As I delve deeper into these remarkable lives, I find myself utterly captivated by the Duggar family, particularly young Jenni, Jordyn-Grace, and Josie. Each one of them has their unique charm and resilience that shines brighter than any star in the sky.
Jana Duggar has found her happily ever after.
19 Kids and Counting former star got married to musician Stephen Wissmann on August 15 at a wedding in Arkansas, which was graced by approximately 500 guests as reported by People.
Jana’s well-known sibling, Jessica (Duggar) Seewald, held the role of maid of honor. Meanwhile, sisters Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo, Joy-Anna (Duggar) Forsyth, Johannah Duggar, and Jordyn Duggar, along with sister-in-law Abbie Duggar, all took on bridesmaid duties.
The 34-year-old expressed, as she prepared for her wedding, “I always imagined this would be something every girl dreams about.” She continued, “For a long time, it seemed unreachable to me. But now, as it’s happening, I can feel the reality of it setting in. It’s almost surreal, realizing that this is indeed a dream I’ve held for so long.”
Among the Duggars, Jana – their oldest daughter among 19 children – expressed her joy by saying that getting married was like realizing a cherished dream.
Back in the sweltering heat of summer, I, an unabashed fan, couldn’t help but notice something intriguing about my beloved TLC star. While on a sun-kissed trip to South Carolina with my cherished twin brother, John-David Duggar, her left hand sported a radiant silver ring adorning the finger traditionally reserved for matrimonial bliss. Engagement whispers ignited in the hearts of fellow fans like me!
At one point, Jana chose not to address the speculations about her engagement, but she did acknowledge that she had relocated from her parents’ residence, which is typically indicative of a Duggar child preparing for marriage. The parents in question are Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar.
Jana, one of 13 siblings in the Wissmann Family gospel band, and Stephen got engaged on June 15 following a renewed romance this year. They had previously dated for a while but maintained intermittent contact, as she shared with a magazine.
Actually, they formally became a family in the year 2022. Jeremiah Duggar, Jana’s brother, got married to Stephen’s sister, Hannah Wissmann Duggar, during that time. The couple, aged 25 and 29 respectively, now have two daughters together – Brynley, who is 19 months old, and Brielle, who is just 5 months old.
“Jana reminisced about their reconciliation, saying it felt something like, ‘What’s going on? We still cherish each other. We still deeply value one another.’ She admitted to taking her time, but eventually recognized Stephen’s consistent character and his unwavering affection towards her.”
She went on to say, “I find it tough to reveal myself easily, yet his unwavering presence, whether we faced triumphs or challenges, has made him more than just a friend. Through the years, he’s been understanding and never forced me into unnecessary situations.”
As for me, it’s been quite disheartening at moments to see my younger siblings tie the knot ahead of me, but I wholeheartedly trust that every step I take with Stephen is woven into God’s grand design for my life.
She expressed, “I haven’t always been able to see the overall plan clearly, but I believe that God has the best intentions for everyone in mind. As a result, I’ve chosen to wait on marriage for me.” She continued, “If each person’s story was identical, it would make life monotonous and uninteresting.”
For a complete guide on the Duggar family, keep reading…
19 children’s parents, along with the grandparents of more than three dozen youngsters, originally fell in love as teenage sweethearts in high school.
Michelle mentioned experiencing a significant event at age 15, which she referred to as being “saved”. One evening, Jim Bob was conducting visits to homes on behalf of his Baptist church when he was directed towards the Ruark family’s residence. This was because a friend had told him that a girl from school who had recently undergone this experience and was a cheerleader resided there.
In a church, they asked Michelle to attend Sunday school and Jim Bob expressed hope that God might make them spiritual mentors for each other. However, their initial encounter didn’t seem to have a significant impact on Michelle. A year later, Michelle applied for a position at the frozen yogurt shop owned by Jim Bob’s family. In a 2017 blog post celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary, Michelle wrote about their first meeting at the shop: “You stood behind the counter near the cash register and introduced yourself to me. You were reserved but kind! I don’t remember much about that conversation, except you eventually gathered the nerve to ask me if I would accompany you to your junior-senior banquet!”
