Jana and Stephen: Slow and Steady Gets the Best Wedding

[Salacious Kitty]

"You think you have it bad? I live in Hell." 😀

[jschoolgirl]

On 1/17/2025 at 4:52 PM, Jynnan tonnix said:

There was a small town in the area called Scotrun, and I bet most of you just read that the way my friend and I did! 

At first — ?

Ohhhh …

Yeah!

[Mahsati]

Jana with Jed and Katy's twins, Elsie and Emma. 

[BetyBee]

She looks genuinely delighted with the nieces.

[Absolom]

She looks like someone who wants her own babies.  Perhaps they'll have one or two well spaced and stop.  At least she'll be spared having too many to manage more than likely.

[andromeda331]

Just now, BetyBee said:

She looks genuinely delighted with the nieces.

She really does. I always wondered if people in big families ever get tired or bored with the birth of the 10th niece or nephew or 23rd. Are they really as excited as when the first niece Mackynize is born or fifteen years later with Elsie and Emma? Same with the nephews. 

[Tuxcat]

On 1/20/2025 at 1:29 PM, andromeda331 said:

She really does. I always wondered if people in big families ever get tired or bored with the birth of the 10th niece or nephew or 23rd. Are they really as excited as when the first niece Mackynize is born or fifteen years later with Elsie and Emma? Same with the nephews. 

I think twins are extra special for her too - since she is a twin.

She seems to be back in Arkansas fairly often. Jinger's birthday, the holidays, her birthday and now visiting nieces. I wonder how Nebraska life is.

[Salacious Kitty]

Jana spent Christmas with the Wissmans (there was picture evidence). I suppose she could have gone to the Big House during the trip for Jinger's birthday, which is right before Christmas.  Jinger was home in time for Christmas in CA where she entertained her in-laws. 

Edited January 22 by Salacious Kitty

[ranchgirl]

I imagine Jana is homesick.  A lot of transition going on with her right now.  Stephen is smart to encourage her to visit home and let her see everyone. I think all the sisters have said that going from lots of people around to hardly anyone once they are married was very difficult.  Since their home is remodeled, I wonder what Jana is doing everyday now.  I guess she could be getting ready to start a garden and get some animals.  

[Gemma Violet]

41 minutes ago, ranchgirl said:

Since their home is remodeled, I wonder what Jana is doing everyday now.  I guess she could be getting ready to start a garden and get some animals.  

According to FB, Stephen apparently has a side-line dog breeding business--Mini Aussies.  I guess Jana helps with that. 

[lookeyloo]

2 hours ago, ranchgirl said:

I imagine Jana is homesick.  A lot of transition going on with her right now.  Stephen is smart to encourage her to visit home and let her see everyone. I think all the sisters have said that going from lots of people around to hardly anyone once they are married was very difficult.  Since their home is remodeled, I wonder what Jana is doing everyday now.  I guess she could be getting ready to start a garden and get some animals.  

I think you are onto something.  I am Very Old now, but when I got married the first time we moved about an hour away from my family.  I lived at home with parents and two brothers before then.  I was very homesick and missed everyone even though I was with the new husband who I loved and wanted to be with.  It took a little time.  Because of the back then times, it wasn't all that easy just to go back.  We did, but not all the time.

[EmeraldGirl]

The gossip has already started in the comments. She’s wearing a big jean jacket, so she must be pregnant (eye roll). 

I could see it going either way. She’s older, so she wants to get started on children right away. Or she was around children her whole life, and just wants time alone with her husband.

I don’t like dog breeding. I know people want certain breeds, but after just rescuing a new baby it kind of makes me mad when you see how many are already out there. Maybe he got the idea from Anna. Who needs to do something else besides breeding (I know, that sounds super catty. And an pun about dogs).

[Gemma Violet]

3 minutes ago, EmeraldGirl said:

I don’t like dog breeding.

I don't have a problem with it as long as it's a responsible breeder as opposed to a puppy mill.  And by a responsible breeder, I mean one who doesn't breed females on every cycle, who supplies proper medical care to both mother and babies, who socializes the puppies, etc.  On a recent FB post, Stephen said that two puppies he had for sale had had their six-week check-up and vaccinations, so I'm hoping he's a responsible breeder.  (Although I'm not thrilled with "mini" versions of any breed because of the health risks.)

