Tuesday, February 14, 2012

"Duggars Planning the Future" Recap

On tonight's episode of 19 Kids and Counting, "Duggars Planning the Future,".....  

Landscaping

  • Jim Bob calls a meeting to explain the next family project: planting a few dozen fruit trees in the yard. "When my dad pages over the intercom...with so many kids, it can take us...twenty to thirty minutes to gather," says Jana. 
  • After a trip to the nursery, the Duggars are ready to begin work, but not until the guys fire up their "man toys."
  • "[My dad] couldn't do it without using every piece of equipment that he has," informs Jill, laughing. The Duggars own one backhoe, one bulldozer, three lawnmowers, one tractor, and the list goes on!
  • "It might have been a little overkill to use all this machinery," admits Jim Bob. "But it sure was a lot of fun!"
Speaking Engagements
  • Michelle and the five eldest girls speak to the women of a nearby church. The older boys are also out, so Jim Bob plays Mr. Mom at home with the seven youngest (James through Josie).
  • The first order of business is fixing the girls' hair. While working on Johannah's, Jim Bob remarks "It's all ratted! What's wrong with your hair?" Daddy's heart is in the right place, but everyone agrees that Mommy and the older girls are the ones to call for hairstyling.
  • The next task is picking out clothes for the day. Jim Bob's solution? "Let's put this right over what you've got on." Surprisingly, everyone comes out looking alright.
Farmland Adventure
  • The entire family (including Josh, Anna, Mackynzie, Michael, and cousin Amy) heads to the Farmland Adventures. The day is spent traipsing through a three-mile corn maze and enjoying the livestock. 
  • Nine of the Duggars follow the map and make it through the maze. In the words of Amy, the remaining sixteen get a "corn-fused.
  • While holding a baby goat, Jim Bob hollers to Michelle, "I think the Parsons have almost as many kids as we do!"
Pregnancy Check-Up
  • At a thirteen-week appointment, Dr. Amy Sarver attempts to find the baby's heartbeat on a Doppler machine. When that fails, she prepares to take an ultrasound. 
  • "At that point, I thought my heart was going to stop," expresses Jim Bob. He and Michelle are relieved when Dr. Sarver gives this news: "Michelle's baby was just really active today...Sometimes it's just difficult to catch it in one spot."
  • Michelle understands the risks of bearing children in her condition and has been taking extra care to keep her body in shape. Since September 2010, she has been working out regularly on her Landice elliptical.
Any Duggar courtships in the works? Pointing to Michael, Jana tells TLC: "This is our latest boyfriend."

36 comments:

  1. I liked this episode in that it reveals just how much the Duggars rely on the "older girls." The "older girls," hopefully, will get lives of their own in the not so distant future, then Jim Bob and Michelle are faced with a pack of boys to do cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc., unless Michelle actually picks up the pace of motherhood and contributes to these duties herself.

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  2. Hi, thanks for the recap. I was wondering if you will be posting the new episodes up as I dont get them here in Australia. Thanks for your great blog I read it every night after a hectic day and find it gives me some calm.

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  3. thanks for the recap! I can't believe I fell asllep before it came on and slept through. Is there anyway I can watch the episode? I am not sure when TLC will be rebroadcasting it. Thanks!
    PS Love your blog!

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  4. Hi ausgirl,

    We post the links to new episodes as soon as we can. They are usually uploaded to YouTube several weeks after they air, but sometimes sooner.

    Thanks for reading!
    Lily and Ellie

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  5. Hi Brenda,

    Last night's episode is not scheduled to replay for at least two weeks. You can keep checking our Showtimes page for updates (http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/p/show-times_08.html).

    When the episode becomes available on YouTube, we will post it to our Watch Full Episodes page (http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/p/show-times_08.html).

    We are honored to have you as a reader!
    Lily and Ellie

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  6. This episode was so sad, knowing what happened shortly after. I did enjoy seeing the older girls.

