S01.E06: Willises Go West

[bigskygirl]

 

A month-long tour includes rock climbing in Minnesota, wrestling in Colorado and surfing on the West Coast, but the kids must also find time for schoolwork and interviews in between gigs

 

[barbedwire]

I'm out!

 

Dad lost siblings to a big accident and they got some type of big payout (millions of dollars - though I don't know how much went to them) and yet they travel with all those kids and no seatbelts?!  I can't support that type of stupid.

[Loves2Dance]

I'm out!

 

Dad lost siblings to a big accident and they got some type of big payout (millions of dollars - though I don't know how much went to them) and yet they travel with all those kids and no seatbelts?!  I can't support that type of stupid.

Driving in a tour bus is very different from an automobile. The center of gravity alone is insanely different---same reason school buses don't have seatbelts most of the time. 

[goldensglitter]

The accident where the senior Willis and his wife lost 6 children, had nothing to do with seat belts. School buses do not have them as a rule. I've mentioned before, google "Licenses for Bribes" and you will see the full story of what came about from this accident.   I know they received a huge settlement for this, but any amount of money cannot replace children.  I cannot hold this against them.  I am sure the senior Willis's was generous with their remaining children.  Good for them.  I like this family, they are not perfect and there is plenty to snark about I guess, but I still enjoy watching them and hope they have a lot of success in the music biz.

[TVFAN]

I really like this family.  It's nice to see a show that depicts a devoutly Christian family that doesn't have a crazy vibe. Despite the size of the family, the parents do not appear to at all have left the child rearing to the older children.  (I loved seeing the mom get on everyone about not leaving their clothes, toys, etc. on the bus floor, and she is clearly the one checking to make sure that everyone is packed.)  The kids' clothes are perfectly modern, yet perfectly modest.  Their home school experience exposes them to music, art, and dance in all forms, and the mom who is teaching is actually a trained teacher.    (I do hope at least some of the children go to college.  Mom and dad can only expand your horizons so far.)  They are constantly shown laughing and having fun with one another.  There are plenty of (gasp!) full hugs, and no one seems worried about anyone being defrauded.  They are selling their musical talents, not their religious beliefs.  I wish them well.

Edited June 11, 2015 by TVFAN

[Aymery]

I'm out!

 

Dad lost siblings to a big accident and they got some type of big payout (millions of dollars - though I don't know how much went to them) and yet they travel with all those kids and no seatbelts?!  I can't support that type of stupid.

In fact, part of the reason those siblings died was because they were unable to extricate themselves from their seatbelts when their van burst into flame ...

 

I feel this comment really highlights the pitfalls of misinformation in a truly horrible way.

Edited June 11, 2015 by Aymery

[ghoulina]

I really like this family.  It's nice to see a show that depicts a devoutly Christian family that doesn't have a crazy vibe.

 

Amen to your entire post, TVFAN.

 

As a Christian homeschooler myself, it's nice to see a family I can actually somewhat relate to. The kids can go swimming without fear of drowning because they have to swim in a potato sack! The boys are allowed to wrestle without fear that being that close to another guy's body will "turn them gay". The girls can take a self defense class, and don't have to just sit around and wait for Prince Charming to rescue them. Mom actually raised her voice at the kids about their mess! They bring their schoolwork on the road. So many reasons to like them. 

 

Jett really impressed me with her determination to scale that wall, despite her limitations. And, damn, just how many tragedies has this family been through? It's really admirable how positive they remain. And it's not a fake, "stay positive because we have to" kind of thing. I really believe that's just the way they are. 

 

The moment by the river, where they burst into song, I'm sure some might find cheesy. But I come from a very musical family (sadly, I'm the only one without any musical talent) and we have been known to randomly break into song ourselves. I just loved the image of mom sitting on the rock, cuddling her two little ones, and just being totally lost in the moment. I just love seeing this family out there, exposing their children to the world, and trying to be grateful for every moment. 

[Loves2Dance]

In fact, part of the reason those siblings died was because they were unable to extricate themselves from their seatbelts when their van burst into flame ...

 

I feel this comment really highlights the pitfalls of misinformation in a truly horrible way.

That is one of the top reasons why school buses don't use seat belts.

[zxy556575]

I've never been to the kind of convention/trade show that has entertainment, so that was a new concept to me. Well paying or not, it's got to be a pretty thankless gig, what with people conducting business all around and not paying a whit of attention to goobers strumming onstage.

 

It was surprising to hear Brenda say she wasn't really aware of the dangers of gestational diabetes and large birth weight when Jet was born. I mean, okay, but what about her ob/gyn? Did Brenda have zero prenatal care? It's not like 20 years ago was the dark ages.