[EmeraldGirl]

I think the whole doodle industry has gone crazy. Everybody wants a doodle of some kind, and I’m not sure how they’re all being bred. It can cause problems with the breed, even though they’re not technically a breed.

We had a St. Bernard when I was growing up. I called to ask a vet about different dogs when we were looking for one with allergies in the family. I just mentioned that about our St. Bernard (not thinking to get one) and he told me that after the movie Beethoven, everyone was breeding them irresponsibly and they had become a rather mean dog. I’m a little worried about that now with the doodles.

We actually ended up buying a poodle years ago from a home breeder. They were very responsible and he was a fantastic dog. But that was kind of a location situation. There are many areas where you can’t find dogs that are “hypoallergenic” (I know no dog is completely, but my kids and I had bad allergies to cats and other dogs). We looked everywhere to adopt, but it just wasn’t in our area. I see in bigger cities it's easy to find all kinds of rescues. We were lucky enough to find a rescue recently after our last baby passed.

[AstridM]

8 hours ago, Gemma Violet said:

According to FB, Stephen apparently has a side-line dog breeding business--Mini Aussies.  I guess Jana helps with that. 

If the Duggars aren’t abusing children, they’re abusing animals, so that sounds about right 🤬.

2 hours ago, EmeraldGirl said:

The gossip has already started in the comments. She’s wearing a big jean jacket, so she must be pregnant (eye roll). 

I could see it going either way. She’s older, so she wants to get started on children right away. Or she was around children her whole life, and just wants time alone with her husband.

I don’t like dog breeding. I know people want certain breeds, but after just rescuing a new baby it kind of makes me mad when you see how many are already out there. Maybe he got the idea from Anna. Who needs to do something else besides breeding (I know, that sounds super catty. And a pun about dogs).

In what comments?

[EmeraldGirl]

Sorry, in the comments on Jana’s post holding the twins! People already saying she’s pregnant, and a bunch of comments telling them to mind their own business.

[oliviabenson]

I think they will try for kids. I see them having 2-4. unless she has twins too. I honestly see them like Jinger : 4 tops.

[Gemma Violet]

I could see Jana having no more than one (since she may be burnt out on babysitting since she was eight years old), but only if Stephen's OK with it. 

However, the odds are that Stephen will want at least a few children, so I'm thinking they'll compromise, like maybe he wants 4-5 and she wants 0-1 and they end up with 2-3.   

[Salacious Kitty]

Didn't Jana just turn 35? Just given her age, she probably couldn't have more than 4, max. 

I could see her with two. 

[Absolom]

Two sounds fine.  We have three or four married Duggar offspring with a chance for a normal sized family.

[oliviabenson]

Justin still has 0 kids.

 

Jill might have 1-2 more tops.

Jinger might have 4.

[Notabug]

55 minutes ago, oliviabenson said:

Justin still has 0 kids.

 

Jill might have 1-2 more tops.

Jinger might have 4.

JD and Abbie seem to be taking a reasonable approach to family size, too.  She'll be 33 this spring, so it seems very unlikely she will have a passel.

Since Justin got married so young, it is still possible for them to have a late start but still wind up with a baseball team

[oliviabenson]

I forgot about JD! I think they are done. Abby didn't have easy pregnancies either. maybe that's why they are probably done!

[Gemma Violet]

Re the photo upthread, in case anyone would like to see some more photos/videos of Jana/Stephen holding the twins, see below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFAqkCCOIYc/

[zoomama]

so has jana announced a pregnancy or is it all spam and speculation?

[Gemma Violet]

19 hours ago, Gemma Violet said:

Re the photo upthread, in case anyone would like to see some more photos/videos of Jana/Stephen holding the twins, see below:

I see the response to my post is basically laughing emojis.  Color me confused.  Just to make clear, I was not ridiculing the person who posted the original Jana/twins picture.  I honestly thought some people might want to see the additional pictures she posted since video was included.  I'm posting this clarification because I just didn't want the original poster to get the wrong idea.

[EmeraldGirl]

No announcements. Just the usual comments on her post about how she should be pregnant by now. Why is she wearing such a big jean jacket, must be pregnant for sure, etc. (not my words). And some who don’t pay attention and thought they were her babies.

