Josiah and Lauren: He Has To Marry Somebody

[Zella]

9 minutes ago, Churchhoney said:

Not even  a "sweet friend." ha. 

Yeah, I think you're right about the retroactive pick. I'd be surprised if it wasn't because of the bill. That particular bill is one that made a big splash nationwide by having Roe as a trigger. So I'm sure Asa became the talk of their crowd over it. Elevated himself in their eyes quite a bit, probably. 

Bahahah I meant sweet friend but couldn't remember the term they used, so I went with The Big Lebowski-inspired special friend. Like a special lady friend. LOL

Yeah I was doing some digging, and it seems like Josh used to stump for Hutchinson some, back in the pre-scandal days. I don't remember that, but I was not really paying much attention to the Duggars then.

That was also back during the Mark Pryor-Tom Cotton Senate race, which was a real shitshow, even by Arkansas political standards, and overshadowed the gubernatorial race. The attack ads were so bad and so incessant, I just gave up watching any TV for fear of political commercials for weeks until after the election was over. Jesus. It was so awful that my students, who had been in Arkansas for all of 2 weeks, were talking about how crazy the commercials were. 

Anyway, I don't know that the Duggars were ever super close to Hutchinson, but it wouldn't surprise me if they knew each other and ran in some of the same circles.  

However, I found an article post-scandal wondering which Arkansas politicians would be as vocal in supporting the Duggars as Huckabee was. I sure don't remember Hutchinson doing that, so maybe that's part of why he didn't earn "sweet friend." He certainly agrees with a lot of their politics, but I don't think he's willing to go out on a limb for them, and that may have stung. 

Edited May 31, 2019 by Zella

[Churchhoney]

9 hours ago, Zella said:

Bahahah I meant sweet friend but couldn't remember the term they used, so I went with The Big Lebowski-inspired special friend. Like a special lady friend. LOL

Yeah I was doing some digging, and it seems like Josh used to stump for Hutchinson some, back in the pre-scandal days. I don't remember that, but I was not really paying much attention to the Duggars then.

That was also back during the Mark Pryor-Tom Cotton Senate race, which was a real shitshow, even by Arkansas political standards, and overshadowed the gubernatorial race. The attack ads were so bad and so incessant, I just gave up watching any TV for fear of political commercials for weeks until after the election was over. Jesus. It was so awful that my students, who had been in Arkansas for all of 2 weeks, were talking about how crazy the commercials were. 

Anyway, I don't know that the Duggars were ever super close to Hutchinson, but it wouldn't surprise me if they knew each other and ran in some of the same circles.  

However, I found an article post-scandal wondering which Arkansas politicians would be as vocal in supporting the Duggars as Huckabee was. I sure don't remember Hutchinson doing that, so maybe that's part of why he didn't earn "sweet friend." He certainly agrees with a lot of their politics, but I don't think he's willing to go out on a limb for them, and that may have stung. 

Well, Tim may not have been down with little brother Asa cozying up to Duggars. After all, JB tried to unseat Tim by raising outrage over Tim's personal failings in his losing bid to get the holy of Arkansas to vote him out! 

Edited May 31, 2019 by Churchhoney

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, Churchhoney said:

Well, Tim may not have been down with little brother Asa cozying up to Duggars. After all, JB tried to unseat Tim by raising outrage about Tim's personal failings in his big to get the holy of Arkansas to vote him out! 

Bahahaha I was a kid uninterested in local politics at the time, so hadn't realized that! 😂🤣😂

It's like a soap opera. . . . 

Edited to add: I just realized now that was the election that put Pryor in office to begin with. It's like the Arkansas version of 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon, fundie-style

Edited May 31, 2019 by Zella

[Temperance]

Asa is a biblical name, with a lot of Christian history attached to it similar to Gideon. I imagine it could for any number of reasons and not necessarily for current events. It's currently #508 in popularity in the US. 

[Zella]

16 minutes ago, Temperance said:

Asa is a biblical name, with a lot of Christian history attached to it similar to Gideon. I imagine it could for any number of reasons and not necessarily for current events. It's currently #508 in popularity in the US. 

For sure! I just found the coincidence too funny to pass up on commenting about! 

[Nysha]

Only the Duggars would honor someone by naming their miscarriage after him.

[Barb23]

2 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

Aw man! I was sure Asa was named for the gal on Shahs of Sunset. 😂

Thanks! I couldn't remember where I had heard the name before.  

