The Tater Tot Casserole Myth

If you happen to think that tater tot casserole is the Duggars' favorite meal, you're not the only one. "There was a period of time that we, anytime we invited anybody over, we had tater tot casserole," says Joseph. It caught on, and the super-sized family quickly became known for this unique dish, so much so that people started making it for them. As a result, they stopped cooking it for an extended period of time.

Now, it's time to introduce Jeremy Vuolo to tater tot casserole. While Jim Bob, Michelle, and some of the boys are visiting Jinger and Jeremy, they decide to have the guys prepare meals for the ladies. So the menfolk head to the store to pick up ingredients for both tater tot casserole and barbecued tuna fish (video below).

The recipe for tater tot casserole can be found on our Recipes page. To make his BBQ tuna, Jim Bob adds BBQ sauce (the Duggars recommend Kansas City Masterpiece) to canned tuna.

Photo/video courtesy TLC

Garden Like a Duggar

The warm weather is here to stay, which means it's time to start planting! Last year, we showed you photos of the beautiful garden and outdoor space that Jana created, with help from her siblings. Earlier this spring, we also shared a video of last year's garden.

This week, Jana Duggar and the Duggar siblings are hard at work getting the garden ready to go.

 James Duggar

Whether it's growing produce, doing landscaping at one of Jim Bob's rental properties, or tumbling down the hill on a giant slip 'n side, the Duggars love being outdoors. While writing this post, we came across a couple gardening photos from previous years.

Planting the Duggar garden, May 2014

Mackynzie Duggar, Jackson Duggar, Jordyn Duggar

Working in the garden, October 2016

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

The Wedding Begins!

"At that moment, it just really hit me. I was breathing hard, trying not to cry. And I was like, 'Daddy, I can't look at you because I'm going to start crying.'"
-Joy-Anna Duggar

As she awaits her cue to walk down the aisle to Austin on her wedding day, Joy-Anna shares a special moment with her dad in the foyer of the sanctuary (see video below). The processional begins, and the members of the wedding party enter the church, raw emotions written on each of their faces.

"Let's do it, Joy!" says Jim Bob. "Want to?" The trumpet sounds, and the big moment arrives.

Photo/video courtesy TLC

#TBT: Michelle Bonds with Her Littles

In this #ThrowbackThursday video from 2011, Michelle Duggar stays home with her six youngest children while Jim Bob and the older kids are away.

The Duggar mom says she enjoys spending quality time with her little ones without all the chaos that ensures when the entire clan is around. "It's amazing that it really is quieter with just the younger guys at home, even though they're a lot more busy in some way," she shares.

Photo/video courtesy TLC

Recap: "All About Jessa"

19 Kids and Counting "All About Jessa"

• Only two days to go until Jessa and Ben tie the knot! The Duggar house is packed with family and friends who are in town for the wedding.
• Jessa and Ben decide they don't want separate bachelor and bachelorette parties because they don't want to be apart, so they plan a joint flag football game.
• Jim Bob and Ben are the team captains, so there will be intense competition. "He's getting Jessa, but I was going to win this football game," says Jim Bob, whose team ends up defeating Ben's team.
• After the game, the married couples share advice with Jessa and Ben.
• "I think Ben is as ready for marriage as he will ever be," says his dad, Michael.
• The family looks back on Jessa's childhood. "Jessa was full of energy," says Jim Bob. "She was a handful." Jessa says she loved growing up with 18 siblings, and she learned to be very organized from a young age.
• "Jessa's gift of organization was there when she was a little bitty girl," says Michelle. The mom of 19 was especially thankful for her third-oldest daughter's gift while Josie was in the NICU after her premature birth and Michelle had to be by her side.
• Jessa is also a master packer. She usually doesn't forget anything important, except for the time when the family left for a road trip and then realized that they didn't have socks or underwear for the eight youngest boys.
• Josh says Jessa is a lot like him. She will tell you what she thinks, even when you don't want to hear it.
• For the past several years, Jessa has played a key role in homeschooling her younger siblings and is very good at motivating them to work. "The younger kids listen to Jessa," says Jill.
• Who will fill in the gap once Jessa leaves the nest? Michelle isn't sure yet, but she knows that whoever steps in will have big shoes to fill.
• "We respected Jessa as a teacher," says Jedidiah. "She pretty much knew what she was talking about all the time."
• Jessa also has a lot of spunk behind her, as proven when she and her mom went skydiving a few years ago. "Whose mom goes skydiving?" says Jessa. "I have the coolest mom."
• Jessa is very close with her sisters, especially Jinger, who is just 412 days younger than her. "Our personalities are totally different, and so we work together very well," says Jinger.
• The Seewalds also reflect on Ben's childhood. "He's really kind," says Ben's brother Ethan. "And kind of acts like you are his age, and he treats you kindly."
• "He was a big encourager," says his mother, Guinn.
• Jessa and Ben started getting to know each other in group settings in 2013. Guinn reminded her son that Jessa has a bunch of guys knocking on her door, so he shouldn't get his hopes up. But he ended up winning her heart.
• "Ben is definitely a good match for Jessa," says Anna. "...they definitely balance each other well."