It’s so intrusive to go into her own comments and talk about her uterus. I know we speculate here all the time about the different families, but not in her own comments for her to read. I have no idea if they want children. I would assume that a newly married fundie man would want a family. But I’m sure that is something they talked a lot about while they were courting. All couples should have that discussion before they marry. That’s a major dealbreaker if you disagree on children.

[Mahsati]

On 1/26/2025 at 10:14 PM, Gemma Violet said:

I see the response to my post is basically laughing emojis.  Color me confused.  Just to make clear, I was not ridiculing the person who posted the original Jana/twins picture.  I honestly thought some people might want to see the additional pictures she posted since video was included.  I'm posting this clarification because I just didn't want the original poster to get the wrong idea.

I think that was me.  No worries.  I only posted the one picture, which I cut and pasted, because if you don't have an instagram account you might not be able to see anything.  I finally got an instagram because so many people were posting links, but when I clicked I just got a page asking me to open an account to see the content.  

[AstridM]

1 hour ago, Mahsati said:

I think that was me.  No worries.  I only posted the one picture, which I cut and pasted, because if you don't have an instagram account you might not be able to see anything.  I finally got an instagram because so many people were posting links, but when I clicked I just got a page asking me to open an account to see the content.  

I much prefer the pictures just be posted here, because I will never click their SM links and contribute to their child exploitation and grift. Also, I don’t use any Meta apps anymore, ever. So if possible, please post the pics here. 🙂

[Is Everyone Gone]

I think Jana loves Stephen in a friendly, companionate way. Which is fine. A lot of marriages are happy with that foundation. Not every marriage has to be Bridgerton-type love.

[lookeyloo]

Jana has been the most "unspoken" Duggar. For years she said nothing or made a face.  None of us really know how she loves Stephen.  Still waters could run deep.  Thing is we don't know.  And of course there are different kinds of love/marriage/outward demonstrations/PDI, etc.

[Agalea Charis]

I am late to this party. I occasionally drop in on the world of the Duggars and finally got around to watching Jana's journey to her wedding vlog. I have always found Jana to be the most interesting out of the family. The secrets she must be privy too. I think her reserved, stoic personality comes from the dynamics of her family. She can be hard to read but who would not be after raising her siblings all her life. 

It is clear that Jana and Stephen were alone before their wedding. And good for them. It can be hard to get to know someone with younger chaperone siblings hanging around. These two probably have the best chance at success for a happy relationship out of the couples. Good things apparently come to those who wait. She got the best looking husband who appears to clearly love and respect her. No gross talks about headship. On a shallow note, it was shocking to see such tasteful intimacy with a Duggar wedding. It was not cringey, overdone, or awkward. There was a real endearment and genuineness to the way they behave around each other. Something about Jana and Stephen's interactions seem real, like these two actually know each other, unlike at other Duggar weddings. It came off like a mature partnership. It was refreshing to see. 

Her wedding dress was gorgeous. Nothing about modesty alterations. Everything looked so normal. She looked stunning. The only thing she would have benefitted more from if her hair had been up so the back of the dress could have been photographed. There was no cramped church wedding either. There was real food too. And dancing. The venue was beautiful. Summer weddings in the American South can be a sweaty affair but this was pulled off well.

Jim Bob's reaction to Jana was so bizarre. They looked like work associates greeting each other. Which makes sense because Jana's role in her family is to be the work associate. Jana probably loves her parents but I do not get the feeling she respects them. No one would blame her for that. That interaction was so awkward and devoid of any warmth or affection. His daughter is getting married and the most he can muster up are generic compliments. Michelle comes across as Jana's frantic sister that Jana only tolerates because she has to. I wonder if her parents objected to her leaving the compound or having an "immodest" dress. Jana definitely gives off older parentified sibling. Shame on Jim Bob and Michelle. 

Unpopular opinion but I think it is great Jana's siblings are helping with the renovations on her house. After all the years she spent managing the household, it is nice to see her get helped to prepare for her very own. The mini home, garden, and swimming pool should be put on a semi truck and shipped to Nebraska. Jana has a lot of self sufficient skills that are really impressive given the kind of environment she was raised in. I hope she continues with her nursing education. Jana may be the quiet surprise of the family down the road. 