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  7. Sorry for my ignorance, but...Michelle isn't pregnant..????? WHY did they get a check-up and were looking for a baby's heartbeat? Thanks for clearing this up! I guess I'm really behind in Duggar news. :/

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  8. Well im just saying cuz i dont want to be mean but it seems like the duggar girls have loads of responsibilities while the only thing Michelle and Jim Bob do is make babies and give birth to babies and breastfeed them (michelle) and then they go on dates, speaking engagements, fun places while the older girls are changing diapers and wiping away kids tears. Every episode I watch I don't really see Michelle do any housework, I only saw her wash dishes once when everyone else was away. Usually its Jana sweeping, Jill cooking, Jessa washing, Jinger babysitting, vice versa. Joseph and JOhn always to yard work, I've never seen Jim Bob do it except for the "fun" stuff like planting flowers and landscaping (SOMETIMES). LIke, i've never seen Michelle cook! It's always Jana or Jill or Jinger or Jessa, and MIchelle is either with a baby or talking to the camera, but I don't know.......Also Lilie and ELlie i dont really know much about Duggars but what kind of behavior training method do they use? Do they spank their kids? Or hit them? Somehow I don't think that they can be such little angels without real enforcem,ent.

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  9. When will the episodes be available on iTunes?

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  10. When will they have the episode available on iTunes?

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  11. I would just like to say I grew up in a family with only TWO children. Once I was a teen I had chores(cleaning, cooking, laundry). I loved to help cook dinner. I'm thankful my parents loved me enough to make me work. I'm now a better wife, mother, and human being because of it. It was such a joy to take some of the load off my mom- Because I loved her! It gave me joy to help.
    I would not expect any thing less from this wonderful family!

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  12. wait...the dr. found a heartbeat?? Confused!

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  13. why watch a show that makes you want to comment negatively? I love watching the show & finding out what's happening before it airs here in the UK. thanks lily and ellie x

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    Replies
    1. It is so hurtful to think a person has to make judgmental comments towards this family after all they have been through. Sweep your own steps.

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  14. I enjoyed the show quite a bit. I think TLC had to figure out how to handle the miscarriage because that was definitely not planned. I guess they decided to go ahead with showing Michelle and the pregnancy even though we know the sad ending of the pregnancy.

    Did anyone else notice how tired her obstetrician looked on this episode?

    Jim Bob is not used to taking care of all of those little ones. I grew up helping out a lot in the house and always loved to help my mom in any way possible. I think it's wonderful to see children learn to cook and clean. It's sad that many children these days are catered to so much that they don't know how to do laundry, handle money, cook and clean.

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  15. I hope you will post this comment lily and ellie. I tried to post my view on the duggars and it wasnt accepted....I wonder why? Becuase I made a couple of true statements? WIll you please tell me what i wrote that didn't fit your "accept all views" rule...hmmm? Huuuuhhhhh

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  16. It was a great show and it looks like the season will be very bittersweet!

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  17. Could you tell me when the bates start up again???

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  18. I love Michelle and Jim bob family the way they love there children and touch them to love one another and love god they are so helpful to everyone..... kathie

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  19. Michelle can you send me all paper to help me to tech my kids like you do yours I need help I'm trying to them the right way can you help me please...kathies42@gmail.com

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  20. Hi Andrea,

    We were running a little behind this morning and didn't have a chance to read over your comment. To answer your question, the Duggars focus on positive reinforcement. They don't yell or hit, but if the kids don't listen, there are consequences (timeouts, for example). Jim Bob and Michelle's goal is to praise their children ten times more than they correct.

    Hope this answers your question.
    ~Lily and Ellie

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  21. Hi Anonymous (at 6:07 PM),

    The Bates' one-hour TLC special is scheduled to air on March 27th. Details here: http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/bates-family-on-tlc.html

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  22. Hi Anonymous (at 1:45 PM),

    This doctors appointment was only a 13-week check-up. The episode showing the 19-week check-up--when Jim Bob and Michelle received the news about the miscarriage--is still to come.

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  23. Hi dadwithnoisykids and Anonymous (at 10:58 AM),

    The episode has been uploaded to iTunes (and Amazon). It is listed as "Planning the Future" on both sites.

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  24. Hi Anonymous (at 10:49 AM),

    Michelle announced her latest pregnancy in November. In early December, she had a miscarriage. "19 Kids and Counting" episodes are filmed a few months before being aired. "TV time" has not caught up with real time.

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  25. I don't think the older girls are forced to do anything! I think they enjoy helping the family! If they hated the work so much they would leave! The girls love and care about their siblings and parents and so they stay! They do have a life its just more pure then most young women at their age! I am twenty four and would rather read a good book then head to the bar! Not all young women are wild and party animals!