In a twist of fate, it was an evening spent at Shiloh Christian, sharing a dinner with him that piqued my interest. However, it wasn’t until we delved deep into discussions about the Scriptures late into the night at my parents’ home that I truly felt our spiritual connection kindle. As Michelle put it, “our hearts were woven together from there.” We walked through the milestone of high school graduation in May of 1984, and by July, we embarked on the journey of marriage, with me just 17 years old, and him, a 19-year-old Jim Bob.
The couple dedicated themselves to God and each other for the long run.
Jim Bob previously held the position of state legislator, representing Arkansas’s sixth district in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002. During his tenure, he served as vice chair of the House of Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. He attempted to secure a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2002, but this effort ended during the primary. In 2006, he also ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Arkansas State Senate District 35.
He and Michelle, who are real estate agents with valid licenses, have been actively involved in conservative issues, which is part of their lifestyle. This aspect earned them both admirers and detractors, including fans of the reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting” (originally titled “17 Kids and Counting,” premiered in 2008). The recorded robocall Michelle made in 2014, urging people to vote against a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance in Fayetteville, sparked concerns. In the call, she warned about the dangers of allowing transgender individuals to use restrooms that make them feel safe and comfortable, which led to a Change.org petition asking TLC to cancel their show.
The city council approved the ordinance.
The eldest member of the Duggar family, Josh, entered the world on March 3, 1988. Similar to his activism, he also became a vocal conservative advocate, often supporting the Family Research Council in their campaigns.
In 2015, he resigned following the disclosure of past police records showing allegations against him for molesting multiple girls, among them his sisters Jessa and Jill, when he was a youth. Later in June, Jessa spoke out in an interview with Fox News, asserting that the harsh labels being used to describe her brother were “excessive and false.” She defended this statement because she herself was one of the victims.
Despite his confession of infidelity, his wife remained loyal to him. In 2016, when he entered a rehabilitation facility, his parents viewed it as an essential initial move towards recovery and healing. They were a family of seven at the time – their daughter Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), sons Michael (June 15, 2011) and Marcus (June 2, 2013), when the scandal erupted, Anna gave birth to their fourth child, Meredith, on July 16, 2015, coincidentally the same day TLC canceled 19 Kids. Their fifth child, Mason Garett, was born on September 12, 2017, followed by Maryella Hope on November 27, 2019, and their seventh child, Madyson Lily, joined them on October 23, 2021.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share some unfortunate news that surfaced last year. In April 2021, charges were brought against an individual named Josh, accusing him of receiving and possessing child pornography. These allegations were quite severe, and he chose to plead not guilty on both counts. Fast forward to 2022, a court found him guilty on both counts, leading to a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison.
Not long after Josh’s birth, Michelle conceived another child, however, this pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. As they were mourning this loss and seeking wisdom through prayer, they discovered they were expecting twins.
“She expressed that it was a special gift twice over,” she shared with Love to Know. “God was providing comfort in our hearts during this learning process. It’s quite extraordinary because I breastfeed my babies, yet my children are very close in age. In addition to the usual surprises life brings, the Lord has given us another unexpected blessing – a new baby only eight months after having the previous one.”
John-David and his sister Jana were born on Jan. 12, 1990.
Following a long-standing acquaintanceship that spanned several years, John-David and Abbie reconnected at a church gathering in Oklahoma, leading to their marriage on November 3, 2018. Their first child, Grace Annette Duggar, was born on January 7, 2020, followed by the arrival of their son, Charlie Duggar, in September 2022.
