A Message from Jill Duggar!

What's the scoop? Our friends at CollegePlus! have generously sent us an exclusive message from Jill Duggar revealing her college plans!

"My name is Jill, and I am the 4th of 19 Duggar kids. Over the past few years, while considering my future plans, I’ve become very interested in nursing. When my little sister Josie was born prematurely, I spent a lot of time in the hospital with her and this really increased my nursing interest. I’ve decided to earn a Bachelors of Science in Nursing to allow me to pursue nursing.

With 19 kids in our family, we’re probably one of the busiest families out there. Besides family activities and travels, I’m also a First Responder with our local Fire Department. This has given me more medical training and experience, but it’s also added to my busyness. So as I started into my college studies, I needed flexibility. I’m currently studying for some of my general education classes independently and then taking CLEP exams to earn the college credit. This allows me to study any time I want to and from anywhere in the world our family happens to be. Not only is this approach flexible, it’s also a lot cheaper. After I’ve CLEPped out of all the classes I can, I’ll be transferring in to a local fully accredited nursing school to complete my degree.

There’s a really awesome college program called CollegePlus! which is helping me with this process, from researching the tests I can take, to studying for them, and later will help me with the transfer process. Go to http://www.collegeplus.org/duggars to find out more and see the college plans my siblings have."

This is an update to a post we wrote last year.
Thank you, CollegePlus!
Readers, if you have any questions, post them here, and we will forward them to CollegePlus!

Those of you in the US and Canada, be sure to tune in to TLC on Tuesday, October 4th, to hear more of the Duggar kids' college plans. As always, we will post a recap after the show.

Have you heard of CollgePlus!?

Josie: Happy and Healthy!

Despite rumors that might suggest otherwise, little Josie Duggar is happy and healthy. Due to some minor cold symptoms, she--accompanied by Michelle and Jill--did have to stay a few extra days in Israel, but all is now well.

Video no longer available

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Recap: Newest Grand-Duggar and Spectacular Waterfalls

On Tonight's new episodes of "19 Kids and Counting..."

Duggar Grandson On Board:

• Josh and Anna take seven-day-old Michael James in for his first checkup and receive a good report from Dr. Scott Fedosky (husband of Ms. Teresa, the Duggars' Bradley class teacher). The blood work is the hardest part, especially for Mama!
• Later on, cousin Amy comes over to meet Michael and brings homemade raspberry bars. "So how many of these little things are you going to have?" inquires Amy, convinced that there will be plenty more babies in the future.  "You'll have to wait and see!" replies Anna.
• The old adage "opposites attract" definitely describes Amy and Anna's relationship. "We get along great!" says Anna.
• Back home, Jim Bob and the kids prepare to landscape the front garden, which has been overtaken by an army of weeds. The father of 19 lays out the plan to his sons: "What if we go and just rent a rototiller and just plow it all under and get some plants." 
• "And when I say we, what I really mean is Joseph and John-David," Jim Bob tells the camera crew, chuckling.
• The Duggars encourage their children to live at home until they need to be out on their own, but they firmly believe that everyone should contribute to household chores. Many hands make light work. 
• The episode closes with a party to celebrate Anna's 23rd birthday (and Josh and Anna's three-year engagement anniversary). Can you believe that the Duggars have celebrated 236 birthdays since Josh was born?!

Duggars Over the Edge:

• The entire family hops on their tour bus and heads up to Niagara Falls. Even Josie is able to join in on the fun!
• "Josie was a very sick little girl for a long time," says Michelle. "And now she is this rambunctious, busy little girl that wants to run and explore the world. And sometimes I still think she's very fragile, but she doesn't think she is!"
• The day's festivities include a wet but thrilling ride on the Maid of the Mist and an even wetter, but just as fascinating, tour of the Cave of the Winds. Then, while Michelle, Jana, and Jessa take the little ones fishing, Jim Bob and the older kids experience an adrenaline rush like no other on the famous Whirlpool Jet Boat tour!

The Duggars are astonished at the magnificent beauty of the Niagara Falls. What is the most spectacular world wonder that you have seen?

Duggars Return Tonight!

Here's a friendly reminder: the season premiere of "19 Kids and Counting" airs tonight!

For our readers in the US and Canada, tune in to TLC at 3PM EST/2PM CST for a marathon of reruns (see our Showtimes page for details), leading up to TWO new episodes....

"19 Kids and Counting" Duggar Grandson On Board (9PM EST/8PM CST) is all about baby Michael and his recent milestones!

"19 Kids and Counting" Duggars Over the Edge (9:30PM EST/8:30PM CST) follows the family on their wet and wild, Niagara Falls adventure!

Can't tune in? No need to worry! We post recaps of all the new episodes!

Will you be watching?

Space Duggars!

After building houses with Habitat for Humanity and speaking at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Jim Bob and most of the kids headed to the Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama!