Recap: "Invites & Ride-Alongs" and "Wedding Prep & Pies"

19 Kids and Counting "Invites and Ride-Alongs"

• Michelle spends quality time with John-David and learns how to operate an excavator and a dump truck. "John-David is very patient, and he is a good instructor," says the mom of 19, who makes a point to spend one-on-one time with each of her kids.
• Jinger says John is steady, quiet, and easy-going. Michelle calls him tenderhearted.
• Jessa and Ben ask Josh, who does graphic design as a hobby, to design their wedding invitations. Josh agrees. While he works, Mackynzie and Michael design their own invitations using construction paper and colored Popsicle sticks. Josh sends a few options to the future Mr. and Mrs. Seewald, and they select their favorite.
• Jill prepares dessert and a care package for Derick's mom, Cathy, who is going to Omaha, Nebraska, for five weeks of treatment that will hopefully prevent her cancer from returning. (Update: Cathy is doing very well, and her doctors say her healing is nothing short of a miracle.)
• Constable John-David takes Jim Bob on a ride-along in his police car. "We'll see if my dad follows the rules," says John. In case you are wondering, a constable is a police officer with less authority and a smaller jurisdiction than a sheriff. John-David was sworn in as constable in January 2013.
• John-David stops to help an officer who has pulled someone over in a gas station parking lot. He instructs Jim Bob to stay in the car, but the Duggar dad slips out and buys food at the convenience store.  
• "It looks like you got out of the car," says John, jokingly. "We've got to keep our strength up," responds Jim Bob, holding a package of donuts and two bottles of Gatorade.
• The ride-along turns out to be uneventful, but Jim Bob enjoys spending time with his son.

19 Kids and Counting "Wedding Prep and Pies"

• Michelle helps Jason and James make pies (also called casseroles) that they hope receive Jessa and Ben's stamp of approval for the rehearsal dinner.  "Jason and James, their cooking style is more for survival," says Michelle. "It's not for appearance of the food..."
• "The pies that Jason and James made were amazing," says Jessa.
• In Washington D.C., Josh prepares egg sandwiches for his family. Then, the Duggar dad takes Mackynzie and Michael to a nearby music store for their first music lessons.
• Mackynzie is thrilled to learn to play her tiny violin, and Michael smiles as he has his first piano lesson. Afterwards, the kids enjoy trying out a drum set.
• Ben is designing a wedding band for Jessa that he will surprise her with on their wedding day. He takes the sketches to White's Jewelry, and Jinger brings Jessa's engagement ring. "When it's all finished, I can't wait to see her face when I slide it on her finger," says Ben.
• Later, the Duggar girls head to Flowerama, a local flower shop. Jessa admits she doesn't know much about flowers. "Jessa doesn't really have a plan just yet for her flowers," says Jana.
• The employees at Flowerama show the Duggars how to make bouquets. "Our parents have encouraged us to gain as many life skills as we can," says Jessa.
• The little girls especially enjoy blowing into the flowers to make them open up.
• "These last moments together as sisters are kind of bittersweet," says Jana. "We are definitely cherishing these moments and just enjoying making these memories together before Jessa gets married."