Lastly; Jessa, Jessa, Jessa. I think if she had gone to college, been able to leave her hometown, and not married a teenager- she would have been much better off. Ben, bless him, is not the most motivated of young people. Jessa strikes me as someone who is actually very intelligent and she would have probably thrived given the opportunities to do so. She could have gotten a real education and married someone who is intelligent and driven. To me, she seems the saddest of all the sisters given how much her capabilities extend to.

I remain convinced that Jim Bob and Michelle failed all nineteen of their children. Other than that, is is good that Jana will be several states away and will no longer have her nieces and nephews dumped on her. 

 

 

[Gemma Violet]

Honeymoon video:

 

[Angeltoes]

Awww, they look happy and comfortable together (unlike Jessa and Ben).  She should be teaching a class for young women called,"You, Too, Can Hang a Door or Window Blinds."  

I'm a wee bit jealous...I've never flown first class in my life.  

[Tigregirl]

I was wondering the other day about when the Lost Girls visit Jana.  Would she care if they wore pants, leggings or shorts without a skirt over the top?  If one of the girls wanted to take a walk by herself or run a quick errand by herself would that be ok, or would there be a report back to Boob and Jchelle?  Of course, those poor girls have never done anything alone in their lives, so maybe it would be scary for them but I do hope when they visit Jana the rules are relaxed and they can just be typical teenage girls.  Of course, they need the skirts on for any pictures that may be taken lest they be mistaken for immodest harlots.

[Gemma Violet]

4 hours ago, Tigregirl said:

I was wondering the other day about when the Lost Girls visit Jana.  Would she care if they wore pants, leggings or shorts without a skirt over the top?  If one of the girls wanted to take a walk by herself or run a quick errand by herself would that be ok, or would there be a report back to Boob and Jchelle?  Of course, those poor girls have never done anything alone in their lives, so maybe it would be scary for them but I do hope when they visit Jana the rules are relaxed and they can just be typical teenage girls.  Of course, they need the skirts on for any pictures that may be taken lest they be mistaken for immodest harlots.

I don't think Jana would mind her unmarried siblings easing up on the rules in her home, but I think there's always been an environment in Duggarland of snitching on your siblings for not following the rules; at least it was that way years ago.  I'm thinking the only way one of them could get away with something at Jana's house would be if he/she was the only sibling at Jana's house.  Otherwise, it would be too risky that the infraction would be reported to JB.  

Edited Friday at 02:20 AM by Gemma Violet

[floridamom]

Stephen was cooking dinner in the video one day after work. Why did Jana say that she needed to take a cooking class? Didn't she "cook" from the time she could stand on a stool at the Duggar kitchen stove? Could it be that Stephen was actually using fresh ingredients in his tomato sauce? I wonder if he liked her "cooking"?

[Gemma Violet]

4 hours ago, floridamom said:

Stephen was cooking dinner in the video one day after work. Why did Jana say that she needed to take a cooking class? Didn't she "cook" from the time she could stand on a stool at the Duggar kitchen stove? Could it be that Stephen was actually using fresh ingredients in his tomato sauce? I wonder if he liked her "cooking"?

I think the Duggar girls learned how to cook for an "army," i.e. lots of big casseroles using processed ingredients, and not so much cooking healthy meals from scratch.  I'd guess preparing grilled chicken and roasted asparagus would be foreign to Jana, but she could probably whip up any variation of tater tot casserole.  (Side note:  One of the sisters once said in a video that they didn't eat tater tot casserole nearly as much as people thought.)    

Edited Friday at 02:57 AM by Gemma Violet

[EmeraldGirl]

My son and daughter-in-law got married and honeymooned in St. Lucia. Very jealous, the scenery is spectacular. But did these two do anything besides sit on the beach and eat? My kids don’t like to sit still a lot, so they did a lot of hiking and touring of the island. They are not sit on the beach people. That’s why most of their vacations are to big international cities (Paris in April). They like to keep busy. But to each their own. I personally AM a sit on the beach person.

It’s kind of cute that Jana is doing the labor and Stephen is doing the cooking. I know, it’s supposed to be all cutsie that they are reversing roles. But hey, when I got married I couldn’t hang blinds or cook. I still probably can’t hang blinds.