On his 30th birthday in January 2020, John-David’s twin wrote a loving note to him, “Since we were young children, people have asked us if we share that ‘twin sense’. You know, the feeling of knowing what the other one is experiencing or thinking… Well, John, I used to say no to that question. But now, when little Gracie was born, I felt every bit of joy you did, so perhaps it truly exists!”
Jana went on to say, “It’s heartwarming to see you and Abbie in your parental roles! You two seem so natural at it! The same traits that make you an exceptional sibling will undoubtedly make you a fantastic father.”
Moreover, as Jana observed 11 out of her 18 siblings tie the knot before she met Stephen Wissmann, a man who is married to Jana’s sister Hannah, who was previously wed to TLC star Jeremiah’s brother – Jana considers it all as part of God’s divine arrangement.
In my own words, I’ve admittedly not always grasped the grand scheme of things, but I firmly believe that God, in His infinite wisdom, knows what’s truly best for us all. As such, I chose to delay marriage until a later time, expressing this sentiment to People in August 2024, just before my wedding. Each of our lives is unique and diverse, and if we were all the same, life would be monotonous indeed.
As I reflect back on my life’s journey, I was born on the 17th of May in 1991. My love story, much like the one shared by my beloved parents, unfolded quite unexpectedly. Derick, a fellow local, and I crossed paths for the very first time on a chilly Christmas Eve in 2011. He happened to visit our home while out caroling with his church group during their holiday rounds. Little did we know that this chance encounter would lead us down a path of shared dreams and everlasting love.
Jim Bob acted as a cupid, facilitating a connection between Jill and Derick. As their bond deepened through emails and video chats, they eventually met in person in Nepal during November. Their relationship continued to flourish, and by February 2014, Derick sought Jim Bob’s approval to propose to his daughter. The couple got married on June 21, 2014, and now have three sons: Israel (born April 6, 2015), Samuel (born July 8, 2017), and Frederick (born July 7, 2022).
In April 2024, Jill announced that she had experienced a miscarriage during the pregnancy of their first daughter with Derick.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share my story about this beloved couple who once graced our screens on the shows “19 Kids and Counting” and later “Counting On.” However, it’s unfortunate to note that Derick, one of the show’s stars, found himself in hot water in 2017 due to remarks he made that were insensitive towards a fellow TLC reality star, the remarkable Jazzy Jennings, which unfortunately led to his dismissal from the show.
In June 2023, the Amazon Prime Video documentary titled “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” was released, and Jill and Derick took time to consider the debates and spiritual convictions regarding her family that were highlighted in this production.
Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifth child was born Nov. 4, 1992.
In 2013, I crossed paths with Ben at church, and he started pursuing me in a traditional, courtly manner – something rather unconventional for many viewers. Prior to our engagement, we seldom shared details about our romantic lives. As Jim Bob put it to People magazine, courting is about getting to know each other in a group setting, where both families spend time together and the couple establish shared goals to ascertain if they are destined for marriage. In contrast, dating often involves couples spending private time alone, which can sometimes lead to more physical intimacy before marriage.
In August 2014, Ben asked for Jessa’s hand in marriage, and they got engaged. The couple shared their first moment of being together by holding hands for the first time. They officially tied the knot on November 1, 2014. During pregnancy with their first child, Jessa was part of the show 19 Kids and Counting, which was eventually canceled due to sexual abuse allegations. Following this incident, TLC aired a special about sexual abuse, featuring Jill and Jessa, as an educational resource for viewers. That same winter, Jessa and Jill became the main stars of their own show, Jill and Jessa: Counting On. Over time, the show expanded to include other Duggar siblings, eventually becoming known simply as Counting On.
During November 5, 2015, Jessa and Ben had their first son named Spurgeon. Their second son, Henry, arrived on February 6, 2017. In May 28, 2019, they welcomed their daughter Ivy Jane, followed by another daughter Fern in July 2021. Sadly, in the holiday season of 2022, Jessa experienced a miscarriage. However, she gave birth to her fifth child, George, on December 2023.