Recap: "Jessa's Engagement"

Tonight on TLC...

19 Kids and Counting "Jessa's Engagement"

• Since Ben Seewald moved into the Duggars' guest house to work for Jim Bob, he and Jessa's relationship has been progressing much quicker than when they lived three-and-a-half hours apart. "The more I have gotten to know this man, the more I have fallen in love with him," says Jessa.
• Ben approaches Jim Bob and asks for his permission to propose to Jessa, and Jim Bob grants it.
• "I think you all will make a great couple, and I think the Lord is in this," says the Duggar dad. "You have Michelle and I's blessing."
• Ben asks every Seewald and Duggar, including Josh and Anna, to be a part of the proposal. (Jill and Derick are unable to participate, but they stay in the loop via texting.)
• To kick off his scavenger hunt proposal, Ben invites Jessa on a double date with Jim Bob and Michelle but surprises her by inviting his parents, as well. "Something must be up," Jessa says. The three couples head to Marketplace, the restaurant Jessa and Ben ate at on their first date. 
• Jim Bob asks everyone to hold hands while he prays over the meal. Ben grabs Jessa's hand, even though Jessa and Ben have decided to save handholding until engagement. "That was actually the first time that we have ever held hands," says Jessa. "It was pretty special."
• Josh and Anna surprise Ben and Jessa by arranging to pay for the meal. The server brings a gift for Jessa, the first gift that Ben has ever wrapped. He admits that the wrapping job is far from perfect. 
•  "I couldn't have done better myself," says Jim Bob. "He's right," affirms Michelle.
• Ben tells Jessa that the gift is the first clue to the rest of her life but tells her to wait until the following morning to open it. "I was dying to open that package," says Jessa.
• The next morning, Jessa unwraps the box to find a tablet with a video message from Ben telling Jessa and Jinger to take an airplane ride with John-David to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
• Joseph picks them up on the other end and drops them off at a mini golf course. He hands Jessa a written clue that says she must get a hole-in-one.
• After mini golfing, Jessa must board a trolley and identify pictures of Washington D.C. monuments, a task that symbolizes the trolley tour she and Ben took while visiting Josh and Anna.
• Jessa's next task is to gather a dozen roses scattered around a park.
• Meanwhile, the Duggars and the Seewalds head to Eureka Springs to decorate Thorncrown Chapel, a glass chapel in the Ozarks where Ben will propose to Jessa. The two families help Ben scatter candles and rose petals to prepare for Jessa and Ben's big moment.   
•  Next, Jessa and Jinger join the Duggars and Seewalds for a train ride. Jessa was excited to see her families but was sad to find out that Ben wasn't with them. Michael Seewald, Ben's dad, stayed behind at the chapel to give his son a pep talk.
• After the train ride, Jessa and Jinger meet up with Joseph, who chauffeurs them to Thorncrown Chapel. "Walking in there, I was totally speechless," says Jessa. "I felt like I was in a dream."
• Jinger assumes her role as chaperone by sitting down at the back of the chapel to watch the proposal unfold.
• "I trust you have had a wonderful journey today, but I trust by the grace of God that another journey is about to begin," Ben tells Jessa as she reaches the front of the chapel. He gets down on one knee and pops the question: "Jessa Lauren, will you marry me?"
• Jessa tears up as she gives her answer: YES!
• Ben slips the ring on Jessa's finger, and the engaged couple shares a frontal hug.
• "It's beautiful," says Jessa, looking down at her ring finger. The two grab hands for the second time ever.
• "I am thrilled at the thought of spending the rest of my life with Ben Seewald," says Jessa.
• They announce the news to their families and receive a lot of hugs and well wishes. "This proposal is setting the bar just one notch higher," says Jinger. 

Tonight on TLC...

September 23, 2014
9PM ET PT/8PM CT
19 Kids and Counting "Jill Says Yes to the Dress"
Michelle and the oldest Duggar girls are off to D.C. for a very special mother-daughter trip...It's time to buy Jill's wedding dress! Meanwhile, Jim Bob and John-David take Derick and Ben on a guys' getaway to rock-climb and zip-line.

