Ilovemylabs

Agreed.

I believe this is a tragedy for everyone in the family including JB and Michelle.

Well said. And I do feel sorry for all of them. Their world has been turned upside down and inside out. IMO their belief in God is genuine (no matter how they interpret it and live their lives accordingly). I pray He will give them the strength they need to move on, whatever the future may hold. I cannot be gleeful about this or point to them shouting 'hypocrites'. I can't join in the chorus of 'they brought it on themselves because they have lived their lives on a television program'. It's a tragedy all around.

In the previews of next year's show (if there is one, all things considered) JB is talking to Derick and Jill about some decision that they have made. I got the impression that it was serious...moving away perhaps? Any speculation?

My view exactly. Make no mistake, what he did was WRONG, but with his upbringing it doesn't really come as a shock to me. 14 years old, raging hormones and no normal outlet. While I could never excuse this behavior I might understand it because of the nature of his upbringing. I don't think he is a genuine pedophile. I think he and Anna love each other and I think he really loves his kids as kids and not at sex objects. I hope his victims (sisters) have received some help, but who knows how Jim Bob and Michelle spun those events? This whole situation is so incredibly tragic and sad. I am not among those who seem a bit gleeful at the Duggar's downfall.

I see your point.

I have to agree. Although most of the answers were 'canned' and we had heard them before, I must give Michelle a pass on the bulimia stuff. She was asked the question and answered it. The way she carried Izzy was weird but maybe she ACTUALLY has a back problem? I know a lot of people would like to pooh-pooh that idea. I looked at the show again and didn't get any impression of snarky looks from Jessa or anyone else. I don't know enough about music to tell if Josie has perfect pitch, but she has a very sweet voice.

Not necessarily. Little kids mix up words all the time. It can be very funny at times. I'm sure we all have some similar stories.

I will be excusing myself from this forum for a while because some of the remarks made about the Duggars are getting too nasty for me. We (myself included) snark about them and most of us disagree with their chosen lifestyle. This is fair because they have put themselves out there. We can't understand their fame. But there is, in my opinion, too much speculation about them. A lot comments that disturb me have to do with this speculation. And some remarks are just downright nasty. The comment that brought me to this decision was one about Josh. I am paraphrasing, but the poster said that if 'Josh lost his job he could work for the Westboro Baptist Church. They were made for each other.' That went too far in my opinion. My belief is that, though their lifestyle and beliefs are not mine, they (the family) are not as bad as some seem to think. So I wish you all well, but I will be absent for a while.

Sophia is currently the most popular name for girls, according to an article I just saw. Jacob for boys. My soon to be born granddaughter will be named Sophia, but I'm not so keen on the name. I will love her no matter what, of course!

My charity of choice is the Salvation Army...definitely NOT the Red Cross, but I'm not sure how international their reach is. If Derick posted some church related sites to send money then that is OK with me. I know from my own church experience (missionary-teacher in Borneo) that money collected by our church was wired directly to the local established church and was used to give aid directly to those in need. Just my opinion, of course.

I just discovered this site and I haven't had a chance to peruse all the entries. One of my favorite older commercials (not shown anymore) is for Kohler. Mom is relaxing in a bubble bath and her two little boys come in to use the toilet and wash their hands...they don't even seem to notice her. Dad comes in and scoots them out and lowers the lights so she can go back to her relaxing bath. Those two little guys are so darn cute! More recently I like the BMW commercials with the old lady in the back seat. In one she claims her husband liked it when she wore leather because 'your father was very dominating'. The son shuts her up quickly. in another she claims to have been raised on the plains. Her son says, "You were born in Queens, Mom." Just saw a better description of the BMW commercial above!

Not sure if this is the correct thread for this topic, but I was watching an episode of the Pioneer Woman and Bree was preparing dinner for her daughter's 'home schooling co-op'. Apparently they meet monthly at each others' houses for dinner and then watch a Shakespeare movie, as part of their curriculum. The daughter is high school age. There are many of these home school groups that get together and share resources for the benefit of their children. Too bad the Duggars are stuck with their limited curriculum. Even as much as they have traveled, I don't think those kids have a clue.

I believe he says that every time except for the first leg.

Why doesn't People magazine just change its name to Duggar magazine? Sheeesh!

I'm also a Lutheran and we have godparents for infant/child baptism. Yes, they are supposed to raise the child in faith should anything happen to the parents. I learn a lot here. I thought most Christian churches had godparents. Apparently not. I'm guessing that the denominations that believe in adult baptism would not have them. What you need to know about Lutherans is that we like coffee and pot luck dinners! If you're Lutheran check out a you tube video called "Lutheran Airlines".

There must be something seriously wrong with me. After last night I asked myself AGAIN why I watch a program about an uneducated family whose claim to fame is that they reproduce like rabbits. Kudos to Ben for at least attempting to speak the CORRECT native language and trying new foods. His other gaffs I will attribute to his youth. Then came all the pregnancy announcements and I was just disgusted. That's all they can do...breed...get knocked up. For them this is the ultimate achievement. Pathetic. And I've had enough of Michelle's giggles and JB's smarmy grins. UGH!!! This show is like a train wreck. I don't want to watch but I can't seem to help myself. I think I need a 12 step program (or maybe a 19 step program).

With all due respect, I disagree...not about the Gothard teachings, but about home schooling. Not only evangelicals pull their kids out of school. There are many reasons for home schooling, not the least of which is wanting your kids in a safe environment without the influence of questionable or dangerous classmates. If you are not fortunate enough to live in a better neighborhood, then home schooling may be a solution. Home schooling is, I believe, a growing trend among many. The national spelling bee is frequently won by home schoolers and I am always amazed that the announcement is made with some surprise, as if a home schooled child cannot be as well educated (or even better educated) than a child who attends public school. There is a whole network out there of resources to make the home school experience a good one, including excellent materials on American history. And what about parents who send their children to parochial school? They have also pulled their children from the 'mainstream'. Either way, insuring the education of your children,whether through home school, parochial school, or public school, is the goal of most parents. And home schooling and/or parochial schooling involve sacrifice on the part of the parents. That is my opinion as a retired public school teacher.

We went through the same things. Never could determine what the issue was. We adopted 2 great kids and I quoted this poem on their 'birth' announcements Not flesh of my flesh Nor bone of my bone But still miraculously my own Never forget for a single minute You didn't grow under my heart but in it. Infertility makes you sensitive. I remember being annoyed at friends who would tell me they were going to have a summer or fall or winter baby. Nice to be able to plan it. And don't get me started on stories about abandoned babies! But back to Ben and Jessa. If she is pregnant and that's what she wants then good for her. I can't speculate, but it will be interesting to see what kind of mom she will be. Will she succeed at a home birth and outshine her sister? Interesting!

Are there any links to the video of Josiah's reaction to Michelle's announcement that she was pregnant with Jubilee? Wasn't that the one where he was obviously unhappy at the announcement? Also any links to the video of JB's nastiness to him when they were in some kind of outdoor competition (paintball?). I'd love to view those again.

Just visited the Bates forum and Michael is officially engaged to Brandon. One photo show a full frontal hug. And her ring is lovely.

AGREE!!!!!

I had forgotten about Josh singing at his wedding, but I actually liked the song and his voice. Even my husband said he sounded good. And you can tell Anna loved it...I think she loved it even more when he did it when prodded by the camera person/producer. I thought it was sweet.

From your lips to God's ears.

Wish I knew what 'gaydar' is. I obviously don't possess it because I don't see anything unusual in any of the Bates boys or Josiah. Don't really care about their sexual orientation anyway.