The sixth Duggar child was born Dec. 21, 1993.
Jinger and Jeremy first met while working on ministry projects in Laredo, Texas, and began dating in 2016. They tied the knot on November 5th, 2016, which happened to be the nephew Spurgeon’s birthday (quite a coincidence when you have such a large family!). Shortly after their wedding, speculations about pregnancy started circulating.
As I stand here today, a year from now, I envision us remaining steadfast, continuing our service in Laredo as part of this ministry. Above all else, we’ll be striving to serve the Lord in whatever capacity we can. This is what I foresee for us, a year from now, as shared on that June 2017 episode of Counting On.
On July 19, 2018, their beloved daughter Felicity entered the world. Back in May of the same year, they announced that Jinger was expecting again, but had experienced a miscarriage the previous autumn. In November 2020, another precious addition to their family arrived – Evangeline Jo.
On January 20th, 1995, individual number 7 came into the world. Leveraging the enchanting ambiance, Joseph popped the question to Kendra (whom he had met at church) during his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017, shortly after a few months of dating.
Joseph confessed to People that he was undeniably anxious leading up to it, but he wasn’t fearful of a refusal because she had expressed, “I’m merely waiting for you!” After proposing, Joseph said. Kendra added, “I am overjoyed and utterly surprised. There are so many things I want to express, but all I can say is shocked.”
Since then, they have added four children to their family: Garrett, who was born in June 2018, Addison, born in November 2019, Brooklyn, also born in 2019 but in February, and Justus, who joined the family in May 2023.
Eighth in line, Josiah was born on Aug. 28, 1996.
A mere few months after their relationship became public knowledge, the pair officially announced their engagement in March 2018. In a statement, he shared that the location where he proposed to Lauren was the very same spot where her parents got engaged. He added, “This property holds much family history, making it a deeply significant and special place for Lauren.”
In a video shared on their blog, Michelle (who is soon to be Lauren’s mother-in-law) expressed her affection by saying, “Lauren is truly special, such a treasured girl.” Both Jessa and Ben extended their congratulations, along with gifts of chocolate shaped as X’s and O’s. She playfully suggested, “I think you two want to save your first kiss for the wedding day, but if you visit us here, we’ll offer this sweet token instead.”
In the summer of 2015, a relationship with Marjorie Jackson ended amicably and they chose to go their own ways. As Josiah shared with People in March 2016, “We had some great times together. We were trying to listen to God’s guidance for our lives. At that time, she didn’t feel it was the appropriate moment, so we decided to take a break.”
On June 30, 2018, they got married, sharing with People that their wedding day was “just perfect.” Their first child, Bella Milagro, was born on Nov. 8, 2019, a name meaning “miracle baby,” as the couple had previously experienced a miscarriage in October 2018. They welcomed another daughter, Daisy, in 2022 and a son, Ezra, in May 2023.
The ninth Duggar sibling was born Oct. 28, 1997.
For fifteen years prior, she had been acquainted with Austin as a friend. After this period, he began pursuing her romantically, and once that began, there was no delay. He popped the question in February 2017, and they tied the knot on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas – the same church where Joseph proposed to Kendra. Their son, Gideon Martin Forsyth, arrived on February 23, 2018.
In 2019, Joy-Anna suffered a pregnancy loss with a baby girl at 20 weeks along.
On Aug. 21, 2020, the couple welcomed daughter Evelyn Mae Forsyth.
The couple’s third child, son Gunner James Forsyth, was born on May 17, 2023.
Jim Bob and Michelle’s second set of twins were born on Dec. 30, 1998.
In February 2017, it was announced that Jed was interning at the state capitol where his father had previously worked, for the Arkansas House of Representatives. At just 21 years old, he is now running as a candidate for State Representative in District 89, prioritizing the conservative values of Springdale. One year later, in April 2021, he married Katey Nakatsu. Their first child, Truett, was born in May 2022, and their second child, Nora Kate, arrived in June 2023.