New Episodes Tonight

Tune in to TLC tonight at 9PM ET PT/8PM CT for two new episodes of 19 Kids and Counting.

 

9:00 PM ET PT/8 PM CT

Duggar Dirty Jobs

With Ben Seewald having moved in, Jim Bob puts Jessa's beau to work with a full list of jobs for the day. Can Ben get them all done, or will his first day on Duggar duty be his last? Meanwhile, Jill and Derick go wedding band shopping.

9:30 PM ET PT/8:30 PM CT

Duggars Decorate & Diet 

When Josh's old trainer, Steve, shows up at his front door unexpectedly, what will Steve learn about Josh's current eating and exercising habits? Later, Jinger uses her photography skills to snap engagement photos of Jill and Derick.

Duggar Nature Walk

Jim Bob takes his youngest children out for a nature walk and returns home with seven muddy Duggars. The kids enjoy tromping through the woods and playing in "Lake Duggar," but according to Jackson, it wouldn't have have been a mom-approved activity. "If my mom was there, she would say: 'Daddy, I don't think that's a good idea. Let's not let them get muddy."'

Jill Duggar Shares Her Love Story

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard had their first phone conversation in March 2013, met in person in November, and were engaged the following March. The couple shares the details of their love story:

Derick: How I met the girl of my dreams

 

Well, I'm from Rogers, AR, just about 45 min from where Jill lives, but we had to go 8,000 miles accross the world to meet.  So about two years ago, when I was doing humanitarian work in Nepal, Jill's dad was one of my prayer partners.  We would talk every couple weeks or so to discuss how our work was going and what current prayer needs were.  Jill's dad would also mention periodically the work Jill was doing in her studies as a student midwife and her desire to someday use her skills overseas on the mission field.  Being that we had similar life goals, she caught my attention.

The first time Jill and I spoke was over the phone in a brief conversation we had back in March 2013.  I continued speaking with Jim Bob (Jill's dad) over the summer, but didn't speak with Jill again until August.  However, during this time I was praying about Jill and asking God for direction in getting to know Jill better.

The answer to my prayer came in August 2013, just before I left Nepal for a two week trip to Japan.  During a conversation with Jim Bob, he mentioned how he thought Jill and I might get along well,  having similar personalities and direction in life.  He gave me Jill's phone number and we began texting, then emailing, then skyping/ talking on the phone.  Over the next few months we became very grateful for modern technology as we continued to get to know each other better.  Most of our conversations were centered around our values and life goals.

At the end of November, Jill and her dad got to come to Nepal for a couple weeks.  I had no idea what to expect, but I was excited and prayed that God would give clear direction during this time.  By the end of the trip I felt the Lord directing me to ask Jill to officially begin a courtship relationship.  She agreed and we continued getting to know one another.  It would still be two months before I completed my two year term and would move back home to Arkansas.

Upon my arrival home (January 2014), I was met by the Duggar clan; this was my first time to meet Jill's family in person.  Over the next few months, I enjoyed spending time getting to know Jill and her family better.

Jill: How I met the sweetest man in the whole world

Like Derick stated, we grew up pretty close to each other, but didn’t meet in Arkansas. Christmas 2011, Derick briefly stopped by our house while caroling with a group from his church. Neither of us remembers each other specifically from that time; all I have is a vague memory of the group of people who came. Not long after this, Derick contacted my dad and asked if he would be a prayer partner during his two-year term in Nepal. He would call my dad regularly and give updates on how his work was going there and then they’d pray together.
As my dad got to know Derick he was really impressed with his Godly character. He started telling me about Derick and also told Derick about me! I listened in on a few phone conversations with my dad without Derick knowing I was doing so.

After I kept hearing good things about this guy I decided I’d look him up on my own, so I Googled him and got a little glimpse from his social media outlets. I thought it was really neat how we had similar life goals and all, so I prayed about him for a little while, but then I prayed that God would allow me to not think seriously about any guys until it was His timing to begin a relationship and “the one”. I didn’t really think about this prayer again until later.

In March of 2013, Derick called my dad to give him an update and pray together and I happened to walk in the room. Unlike the other times when I had just listened in, this time my dad told Derick I had just come in the room and asked him to tell me a little bit about himself. We talked briefly that evening, however in the months following I didn’t think much about him.

