What have the Seewalds been up to? Jessa, who is now in her third trimester of pregnancy, took a social media break over the summer. She recently jumped back on YouTube to share a life update video, which shows some of the indoor and outdoor DIY projects that she and Ben have been working on. With help from Jessa's siblings, the Seewalds added culverts to a massive ditch that split their property in two and are now able to enjoy their full two acres. Jessa also catches some trespassers in the act.
Jessa and Ben Seewald: Life Update and Final Projects on the Fixer Upper
Jessa also cuts wood with a circular saw in the parking lot of Lowe's, using a shopping cart as a sawhorse, and not wearing safety goggles but wearing sandals. With little kids around. A proud Duggar doing things the typical Duggar way.
ReplyDelete3:42. You sure have a chip on your shoulder. Looks from the video she just has three well behaved kids with her…away from any danger. Who needs goggles to cut one piece of board? She is a confident skilled woman.
DeleteSafety is never Job One.
Delete9:07 Who needs goggles to cut one piece of board? Anyone with eyes who wants to keep their eyes. She could also have cut her foot. Ever seen that happen? I have, when someone barefoot stepped on a chainsaw that had been put down at a construction site. Something you never forget seeing. That's why they're called accidents. They're not planned and you don't expect them, until they happen.
DeleteThe only one with a chip on her shoulder would be Jessa, from flying wood chips in the parking lot.
Delete2:15. From the video looks like nothing was flying.
DeleteOh my gosh. These posts are hilarious! Get over it! 😂😂 Girls sometimes don’t think about ALL the what if’s when cutting one silly piece of wood . I used to mow my lawn in thong sandals …. Go figure out what you’re doing that’s dangerous , I’m sure on those standards you shouldn’t even leave your house . Leave people alone. It’s so funny that you care so much to be annoyed for no goggles and sandals 😂😂😂 I’m cracking up
DeleteOnly beginners who are city people wear goggles and safety gear just to cut wood.
Delete@10:01 Are you saying that "country people" were never beginners and never get hurt? Ha to those ideas. Some of the worst accidents anywhere are on farms.
DeleteJessa shows us that she built a deck onto the house herself with help from her family. Has this deck not bee permitted or inspected by the county? It doesn't seem so. It is a violation of the building code. She needs to remedy this and contact her local building/permitting department. This was a boring video, sorry to say, and her children need to wear proper footwear when outside and walking on raw wood. At times, they were barefoot outside.
ReplyDeleteIt may not be a violation of their local builidng codes. Where I live it depends on the size of the deck if it needs a permit. Her deck might be OK in her county without a permit.
DeleteShe may not have needed a permit for the deck. When my next door neighbor wanted to put in a deck, he went to the local building department and leaned that a deck the size he planned on installing didn't need a permit so he had the green light to go ahead with the project.
DeleteProbably no permits. Definitely no safety equipment. Around here, you can't sell your house if they find out you've done some sort of unpermitted work. They make you apply for a permit and get an inspection, even if it's been years since the work was done. The house sale won't close otherwise.
DeleteI also noticed the kids running around barefoot, especially after she found that brown recluse spider in her house😣.
DeleteJust because she didn't mention a permit doesn't mean she didn't get one, she may not have needed it. The video was less than 30 minutes, but it is obvious the video was filmed over several days if not weeks. I don't think anyone would want to watch a youtube video that was 24, 48, 72 plus hours long.
DeleteYou're so ridiculously judgemental! Perhaps she already acquired the proper permits, and if so, she doesn't need to tell us that. Did that ever cross your mind?
Delete@5:56 With the Duggars and building things, all sorts of things can cross your mind...
Delete5:56 well said!!
DeleteWhy do people assume they don't get permits? You are reaching.
DeleteThe thoughts of no permits come from the time when Duggars had no licenses to work but they did it anyway. If they're used to cutting corners and skipping important steps, you can be sure they're not bothering to pull permits either.