Jeremiah, a qualified flight instructor, is married to Hannah Wissmann, and together they have two children – Brynley, who was born in December 2022, and Brielle, born in February 2024.
Duggar child No. 12 was born on April 21, 2000.
In early 2017, according to the Daily Mail, Jim Bob aided Jase in purchasing a $33,000 property in need of repairs in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, which is approximately half an hour from the Duggar family estate. Remarkably, he also established his own construction company amidst this. However, even with such endeavors, Jim Bob found time to assist Jed with his political campaign.
He went Instagram official with girlfriend Maddie Grace Jones in July 2024.
Charmed No. 13, James arrived on July 7, 2001.
When he turned 19 in the year 2019, his mother expressed that he is more like a ‘fun uncle’ to everyone around here, with all the younger boys admiring him and aspiring to emulate him. James possesses an extraordinary ability to accomplish almost anything he conceives. As a child, we often discovered James tinkering with various household appliances. He has always been one who enjoys disassembling things, understanding their mechanisms, and reassembling them – sometimes with unique enhancements!
I have witnessed James’ relentless dedication this year as he tirelessly pursued his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). His determination was truly inspiring, and now that he has achieved it, he has become a seasoned professional at operating all sorts of big trucks and heavy machinery. It’s incredible to see the progress he has made in such a short time! I can’t help but wonder what extraordinary feats the future holds for him as he continues to grow and excel in his career. The sky is truly the limit for this exceptional individual!
No. 14 arrived on Nov. 15, 2002.
And from the department of growing up so fast…
In September 2020, Justin made their relationship with Claire known to the public. They became engaged in November of the same year, and on February 26, 2021, they exchanged wedding vows.
Here with his big sister Jill, Jim Bob and Michelle’s 15th child was born May 23, 2004.
Turning sixteen was a dream come true for me, and on this special day, my mom, Michelle, showered me with praise for my humor. She could tell I was beyond excited to finally earn my driver’s license.
Duggar baby No. 16 was born Oct. 11, 2005.
In 2020 on Johannah’s 15th birthday, Michelle expressed that this girl is full of fun and sociable, delighting in forming new friendships. Her younger siblings idolize her as if she’s the moon itself, and Michelle feels blessed beyond words to be her mother!
17 was the newest member of the family by August 2nd, 2007. At that time, 17 Kids and Counting only had Jenni as the youngest child.
Now, OMG, she’s a teenager.
Michelle wrote that Jennifer is reliable, devoted, and full of fun when her granddaughter turned thirteen. The nieces and nephews adore her and often refuse to let go because they don’t want her to put them down! Additionally, Jennifer has a deep affection for animals and diligently cares for her pets daily. Recently, she even helped care for a litter of seven baby bunnies!
Here on the right, the penultimate Duggar child was born Dec. 18, 2008.
Back in 2019, my dear mom affectionately labeled me as an outgoing soul who seems to instantly connect with everyone I meet. Her laughter, which consistently brings radiance to our days, was mentioned with a hearty chuckle.
19 Luckily, Number 19 (Josie) was born on December 10, 2009, three months early and weighing merely 1 pound and 6 ounces. Despite her early arrival, Josie spent six months in the neonatal intensive care unit but is thriving wonderfully now.
Read More
- CTXC PREDICTION. CTXC cryptocurrency
- I’m a Celebrity voting figures revealed after Danny Jones crowned winner
- RIF PREDICTION. RIF cryptocurrency
- WRX PREDICTION. WRX cryptocurrency
- GFI PREDICTION. GFI cryptocurrency
- FXS PREDICTION. FXS cryptocurrency
- TRB PREDICTION. TRB cryptocurrency
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
- OKB PREDICTION. OKB cryptocurrency
- IOTX PREDICTION. IOTX cryptocurrency
2024-08-16 06:21