sugarplum

No sign of Jessa and Ben in People this week. Leah Remini, Robin Williams, and Halle Berry take the cover. Guess we have to wait another week to find out the name.

Someone could have brought her and Ben dinner/lunch. Or perhaps a gift. Cracker Barrel has some really cute kids/infant clothes, especially at the holidays. I don't see anything too terribly strange about the bag.

Are we sure that Jessica was revealing his name? There is another Seewald family member named Gabrielle...exactly the way she spelled it. Could she have been commenting to her or something of the like? https://m.facebook.com/gabriellenemeyer

With all the talk of Jinelle and Melissa and Page and Lacey, am I the only one that think Caila's placement really makes her stand out (not in a good way) because of her height? She's like a foot taller than Kinzie and Erica! (and I'm surprised Jenn wasn't where Lacey was, not Jinelle!)

Has Paige always been that tiny? Isn't she one that has been called out for weight in the past? She's looking tinier than usual to me. Jacie has got some guns and some quads! She could easily transition to the world of fitness championships or bodybuilding after DCC (not saying she looks like a bodybuilder, but I think she has the build and body to go there easily if she wanted).

I came into my job with 3.5 weeks of vacation, fresh out of college. I now get almost 7 weeks a year...it accrues every pay check and carries over from year to year. I just hired a recent college grad to work for me. He is getting 3 weeks vacation, plus 1 week sick leave...essentially 4 weeks PTO. Do all employers provide this? I'm sure they don't, but there are plenty that do. We don't know what kind of leave Derick is getting, or what arrangements he has worked out with his employers. For all we know, Derick may work a ton of overtime (absolutely nothing to back that up, don't jump on me!). Maybe he irritates the snot out of his coworkers and they are appreciative of his time out of the office. ;) Maybe he can work without requiring a network connection? If so, he may be working some while traveling. Maybe he quit and we just aren't privy to it. haha! ;)

I agree with this, to an extent. I'm a dance teacher, and I totally agree with the fact that there are some parents that no matter what you do, you will NEVER please them. You can bend over backwards, give them exactly what they ask, and they will still find reason to complain, so yeah...you do lose your patience and kind of develop a "whatever" attitude with those types of parents. BUT it takes a hateful, mean, low, heartless person to treat a CHILD the way that Abby does. Those kids are innocent, they have no control over what their parents do and she out and out punishes them FOR their parents actions, on top of the abuse that she slings at them on the regular. She has no business being in the same room as a child. But, I blame the parents for that too. They watch it happen and keep bringing their kids back. No way in hell I'd sit by and let that happen and keep coming back. Lifetime and their contract could kiss my ass. We'd be in court along with LIfetime since they are party to the abuse as well. But, since they we well aware of her abuse tactics long before the cameras started rolling, it's a mute point. What kind of parents allow that. I'm so disgusted by the whole thing. As a dance teacher AND a parent.

A friend of mine had soft serve ice cream for their sundae bar at their reception. Kind of like the new froyo shops you see everywhere these days. In fact, it may have been one of the local froyo places that set up for them, I can't remember now. It was actually a huge hit with the guests. Their wedding was in October. We are also in the south where October is still pretty warm. They had all the toppings to go on it.

Learning their dances, or 8-counts from the show or YouTube, and being able to perform them flawlessly with the power and technical precision that K & J require are different things. We see that through training camp every year. It's not just doing the steps. And don't forget, these girls are learning somewhere around 50 dances that get cycled through on the sidelines...and not always to the same music. They work their butts off!

Regarding showing more dancing...I would love it too, but I doubt it will ever happen. At least not in the way of showing longer clips of dances (and certainly not dances in their entirety). They aren't going to put their full choreography on national TV. Sure, you can find lots of clips on YouTube, but they were all taken by fans.

I would take more Melissa segments over Kitty segments any day of the week. I am not a Kitty Carter fan at all. There's no need to be an egotistical loudmouth when critiquing these girls. Clawing Courtney in the leg this year was ridiculous. Some of Melissa's segments I thought were kind of cheesy/corny filler, but most I enjoyed. She came across as a big sister mentor who genuinely wanted to help the girls. I just wish we would have seen her giving the same amount of attention to each of the girls. Totally unrelated, but does anyone else think that rookie Victoria favors veteran Ashley (Ferrel)? And Ashley Pro and Melissa look a lot alike to me too...several times Melissa was shown and I had to do a double take because at first glance, I thought it was Ashley.

