of what you say but I haven’t seen a rotary dial phone in years, you can get by in life without putting a record on a turntable and do they even make cassette tapes anymore? No need to focus on teaching how to use antiquated technology.

      Delete
    14. To have a deeper understanding of technology and the world, it's important to know how these "antiquated" things works. If you ever want to improve on the wheel, you need to know how the basic wheel works. Most current technology has its roots or its inspiration in something from the past. We should not eschew the old ways or fail to teach our children about them.

      Delete
    15. It is awesomely ironic that you fail to realize phones, records, and cassette players are technology. Phone books and maps are resources just like their digital counterparts. Get a grip.

      Delete
  3. I did NOT enjoy hearing Michelle tell about her miscarriages for the millionth time. This show is not supposed to be about her or Jim Bob.

    ReplyDelete
  4. If Jinger and Jeremy wanted to show off how sophisticated and flashy they think they've become, congratulations, they achieved their goal in that episode.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They’re just living their lives. Do you want them to pretend they aren’t well off just for the show? That would be very disingenuous of them.

      Delete
    2. You sound jealous... you should have a husband that loves you like Jeremy loves Jinger!! She loves classical music so he had that music playing for her. They were not showing off at all... everyone loves Jeremy and Jinger.... It’s amazing what God can do for people that give their lives to serve the Lord 🙏

      Delete
    3. @8:41-no they haven’t.

      Delete
    4. California.. smh

      Delete
    5. I agree. It’s so sad to see how materialistic they’ve become. If Jinger serves others as Jeremy said, let’s see what she’s pouring her heart into. I’m interested in seeing the different ministries at work.

      Delete
    6. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I; it's nice that Jeremy goes to such "trouble" to show his wife how much he loves her.

      Delete
    7. People TLC filmed it so they no doubt paid for the party. I too think when I see Jinger and Jeremy that Pastor and Wife does not come to mind but rather two people trying their hardest to fit into the Hollywood scene. If that's what they want to do then do it but don't pretend you are something that your not. I really liked how Jim Bob and Michelle used their exposure on tv to minister and help in so many different ministries,(Voice of the Martyrs was one of them which is an awesome ministry) Jim Bob and Michelle were such a powerful witness on living a servant life. That's what a Christian does with exposure on tv, they set an example to others on how to love God and others by being a servant to others. You were bought with a price, you are not your own the Lord told us.

      Delete
    8. @5:13 Not everyone. Some of us can recognize ostentation when it's packaged for sale, or see changes in people that aren't genuine. Jinger seems to be trying on this new persona because it's what Jeremy wants, not because it's who she is deep down inside.

      Delete
    9. 5:13 - your statement about God giving to those who serve makes me cringe. We have all manner of people with a wide variety of incomes serving God. Does your statement infer that people who are financially poor aren’t doing enough to serve?

      Delete
    10. Anon 5:13 Materialism is not a sign of a walk with God, either is celebrating yourself all the time. Hollywood is the perfect example of why money, fame etc. is not an indication of a walk with the Lord. Most of the most powerful witnesses of people who love the Lord live a modest and humble life because they have made their priority serving God and not money or themselves. We know a tree by its fruit and fruit does not mean wealth that is accumulated, it means who and what we have done in Christ.

      Delete
    11. Christ’s teachings about money and possessions were plainly clear in the gospels. Anybody who cherry-picks beliefs from his teachings to ignore this value is not following Christ but rather exploiting his name for their own purposes.

      Delete
    12. 5:13 Give their lives to serve the Lord?, what are you talking about?, that's not what we see with that couple.

      Delete
    13. Well said 7:12

      Delete
  5. I was glad seeing Joy and Austin giving advice to John David and Abbie. I loved the carriage ride. I was sorry about Jinger losing the baby but I was glad to hear her Mom giving her words of wisdom. I loved the picture Jeremy had made for Jinger. It was beautiful. I'm glad Ben's eye surgery went well. I definitely will enjoy next week's episode of Christmas. Natasha b

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with all you said, Natasha!