In August of that same year, my dad was on the phone with Derick one evening and gave him my number. He told Derick that he thought we may hit it off and encouraged him to group text (with my parents), or call me if he wanted to. What I didn’t know at the time was that this was a direct answer to Derick’s prayer! He had been praying over the entire summer about when/if he should contact my dad to begin a relationship with me and was asking God to show him clearly! Wow! God is good!

I was super excited to text Derick back and forth, and then we were able to Skype. Our first call lasted 5.5 hrs and I asked him a ton of questions! I jokingly say it was “love at first Skype”! It really helped me feel secure to know that Derick and my dad had already got to know each other and that my dad admired him. During Derick’s time in Nepal, he was 10hrs and 45 min ahead of us so we would try to get in talk time when it would work best for both our schedules. And then there were other times when he was trekking in the Himalayan mountains for days at a time without any communication.
 

Although the distance was hard, we are grateful that we were able to really work on developing good communication, something that’s an important part in marriage. Also, during this time I was able to hang out with Derick’s family, visit his church, and even went to his house and rode in his car a couple times!

In November, my dad and I were able to fly to Nepal and spend two weeks with Derick! During our trip, Derick asked me if he and I could begin getting to know each other better in a courtship relationship; I happily agreed! I’d spent much time reading the bible, praying and getting wise counsel, before saying “yes.”

The more I spent time with him and observed his integrity, sweet spirit and love for God and service to others, the more I fell in love with him! Our goals align perfectly with how we see God leading us and we both feel we can serve Him better together than separate!

Well, my dad and I went home and over the next 60 days I cried a lot of tears; I missed him so much! Finally, in January of this year (2014) Derick returned home and was able to meet my entire family!
Derick asked my dad for permission to marry me at the end of February and then asked me on March 29^th! I said, “yes, totally!”

We look forward to seeing where God will lead us and are enjoying this amazing season of life together!


“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil.” –Proverbs 3:5-7

Season 8 Continues

This week on Tuesday's new episode of 19 Kids and Counting, watch Jim Bob and Jill Duggar travel to Nepal to meet Derick Dillard, the man that Jill is now engaged to.

Here are a few photos from last week's episode, "Duggars Reunited":

Grandma Duggar and Joy-Anna Duggar help Anna Duggar in the kitchen

Josie Duggar

Joy-Anna Duggar and Marcus Duggar

Jana Duggar, Josiah Duggar, and Jinger Duggar

The Duggars share a family meal at Josh and Anna's home in Washington D.C.

Jason Duggar takes a bite out of his turkey drumstick 

while Jeremiah and Marcus watch

Mackynzie Duggar

Josie Duggar

Michelle Duggar and Anna Duggar take the five youngest Duggar girls

to a candy shop to celebrate Jordyn, Mackynzie, and Josie's birthdays

Josie Duggar, born at 25 weeks, is now a healthy four-year-old

Anna Duggar and Mackynzie Duggar enjoy a slice of birthday cake

The Proposal

What are the Duggars up to these days? Wedding planning! They just announced this morning that 22-year-old Jill is engaged to Derick Dillard. (Click here for details.)

The couple shared the details of the proposal with ABC News.

Derick, 25, sought Jim Bob's blessing two months ago and arranged to have a song written about his relationship with Jill.  

"We went on [a] lunch date to a Mexican restaurant and then we walked around in a park setting, and the guy who wrote the song was just sitting on a park bench, nothing out of the ordinary," Derick told ABC News. "He was like, 'Oh, hey, you look like a nice couple. I think I have a song for you guys.'"

In case you were wondering, the couple had two chaperones following at a distance.

"When my dad first introduced Derick and I, we spent hours texting, calling, and talking on Skype while 8,000 miles away from each other," Jill told ABC News. "And when we finally met in person in Nepal, we knew within days that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together."  

There was a line about that in the song, so Jill knew right away that Derick had something up his sleeve.

