John's Courtship Differences

"Mine and Abbie's courtship standards have been slightly different than some of my siblings, although we all get to make the decision on what our standards are."

-John-David Duggar

On Monday's season premiere episode of Counting On, you'll see John and Abbie's engagement. This Duggar couple chose to deviate from the Duggar norm when setting their courtship standards. Check out the preview video below, and be sure to tune in to TLC Monday night at 9pm ET/8pm CT.

Photo/video courtesy TLC

Vuolos with the New Couple

While in Arkansas for the latest Duggar wedding (Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson tied the knot on Saturday), Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo caught up with the newest Duggar couple, John and Abbie. Their courtship was announced last week.

Jeremy Vuolo, Jinger Vuolo, Abbie Burnett, John-David Duggar

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).


Photo is courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Throwback Pictures of...Kendra?

 Joseph Duggar and girlfriend Kendra Caldwell

One month has passed since Joseph Duggar announced his courtship with Kendra Caldwell. The Duggars shared their excitement over the new relationship, and Kendra was invited on the Duggars' recent road trip to Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. We also shared a post with more information about 18-year-old Kendra and her family.

Today we have some older photos to show you from the Central American mission trip that Jim Bob Duggar took with his five oldest daughters four years ago. Why the random throwback post? You'll soon understand. :)

We posted these pictures back in 2013, but in light of the recent courtship announcement, we want to highlight a few of them. Do you recognize the girl who appears in all the snapshots below?

Photos courtesy TLC, duggarfamily.com

Meet Joseph Duggar's Girlfriend

Joseph Duggar is in a courtship! He popped the question yesterday and made the announcement this afternoon. (Click here to watch the video.)

For all you long-time Duggar fans, you already know Joseph. He is the seventh of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19 children, and he turned 22 in January. When the first special featuring the Duggar family, 14 Children and Pregnant Again, aired on reality TV, Joseph was just nine years old.

So who is the lucky lady? Her name is Kendra Caldwell, and she is 18 years old. The two met while Joseph was attending church with the Forsyth family. (Austin Forsyth is Joy-Anna's fiance.) Kendra's father is a pastor, and she is the oldest of seven children.

The couple shared statements via PEOPLE Magazine:

“We are so excited to share the news with others that we are courting. Our families are close friends through church, and this has allowed Kendra and me to get to know each other. She’s the best!”
-Joseph Duggar

“I’m looking forward to getting to spend more time with Joseph as we take this exciting step toward a new season in life. It’s a really wonderful moment!”

-Kendra Caldwell

Photo courtesy TLC

If you enjoy this blog, check out our other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

'Counting On' Season Finale

 Joy-Anna Duggar and boyfriend Austin Forsyth

We have some good news and some not-so-good news. The good news is that it's Monday, which means a new episode of Counting On is coming your way. The not-so-good news is that it's the season finale.

Tonight is the seventh and final episode of the season. It's also the 31st episode of Counting On that has aired on TLC since the December 2015 premiere. To look back at all our episode recaps of both 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On, visit our Watch Full Episodes page.

Scroll down to read the summary of tonight's season finale episode, and click here to watch a promo video featuring Jim Bob Duggar's courtship conversation with Austin Forsyth.

Monday, February 27
9pm ET/8pm CT: A Honeymoon A Courtship (NEW)
Jinger and Jeremy have said "I do," and now the newlyweds finally get to enjoy some alone time. Mr. and Mrs. Vuolo head Down Under for their honeymoon in Australia. Meanwhile, back in Arkansas, another Duggar enters a courtship. 
11pm ET/10pm CT: A Honeymoon A Courtship

Photo courtesy TLC

Austin's Chat with Jim Bob

"I think Joy is going to be very surprised because she is not expecting a courtship to take place at this point, but Austin I think is ready, and I think Joy is really ready. They are both very mature, and I think they make a good match."

-Jim Bob Duggar

The moment you have all been waiting for...Watch Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth enter an official courtship tonight on Counting On! In this sneak peek video, Austin approaches Jim Bob to request permission to ask Joy to start courting.

Photo/video courtesy TLC/PEOPLE Magazine

Ben Seewald Turns 21

Happy 21st birthday, Ben! Check out these snapshots from Jessa and Ben Seewald's courtship, engagement, wedding, and first months of parenthood. Which is your favorite?

Photos courtesy theseewaldfamily.com, Jinger Duggar, TLC

Duggar Relationships

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard are heavy into wedding planning, while Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald are enjoying their courtship. Here are a couple photos:

 Derick and Jill

Ben and Jessa (and Justin)

Recap: Double Dating Duggars & Another Courtship?