"Our kids are so excited to be here at Space Camp," Jim Bob Duggar told the Huntsville Times. "This is just fascinating with all the rockets here." Several of the Duggar kids, especially 11-year-old Jason, are interested in space travel. Who knows? Jim Bob and Michelle might have a future astronaut or two on their hands!

Where was Michelle? She and two of the children stayed behind in Israel for a few extra days.

The Duggars' visit to Space Camp (click here for a short video) will be featured on an upcoming episode of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting." For those living in the US and Canada, the new season of "19 Kids and Counting" starts this Tuesday at 9PM EST/8PM CST.

Have you ever been to a space center?
 

Jim-Bob the Builder!

Where are the Duggars? They returned from an overseas adventure, during which they visited Scotland, Ireland, England, and Israel. Now the family is in Birmingham, Alabama, partnering with Habitat for Humanity and Discovery Communications to rebuild homes destroyed by the April 27th tornadoes.

Click here to watch Governor Bentley welcome the Duggars and other Discovery Communications employees to Alabama. 

A Light to Hollywood

Just stumbled upon this interview with Jim Bob and Michelle from Access Hollywood. What a way to encourage others and share that children are a blessing from God!

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"17 Kids and Counting" Giveaway!

Are you ready for another giveaway? Enter to win the complete first season of "17 Kids and Counting" on DVD. There will be TWO winners!

Keep reading to find out how to enter...

TO ENTER

Post a comment answering the following question: What are the names of Jim Bob and Michelle's two grandchildren?

For optional extra entries, do one or more of the following. (Each option must be submitted as an individual comment in order to count as an additional entry): 

1. Become a Google Follower of the blog, and leave a comment on the blog letting us know. If you were already a follower, please leave a comment as well.  
2. "Like" the Duggar Family Blog Facebook page, and leave a comment letting us know. If you were already a fan, please leave a comment as well. 
3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog, and leave a comment letting us know. Must include the URL of your post that advertises our giveaway. 
4. Become a follower of DuggarBlog on Twitter, and leave a comment letting us know. If you are already a follower, please leave a comment as well.  
5. Sign up for email updates, and leave a comment letting us know. If you already receive email updates, please leave a comment as well.    

RULES 

To qualify for the giveaway, you must include your first name and last initial in each comment.

We need a way to contact the winners, so include your email address in one of your comments, or send your email address to DuggarFamilyBlog@gmail.com (along with your first name and last initial). If you are a winner, we will shoot you an email asking for your shipping address.

To qualify, all comments must be posted to this blog. They will not be accepted if they are posted to Facebook or Twitter. 

In the event that the prize becomes unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.

Giveaway ends Friday, October 7th, 2011 at 9:00 PM EST/8:00 PM CST.

Ready, Set, GO!

Message to the People of Israel

Thanks to one of our faithful followers in Israel for sharing this message! In case you just found our blog, the Duggars are on a 25-day trip around the world and have already visited Scotland, Ireland, and England. Now they are in Israel!  


Message to the people of Israel:

Hello everyone from the Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar Family of America's TV show 19 Kids and Counting. We are looking forward to coming to Israel with our whole family, this has been a lifelong dream. We love the Jewish people. You have a heritage that goes back to Abraham being told by God that He would multiply his seed like the stars in the sky. Abraham and Sarah were supernaturally given a child in their old age. God has brought kings, world leaders, great scientists and millions of others into the world fulfilling His prophecy. You have been promised by God that through you all of the nations of the earth would be blessed.
We are so excited about meeting many other families and getting to see first hand the places where the Creator of the universe has worked in such a mighty way. You each are special, fulfilling God's plan where He stated He would bring back the descendants of Israel from the four corners of the earth and would give them their promised land. May God bless each one of you and your families as you seek to put Him first in your lives.

Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar & Family

Michelle Speaks on Teaching Character

Latest parenting tip from Michelle Duggar? "It's never too early to teach your kids about character."

In the Duggar home, the family is constantly working through the 49 terms on their famous "Operational Definitions of Character Qualities" chart.

Which quality does Michelle deem the most crucial for little ones to grasp? Attentiveness: showing the worth of a person by giving undivided attention to his words and emotions.

"It's important that when I call their names I get their eyes and have their attention," explains the mom of 19. "Because if I don't get their eyes I don't have their heart."

That is one of Michelle's most-used aphorisms when sharing her child-rearing tips: "If I don't have their eyes, I don't have their heart."

What it all boils down to is "teaching them to love God," says Michelle.

Do the Duggars practice what they preach? Absolutely! "Even my husband Jim Bob and I are still learning these character qualities," admits the mom of 19. "We're all on a journey through life."

Are you familiar with the Duggars' Character Qualities chart?

Onward to Jerusalem!

Just in! In Israel, it's 6:30 AM on Thursday morning. After spending some time in Tiberias, the Duggars are off to Jerusalem. What a glorious day! It's going to be a scorcher (sunny and 87F/30C).

Cruising Around Israel!

The Duggars are in Israel! Last night, they stayed at a hotel in Tiberias, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. 

Duggars Return in 13 Days!