"He said, 'When God made you, he was thinking of me,' and then at the very end [of the song], he said something about, 'And I pray that you think that too, when God made you he was thinking of me,' and I was like, 'That sounds like a question!'" said Jill. "After that, Derick started saying a bunch of mushy stuff like, 'I love you so much,' and I don't remember everything!"

Derick got down on one knee and presented a ring he purchased in Israel.

Derick described the ring and the story behind it: "It's just a white gold band with a solitaire diamond: a round stone, .63 carats. Jill really likes Israel, and I'd always wanted to go to the Holy Land. ... [When I was there] I had it in my head that I wanted to get an engagement ring pretty soon, but I had no idea it would work out [this] perfectly!"

I love Derick's desire to follow God and to serve others," said Jill. "Derick is so romantic, and the proposal was perfect. We are incredibly happy and can't wait to share our courtship and engagement on 19 Kids and Counting. Next up, wedding planning!"

The wedding has been planned for this summer, and according to the couple, it's going to be big. They are looking forward to sharing their special moment with family and friends. Jill is currently working on invitations.

Recap: "A Duggar Says Yes"

Did you enjoy the season 8 premiere of 19 Kids and Counting? Here's the recap for those of you who weren't able to watch the episode live:

• How did Ben and Jessa meet? Ben and his family showed up at the Duggars' church last spring, and Ben and Jessa started getting to know each other via texting. In September, Ben sought Jim Bob and Michelle's blessing to being a courtship. Jessa said yes.
• Meet Ben: Ben Seewald is 18 years old and lives three-and-a-half hours south of the Duggars in the town of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The oldest of seven, he has four sisters and two brothers. He owns a windshield repair business and is a freshman at National Park Community College. Jessa describes Ben as "tall, dark, and handsome."
• More about Jessa: According to the rest of the Duggars, Jessa was an energetic, strong-willed child. At age 20, she "tells it like it is," is loyal to her family and friends, and keeps a good handle on her emotions. When asked to describe his sister in one word, John-David chooses "opinionated."
• After the couple breaks the courtship news to the Duggar family, Jim Bob reminds them that entering a courtship does not mean they should get married right away. Maybe four or five years down the road, he jokes. For now, he encourages Ben and Jessa to focus on building their relationship.
• Jim Bob and the Duggar boys test Ben's character and strength by taking him outside for some back-breaking yard work.
• While the guys work outside, the women prepare a meal. Jessa considers herself a bad cook and says she has warned Ben. Michelle, on the other hand, has full confidence in her daughter's abilities and encourages Jessa to start helping with dinner to build on her skills. 
• When the boys come in to eat, Jim Bob puts Ben on the spot and asks him to pray over the meal.
• Later on, Jessa's four oldest sisters help her pack to visit Ben. "We really need to treasure these moments together and make the most of them," says Jessa. According to Jill, the Duggar girls understand that marriage is not necessarily going to happen in age order, and they are okay with that.
• "Jessa and I have always been really, really close," says Jinger, who is only 14 months younger. "It is kind of bittersweet seeing that Jessa is now in a courtship." 
• John-David, a pilot in training, flies Michelle and Jessa down to Hot Springs. Ben meets them at the airport, and Michelle squeezes between the new couple in the front seat of Ben's truck.
• Michelle babysits Ben's younger siblings while Ben's parents take Ben and Jessa on a double-date. While eating, the Seewalds ask Jessa questions about herself and how she feels about the courtship.   
• "When it was all said and done, I'd say that dinner was very, very good," says Jessa.
• Michelle and Jessa are also introduced to Ben's extended family. "The weekend was amazing, lots of wonderful opportunities for us to communicate and talk," says Jessa.
• Back at the Duggars', Jim Bob tries to be Mr. Mom. He attempts to fix Josie's hair, but it doesn't quite turn out the way Mom and the older girls do it. Dad takes the clan out for pizza at a "kids eat free" restaurant and asks them what they think of Ben. The responses are positive.
• Jim Bob also asks six-year-old Jennifer if she plans to get married someday. "Jenny is dead set against getting married right now, and I think that's fine," says the dad of 19. But he is pretty sure she will change her mind eventually.
• Jim Bob predicts that Jessa's courtship (and now Jill's) will cause more guys to express interest in his other daughters. "It's open season," he jokes.   