 

Did I hear the previews correctly that Brenda doesn't think Jair and Mary are suited for each other?

[SpaghettiTuesdays]

I thought this was rather interesting, especially hearing the kids talk about balancing their schoolwork while doing everything else on the road. I think it was Jasmine that said something along the line of "you know you have to do it, but you really don't want to because look, there's a mountain! Look, there's desert."

 

I really like this family in that they admit they have faults, they address them or live with them, and move on. There's no pretending to be perfect. Another family might want to take a lesson from them...

[Loves2Dance]

I've never been to the kind of convention/trade show that has entertainment, so that was a new concept to me. Well paying or not, it's got to be a pretty thankless gig, what with people conducting business all around and not paying a whit of attention to goobers strumming onstage.

 

It was surprising to hear Brenda say she wasn't really aware of the dangers of gestational diabetes and large birth weight when Jet was born. I mean, okay, but what about her ob/gyn? Did Brenda have zero prenatal care? It's not like 20 years ago was the dark ages.

 

Did I hear the previews correctly that Brenda doesn't think Jair and Mary are suited for each other?

I've been to a few trade shows and they always had some sort of act. Brenda mentioned that it paid well, so thankless or not, it's money.

 

Jenny said, in the preview for next episode, that she wasn't sure they were on the same path. Honestly, being in two different bands is going to be incredibly difficult especially given their age and if they decide to have kids. 

[Thadeeeyus]

I've been to a few trade shows and they always had some sort of act. Brenda mentioned that it paid well, so thankless or not, it's money.

 

You see a lot of former American idol contestants at trade shows.  

 

I like this family and how they are living their lives, and I want so badly to like this show.  I like the music and I like the dancing.  I don't want them to add any kind of fake drama, but I wish it were a tad more interesting. I don't know what to tell them to do to change things.  I just want to stop falling asleep during the episodes. 

 

 

 

[Literata]

I just loved the image of mom sitting on the rock, cuddling her two little ones, and just being totally lost in the moment.

 

This, to me, was the biggest contrast between Brenda and Michelle Duggar. Brenda was in the moment, cuddling and loving her kids. I'm not sure we've ever seen that from Michelle. And yes, overall, I too enjoy seeing that fundamental Christianity doesn't have to be crazy. Things about the way they're raising their kids are still a little off-putting to me -- namely, the lack of belief in higher education -- but in general, they're a whole lot more palatable.

[winsomeone]

Is the Mary courtship over with then, or just put on hold for now?  What was the boy engaged to her saying, about he couldn't believe Mary would say the things she did? I must have missed something?

[becca3891]

It was surprising to hear Brenda say she wasn't really aware of the dangers of gestational diabetes and large birth weight when Jet was born. I mean, okay, but what about her ob/gyn? Did Brenda have zero prenatal care? It's not like 20 years ago was the dark ages.

I found that very surprising and quite possibly indicative that she may have been going the "natural" route and not seeing an OB/Gyn. I knew a woman who had a very similar situation -- she loved to say "doctors are for the sick and pregnancy isn't a sickness." True, but just like Brenda, she had undiagnosed gestational diabetes and lost the baby in a troubled home birth much like what Brenda described, with the massive baby stuck in the birth canal. 

 

Is the Mary courtship over with then, or just put on hold for now?  What was the boy engaged to her saying, about he couldn't believe Mary would say the things she did? I must have missed something?

To me it sounded like it's over. And if I were Mary I would not appreciate him basically calling her crazy on camera either. I don't think you missed anything; he didn't go into any detail at all as to what she said. 

[ghoulina]

I didn't think he was calling her crazy. I think he was just confused, which happens often in a breakup. Sometimes people are in such different places, the one who is dumped just doesn't see it coming. Sometimes the dumper is trying to be "nice" and doesn't 100% divulge their reasoning. There can be a lot of reasons for one person to be blindsided, but it doesn't mean they think the other person is crazy. Jer just came off, to me, like a hurt and confused young man. Been there myself. 

[becca3891]

I TOTALLY get the hurt and confusion and I have been there too. I just think it has no place in a one-sided reality TV interview. I maybe phrased it badly when I said he almost called her crazy. 

Edited June 19, 2015 by becca3891

[Dot Com]

When Brenda was talking about her youngest son's birth. She said that when she realize something was wrong (shredded uterus or whatever) Toby and the midwife got her to the hospital. So she was using a midwife for at least some of her pregnancies/deliveries.