A brand new season of "19 Kids and Counting" premieres in less than two weeks! On September 27th, tune in to TLC at 3PM EST/2PM CST for a marathon of reruns, leading up to TWO new episodes....

"19 Kids and Counting" Duggar Grandson On Board (9PM EST/8PM CST) is all about baby Michael and his recent milestones!

"19 Kids and Counting" Duggars Over the Edge (9:30PM EST/8:30PM CST) follows the family on their wet and wild, Niagara Falls adventure!

For a complete list of show times, click here.

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

Bring out the candles and balloons--it's time to celebrate the godly matriarch of the Duggar family.

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

If you had a minute with Michelle, what would you tell her?

Very Duggar Recipe: Oatmeal Cookies

Baked these cookies the other day, and boy are they delicious! We definitely recommend adding the chocolate chips. Bon appetit!

Click here to view more delicious Duggar recipes. 

Jim Bob's Favorite Oatmeal Cookies 

(and Jessa's favorite cookie dough!)

1 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
Cream first four ingredients together.

Now add:
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 c. flour
3 c. oatmeal (or just a little less)
1 1/2 c. chocolate chips (optional)

Mix. Shape into balls on greased pan (or pan covered with parchment paper), then flatten with hand.

Bake at 350 for 10-15 min.

Are you an oatmeal cookie lover?

Tea Time in London

Here's an update on the Duggars' 25-day adventure...

This week they have toured Scotland, experienced Ireland, and are currently enjoying London. After seeing the city from the top of a double-decker bus, the ladies enjoyed an English tea.

The Adorable Michael James!

Enjoy these photos of Michael James, the second Grand-Duggar! He was born on June 15th, 2011.
To see a bunch more pictures of the Duggars, visit our Photos page.   

 

 Proud father Josh and newborn Michael James

June 2011

 Michael James

June 2011

Jim Bob and Grand-Duggars Mackynzie and Michael

June 2011

Big Sis Mackynzie

June 2011

Double-Decker Duggars

Can you guess what the Duggars are up to today? We will give you a hint: it's an iconic London attraction. They are taking in the sights and sounds of the city on a double-decker bus! And of course, one of the stops along the way is the famous Buckingham Palace, the Queen's primary residence.

Have you ever been on a double-decker bus?

Josie Duggar: Miracle Baby

Miracle. That's the only word to describe Josie Duggar. Born three months early at only 1 pound 6 ounces, she spent the first six months of her life in the NICU. But you would never know by looking at her now. She's talking and walking. What a blessing!
To see a bunch more photos of the Duggars, click here. 

 

Josie and Jinger 

2011

 First piano lesson with Jinger and Jennifer

Jim Bob, Michelle, and Josie

 Jill, Michelle, Jinger, Josie, and family-friend

A Happy and Healthy Josie!

 Josie "Claus" Duggar

Christmas 2010

 Anna and Josie
Christmas 2010

Smile for the Camera! 

Josie at Christmas 2010

 Josie at 11 Months

Josie Duggar 

Summer 2010

 

Jim Bob and Michelle with Josie

Summer 2010

Josie 

Summer 2010

Jim Bob, Michelle, and Josie 
Summer 2010 

 Jim Bob, Michelle, and Josie
Happy to be home!

 Josie
Summer 2010

Jim Bob and Josie
Summer 2010

 Michelle and Josie home at last!
July 2010

Michelle and Josie, home sweet home!
July 2010

Josie--soon after her second and final release from the NICU 
July 2010 


Growing growing!
Josie 2010

 On a walk with Jana and Jennifer

2010

Happy Josie
2010

Josie wearing her Bebe Doos

2010

Laughing!
Josie 2010

Josie's first release from the NICU

April 6th, 2010

Josie's first release from the NICU

April 6th, 2010

 NICU team at Arkansas Children's Hosptial
2010


All smiles!
Josie 2010

 Josie and big brother Joseph
2010

 Jim Bob and Josie
2010

 Pretty in purple!
Josie 2010

Wide-eyed Josie
2010

 Mealtime
Josie 2010

 Michelle, Jill, and Josie
2010

 Josie and Grandma Duggar
2010

 Jana, Josiah, and Josie

2010

 Father-daughter bonding
2010

 Jason, Justin, Jessa, James, and Josie
2010

Michelle, Joy-Anna, Josiah, and Josie
2010

 All bundled up!
Josie: 4 pounds, 6 ounces

 Big yawn!
Josie 2010

 Bigger yawn!
Josie 2010

 Content Josie
2010

  Josie and Daddy: celebrating 3 pounds, 12 ounces 
2010

 

Holding Josie for one of the first times

Early 2010


 Jim Bob and Michelle pose with Josie in the NICU
December 2009/January 2010

 Josie's crib in the NICU
December 2009/January 2010

 Michelle and Jim Bob visit Josie in the NICU
December 2009/January 2010

Josie's early days in the hospital 

December 2009/January 2010
  

Photos courtesy of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and Scott Enlow.