[jennblevins]

I just had this horrible thought that they’ll give their kids alphabetical names — say, this one is Bethany and the next one is Charles and then Deborah etc. — so that people will ask why they started with ‘B’ and they can keep bringing up that miscarriage ...

[Temperance]

6 minutes ago, jennblevins said:

I just had this horrible thought that they’ll give their kids alphabetical names — say, this one is Bethany and the next one is Charles and then Deborah etc. — so that people will ask why they started with ‘B’ and they can keep bringing up that miscarriage ...

I had this thought as well. 

[Lunera]

I think if I cupped my lower gut I could look as pregnant as Lauren.

[Scarlett45]

2 minutes ago, Lunera said:

I think if I cupped my lower gut I could look as pregnant as Lauren.

You are hilarious. 

I do think she looks nice here. The print is flattering, her hair is done, she’s smiling and the dress fits (not crazy tight or too big). It likely has stretch so she can wear it all summer. 

[Sew Sumi]

In the second pic, she looks like she's having bladder issues.

[YupItsMe]

I have never seen her wear anything near this tight fitting. Do you think she purposely bought this dress 2 sizes smaller than she needed?

[BitterApple]

Lauren looks nice, but I'm eye-rolling the tight dress. This is going to be a loooooong pregnancy.

[GeeGolly]

4 hours ago, BitterApple said:

Lauren looks nice, but I'm eye-rolling the tight dress. This is going to be a loooooong pregnancy.

Jessa is at home being consoled by Ben, as she rants at no one to make Lauren to take down the post.

[Annb67]

4 hours ago, Lunera said:

I think if I cupped my lower gut I could look as pregnant as Lauren.

Good god.....  we get it. Your pregnant...but lest anyone ever forget about your precious balloon Asa, we shall be reminded WITH EVERY BUMP CRADLING POST! Is she due yet? Lol

[Minivanessa]

2 hours ago, Annb67 said:

Good god.....  we get it. Your pregnant...but lest anyone ever forget about your precious balloon Asa, we shall be reminded WITH EVERY BUMP CRADLING POST! Is she due yet? Lol

Someone should start a count of her bump-clutching photo posts from now until delivery. with an extra column for all the group photos where she's posed clutching her bump. I suspect she's going to rack up some big numbers. And yes, a loonngg pregnancy.

[Jynnan tonnix]

7 hours ago, Lunera said:

I think if I cupped my lower gut I could look as pregnant as Lauren.

I could no doubt look six months further along than she does. Blasted apple shape. I'd also look as though the baby had already "dropped". There is a reason I dress in a lot of fairly flowy tunics.

[FizzyPuff]

Looks like a food baby. My stomach is bigger than hers and I’m not pregnant perhaps I should start taking photos holding my “bump” and see if anyone notices. 

Edited May 31, 2019 by Puffin

[NotFundie]

The fetus at this stage is about the size of a large plum or a nectarine.  So she's mostly cradling her intestines at this point.  

I had three full term pregnancies and don't recall ever holding my abdomen.  I understand they do it to emphasize that they're pregnant.  It just looks to me as if the Duggar and Duggar-by-marriage women have weak abdominal muscles and have to support their pregnant bellies manually.

Edited May 31, 2019 by NotFundie

[Absolom]

And we have the Jessa switch to too tight clothing.  The drama queen poses and exaggerated bump will be with us for the duration with this one.  Si must like the drama queen or overly exuberant types.  

[Marigold]

7 minutes ago, Absolom said:

And we have the Jessa switch to too tight clothing.  The drama queen poses and exaggerated bump will be with us for the duration with this one.  Si must like the drama queen or overly exuberant types.  

My exact thoughts.  Lauren usually wears loose clothing.  All of a sudden, she is in a painted on dress. 

It's like Fundie Porn

[lucy711]

If she was not wearing a tight dress or cradling her stomach, you'd have no idea that she was pregnant.  I know she can't wait to have a large bump.  I was thrilled I didn't have to wear maternity clothes until I was pretty far along.  There's nothing comfortable about being large!

[Churchhoney]

32 minutes ago, Absolom said:

And we have the Jessa switch to too tight clothing.  The drama queen poses and exaggerated bump will be with us for the duration with this one.  Si must like the drama queen or overly exuberant types.  