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  26. Is Michelle pregnat again?!

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  27. Good for you, Libby! I egree! :D

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  28. Hi bluegrass,

    Michelle tragically suffered a miscarriage in early December, at 19 weeks. The Duggars chose the name Jubilee Shalom for the baby girl and held a memorial service.

    On Tuesday's episode, Michelle was 13 weeks along. "TV time" has not caught up with real time.

    These posts will give you more information:

    http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/michelle-speaks-about-miscarriage.html

    http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/memorial-service-for-jubilee-shalom.html

    http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/jubilee-shalom-duggar-obituary.html


    ~Lily and Ellie

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  29. To Libby: Yes, I agree and know lots of young women that prefer to be at home over heading out to bars and clubs. That's not the point. You mention, if the oldest Duggar girls wanted to leave they could. Where exactly will they go? I mean they don't have an education, job skills or money of their own. They don't have a church to turn to, as we know, they belong to a home church. Nor do they have school mates to whom they can turn. Where do you go? A homeless shelter? The welfare office? Seriously, those girls are trapped!!! Thier best hope is a University education, if their parents will pay the price tag and give up their help. It's very, very sad.

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  30. Andrea:

    The girls most definitely have an education. They are all taking college classes right now, and are very involved in their community as well. I don't see any of them looking unhappy in any way, so I'm not sure why we're talking about them having to "escape" anything?

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  31. I have to say, I do agree with alot of people on both ends of the spectrum. There are alot of comments about the girls love what they do and choose to do it and lots of comments that they don't have a life. I do agree with both sides. This family does have a choice and right to raise their children as they see fit. We also have a choice to have our opinions whether it be + or -. I don't think everyone should only say positive things. This family is putting themselves in the limelight thus asking for whatever comes their way. I don't think one should attack people who comment negatively as long as it is not hateful. There is such thing as constructive criticism and this family is no exception to the rule of needing it as well.
    I agree with Andrea, these girls have no choice. They know nothing other than their home life. They love it cause that is what they were raised to believe and do not know any different. Seriously, watch the show and the comments. The comments they say are said basically after one of the parents have already made that comment. They are not original. They are mimicked. They were raised and trained to obey and not question parental authority. I know the parents say the girls choose to wear skirts. Don't tell me the girls have a choice. If mom and dad say that is what we are going to buy, they do not have a choice. I don't see anything wrong with parent's saying they are going to do chores, they are going to wear skirts, they are not going to watch TV, ect. But what I personally have a problem with is saying the girls have a choice, when they really do not have a choice--they do not know the other end of the spectrum, thus they do not have a choice. When they leave the nest, they will have a choice. Unless they end up marrying a man who does not give them the choice-which we will never know. I just think the parents are making it very hard for the girls to actually leave the nest, thus not giving them the opportunity to choose. That is the way these parents have decided to raise their children and that is their right. Praise God -and our great nation and those who have served--that they have that freedom and everyone else has the freedom to raise their children as they see fit.

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  32. I would like to request that this and all future episodes continue to be put on the blog with the previous seasons. We are unable to watch the Duggers and really appreciate that you recently started doing this. Thank you for your consideration.

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  33. Hi Lighthouse,

    We will post the episode links when they make their way to YouTube.

    Have a great weekend!
    Lily and Ellie

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  34. @Andrea Kivera
    it looks like they def posted your "views". It doesnt matter if you have 1 kid or 20, they should help out with the chores, the everyday stuff, and help out with other people. I have 1 child but i go out of my way to make sure he has to do things to help his friends, clean their rooms etc.. Children need to know it is NOT all about them. There are other people in the world and you help others, you work together as a team to get things done.. and it is the parents primary responsibility but the kids live there too.. its ok to help out. You have to remember also this show is not following them around for every second of their lives. i am sure that when they are around the older kids are helping out more so that michelle and jim bob can do the needed interviews for the show. When all the kids got sick before going to asia, did they sit in jills room and get nurtured? no, the parents sat up all night with them like they should. If you arent giving your kids chores and making them help out with younger siblings you will probably raise a selfish person.

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  35. @LibbyGood for you! The kids have jobs, go on mission trips, etc...i think it makes since to still live at home with their tight knit family. usually the world kicks their kids out at 18 and says make your own life.. this family is keeping family a high importance in their life which is how it should be.

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