Michelle Duggar: "Mom of Many"

NBC's Today Moms announced their "most notable moms of 2011." Can you guess who made the list? 

That's right, Michelle Duggar! She was affectionately named the "Mom of Many."

Congratulations, Michelle! You deserve it.

The Duggar Twins are Teens!

Happy 13th Birthday, Jedidiah and Jeremiah! 

Trivia: How many Duggar kids are currently in or have passed their teenage years?

Video: Josh and Anna Duggar in Florida

Josh and Anna spent Christmas in Florida with Anna's family (the Kellers). Enjoy this video made by Josh of their boat ride at Fort Matanzas.

Watch Full Episodes!

Have you seen our newest feature? We have now made it easier than ever for our readers to watch full episodes of "19 Kids and Counting," as well as all of the Duggars' previous shows. Visit our "Watch Full Episodes" page to let the entertainment begin!     

Guest Blog Post

Hi Readers! Check out our guest blog post, "Duggar Tips for Frugal Living," on A Frugal Life.

Two-Year Anniversary

Celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Duggar Family Blog! Thanks to all of our loyal readers!

Our goal is to maintain an uplifting website where you can find the latest, factual information about Jim Bob and Michelle and their delightful children.

Proud to serve you,
Lily and Ellie    

As you celebrate the season, may peace, love, and joy be yours. 

Merry Christmas!

~Lily and Ellie

Holiday Discussion

The Duggars celebrate Christmas. We are curious to hear what holiday you celebrate! Go ahead and post your response as a comment. And if you would like, tell us your favorite holiday tradition.

~Lily and Ellie  

Christmas With the Duggars Part 2

Yesterday, we wrote about the Duggars' traditions leading up to Christmas. Today, let's take a look at how they spend Christmas Day.

Jim Bob and Michelle host an average of 30-45 immediate and extended family members for Christmas dinner, which is served buffet-style at their 7,000 square-foot home in Northwest Arkansas.

Can you guess what the Duggars' favorite holiday dish is? It's not the mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, or even the assortment of homemade pies. It's the rolls; the Duggars' melt-in-your-mouth, Homemade Yeast Rolls.
(Click here for recipe.)

After dinner, the family gathers around the Christmas tree (decorated this year by Jessa and Jinger) for an evening of carols, board games, hot apple cider, and plenty of wrapping paper!

How does a super-sized family handle Christmas presents? The Duggars usually organize their gift exchange by pulling names out of a hat.

Josiah Duggar's Cheese Biscuit Recipe

Josiah Duggar recently wowed his family with a batch of savory cheese biscuits. The irresistible aroma floated up to the second floor, drawing everyone to the kitchen with their stomachs grumbling. Josiah plans to add his cheese biscuits to the collection of treats that the family distributes to the community during the holidays.

To read more about the Duggars' Christmas traditions, check out our post entitled "Christmas With the Duggars Part 1."

Click here to view more delicious Duggar recipes. 

 

Josiah's Cheese Biscuits

Dough:

1 1/4 lbs. Bisquik™

3 oz.  shredded cheddar cheese 

11 oz. cold water

Garlic Spread:

1/2 cup melted butter 

1 t. garlic powder 

1/4 t. salt 

1/8 t. onion powder 

1/8 t. dried parsley

Mix Bisquik™, cheese and water until dough is firm. Using a small scoop, place the dough on a baking pan lined with baking paper. Bake in 375° oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. While biscuits bake, combine all spread ingredients. Brush baked biscuits with the garlic topping.


*A note from Lily and Ellie: You can make homemade Bisquik by following this simple recipe:

9 cups flour
1/2 cup baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups canola oil

Mix dry ingredients together well.
Cut oil into mixture with pastry blender until it is like cornmeal.
Store in container with tight cover in the refrigerator.
  

Duggars Christmas 2007 Video

Watch as the Today Show checks in with the Duggars during Christmas 2007, back when Johannah was two and Jennifer was just four months old.

Jinger Duggar's 18th Birthday

Today, the sixth child in the Duggar lineup enters adulthood!

Happy 18th Birthday, Jinger!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah to all of our readers who celebrate!

Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is known as the Festival of Lights. It begins at sundown tonight and ends on December 28th. "Hanukkah" means "to dedicate," and the holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

The Duggars traveled to Israel in September to fulfill Grandma Duggar's lifelong dream of visiting the Holy Land.

Update: How are the Duggars Coping?

The Duggars are drawing closer as a family as they mourn the loss of 21st child Jubilee Shalom. While Michelle is getting plenty of rest (thanks to Jim Bob and the kids), she has by no means checked out. Even during this painful time, she is in the midst of her children; showering them with love, sharing in their tears, and joining them in prayer.