Of course, her mother never taught her to cook. She even had to say she needs to take lessons, and she was the oldest daughter who should have known the most. Jinger was that way too. Talking about how she couldn’t really make anything and was afraid that her food was bad.
 

They look very happy after their few days (and nights) alone in Arkansas. That must’ve gone well, and maybe loosened up Jana a little bit. Stephen definitely has a big smile on his face.

I wonder what will happen to her room/apartment? Do any of the younger siblings dare ask to move in? How old is the oldest one left at home?

Edited Friday at 02:43 AM by EmeraldGirl

[Salacious Kitty]

James is the oldest unmarried son left. But he may not be living on the TTH premises anymore. Last I heard, he was in the warehouse, but that was a couple of years ago. 

Jackson might take it. I think they need Hannie at the Big House to watch Anna's kids. 

[andromeda331]

7 hours ago, Angeltoes said:

I'm a wee bit jealous...I've never flown first class in my life.  

My family has a few time way back in the 80s when we'd fly to Minnesota to visit relatives. We always took the red eye and a few times the plane wasn't full so after take off the flight attendents let us sit where ever we wanted. 

[ranchgirl]

Jana really isn't a "sit around and do nothing" kind of person either so I bet they did hike while there, she just didn't film it.  But I guess we will never know.  I also thought her saying she couldn't cook was interesting.  They showed her cooking a lot during the show and even on social media since it was cancelled.  She has helped Jill and Jessa with meals too.  It wasn't like Stephen was doing anything really difficult.  Boiling some pasta?  I know she can do that. 

James seems really close to Jana.  I feel for him still being around the main house.  Never see Jackson.  

[lookeyloo]

10 hours ago, EmeraldGirl said:

My son and daughter-in-law got married and honeymooned in St. Lucia. Very jealous, the scenery is spectacular. But did these two do anything besides sit on the beach and eat? My kids don’t like to sit still a lot, so they did a lot of hiking and touring of the island. They are not sit on the beach people. That’s why most of their vacations are to big international cities (Paris in April). They like to keep busy. But to each their own. I personally AM a sit on the beach person.

I wonder if Jana and Stephen did do more than they showed on the short video.  I have maintained throughout all these scripted reality shows is that we get to see what they want us to see.  The only way it would be different is if they wore a "go-pro" camera and didn't edit anything.  And maybe they are not like your kids and they do like to sit still a lot and are sit on the beach people.  I am just observing that because any of us "we" like to do things doesn't mean any other "we" or "they" like to do the same things.  And why not?  We all don't have to be the same.  Lordy knows JB tried to make his kids all think and believe the same.

[realityfan26]

It wouldn't surprise me if they did more and Jana was wearing shorts or a bathing suit and didn't want that to be filmed. 

[AstridM]

19 hours ago, floridamom said:

Stephen was cooking dinner in the video one day after work. Why did Jana say that she needed to take a cooking class? Didn't she "cook" from the time she could stand on a stool at the Duggar kitchen stove? Could it be that Stephen was actually using fresh ingredients in his tomato sauce? I wonder if he liked her "cooking"?

How utterly pathetic.

[EmeraldGirl]

14 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

I wonder if Jana and Stephen did do more than they showed on the short video.  I have maintained throughout all these scripted reality shows is that we get to see what they want us to see.  The only way it would be different is if they wore a "go-pro" camera and didn't edit anything.  And maybe they are not like your kids and they do like to sit still a lot and are sit on the beach people.  I am just observing that because any of us "we" like to do things doesn't mean any other "we" or "they" like to do the same things.  And why not?  We all don't have to be the same.  Lordy knows JB tried to make his kids all think and believe the same.

That’s why I said that I personally AM a sit on the beach person, and to each their own. I just thought it was interesting that she showed the beach and then all the restaurants. Nothing really interesting or local. Like no local restaurants besides the fancy hotel food. Hey, she’s never really done much in life (I don’t know about him), so maybe she just stayed in her comfort zone. They did travel during the show, but that was also carefully scripted. And they always had to have room for JB to insult foreign food, or whatever else he couldn’t accept. Jerk. He probably ruined it for all the kids and they may be afraid to go out of their comfort zone on anything. Or like you said, she just showed a few brief things.