The Duggars are enjoying a family spring break trip, which included a visit to the Creation Museum, ARK Encounter, and the National Museum of the United States Air Force. They are also squeezing in some time with the Bates family in East Tennessee.
Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo with nephews Spurgeon and Henry Seewald
Joy-Anna Duggar leads the younger kids in a game of Apples to Apples
Spurgeon Seewald
If you enjoy this blog, check out our other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).
Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com
Nice hat, pastor Jeremy.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! Ellie, do you know if the Air Force Museum that they went to was the one in Ohio? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI see Joy's ring!
ReplyDeleteYea, Jeremy is wearing a Phillies hat. That Spurgie is soooooooooo cute.
ReplyDeleteWho's the sullen little girl in the back in the black and white picture?
ReplyDeleteYay, we finally get to see her ring!
ReplyDeleteCan you all post picture of your reunion with the bates..Interested in seeing how you all have grown together as families who have known each other for so many years.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Jinger and Jeremy are wearing coats when baby Henry is only wearing a pajama ... Are they hiding a bump ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuch cute children and I'm glad Jinger was able to attend.
Could you answer how Jeremy gets so much time off from
ReplyDeletebeing a pastor. I am truly curios.
It's at times like these that I'm proud to say that I'm a beloved Duggar/Dillard/Seewald/Vuolo fan/follower.
ReplyDeleteI'm still upset about the whole Joystin "fiasco" TLC has created. #Ratings!
What are you talking about, fiasco?? Joy got engaged to Austin. It'll be on TV. Get over it.
DeleteWhat I'm saying is that their Courtship was similar to Josiah and Marjorie's. It was a tease for the next Season.
DeleteIf TLC hadn't rushed the Vuolo wedding special, I would've understood it better. But, no. They announced the courtship after the wedding so that the show could get more views. Turns out Season 3 took place between the last few episodes of Season 2.
I'll be honest, SuperJames. The way you have pined over each engaged Duggar daughter is not right. It's as if you think you had an understanding with this family and that one of the daughters was going to be yours to marry someday. If I recall, you've never even met them. These fantasies are not healthy and you need to talk to someone about them. I mean other than on a fan blog. You've made everyone here concerned about your state of mind. Do you have a personal physician you could talk to about these thoughts and how depressed you can make yourself over these or other girls? Or to talk to about any other troubles in your life that you've hinted about. You need to talk to someone who is there to help, not punish you or chastise you or brush you off, the way you've said people at your church do. Someone who knows how to deal with these types of situations and get you some real help. It's the way out of your troublesome thoughts, and how to move forward to happiness, which does exist.
DeleteI haven't pined over each Duggar daughter. It's only been with Joy. The reason I thought that way about them and her is because it has been my dream to meet them one day, and Joy has been the one I've admired the most. So when she said in the Season 1 finale that she'd be willing to travel across the world to meet a guy, I felt like my prayers had been heard.
DeleteI'm sorry for making people upset because of me.
I've wanted to talk with her, but to no avail. Other than her, there isn't anyone else I've been able to talk to.
SuperJames, @5:01 PM is right. Get yourself some help. A professional physician or psychologist. God bless you.
DeleteAnon. 1:15 - I know, I know. It's just so hard for me to talk with the Psychologist because every time I want to tell her about my situation, she's talking with other members of the church and I don't want to be a bother.
DeleteYou need a private appointment, not trying to talk to someone in the hallway at church or something. If she's a doctor, she's bound by ethics to keep what you discuss between the two of you. It's not a "bother" to go to a doctor...that's they're job. I don't know about the age rules where you are - you are probably a minor - you might need parental consent for an appointment. If you can't get that, find a counselor for teens.
DeleteAnon. 9:55 - Well, first of all; she's my mom's cousin, so since she's Family, some think it wouldn't be necessary to make a private appointment.
DeleteSecond, our church has no halls. It's in a School courtyard. (Not necessarily quite large)
I understand that rule, and that it is their job.
I'm also unaware of the age rules here, but do know that I'm turning 20 in May.
Lastly, I live in Ecuador; not in the States. My family moved here back in 2006.
With a shaved face, Jeremy looks like Paolo from the Lizzie McGuire Movie.
ReplyDeleteYES!!! Loved that movie as a kid. ;)
DeleteAwe Spurgeon is so adorable
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love playing Apples to Apples with family and friends. It's become one of my favorite games.
ReplyDeleteJeremy needed to keep his beard. It looked good on him.
ReplyDeleteLol Jennifer's face on the couch though
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's very LOL. She never looks happy, for some reason.
DeleteThe Duggars have commented in the past about Jennifer's serious type personality. Just little Spurgeon seems to always be smiling, Jennifer seems brooding. I'm sure she just has her moments.