      Delete
  6. Oh wow! I was thinking Jessa would be the next to announce a pregnancy, but did think that Kendra would be close behind. I think this baby’s name will be the most interesting for their kids since we’ll see if they will be choosing all individual letter for their names, or follow a theme (eg, all G names for boys all A names for girls) personally I think they’ll be choosing individual names.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My guess is Jessa is pregnant but waiting to announce after Joy gives birth not to steal attention. Suprised Kendra announced on Joy's due date. They could have easily waited another week or two.

      Delete
    2. In terms of number of children, Josh/Anna have six children, which is the highest number of children. Jessa/Ben have three children, which is the second highest number of children. As the future unfolds, it will be interesting to see, if Kendra/Joe, end up catching up to, or surpassing, these two couples, in terms of how many children, they have.

      Delete
  7. A party while you having a misscarriage?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Give them a break. The party was long planned. Jinger was thrilled to see her family and friends. Even in grief you need people around you who love you and Jeremy did his best to make her feel appreciated.

      Delete
    2. It says the party was about a week AFTER the miscarriage.

      Delete
    3. I don't gt it either. But then I thought the party was a bit over the even if there hadn't been a miscarriage.

      Delete
    4. Yep the show must go on I guess. lol

      Delete
    5. It was a week later and it was her birthday. I thought it was sweet of Jeremy to make her feel loved and supported.

      Delete
    6. Maybe she had a D&C and was no longer bleeding

      Delete
    7. Show must go ooooon!

      Delete
    8. I know.. it seems a bit soon..

      Delete
    9. It was a birthday party for her and it was mentioned that it was a few weeks after the miscarriage. It wasn't while she was having it.

      Delete
  8. I absolutely loved this episode! Jeremy loves Jinger so well! And they seem to have developed a great community in California. That painting was magnificent. What a thoughtful gift! I would love to have something like that one day! If you look on Jinger’s Instagram, you can see the artist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeremy’s gift was beautiful!

      Delete
    2. You thought so 5:40? The more I looked at it, the more I saw that was off. Placement of the subjects on the background for starters. Size of Felicity's head and eyes. Jinger's face. A missing right arm. A missing left hand. Not something I'd want hanging in my home.

      Delete
    3. Loved this episode too. The painting was beautiful, I could tell that was Felicity but Jinger didn't look like herself in the painting.

      Delete
  9. Jeremy, oh my word! Lol... He did such a lovely job with the surprise party and the gift was beautiful. Jinger gots a good man. Also the photo thing Jinger did, that was cool.... Congrats to Ben, I wish I had the courage to do that surgery.... Awe it's nice seeing Abbie & John, lovely to see their dynamics

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really enjoyed, this episode. It was nice to see John/Abbie and Joy/Austin, spending some time together. I also thought that it was really sweet of Jeremy, to throw Jinger, a surprise 26th Birthday Party.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Maybe the birthday party was a month after the miscarriage, but when it's all combined on one episode, it looks like it's days apart. A month would've still been hard though.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jeremy said that he was off to "work". Does he have a job at the seminary, along with going to school there? He strikes me as an ambitious type and I wouldn't be surprised if he has his sights set on a position within the church hierarchy. Other than being devoutly religious, he doesn't appear to fit the Duggar mold at all, having had a more secular background. There are hints that he is behind Jinger's wardrobe transformation and obviously has the means to provide it. She seems happy and very much in love and loved by him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If they have the means to provide wardrobe, party, and paintings, then they should have the means to provide their own house, not stay in one the church owns.

      Delete
    2. @3:34- perhaps they were offered the church owned home because they plan to live in LA temporarily?

      Delete
    3. They were supposed to be in that house for only a few months. Why of all seminary attendees did they get it in the first place? Does everyone get a huge fully-furnished house like that?

      Delete
  13. I thought the carriage ride was nice. At last John did something that didn't involve an airplane.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Since going out for coffee is pretty common when you have out of town guests, I don't think it should be exaggerated into "showing your love". This sort of thing seems typical of the Duggars regarding all their activities.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jeremy and Jinger seem to have the life no thrift stores for them lol wtg Jinger

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nice party. Much better than the usual Duggar event with paper plates and cartons of ice cream on the counter.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Miscarriages are very common. So common not worth talking about. Why even tell anyone? Sympathy?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course miscarriages should be talked about if the parents are comfortable discussing it. Talking about a miscarriage shouldn't be stigmatized or viewed as unworthy of being acknowledged. That they are so common is why they should be spoken about, it can help others who are going through immense pain feel like they aren't alone.