DeleteEverything built has been sturdy and long lasting
Delete12/3 How do you know this?
DeleteThank you for letting know that Jessa posted this video. It was enjoyable to watch. I admire her diy skills, I hope to develop those as well when I have more time for that in my life. Seeing her do it makes it feel less daunting. I also enjoyed seeing her work together with her siblings. It’s nice to have good ties with your family and having them live close by.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne from Holland
I thought the church where Ben is a pastor owned this property. Perhaps I'm wrong. I can't imagine putting so much work into a place you don't own.
ReplyDeleteThe church probably doesn't mind. I also wonder what's going on behind the scenes that would allow the Seewalds to do so much work to the church property. What kind of job or payment arrangement? Has Jessa ever addressed this, because everyone is wondering.
DeleteSometimes you do it for the people you love, your family,regardless of who owns it. Also sometimes landlords if they have one,will reimburse a tenant for the money they put into a project. I had a landlady who did that.
DeleteThere's got to be more to the story. You don't just do all that work on a church property without someone paying for it.
Delete2:14,there's always more to a story but a lot of it usually isn't anyone else's business.
DeleteThe church put the property up for sale and Ben and Jessa bought it. They are upgrading their own property.
DeleteAt the end of the day that's their business.
DeleteBen and Jessa in no way are listed as the owners of this property on the county ownership records...so how is it that they "own" it as you posted?
Delete7:21 who knows..it is not any of our business. Often people have private negotiations with sellers and the deed isn’t changed until it’s paid for.
Delete@10:47 Property sales and ownership are public county records, so they can be anyone's business. If a house is sold, the county records have to change. They change at closing, not when the house is "paid for." Even non-sale deed transfers within a family get recorded. They usually put $1 for the sale price when that happens. Whoever is responsible for paying the taxes on the property is what gets recorded. If Ben & Jessa aren't recorded as owners, then the church still owns the property and it would be tax-exempt.
Delete10:47..not if it’s a lease with option to buy..who knows
DeleteWell done Jessa. It’s a beautiful yard and something to be proud of. I admire your patience letting little ones help.
ReplyDeleteJessa is amazing..she would have made a fantastic pioneer woman. What an intelligent woman to have the math skills to figure out the dimensions for the deck. Arkansas doesn’t sound like a very sophisticated state to me..I’m sure Jessa wasn’t breaking any rules by cutting the wood in the parking lot…obviously her well behaved three kids were out of the way..good choice to leave the two year old at home. If she is smart enough to figure out how to build a deck I’m sure she’s smart enough to call city hall about what permits are necessary.
ReplyDeleteOh please. It only takes simple arthmatic to figure out how much wood you need for a deck. Most people can do that. As for using power tools in a store parking lot, that's ridiculous. The stores usually don't allow people to do that. Another customer could have been hit by a piece of wood if she hit a knot in the board she was sawing. Frankly I would go anywhere near when she engages with a power tool.
DeleteAnyone that can do simple arithmetic can figure out how much wood to buy for a deck. Besides that Lowe's and Home Depot have signs hanging up telling you exactly what you need to buy to build decks of varying sizes. I don't know why the store turned a blind eye to her very unsafe activities in the parking lot. Usually when someone starts doing that sort of thing a store employee comes out and makes them stop. I have a house and have spent a LOT of time at Lowe's and have seen them make people stop doing stuff in the parking lot.
DeleteHow hard is it to go out with a tape measure and measure for a deck? Safety issue aside, doesn't that store cut wood for you inside? If everyone did that in the parking lot, the sawdust and splinters would pile up. I wouldn't want to have to park and walk through that.
DeleteWell said 5:14. 😊
DeleteI laughed when the guy in the parking lot gave her a snarky look
DeleteAnon 12:24. Of course the store will cut pieces of wood for you, but they CHARGE you to do that so Jessa decided to cut it herself in the parking lot instead of at home like the rest of us do.