DeleteI sure hope that Jennie has someone to confide in when she gets those broody feelings, or extra attention from her parents. A broody child can be a dangerous thing.
DeleteJennifer just may be an introvert in a large family with no real alone time or privacy. She may feel suffocated (no offense intended to the Duggars). Our friends with a large family have 1 quieter, more sensitive child (a very nice young lady) who felt constantly overwhelmed by all the noise, people, and activity in her household. She too shared a room with 4-5 sisters. What she really needed was some time alone, some peace and quiet, and a little more on-on-one undivided attention from her parents. She loves her siblings, but sometimes they are too much for her. This isn't a fault, flaw, sin, misbehavior on her part at all. Each child is different and their nature should be respected. Perhaps Jennifer often feels overwhelmed. That's not brooding. We need to remember these are children, going on TV for a reality TV show perhaps wasn't everyone's idea. Granted we're not seeing the family 24/7, but it does seem that their live is one big round of activities, appearances, and lots of "mandatory" family interaction. I hope Michelle and JimBob are being sensitive to Jennifer, really listening with more than the 20 minutes per child interview & note-taking session the girls describe in Growing Up Duggar.
DeleteYou know...I think poor Jenny suffered a lot emotionally when Michelle was suddenly absent due to the emergency situation surrounding Josie's birth. It's not anyone's fault. And while Jenny was surely doted on by Jill and her other sisters, no one can replace Mom. Her life was uprooted and moved to Little Rock; mom and dad weren't around as often as they used to be; and I'm sure there was a good deal of worry and intensity that she picked up on but couldn't work through due to her age. She probably needs a lot of love and time...more do than other children in the family right now...probably a wound that needs some healing.
DeleteAnd....she may miss her sisters who moved out,,,,,because they
Deletedid do a lot with and for the the younger ones...😊
And Joy's ring is beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like everyone is having fun, thanks for sharing the pictures. Can't believe little Joy-Anna is getting married. Once a tomboy,now courting and ready to be married. Happy for the couple and can't wait to see the wedding.
ReplyDeleteWow Johanna looks a lot like Jason in this picture!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree about the beard on Jeremy he looked better with it.
Jeremy looks good with no beard. If he had a beard he would look 45 years old.
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with Josie? Looks like she's in the middle of a fall lol!! Spurgeon is beyond cute, always smiling!!
ReplyDeleteWhy do the married adult children seem to still travel with their parents like they're still children themselves? I understand that once in a while, it's nice to take the whole family on vacation together, but they seem to do this very often. I would think that the marrieds would do their own thing and travel themselves, as their own family unit a bit more or just stay at home and live their own lives.
ReplyDeleteI know!! I'm newly married and my husband and I have our own life separate from our parents. It seems like if Jim Bob & Michelle are taking a trip, it's assumed all the family is going. I was really surprised Jeremy and Jinger took a trip all the way from Texas. Strange.
DeleteSome families are very close. I know people who do everything with their families. I think it's sad to not want to be around your parents just because you get married.
DeleteHow many people need ministering to while Pastor Jeremy is out of town? I hope he has that covered. They sure seem to travel a lot. My pastor takes 1 vacation week a year, the same week each year, and the associate takes over. Everyone knows in advance when this will be, and if you want that pastor for your wedding, you know what time to avoid scheduling. Otherwise, he's there doing his job, 24/7/358. He's not off galavanting around for his reality show.
DeleteYour pastor is available 24/7/358? Unless that's the norm for the majority of your congregation's work schedules, you should be ashamed to expect/allow this of your pastor. That is certainly nothing for you to brag about.
DeleteWhat, 4:35? You don't have a pastor who is available any time you call him/her or need him/her? Who lives next to the church and can be over there in a flash? Who's the first to arrive to comfort you if needed, or to tend to the sick or dying? Who will bring you communion any time or meet you at the church for it privately, if you call? The troubles and tragedies that can befall a congregation don't take a vacation or have a set schedule. Good ministers and their teams are there to help, whenever needed. Being a pastor is not a Sunday-only job!
DeleteShow me a church who doesn't have a pastor available 24/7, and I'll show you a church I wouldn't want to belong to. Things happen, and you need to know that you or any other church member can call for help at any time! Does the term "church family" ring a bell? And you can call family when? Not when they're hundreds of miles away having an ark encounter, apparently.
DeleteDidn't know there were 358 days in a year! Must have added some when I wasn't looking. Last time I checked there were 365, except for leap year when there's 366. Ha, ha! 😉
Delete4:35 -- That's nothing to be ashamed of. That's the way it's usually been up until maybe recently. In "the olden days," Pastors lived in a parsonage owned by the church -- no mortgage for him to pay -- and were available to their parishioners. That didn't mean they worked 24/7, but they preached every Sunday except for vacations and they were available for church member needs, whenever they may be. That may be how it still is in many churches.