Details on Jill Duggar's Courtship

Have you heard the news? Jill Duggar is in a courtship! His name is Derick Dillard, he is 25 years old, and he lives in Rogers, a town about 30 minutes from the Duggars' house. Jim Bob got to know Derick a couple years ago, and the two became prayer partners while Derick was doing missionary work in Nepal.

"I was impressed with him as I got to know him over the years," Jim Bob told People Magazine. "He sounded like an amazing young man. I felt like from the beginning, they had similar personalities and goals. I thought they would hit it off."

Jim Bob gave Jill's number to Derick, and the two began chatting via Skype and texting.

"We got to know each other in the first few months pretty quickly," Jill, 22, told People. "I was in love with someone I had never met in person, but we really knew each other well." 

Jim Bob accompanied Jill to Nepal in November so the couple could meet, and Derick asked Jill to court him. She said yes!

"I was really impressed with his character, and I was surprised how much we have the same vision and life goals," said Jill. "He's a great guy."

Derick, who has an accounting degree and is in seminary, comes from a family with only two children, so spending time with the Duggars is a big change, but he has enjoyed getting to know them.

"We have a large pool of chaperones," said Derick, laughing. "You have to come in armed with good jokes and I usually have Skittles as well."

Michelle is enjoying this season of life, but realizing that her older children will soon be moving out and starting families of their own is bittersweet for the mom of 19. "We are cherishing this time together," she said.

Michelle Duggar's Battle with Bulimia; Hopes to Help Others

In an interview with People Magazine, Michelle Duggar opened up about her struggle with bulimia as a teenager. 

Her oldest four daughters talk about their mom's battle in their book, Growing Up Duggar, which comes out next Tuesday. (The book tour starts March 12; click here for the full schedule.)

The girls introduce their mother's story by disguising her identity, but they eventually reveal who Marie really is:

On the outside, Marie had what everyone else wanted, but on the inside, she felt sad and empty. She began to envy the girl who tried to control her weight through what turned out to be a destructive eating disorder. Not realizing how dangerous it was, Marie thought it might work for her, and soon her obsession to stay thin started controlling her life.

"I have been open with my struggles with the kids before," Michelle, 47, told People. "We talk about how God has brought us out of different things along life's way. When the girls were writing their book, they brought this up and I thought, if my sharing it is going to help another young lady, then I want to share it."

As a teenager, Michelle spent an average of three hours a day involved in school sports but still struggled with her weight. In her search for self-acceptance, Michelle said she found herself consumed by this emotional battle.

"I found out that genetically I could put on weight easily, but with my activities, gymnastics and cheerleading, it was important for me not to," she said. "I would look around and compare myself to my friends, saying, 'oh my, she's so small,' or 'she has such skinny legs.'"

At age 14, Michelle began forcing herself to throw up after consuming what she deemed to be too many calories, believing that she had found a solution to her struggle with weight.

"I didn't tell any of my friends what I was going through," she said. "I was doing it sometimes on a daily basis, or sometimes I would go a week. I felt this was the answer to my problems."

At age 16, Michelle Ruark started dating her future husband and knew she needed to tell him about her battle with bulimia.

"The freedom came when I talked about it," she said. "I met Jim Bob, and he and I were in a dating relationship, and I loved this guy and wanted to marry him. We were talking future together and I remember that I felt like I had to tell him everything, everything about myself. You can't keep secrets from the man you want to share your life with. I shared this struggle with him, and he said he would help me and help keep me accountable."

And Jim Bob kept his promise. He became Michelle's accountability partner and would even join in on sweets-fasts with her. The future mother of 19 said that whenever she was tempted to force herself to throw up, she would call Jim Bob.

"He told me to call him anytime," said Michelle. "I just know that I would be tempted and I would have the crazy thought that I wanted to throw up, not hold onto the calories. Thank God it didn't go on longer than it did or I could have done horrible damage to my body."

Michelle admits it was a difficult time for her and that the struggle did not end immediately, but her her battle with bulimia helped her grow closer to her future husband. She and Jim Bob will celebrate 30 years of marriage in July, and Michelle, a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, thanks God for her health. 