DeleteIt's not hard to measure. It's a good skill to know, unlike common core stuff they're teaching at "school"
Delete@5:14 were you trying to be sarcastic in a nice way?
DeleteNo wasn’t trying to be sarcastic at all 3:40.
Delete@1:41 Lowe's does not charge you to cut a single cut in one board.
DeleteThe Home Depot by where I live does not charge to cut wood.
DeleteLOL
DeleteWhy is it that every project that the Duggars do, people wonder and ask if they got permits? They don't have to show it. All those house restoration shows rarely talk about it.
Delete@9:58 I don't know...maybe it was the way Jim Bob always joked about how they were building things and tearing things down themselves that gave everyone the impression that rules, licenses, and permits don't apply to his family. Did we ever see them down at city hall making applications, pounding in the posts for construction permit inspection boxes, or for that matter, standing at the work sites having safety briefings? No. People have good reason to be skeptical.
DeleteI watched the video to see what projects Jessa did in the way of projects. Very interesting. She is a good lady carpenter. Guess the skills her parents taught her growing up did her some good. I don't watch their channel much,so does anyone know when Jessa is due and what the gender of baby #5 is (that is if they are choosing to know before baby is born or keep it a surprise for the fun of it and not know until the birth).
ReplyDeleteJess & Ben have not shared their due date, or the gender of their 5th child, with the public. However, based on when Jessa usually shares her pregnancies with the public, I am guessing that she is due around Dec. 1st.
DeleteThe ultrasound photo she posted has the date 06/2023, maybe the 24th of the month. It was kind of blurry so it was difficult to see the date. I have worked in labor and delivery for many years and the ultrasound photo looked like an approximately 14 week pregnancy, give or take a couple of weeks. So, if she was approximately 3 1/2 months pregnant at the end of June, I would guess she is due either the end of November or the middle of December. Regarding the gender, Jessa has never announced the gender before birth. We will just have to wait and see.
DeleteHer parents might have let her use power tools when she was younger, but it's obvious that they didn't teach her anything about tool safety. This is not the first video we've seen of Duggar girls in sandals or flip flops with power tools, and no safety gear. Joy was notorious for that on the show and in her first videos. Learning to use power tools is great, but if you want to be able to do that with all your fingers and toes and without scars to show for it, you need to learn to use power tools safely, then do it.
DeleteSo nice to see so many siblings helping with the deck..what a perfect example of sibling love..coming together to help one another. Even looks like Johanna is helping, so sweet. What a peaceful huge backyard..yeah stay away from the goats..lol!
ReplyDeleteWhy does she feel compelled to show off at Lowe's? I've done many home improvement projects. I work on them at my house not the store parking lot.
ReplyDeleteUsually you can cut wood in the store, Atleast at Home Depot you can. They have a saw you can use in the store
Delete@11:57 I know. I was waiting to see if she had a dustpan and broom to clean up the mess she made. Guess she just left it there for others to deal with.
DeleteSimple..the board wouldn’t fit in her car, so she had to make one cut.
DeleteDoesn't she know that Lowe's will make one cut in any board for you, in the store, for free? That's what that saw device is back in the lumber department, duh.
DeleteAnon 2:07. I don't think you know how this works. Lowe's doesn't cut boards for free. They have always charged me to cut wood. Also they don't allow customers to operate their saws (just think of the liability issues that would cause).
DeleteYeah why didn’t she just cut it in the store? They will cut the wood for you
DeleteA lot of people use Lowe's... You are trying to hard.
DeleteCheck again 12:15. Lowe's always makes a free cut in a board you're buying. The employees do it for you. You stand back and watch.
DeleteAnon 9:20 If Lowe's makes free cuts in pieces of wood, why was Jessa sawing her wood in the parking lot? Unless she was just showing off.