Maybe -- without his realizing it -- the over-exuberance of his partner makes the relationship feel better to him because it compensates for and masks some ambivalence (or lack of enthusiasm) from his side. 

And I'm not saying I think he's gay. I can only pick up signs of that when I can observe a person interacting with others in real life.

So suppose Josiah is, not gay, but someone who, for example, only feels attracted to someone after long acquaintance. Or suppose he's one of the secret rebel Duggars (there have to be some) and he's repressing a very strong desire to not tie himself more closely to his family and Gothardism but feels very guilty about that buried desire or worried it'll damn him...

If you felt any of those things, you might be happier than not to be hooked up with a very dramatic, exuberant person because their antics would mask the numbness or lack of interest or whatever unacceptable-to-JB-M-and-Bill thing it is that you feel. It could even be a relief to be able to hide behind the other person's drama and even get carried along with it....for a while, at least. 

Edited May 31, 2019 by Churchhoney

[Abstract]

My theory on Josiah is that he really wanted to go to college and spread his wings, do anything other than be one of the Duggar minions. 

[Scarlett45]

1 minute ago, Abstract said:

My theory on Josiah is that he really wanted to go to college and spread his wings, do anything other than be one of the Duggar minions. 

Absolutely. 

[3 is enough]

I will freely admit that when I got pregnant with my first child after trying to conceive for 3 years that I was very eager to "show".  Still, I wore my regular clothes and did not push out my abdomen or cradle my stomach.  Around the 20 week mark I had a tiny bump and had to get some elastic waist non-maternity pants.  I started to buy maternity clothing around the 5 month mark.  This was when maternity clothing was cut to camouflage, not accentuate the bump.

With my subsequent pregnancies I was in no hurry to show but, of course, I did much sooner.

Lauren is well on her way to becoming absolutely insufferable and there are 6 months to go.

[truebluesmoky]

I feel like I’ve turned into such a Duggar apologist lately and am almost ashamed that I’m defending them in so many of my posts. Let the record show that I think their beliefs and politics are deplorable, and I think the way Boob and Michelle parented was disgusting...

...buuuuuut I think this is the best Lauren has ever looked. The dress is flattering and springy, her hair looks pretty, and she looks SO happy. A miscarriage of a wanted pregnancy can be devastating, no matter how early, and especially if your worth is defined by fertility and motherhood. After losing all she ever wanted, she is now getting all she ever wanted. If she wants to show off her much wanted bump, so be it. 

Edited May 31, 2019 by truebluesmoky

[Scarlett45]

Just now, truebluesmoky said:

I feel like I’ve turned into such a Duggar apologist lately and am almost ashamed that I’m defending them in so many of my posts. Let the record show that I think their beliefs and politics are deplorable, and I think the way Boob and Michelle parented was disgusting...

...buuuuuut I think this the best Lauren has ever looked. The dress is flattering and springy, her hair looks pretty, and she looks SO happy. A miscarriage of a wanted pregnancy can be devastating, no matter how early, and especially if your worth is defined by fertility and motherhood. After losing all she ever wanted, she is now getting all she ever wanted. If she wants to show off her much wanted bump, so be it. 

I like the dress too! I don’t think it’s too tight- it’s a sheath dress. I think her bump is cute, and it’s obviously a pregnant bump to me. Lauren is a slim lady but has a nice amount of curve to her buttocks- her stomach was FLAT before. Her hair is styled in a nice way and her smile is genuine.

I will wax poetic forever that she is being a drama queen about her miscarriage but I will defend her right to touch her own stomach when ever she chooses and a cute dress is a cute dress. 

[Jynnan tonnix]

6 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

I like the dress too! I don’t think it’s too tight- it’s a sheath dress. I think her bump is cute, and it’s obviously a pregnant bump to me. Lauren is a slim lady but has a nice amount of curve to her buttocks- her stomach was FLAT before. Her hair is styled in a nice way and her smile is genuine.

I will wax poetic forever that she is being a drama queen about her miscarriage but I will defend her right to touch her own stomach when ever she chooses and a cute dress is a cute dress. 

Agreed with all of this. I think that color is amazing on her as well!

[Scarlett45]

2 minutes ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

Agreed with all of this. I think that color is amazing on her as well!

It’s a nice color. More fall than spring to me, but a nice color. I think she really likes florals based on what we’ve seen. 