      It's beyond callous to tell parents their loss is worthless.

      Delete
    2. They're also traumatic and sad for many people. So yes worth talking about. Many women feel very alone.

      Delete
    3. I disagree. A miscarriage can be a very traumatic thing for some women. Being common does not erase that. Talking about it can help the woman process it, and it can also help other women who have gone through it. It's not like the common cold. It's losing a child.

      Delete
  18. Fun episode, really looking forward to the Christmas party next week. It’s Christmas in July! Sort of

    ReplyDelete
  19. I was so glad to see Jinger taking photography classes. She has a gift for that and the passion to go with it. She’s not around her family as much, but she could still use her photography skills in other ways. I’m sure the seminary would appreciate her skills. When I went, someone was always taking pictures of students, professors, worship, and events for catalogs and newsletters. I know the Duggar wives don’t work outside the home, but surely there is a way to expand the use of her gift for other than just family, and give glory to God.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was amazed that someone so "into" photography for so long had no experience with film and film development.

      Delete
    2. Jinger was born in the digital age....dark rooms are rather unheard of today...the chemicals are very hard to come buy.

      Delete
    3. Yes but usually when you’re so into something, you want to know the whole history of it.

      Delete
  20. I’ve been noticing Michelle has been calling Jinger “Jing” all the time lately. I’m wondering why the change? Many times when she says “Jing” I feel like she was wanting to say “Jinger” but stopped herself!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Personally, I find the whole "Jing" AND "Jer" thing so annoying. Too much like Jeremy and Audrey Roloff ("Jer" and "Audj"). The couples are friends now, apparently.

      Delete
    2. Yeah. That Jing thingy makes me cringe.

      Delete
    3. To each his/her own.

      Delete
  21. Poor Ben. Never had a Mickey Mouse watch with a "little hand" and a "big hand" so he could learn how to tell time. lol

    ReplyDelete
  22. What golden bubbly substance was in those champagne flutes at the party, that's my question.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sparkling cider, probably.

      Delete
    2. Does it matter? Wine is consumed in the Bible and champagne is sparkling wine. They are adults and can enjoy a flute of bubbly if they choose.

      Delete
    3. It matters because all along they have either implied or flat out stated that this family does not drink.

      Delete
    4. @4:09 remember Jinger and Jeremy are not Duggar's and get to choose for themselves. Stop holding them to the rules of her parents.

      Delete
    5. Stop people!!! Jinger and Jeremy are not doing anything wrong... they are CHRISTIANS🙏 Stop trying to drag them down.... They drank sparkling cider .. now get over it..... They have their own household and and don’t have to buy used clothing ; it’s none of your business. Please STOP JUDGING PEOPLE you don’t KNOW🙏

      Delete
  23. I recently had a miscarriage and I’ve avoided listening to how the world talks about it. It was so nice to hear Godly wisdom from Michelle to Jinger about the topic.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jeremy and Jinger might have hidden financial problems. What do they actually do besides this TV program to support their LA lifestyle? An order of sympathy with the works on the side.
    Just charge it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. @10:20- sparkling apple cider I’m sure!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm disappointed that this blog publishes all of the "catty" and "snide" remarks about Jinger and Jeremy especially. It's so easy to judge when we don't know people's true motives. Just because they're on TV, they don't have to explain their reasons/motives for anything. Please....some of these comments are very difficult to read, especially from some who profess to be Christians. I love the blog, but am weary of all of the unkind comments.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I did not enjoy seeing Jinger in the fur wrap. It probably came from a thrift store but still......

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving your comments! We answer as many of your questions as we can, but due to the number of comments we receive daily, we are unable to answer every one. Our aim is to post all points of view, but we do not post anything that is profane, insulting, derogatory, or in poor taste.