DeleteJessa probably had no idea that Lowe's cuts wood. Obviously she planned to do the parking lot cut ahead of time or she wouldn't have brought a power tool with her. I'll bet she never thought any further than that. Either that, or she saw someone else in her family do it so she thought it was what you had to do. If she had searched "does Lowe's cut wood for you," she would have seen that they do.
DeleteJessa showed poor work habits in this video IMO. She was using a saw to cut the wood in the parking lot with sandals on, which is improper footwear for such a task, while using a wheeled shopping cart to lay the wood on. NOT good skills IMO at all; no safety being practiced. Also, just what great math skills do you need to figure out the size of a deck that you want? Basic ones, IMO.
ReplyDeleteYou tried so hard to sound smart and superior here. People like Jessa have tough skin. You use your proper shoes to saw. You need it.
DeleteI would think a permit and inspections are necessary for building a deck due to the fact that it will hold up weight and PEOPLE standing/sitting on it. It could collapse if not built correctly. I have a feeling that Jessa isn't in to quality work; just get it done.
ReplyDeleteI agree 7:09. You have to know what you're doing and not just slap things together. There are codes for footings and bracing and hardware. Deck collapses are terrible. Happened to a house on the street behind me during a Saturday night party. Many injured and one person didn't survive.
DeleteThat depends on where you live as well as how high the deck will be,if it's attached to the house etc. She's a smart lady,give her some credit. As far as other comments about her not wearing proper shoes etc, I think she's old enough to decide that for herself as well. Sometimes I wonder if she or any other family members posted a photo or video of themselves sitting on the grass doing absolutely nothing, some of you people (you know who you are lol) would still find something wrong with it. Maybe the grass should have been cut first, wasn't green enough etc. I love Jessa and her family. May God bless them always.
Delete11:41 The Duggars are notorious for filming and "showing off" their construction skills and how they can wield power tools. Problem is, many people watching not only have the skillset, but also the common sense to know about the safe use of equipment and protection.
DeleteWho cares. You aren't going to step foot on it.
Delete@9:53 You don't care about the people who ARE going to step foot on it?
DeleteI wonder why Ben doesn’t help with these projects? Owell, whatever works for them!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a large group of Jessa’s siblings were having a blast doing the deck..he probably was watching the kids.
DeleteJana likes doing house projects too.
DeleteI’m so impressed with the playground set. Most of us have trouble putting a Fischer price toy together and here you are working two days to put this set together..amazing, I can’t believe you could follow the directions. I like the way you changed the rock climbing walls to wide steps, great idea. The lovely pine trees are a perfect setting to protect from the sun. You are an excellent example to your children …hard work does pay off!
ReplyDelete"Most of us" don't have trouble putting things together. My husband can build anything, even though he never worked construction. Show me a picture of something finished and I can assemble it backwards from there. In fact, if something is well-designed, you shouldn't even need directions. It should be intuitive. My son used to build Expert Builder Lego sets without the directions, just the picture on the box, at age 3. Runs in the family.
DeleteWhat?
Delete9:52. Maybe you are used to reading 300 pages of directions to put a complicated play set together in two days..most of us are impressed by Jessa’s skill and perseverance.
Delete11:02.. yes ..had to laugh about the Christmas I waited to put a kids bike together..it turned out to be not so easy and several of the screws and attachments were missing..I learned my lesson. Hats off to Jessa putting together a playground set with 300 pages of directions.
DeleteWait, she's pregnant and doing all this heavy construction work? Where's her husband??
ReplyDeleteI was wondering the same thing. I don’t think Ben is much of a handy man
DeleteIf you watch the video, she had help with the deck, Jana among others were there. Watching before commenting helps...
DeleteWhere are all those brothers who are supposed to be contractors?
DeleteThis was filmed before.