[Oldernowiser]

1 hour ago, Absolom said:

Si must like the drama queen or overly exuberant types.  

I doubt “what Josiah likes” mattered one whit in marrying him off for all eternity.

[Churchhoney]

2 minutes ago, Oldernowiser said:

I doubt “what Josiah likes” mattered one whit in marrying him off for all eternity.

No. But he did choose Marjorie. And in her own way she was a very dramatic and over-exuberant type, too. So there's reason to think that he likes that, at least sometimes. 

[3 is enough]

The photos are nice, the dress is pretty, she looks good.  But we know this is just the first of many, many, many.  I am happy that she was able to conceive again and wish them all the best,  but it is going to get old very quickly.

[Jynnan tonnix]

13 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

It’s a nice color. More fall than spring to me, but a nice color. I think she really likes florals based on what we’ve seen. 

Is she supposed to be a Spring? I don't recall whether they ever "had their colors done". I thought that was a bit passe anymore. It used to be pretty big when I was her age. 

My coloring is (was?) pretty similar to hers, and I had always worn a lot of Fall-type colors, but a consultant, back in the day, after going back and forth for some time, finally decided I was a Summer. I do wear a lot of jewel tones, and can get away with most any colors except for white, pastels, and most yellows. I'd totally wear a dress the same color and print as she is wearing in these photos. I like florals as well, even though I technically should probably avoid them.

[Scarlett45]

3 minutes ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

Is she supposed to be a Spring? I don't recall whether they ever "had their colors done". I thought that was a bit passe anymore. It used to be pretty big when I was her age. 

My coloring is (was?) pretty similar to hers, and I had always worn a lot of Fall-type colors, but a consultant, back in the day, after going back and forth for some time, finally decided I was a Summer. I do wear a lot of jewel tones, and can get away with most any colors except for white, pastels, and most yellows. I'd totally wear a dress the same color and print as she is wearing in these photos. I like florals as well, even though I technically should probably avoid them.

No I meant that it’s spring/summer NOW when the photo was taken. Am I the only one that changes their color palette based on the season? In the fall/winter I wear a lot of greys, plums, navy and burgundy, hunter green. In summer I wear a lot of corals, oranges, turquoise and navy. 

Im not a floral girl. I think the print should be proportional to the size of the woman- I have a few formal dresses with big print (like rose) that looks nice but for every day, no prints. 

These days I don’t think young women “get their colors done” but should know if they have warm, cool or neutral undertones for makeup. 

[Broken Ox]

2 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

I like the dress too! I don’t think it’s too tight- it’s a sheath dress.

Let's see if she's still wearing it in month nine...

[PradaKitty]

Lauren reminds me of the daughter of a woman I used to work with. The minute she found out she was pregnant she began wearing maternity clothes AND she and her husband bought a van!! Honestly? For one child?? 

My rule is you don’t need a van unless you or a family member are disabled in some way (pregnancy is not a disability), have more than two children, or require the van for work related reasons. Otherwise, you can drive a car!

[QuinnInND]

I think she looks nice in those pictures. Yes, the cradling her belly is going to get old quick, but these are really nice pics. She's a pretty girl. When is she due again? 

[QuinnInND]

1 hour ago, PradaKitty said:

Lauren reminds me of the daughter of a woman I used to work with. The minute she found out she was pregnant she began wearing maternity clothes AND she and her husband bought a van!! Honestly? For one child?? 

My rule is you don’t need a van unless you or a family member are disabled in some way (pregnancy is not a disability), have more than two children, or require the van for work related reasons. Otherwise, you can drive a car!

With regards to a van. Getting car seats and babies into and out of a van is so much easier than a car or truck.  I was so glad I got rid of my truck and got a van when I got pregnant with the twins. So much more convenient.  We could have put all 3 in the back seat of my truck, but I love my van. 

[Temperance]

On 4/27/2019 at 12:32 PM, Lunera said:

She was always very curvy. She used to prefer these body-hugging dresses. 

This picture is from the courthship days? and in any case she's not pregnant here. The dress is long, but actually pretty form-fitted as was her wedding dress.  So she has worn form-fitting clothes before.

[Temperance]

@QuinnInND She is due in November. 

[Scarlett45]

3 minutes ago, Temperance said:

This picture is from the courthship days? and in any case she's not pregnant here. The dress is long, but actually pretty form-fitted as was her wedding dress.  So she has worn form-fitting clothes before.