19 Kids and Counting "Double Dating Duggars"

• Jessa, who has been in a courtship with Ben Seewald for a few weeks, curls her hair (click here to watch our Duggar hair tutorial) for a double-date with Ben and her parents.
• "We've noticed that her head is kind of in the clouds," says Michelle of Jessa.
• While playing mini-golf, Jim Bob asks the new couple about the boundaries they have set for their courtship and possible engagement. They have decided to give each other side hugs to say hello and goodbye and while posing for pictures.
• Ben and Jessa plan to wait a while before they start holding hands. Like Josh and Anna, they have decided to save their first kiss for their wedding day.
• Jessa rocks the mini-golf course, but Ben doesn't do as well.  "Let's just say I don't think Ben has played much mini-golf in his life," says Jessa. Team Jim Bob/Michelle ends up beating Team Ben/Jessa.
• Jim Bob says it's important for his kids to see how much Mom and Dad love each other. "Michelle and I love to kiss. We love to hug. And we do that in front of our kids."
• Meanwhile, Jill takes her buddy team (Joy-Anna, James, and Jennifer) to Harps to buy ingredients for homemade dill pickles, a Duggar family favorite.
• Michelle says Jill does an excellent job at bringing together the different personalities of those on her buddy team. "You've got Joy who has blossomed into this young lady," says Michelle. "She's always looking out for other people," adds Jill. "My Jenny, she's very serious," says Michelle. "Plus she's a deep thinker." And then there's James, who puts all his energy into everything he does.
• "Our buddy groups kind of grew out of a need," says Michelle. She and Jim Bob found it challenging to get everyone out the door, so they created groups of four or five kids and appointed an older child as the leader.
• In Washington D.C., Anna and the kids take on the challenge of assembling a playhouse.
• "Michael is two, and he is full of energy," says Anna. "Mackynzie is my big helper. She knows that she is the firstborn and that her little brothers are looking up to her."

19 Kids and Counting "Another Courtship?"

• Jill calls her parents down to the living room so she can Skype with Derick Dillard, who is in Nepal doing mission work.  "Jill talks about Derick quite often," says Jana. "He comes up in about every conversation."
• In D.C., Anna shows viewers what it's like to homeschool four-year-old Mackynzie while keeping track of two-year-old Michael and infant Marcus. "Sometimes you just have to breathe and step back," says Anna.
• "This isn't even fun," complains Mackynzie while drawing the letter "E." Mackynzie enjoys learning but is a perfectionist and gets upset when she can't figure things out.
• Jeremiah, the Duggar family chess champ, teaches his mom how to play. Michelle enjoys her time with her son but has trouble remembering the rules. "Who made up this game?" jokes Michelle. "I guarantee you a man made this game up."
• "We had a lot of fun together," says Jeremiah.
• While Jim Bob and Michelle are gone, the kids plan a surprise for their parents as a final hurrah before the older ones start going their separate ways. Joy-Anna suggests a dinner theater, and everyone else agrees.
• Joy takes the little ones up to the girls' room and tries to teach them a song, but getting them to cooperate isn't easy. She threatens to call Jana.
• Jill heads to her parent' room for a serious conversation. "I think I'm in love with someone I've never met," she tells them. Jill asks her mom and dad if she can visit him in Katmandu, Nepal. Jim Bob agrees and starts to make plans for he and Jill to fly across the world.

Get Your Duggar Fix!

You can look forward to two new episodes of 19 Kids and Counting this Tuesday on TLC. Hear more about Ben Seewald and Jessa Duggar's courtship, and watch as the Duggars prepare for another courtship...Jill's!

April 8, 9:00 PM EST/8:00 PM CST

Double Dating Duggars
When Jim Bob & Michelle take new couple Jessa & Ben out on a double date, they discuss the importance of boundaries. Anna builds a playhouse. Jill and her buddy group make the Duggars' favorite snack. And the family may be in for more changes...

April 8, 9:30 PM EST/ 8:30 PM CST

Another Courtship?

Another courtship is on the horizon! The kids plan a surprise for their parents. In DC, Anna has her hands full taking care of the two boys and Mackynzie. Jim Bob and Michelle make a decision that could change one of their daughters' lives.

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.   

More Courtship News

We know you all enjoy occasional updates from the Bates family. Over the course of the past two months, two Bates children (Zach and Erin) tied the knot, and two more started courtships. Alyssa's courtship with John Webster began in November, and the New Year brought news of another budding relationship. Michael, the second oldest of Gil and Kelly Bates' 19 children and the oldest girl, entered into a courtship with Brandon Keilen. Here's a photo:

Josh Duggar on Courtship

Here's another segment of Living Waters' "Comfort Zone" with guest Josh Duggar. In this clip, Josh discusses his family's philosophies on dating, as well as principles that he and Anna followed during their courtship.

Video no longer available.

Jessa Duggar Courtship!

Jessa Duggar is in a courtship! The Duggars asked us to keep the news under wraps for a few days, but we now have their blessing to make the announcement. Who's the lucky guy? His name is Ben Seewald. He's 18 years old, and he lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas, a town about three-and-a-half hours south of the Duggars.

The couple met at church and began getting to know each other via texting conversations that were monitored by Jim Bob and Michelle.

"Jessa has a very steady personality," Michelle told People Magazine. "It has been interesting to watch their interactions because for her personality type, they share very similar beliefs. It has been fun to watch them and both of our phones are going off back and forth, ping, ping, ping."
During their courtship, the couple has decided to limit their physical contact to side hugs for greetings and goodbyes only. Like her older brother Josh, Jessa plans to save her first kiss until marriage.

Jim Bob said that he admires Ben's character and his ministry focus. "When a guy is pursing your daughter, you want to check him out and see if there are any red flags and with Ben, there hasn't been," the father of 19 told People. "He is very sharp. It appears like a match made in heaven."