DeleteIs it all possible to get a update on grandkids birthday. I'm losing count. Would definitely appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteYou have done a beautiful job on your home..the back yard looks fabulous. It looks like you have established your boundaries in the yard , hopefully there will be no more trespassers breaking your fence. It was great to have someone put down the foundation of the play center. I’m impressed you were able to get through the 300 pages of directions in two days with one persons help. The wide steps you made for the play center is great..adds safety…especially for grandparents babysitting who can’t climb the slides. The one board you cut at Lowes for the kitchen shelves turned out great, I love the idea of plants on it. It was nice to see Jordan working along side Jana and Jeremy to help build the deck. You are such a happy and loving wife, mother, daughter and sibling..what a blessing you are to your immediate family, as well as the Duggar family…and all who cross your path.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jessa is an inspiration to so many! Love her videos! 🥰
DeleteMackenzie would make an excellent mother’s helper for Jessa. Or maybe Jenni could be a paid helper.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe Jennie can go to college. She's always loved animals - she should study to be a vet tech or a vet.
DeleteI doubt they'll do anything in life except get married and have lots of kids, no matter what their childhood dreams are.
DeleteOr maybe no one should make suggestions for someone else's life.
DeleteObviously, everything you do to the inside and outside of your house glows in the love you have for your family, loved ones and friends . To endure all the pain and scrutiny your family has endured the last few years..and yet you don’t complain or wallow in the circumstances. Your joy, thankful attitude and love is genuine and reveals a life that is dedicated to her Lord and Savior. ..”in all things give thanks.”
ReplyDelete@10:25 Of course Jessa wouldn't complain about her family on YouTube. She saw what happened to Jill when Jill went public. Plus you don't get product sponsorships like that. Who wants to "wallow" in the circumstances her brother created anyway. Best they all divorce themselves of him and move on, before they say or do anything else. I'm sure they're all ashamed of him but are keeping that private, hoping the public forgets.
Delete1:46. Jill would be wise in taking her siblings example and not continue the bashing of her father…why would Jill think her siblings would turn their back on their parents and side with her....that will never happen.
DeleteUnless you're a landscape engineer, I'd highly recommend leaving drainage ditches alone. One of my neighbors messed with a tiny drainage ditch in his yard and now every time it rains his house is surrounded by a large puddle of water. JS.
ReplyDeleteDuggar boys need to play with their big Tonka toys.
DeleteAnon 1:42. So true. Who cares if they flood the neighborhood when it rains. lol
DeleteNo need to post this but Jer and Hannah have announced their 2nd pregnancy
ReplyDeleteIt was really nice to get an update on how they were all doing. God bless.
ReplyDeleteI HOPE U ARE WELL, AND NOTHING BAD HAPPENING TO U!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHEY THIS IS JUST FOR U, 💗💗💗💗💗 I HOPE WITH EVERYTHING INSIDE ME I HOPE U ARE WELL!!!!! I SEE U POSTED SOMETHING, BUT NOTHING ELSE, SOOOOO I KNOW U, AND U NEVER NOT , KEPT UP WITH THIS, SOOOO I 100% AM SCARED!!! justine@gmail.com!!!! I LOVE U LIKE SISTER!!!!! WE GO BACK!!!! SINCE JOSEY!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere have to be permits and inspections for all new decks, no matter how big or small they are, no matter how high up they are, and no matter who builds them, family or contractors. A new deck becomes part of your structure and needs to be recorded with your property for tax assessment purposes. Decks and their square footage are in the plot drawing included with your tax records. If Jessa built that deck without notifying the county through the permitting process, there will be trouble about it with the tax assessor sometime down the road. I hope she knows that.
ReplyDeleteThat depends on where you live and what type of structure you are building. It varies from state to state, county to county.
DeleteGuess what too. Insurance won't cover the cost to rebuild in the event of damage if building permits were never taken out. Friends moved into a house that had a do-it-yourself deck added without a permit, but for some reason nobody involved in the sale of the house realized that. When a tree fell on the deck last year, insurance checked and said sorry, that deck "doesn't exist" according to your official house records.
Delete@5:26 I am not aware of any state or county that is not interested in knowing about permanent improvements and add-ons of any kind that you make to your property.
Delete