"[Jill] was crying and weeping last night," Michelle told People Magazine at Wednesday's memorial service. "I hugged her and said, 'I am holding on, and I am going to let the tears go. We can pray, cry and grieve together in the weeks and days we walk through this.' "  

"Our calendar is cleared off, and we are going to take time to talk and pray and cry," says Michelle. "This is going to be a time for our family to just be together."

But one thing that the Duggars are not erasing from their agenda are their December birthdays (all five of them). Turning another year older may not seem like a big event in such a large family, but no birthday goes unnoticed in the Duggar home. Josie celebrated her milestone second birthday on December 10th, Jordyn turned three yesterday, Jinger enters adulthood on Wednesday, and twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah become teenagers on December 30th.

Duggar World Tour Photos Part 1

This September, the Duggars traveled the globe! In less than three weeks, they visited Scotland, Ireland, England, and Israel. Enjoy these photos!

 

Jedidiah

 VIP walk through Stonehenge

 Jason and Jill

Jim Bob

 Mackynzie and Michael

 John-David and Jana

 London Eye

 

 Jeremiah in Israel

John-David in Israel

 Josh in Israel

 

Camera Crew

Grandma Duggar and Michelle

Michelle and friend

 Jill and Jessa baking bread at Causey Farm

Ireland

 Baking bread at Causey Farm 

Ireland

 Jeremiah and Jedidiah

Josiah

 

 Grandma Duggar

James the photographer

There's more where that came from (a whole lot more)!  You will find a collection of pictures of the Duggar family on our "Photos & Videos" page

Jordyn's 3rd Birthday

Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar--the 18th child of Jim Bob and Michelle--turns three today!

Happy Birthday, Jordyn!

Hear Michelle's Letter to Jubilee

Listen to Michelle share her heart with daughter Jubilee Shalom Duggar. The following letter was recorded by the grieving mama and played at Jubilee's memorial service.

Jubilee Shalom Duggar from John Andersen on Vimeo.

Hundreds Gather for Memorial Service

Yesterday, hundreds of guests gathered at a local church for Jubilee Shalom Duggar's memorial service.

To show her love for Jubilee, Michelle played a recording of a letter that she had written to her daughter, whom she looks forward to meeting in heaven one day.

The family also distributed photos of their stillborn child's hand and feet. One of the photos bore this quote: "There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world."

"I feel a great sorrow and grief, and yet at the same time I have a peace in my heart," Michelle told People. "This is so sad, but I have peace. There are people praying for us and angels surrounding our home, and there was peace in the sorrow and the grief. Those feelings are mingled together."

Michelle reports that she is feeling well physically.

Regarding the memorial service, Jim Bob told People that "it was very healing, and we have precious memories." 

As Christmas draws near, the Duggars will spend time as a family, mourning the loss of their 20th child and just being together.

Jubilee Shalom Duggar Obituary

From the obituary of Jubilee Shalom Duggar:

Jubilee Shalom Duggar entered into the presence of Jesus Dec. 2, 2011. She was stillborn at 11:46 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2011, weighing 4 oz. and was 6 cm. in length.

Memorial Service for Jubilee Shalom

The memorial service for Jubilee Shalom Duggar, the 20th child of Jim Bob and Michelle, will be held on Wednesday, December 14th. Michelle's miscarriage occurred last night. Upon feeling lightheaded, she was taken to the hospital and is expected to be discharged later today.

In a statement to People, Jim Bob says:
"We have had many tears today. This is life, and I understand that we are going though something that many others have. You think about the what-ifs, but God gives us strength to go on. We won't be able to see this child's life and the phases that we've seen for our other children, but we know we will see this child in heaven one day. We are thankful for each child, and we are blessed to have the children we have here and the ones we will meet someday in heaven."

In the midst of this devastating miscarriage, the Duggars were still able to celebrate Josie's second birthday on Saturday. "We were looking forward to this birthday because it is a milestone for her," Jim Bob tells People. "It is wonderful that she is with us and doing so well."

Josie Duggar's 2nd Birthday!

  Happy 2nd Birthday, Josie Brooklyn!

Jim Bob Duggar Thanks Fans

Jim Bob wrote this letter to fans:

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the whole Duggar Family we would like to thank everyone for their prayers, emails and outpouring of love. We discovered during a routine 19-week ultrasound that our 20^th child, who was due in April 2012, passed away recently. As our whole family is grieving, we also know that God promises to work all things for good in our lives. We rest in knowing, that even though our child has departed this life that we will one day see each other again in heaven.