DeleteI go to a large church, and my pastor is renowned but frequently gone -- attending conferences, on "sabbatical," or preaching at other churches. No one likes it when he's gone. We want him at our church.
The point is that the pastor is expected to be available 24/7 with one week of vacation. No wonder pastor burn-out is so high.
DeleteSunnysideup: I think they said 24/7/358 because their pastor takes one week off (365-7=358)
DeletePastors have lives too. They should be available but they should not be expected to be available 24/7. That is just ridiculous!
DeleteWhat would be more ridiculous would be to have a personal or medical crisis other than between the hours of 9 to 5 on a weekday, and feel you can't call on your church for help for fear of "burning out" your pastor.
DeleteMy husband gets 4 weeks of paid vacation a year. I don't know why my pastor would let deserve the same or more. We are to treat the man of God better than ourselves. If my husband didn't have this time off he would be under much stress.
DeleteI can't look at that bus without thinking of how they used to all cram into it, one would get sick, and then they'd all get sick. What a way to travel.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh yeah. Good times!
DeleteIs that someone holding Josie in background of first pic...
ReplyDeleteShe is getting to old and to big to be carried by the guys.....
mom needs to talk to her... ? Not normal ...she can walk....
9:21 - I thought that was Josie being carried too in the pic behind Jinger and Jeremy. I don't think so because the three women appear to be wearing pants. But you are right that Josie is still treated like an infant sometimes.
DeleteHm. Not sure what you're seeing in that picture, but it looks like she's in the process of falling off the edge of her seat. No sign of anyone holding her.
Delete8:24 we are referring to Josie being carried in the pic of Jinger, Jeremy, Spurgeon and Henry. Look behind Jinger in the distance someone is carrying a child Josie's size, but I don't think its her though.
DeleteFirst picture, in background.....
DeleteWhy is everyone always worried that Josie is being held?
DeleteAh, I see. Don't know why I wasn't looking at that picture. It does look like Josie's hair, but I doubt they'd be letting those other people carry her off. :)
DeleteMy husband and I are so disappointed that we missed you all at the U.S. Airforce museum. We live maybe 10 minutes away and just love your family. Really wish we could have met you all.
ReplyDeleteBoy, it sure bothers people if Josie is held. Not sure why.
ReplyDeleteThis happened in our family too, with somewhat different circumstances though. The youngest nephew was born with a slight disability and his 5 brothers were continually jumping in to "help" him. They meant well, but it actually slowed his development in that area and was beginning to spoil him (being regularly doted upon). It was a little difficult and took some time to break his brothers of "helping him". These days, he's a strong, strapping, intelligent teen, proudly doing for himself and using all kinds of life skills he's learned along the way. It's easy for both parents and siblings to fall into "helping/hovering" mode, especially when there's been a traumatic event (Josie's premature birth), followed by ongoing medical issues (frequent seizures). It's hard not to "baby" the child, but it's really not healthy- it leads the child to believe he/she should be the center of attention and expect it, and it actually can create anxiety/worry in some children as they begin to perceive they are "different" in some way. It would be good to encourage Josie to do as much for herself as she is able- that builds self-confidence in a child.
DeleteIt's because some people just have critical spirits
Delete9:05 I see a lot of people commenting on Josie being carried. I think she gets spoiled as any baby of the family would be. I think people are curious how she's doing because she was so premature and has what Michelle calls glitches. So here's hoping all is well in Josie's world!
ReplyDeleteWell , she's 7yrs old how .how much longer are mom n dad gonna let her
ReplyDeleteGet the brothers in law carry her....
Just tell her she's a big girl,and to heavy....it may be awkward , when she goes up to someone , to ignore her ,and maybe hurt her feelings....even Jill is pictured holding her....I don't know why it bothers me ,But it does ❗️😬
She's not being held , she's being carried . She's to big for that.
ReplyDeleteAll it would take is Michelle talking,and softly explaining it to her....
Good points what I wish would happen is Josie walk like all 7 year old s who can walk, walk! Then I would like to see Michelle and Jim bob spend serious amounts of one on one time with Jordan and Jennifer! I am a fan of this family but honestly I feel like these two girls (Jennifer and Jordan seem left out to me)!
DeleteBeing a pastor of a church, or a priest, or a minister, is the hardest job. I knew a young minister and his wife, who were married just a year, and they were surprised how little time they had for each other, because it was such a busy congregation, and he was needed all the time. They both grew up with fathers who were also ministers, but they were still surprised with how demanding it was.
ReplyDeleteJust look back and see what Jana was doing at Josie's age. The difference is quite startling. There's a reason for it and they're not saying.
ReplyDelete