"That solid accountability with another human being, a deep love and strong focus, was where I found freedom," she says. "I was willing to be accountable before God and man. But the struggle was still there. That accountability was powerful."

Interview with the Duggars

While in Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar sat down with Cortney O'Brien from Townhall.com to discuss large family logistics and relationships. The Duggars also shared a touching story about how their show saved a life. Here are the highlights of the interview:

Cortney: What are some of the benefits or most fun parts about having such a large family?

Jim Bob: "We’re always going places and doing things. And I think in one sense, we have one of the funnest families in the world because there’s so many of us that it’s just non-stop fun.”

Jim Bob: "Even when we go do a work project. We can accomplish a lot in a short amount of time."

Michelle: "I think Jill summed it up one time. She said, 'People just don’t understand how much fun it is to be from a large family. It’s just like, the love multiplies, it doesn’t divide.’ So that’s why we named our book A Love that Multiplies."

Cortney: What are some of your other favorite activities as a family?
Michelle: "As far as energy activities, we love to go on bike rides..."

Jim Bob: "We’re always playing basketball and volleyball, and then in the front yard, the boys a lot of times are playing football. And the other night we went to [an] Arkansas Razorback versus Kentucky game."

Michelle: "Oh that was amazing. The kids love to sing. They’ll just break out singing when we’re driving down the road."

Jim Bob: "And they all love playing instruments together."

Michelle: "And entertainment. Just the fun of doing and saying the cutest little things kids do." The mother of 19 keeps track of her children's most memorable words in her iPhone. 

Cortney: Say you hired a babysitter for a night. What instructions would you give them?

Michelle: "The babysitter or the children? I think I would instruct the children first." (laughing)

Jim Bob: "For years, my mom would watch our children when Michelle and I would go on a date each week. And of course, now a lot of our older daughters are - "

Michelle: "She still does sometimes. She’s still willing and available to do it."

Jim Bob: "Now, some of our older daughters are in their 20s, and so they watch the little ones...."

Jim Bob and Michele also discussed their relationship with their kids and with each other:
Jim bob: "I guess, the main thing we try to do as parents is keep up [with] the hearts of our children. Having heart-to-heart talks with children is very important, and for them to build, confess things, and make things right...."

Michelle: "And always purpose to treat each other with respect. No teasing, no calling names, no putting each other down, but truly showing respect..... You know, you’re gonna have those relationships for life, and you really want to cherish and nurture those even now...."

Jim Bob: "And I think really the foundation of a close-knit family first off is having a close relationship between husband and wife, and then the children’s relationship with the parents, and then the children’s relationship with each other. And there’s gonna be offences and things that happen, but making sure that each one of us humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness."

Michelle: "We’re really desiring to teach them to love, putting others before yourself. The acrostic we use is ‘JOY’ - Jesus first, others second, yourself last - and if you put it in that order, then it makes for a very peaceful, harmonious place to live. Even at Josie’s age, who is now four, our baby in our family, just encouraging her to realize, you know what you can serve your big brother, you can go and get him his cup and bring it to the table and help serve your brothers and sisters, even though you’re the youngest...."

Cortney: I read another interview you both did and I think, Jim Bob, it was you that said a writer emailed you and said that your show prevented them from having an abortion. I was wondering if that is something that encourages you both to continue doing the show?
Jim Bob: "Over the past ten years we’ve received several emails and letters from women who have said that after watching our show, they’ve decided to keep their baby. They’ve changed their perspective on the child - instead of seeing the child as a burden, they see the child as a blessing. But one mom in particular, back a couple years ago, she sent us a letter that said, ‘I was watching your show, 17 Kids and Counting.... I’d already gone in for my first initial appointment to have an abortion, and I was going to have an abortion the next day.... I flipped through the channels and saw your show.' And she said, 'Ya know, if that lady can do it with 17 kids, I can do it with one.' And she kept her baby."

Michelle: "And she sent a picture!"

Jim Bob: "And so that makes it all worth it. Our whole family really believes that the TV show is really not about us - it’s really about a ministry to share with the world that children are a blessing and a gift from God."

Read the full interview on Townhall.com.