Holly was point. I, too, wish we had gotten to see show group auditions again this year, or at least a glimpse into their extra rehearsals or something. It looked like Melissa and Erica were both on Show Group, and I think I saw either Mary or Lacey...I couldn't tell which it was because it was so quick, and I was too lazy to go back and look. There could have been others, but that is who I noticed. I don't ever remember the squad being announced so early in the episode. It seems like Kelli announced it like 5 minutes in. No drama or beating around the bush this year (aside from torturing Ashley a bit...I felt so bad for her. It really didn't seem constructive to me to tell her former leaders have called her rude, but everyone now thinks she's sweet as sugar and a hard worker. Now, dance maturely. What's the point of breaking her spirit with something that isn't going to help her dancing? Those types of comments from K & J are the ones that really irritate me.)

I had to go back and look...I couldn't remember if it was Vivian or Alexandra. It was Vivian. But her kicks weren't really all that bad and she didn't look like she was pulling on Sydney. Sydney's kicks were visibly lower than Vivians. On the other side of her was another vet (couldn't make out who...they were only shown at a distance), so I can't imagine her being pulled from that side. Could have just been a bad day. Like I said, I'm definitely not a Sydney hater. But if those are her normal kicks, I'm surprised she gets away with it. And YES - I agree - I'd poke my eyes out if I were her and had Vivian in my group! I'm still amazed at how quickly her hamstring "healed" after being told do the jumpsplit or leave. The girl eats BS for breakfast.

I can't add much to what everyone else has already said in regards to Vivian...they can't get rid of her fast enough in my opinion. I wasn't a fan of hers last year, and I REALLY am not a fan of hers this year. I'm so glad Kelli called her out on her BS. One thing did stand out to me while watching...and that was Sydney. Now, let me state this up front...I know there are a LOT of Sydney haters out there. I am NOT one of them. I really have no problem whatsoever with Sydney. In fact, I think she's a sweet girl - I've asked her questions on Twitter and Instagram, and every time, she's responded. I think the girl gets a bad rap and I don't know why. That being said, in the scene where they were showing the kicks and jump splits (I'm pretty sure it was focusing on Vivian doing the kicks/splits, but it could have been Alexandra...I forget which one it was now...) whoever it was, Sydney was beside them and her kicks were alarmingly low for a veteran, especially a veteran of 7 years. They were almost as low as the rookie she was next to. Because we see such little footage of the vets, I've never seen her kicks before...has anyone ever noticed them? Are they always on the low side? Was she just having a bad day that was caught on camera and televised nationally? For what it's worth, I probably wouldn't have noticed if K & J aren't constantly talking about their kicks...so now, anytime the girls kick, that's all I look for. Haha.

I was really just wondering how the news didn't come out sooner if they were openly talking about it before the official announcement. I'm surprised someone at that event didn't leak it. Had nothing to do with her stealing her sisters thunder...honestly, I don't care :P.

I don't have time to respond to everything you posted...I'll try to come back to it tomorrow when I have more time. But I'm just getting around to reading to People article. The article said that Jill actually revealed she was pregnant on Aug. 16 during an interview/appearance at a church. Derrick, Jessa, and Ben were with her. The story didn't break until 4 days later on the 20th. (People said Jessa's engagement was the 14th). How did it not come out sooner if she was talking about it during speaking engagements? Maybe a stupid question, but what is YMMV?

It's their life and their decision. [snip] It's their choice. Is the length of their relationship the problem, or their belief system the problem? [snip] Is this same attitude given to every "quick" relationship? What about the couple who accidentally gets pregnant after only dating 3 months? Are they being judged the same way? I dare say that Jill and Derrick know each other FAR better than that couple. When you spend time getting to know each other without putting emphasis on the physical side of your relationship, you learn a lot about the person you are in a relationship with, on a deeper level. [snip] People are "shocked" by pregnancies every day. Just because you're doing nothing to prevent a pregnancy doesn't mean you are trying for one. I'm sure they knew that a baby was a possibility, they just weren't expecting it so soon if they weren't actively trying - charting temps, ovulation, etc. [snip] [snip] A lot of people are excited about their first pregnancy and can't wait to share the news. Just because they aren't doing things the way some would do them doesn't mean they are doing them wrong. Her pregnancy was announced in People magazine, which didn't happen overnight...there was an article and pictures, so it had been in the works for at least several days. Jessa knew she was pregnant when she announced her engagement, and I'm willing to bet, knew the pregnancy announcement would be coming out in the next few days. If Jessa really wanted the spotlight, she would have waited a few weeks until the news of the pregnancy died down before she announced her engagement. What is creepy about it? The woman has been pregnant every year for the last 20-some years. Just because she has a stock of pregnancy tests still in her bathroom cabinet doesn't mean she is using them anymore (or maybe she is, who knows). It's obviously no secret that the woman was just pregnant as recently as what, 3 years ago? [snip] The girls obviously know she has them. They told Jill to go get one of mom's and take one. [snip] I find a lot of things they do to be strange, but this is hardly one of them. This assumes that Jill wants to continue her midwife training. Also, this assumes that just because she's now a mother, she can no longer finish training. MANY mothers go back to school and finish degrees - it's hard, but they do it. I get the feeling that Jill is content being a wife and mom, and there's nothing wrong with that. Some women are perfectly happy in those roles, but to say that she won't have the opportunity? Bull. She has every opportunity anyone else has, if she wants it. Gender reveals must be a regional thing. They are big around my part of the country. I don't have a problem with them, personally. No gifts are ever involved, and the parents are excited to share the moment they find out with a select, close group of family and friends (usually a very small group). I've been to ones that have cut the cake to reveal, sprayed silly string, sprayed pink/blue confetti, opened a box of balloons... I think it all comes down to - do what works for you. If you don't want a gender reveal, don't do one. Don't knock those who are excited to find out the sex of their baby this way. I totally agree with this. Outside of Jana, Jill is my favorite Duggar, and I really wish her the best. I have no doubt she will be a good mom...she's had plenty of experience...and I'm sure Derrick will be a natural as well.