Our prayer is that baby Duggar’s passing will help us all realize that this life is short, and our relationship with Jesus is the most important thing. He gives us a peace in our hearts as He guides us through whatever we might face.

We love you,

Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar & Family

Romans 8:28

Michelle Speaks about Miscarriage

Just yesterday, the Duggars were hit with the devastating news that Michelle had miscarried her 20th child. Today, she felt well enough to talk to People Magazine, and this is what she said: 

"I am resting and I have felt good physically, which is strange," says the mother of 19 "The kids are mothering me now. Jill just brought me some food and they are taking good care of me."

Michelle was 19 weeks and 1 day along, and doctors put the baby's development at 16 weeks. Jill, who is in the process of earning her Bachelors of Science in Nursing, last listened to the heartbeat on November 25th.

"On Dec. 3, I felt a little uncomfortable but I thought it was just something I'd eaten," Michelle tells People. "It could have been the beginning of something going wrong."

After consulting with the doctor, it was decided that Michelle will have a natural miscarriage.

When they find out the gender, the family will choose a name and then conduct a funeral service. The last time Michelle miscarried was after the arrival of Josh and before twins Jana and John-David were born.

"We named that baby Caleb even though we didn't know if it was a boy or girl because that miscarriage was early," explains Michelle to People Magazine.  "We will name this child and will know that we will see those children again someday in heaven."

Statement from Jim Bob Duggar

Here is a statement from Jim Bob Duggar regarding the miscarriage of their 20th child:

"Earlier today at a routine doctor's appointment, Michelle and I received the sad news that we lost the baby. Michelle is resting comfortably at home with the support of the entire family. We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, but ask for privacy during this difficult time."

When they find out the gender, the family will choose a name and then conduct a funeral service. The last time Michelle miscarried was after the arrival of Josh and before twins Jana and John-David were born.

The mother of 19 was in her second trimester and looking forward to the arrival of Duggar baby #20 in April. If you have ever lost a child, you understand the sorrow that the family is feeling. Please keep them in your prayers. 

Michelle Duggar Miscarries 20th Child

Jim Bob and Michelle were looking forward to finding out the gender of their 20th child today. When they arrived at their appointment, the doctor was unable to find a heartbeat and informed the expectant parents that they had miscarried. 

"I feel like my heart broke telling my children," Michelle told People. "They have all been so excited about this baby and looking forward to April coming around and having a new little one in our arms. That was the most difficult. The Lord is the giver of life and he can choose when that life is ready to go on and be with Him."

When they find out the gender, the family will choose a name and then conduct a funeral service. The last time Michelle miscarried was after the arrival of Josh and before twins Jana and John-David were born.

Michelle was in her second trimester and looking forward to the arrival of Duggar baby #20 in April. If you have ever lost a child, you understand the sorrow that the family is feeling. Please keep them in your prayers.

Downhill Skiing: Duggar Style

Last winter, the Duggars traveled to Colorado and went downhill skiing for the first time. Watch this video, and let them tell you how much they enjoyed it!  

Video no longer available

Do you plan on going skiing this winter?

19 Kids + 700 Pounds of Luggage

Can you imagine traveling with over 700 pounds of luggage? And that's just checked baggage! When the Duggars embarked on their three-week journey overseas, they filled the belly of the airplane with a whopping 24 bags. Inside those bags were 260 outfits, 78 pairs of shoes, 70 baby bottles, and 40 hair bows (plus three strollers and four car seats).  

When traveling by air or by car, how many bags does your family usually pack?

Gift-A-Verse

It's no secret that the Duggars love to serve others. This Christmas, they are partnering with The Seed Company to give the gift of God's Word, and you can join them! A donation of $26 will translate a verse of the Bible into a new language.
Hear Jim Bob and Michelle explain more about Gift-A-Verse in the following video:  

Gift-a-Verse from John Andersen on Vimeo.

Quote from Michelle

On Sunday's episode, Michelle shared her heart with viewers regarding Josie and the new baby...

“I know that these challenges with Josie are different than anything that we’ve ever experienced before. And realizing that we’ve been blessed with another baby, I am still going to be on alert for Josie because she is definitely one that needs a little bit more care. But at the same time, I’m taking care of me and the new baby that God has given us and just trusting that we’ll make it through.”

New Episodes in 2012!

Unless TLC has a surprise up their sleeve, new episodes of 19 Kids and Counting (soon to be 20 Kids and Counting) will return in 2012. For a schedule of reruns, visit our Showtimes page. 

Are you looking forward to the return of the Duggars?