This was from Easter 2018, right before their wedding. Yes she likes to wear more form fitting clothes. I say why not? She’s young and has a very nice figure. She isn’t being vulgar or unseemly.

It only looks odd because the other fundie women often wear clothes that don’t fit properly. She looks like any other mainstream 20 something in clothes like that. 

[PikaScrewChu]

19 hours ago, Lunera said:

I think if I cupped my lower gut I could look as pregnant as Lauren.

Ugh. I'm calling her Lauren Markle from now on. You're not carrying the next messiah.

That being said I will give Lauren this. Besides that atrocious yellow dress, she does know to pick clothes and dress well. Her clothes fit, there's no modesty slips/panels, and she very rarely looks frumpy. I'd take this over Jessa and Jill's maternity wear any day. And it's light years better than the green maternity shirt Michelle wore all the time.

Imagine if she actually wasn't brainwashed to think her only purpose in life was a wife and mother. She would probably do well working as a fashion consultant or the like. She could have gone on to Say Yes to the Dress as one of their consultants instead of Counting On. 

[Zella]

I think Lauren's a drama queen and a bit hard to take, but I think she's very photogenic/naturally pretty and has even been looking her best in the past couple of pics. First this one and then the one with Jessa's baby. 

In their culture there is obviously tremendous pressure to begat quickly, and I think that was taking a heavy toll on her because the miscarriage made her feel like an abject failure. I don't think she and Josiah are particularly well-suited for each other--they always look hella awkward together--but I am sure that was a lot of additional baggage neither one of them needed as a newlywed.

It would be a lot of pressure for anyone, and her being brought up in that system and so young and relatively inexperienced in the ways of the world would mean she doesn't have any perspective to balance that out.

I can't even imagine the psychological pressure from that--and in a culture that demands you have to be happy and chirpy. 

As for color seasons, I never had mine done professionally and I know they are probably considered out of date, but figuring out I was a Deep Autumn did wonders for me. I have no natural sense of colors or fashion, and it was a godsend to have some clue of what would look nice on me with my coloring. LOL 

[heckkitty]

One of my coworkers was doing this bump cupping thing today, which reminded me of this. Of course she’s having her baby in like a hot second & was clearly trying to help herself carry her belly, so I’m thinking that’s a little more rational. 

[xwordfanatik]

That dress is a beautiful color on Lauren.  Lauren Markle is perfect for her.

Yes, it's a pity she felt the need to get knocked up ASAP.  She'll be lucky to stay under double digits, given her young age.  Sad.

[Libby96]

That picture of Lauren just makes me sad.  I guess it shouldn’t, because she has exactly what she wants, which is a healthy pregnancy after her miscarriage.  I certainly wish for a safe and healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby.  I also understand that becoming a mother is a dream come true for lots of women, even ones with totally different world view from Lauren.  I guess it’s just that the poor girl seems so desperate about it.  She’s still a teenager, right?  She’s been married for less than a year.  It’s not like she has been waiting forever for this or that the biological clock has almost run out.

[Temperance]

2 minutes ago, Libby96 said:

That picture of Lauren just makes me sad.  I guess it shouldn’t, because she has exactly what she wants, which is a healthy pregnancy after her miscarriage.  I certainly wish for a safe and healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby.  I also understand that becoming a mother is a dream come true for lots of women, even ones with totally different world view from Lauren.  I guess it’s just that the poor girl seems so desperate about it.  She’s still a teenager, right?  She’s been married for less than a year.  It’s not like she has been waiting forever for this or that the biological clock has almost run out.

She turned 20 a few weeks ago. 

[Picture It. Sicily]

23 hours ago, PikaScrewChu said:

Ugh. I'm calling her Lauren Markle from now on. You're not carrying the next messiah.

That being said I will give Lauren this. Besides that atrocious yellow dress, she does know to pick clothes and dress well. Her clothes fit, there's no modesty slips/panels, and she very rarely looks frumpy. I'd take this over Jessa and Jill's maternity wear any day. And it's light years better than the green maternity shirt Michelle wore all the time.

Imagine if she actually wasn't brainwashed to think her only purpose in life was a wife and mother. She would probably do well working as a fashion consultant or the like. She could have gone on to Say Yes to the Dress as one of their consultants instead of Counting On. 

At least Meghan had a bump to cradle, unlike Lauren.