Ok, I'm not trying to get pregnant, but if I miss a period, I'm going to be actively testing. If I get a negative and still no period, I'm going to retest a few days later. And I'm going to repeat this until I either get my period or get a positive test. I don't see what the big deal is in Jill doing multiple tests? Or her sisters suggesting her take them. Chances are, she suspected it and told them and they encouraged her. I didn't get the idea that they were trying for this baby. Sure, they are adults and they know how to avoid a pregnancy, but actively trying is something totally different, and I don't think they were doing that. I think Jim Bob and Michelle have that down to a science. That being said, even if they weren't trying to conceive, I'm sure they are thrilled to welcome a baby...their beliefs are that all babies are blessings. [snip]

Hand sex?

Thanks!!! I NEVER would have figured out the correlation between Ben/Bin, probably because my southern accent pronounces it Bin too. Didn't even realize there was another way to pronounce it. I get it now though. Thanks for explaining that...and TTH/TTC!!!

New to the Duggar threads, but have been watching the shows for years. Every girl is excited to get engaged and start a new life with the one she loves, so I'm happy for Jessa and Ben. I hope they both have the maturity and stability for marriage. It isn't always easy, even for the most mature and in love couples. Honestly, Jessa and Ben bother me far less than Josh does. That guy just creeps me out. I've never understood what Anna saw in him...he scares me. I also think their engagement will be short. They have no reason for a long engagement. Wedding planning doesn't require months of advance planning. Her dress...ordering and alterations...will probably require the most time, and if she doesn't order, she saves a lot of time. Ceremony and reception are both held at the church, so it eliminates having to work around venue date conflicts. Family and friends do the catering. It can all easily be done in a short timeframe. I think I need a cheat sheet to keep up with all the acronyms and nicknames around here! Why do y'all spell Ben with an "i"? Does the "i" stand for something? And I've tried to figure out what TTH is, but I'm coming up with nothin'. Can someone throw a girl a bone? ;)

Vivian...enough with trying to force tears when there aren't any. You aren't an actress and you clearly can't fake cry and turn on "tears" when you want to play the sympathy card. Fake crying, especially when you can't do it, is SO unattractive and pathetic. I feel really bad for Alex and Courtni. No love loss over Morgan...she never should have been on the team last year. As far as being a locker room favorite, I think Kelli meant exactly that... Isn't the DCC locker room open to tours? Fans leave notes, gifts and take pictures with their favorite DCCs locker. Morgans locker must get a lot of attention. (I have my own guesses as to why, but I don't think I'll voice them, lol). Everal of those rookies are amazing dancers, from what we were allowed to see. Melissa is incredible...as was Erica. I've already forgotten other names.

Does anyone know how many episodes there are this year? In one of the Campout pics on Twitter (I think Kelli's), it looked like CMT cameras were there. It seemed like last season was short, if I remember correctly. I wonder if this season is longer? BTW, sorry if this is posted in the wrong place. I didn't know which other thread to ask. :P

Regarding that email...I missed it the first time I watched, so I rematches tonight mostly just to see it. That was totally there for the viewers. Did anyone else notice the size difference in the fonts? It was smaller at the beginning, then huge (so the viewer could read it...seriously, I could read it plain as day and we usually have trouble making out the football scores on my old, pathetic tv!). Also, portions of it were "blacked" (blurred?) out. They showed only what they wanted the viewer to see. The question is why. To say that yes, we recruit...yes, we lobby for certain girls. The email placement is just weird to me because it seems it was done with a purpose. Of course...it's Kelli Finglass...everything has a purpose. :D

I think the "Other Teams" thread is a great idea!