Jana Duggar's First Trip With In-Laws

Jana Duggar is still dreaming of Iowa.

Following the former star of “19 Kids and Counting” spending her honeymoon in Iowa with her husband, Stephen Wissmann, and their family during autumn, she offered a glimpse into their camping excursion from behind the scenes.

In her March 19th YouTube vlog, Jana started off by saying, “I find it quite adorable,” as she discussed the trailer with a warm brown hue that her spouse had purchased for their getaway. “It all appears to function smoothly.

Following a guided tour of their travel residence, she disclosed that they were planning to visit Old Threshers, an annual autumn event in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where Stephen and his siblings would perform a few tunes. However, the trip wasn’t just about this exciting aspect; Jana also shared that her family had secretly decided to accompany her on this journey as well.

After Stephen’s charming rural act, the newlyweds from last August took pleasure in the picturesque festival setting. They sampled pickles, marveled at some old tractors illuminating as a vintage display of fireworks, and then returned to their camper for a snug campfire nightcap.

The next day, I joined forces with the whole Wissman clan, including Jana, as we took to the stage for an intimate acoustic performance. Subsequently, Stephen delivered another solo act.

Stephen, aged 31, mentioned with a smile as he held his wife’s hand, “My wife would confirm that I particularly enjoy the food at Old Threshers. We decided to visit this festival just two weeks after our wedding in Arkansas.” He added, “This is her first time here; she’s still getting the hang of it.

On this trip, the newlyweds were experiencing new adventures together, but it wasn’t the first time that the Counting On personality had marked a significant step in their relationship. Approximately two months after their wedding, Jana disclosed that she and her husband Stephen had relocated to Nebraska, a big shift compared to her rural childhood in Arkansas.

The eldest daughter among the 19 children of the Duggar family expressed in a YouTube video that she anticipates a significant shift in her lifestyle towards urban living. She’s thrilled about the future, yet acknowledges that there will be instances where she’ll yearn for the tranquility of country life.

Keep reading to see the entire Duggar family tree…

Initially, a couple who were once teenage sweethearts in high school, eventually became the parents of 19 children and grandparents to more than three dozen, started their family together.

Michelle mentioned that she felt “rescued” at the age of 15. One evening, Jim Bob was conducting house visits for his Baptist church when he was informed by a friend that a girl from school who had recently been saved and was a cheerleader resided at the Ruark family’s home. So, he paid them a visit.

They extended an invitation to Michelle to attend Sunday school at their church, and Jim Bob expressed hope that they could guide each other spiritually—however, it seems Michelle didn’t find their initial encounter particularly noteworthy. A year later, Michelle applied for a position at the frozen yogurt shop owned by Jim Bob’s family. In a blog post from 2017 on their family blog for Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd wedding anniversary, Michelle recalled in a letter that she met him at the cash register where he was working. “You were reserved yet kind,” she wrote, “I don’t recall much about our conversation, except that you eventually summoned the courage to ask me if I would accompany you to your junior-senior banquet!

At Shiloh Christian, they both went to a dinner together, but it wasn’t until later, when they spent hours discussing the Bible at her family’s home, that Michelle felt their bond deepen. She has shared that this was the moment their hearts became intertwined. They graduated high school in May of 1984 and got married in July, with Michelle being 17 years old and Jim Bob being 19.

The couple dedicated themselves to God and each other for the long run.

Jim Bob previously held a position as a state legislator in Arkansas, representing the sixth district from 1999 to 2002. During his tenure, he served as vice chair of the House Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. In 2002, he ran for the U.S. Senate but was unsuccessful in the primary. His attempt in 2006 to become the Republican nominee for Arkansas State Senate District 35 also did not result in victory.

They, along with Michelle, who are both real estate professionals, have been engaged in conservative movements – a facet of their lives that has earned them not only admirers but also critics, including themselves being fans and vocal opponents of the reality show “19 Kids and Counting,” which initially aired as “17 Kids and Counting” in 2008.

As of October 2024, they were grandparents of 33 with three on the way.

The eldest child of the Duggars, Josh Duggar, was born on March 3, 1988. Likewise, he also joined the ranks of conservative activism, advocating for the Family Research Council.

In 2015, after records detailing past accusations against him emerged, it was revealed that he had been accused of molesting several girls, including his sisters Jessa Duggar and Jill Duggar, when he was a teenager. In a conversation with Fox News in June, Jessa defended her brother, stating that the worst things being said about Josh were “exaggerated and false, truly. I can say this because I was one of the victims.

His spouse, Anna Duggar, who exchanged vows with him during their September 26, 2008 wedding that was showcased on “19 Kids and Counting”, remained loyal to him even after he confessed to infidelity.

In 2016, when he entered a rehabilitation facility, his parents viewed it as an essential initial move towards his recovery and healing process.

The family of three children – Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), Michael (born June 15, 2011), and Marcus (born June 2, 2013) – expanded when Anna gave birth to their fourth child, Meredith, on July 16, 2015. This was the same day TLC decided to cancel 19 Kids. Their fifth child, Mason Garett, was born on September 12, 2017, Maryella Hope arrived on November 27, 2019, and their seventh child, Madyson Lily, was born on October 23, 2021.

In an indictment made public in April 2021, Josh faced charges for two separate counts related to child pornography: receiving and possessing such material. He entered pleas of not guilty on both counts. The following year, he was convicted on both charges, although the possession charge was later dismissed by the judge. His sentence was set at 12 and a half years in prison.

Not long after Josh’s birth, Michelle conceived another child, however, she tragically experienced a miscarriage. As they mourned their loss and sought solace in prayer, they received news that twins were expected.

She shared that it felt like a special gift, “We were being strengthened by God,” she said. “We’re still growing and learning. It’s quite rare because I nurse my babies, but my children are so close in age. I had one baby, and then only eight months later, I was pregnant again. It’s just another unexpected twist that the Lord has chosen for our circumstances.

John David Duggar and his twin sister Jana Duggar were born on Jan. 12, 1990.

Following a long acquaintance (they had known each other for several years), and a swift romance that began at a church gathering in Oklahoma, where Abbie resides, John David and Abbie-Grace Burnett exchanged vows on November 3, 2018.

On January 7, 2020, they happily welcomed their daughter, Grace Annette Duggar, into the world. Later, in September 2022, they also welcomed a son, Charlie Duggar.

On their 30th birthday in January 2020, Jana wrote a heartfelt message to John: “Ever since we were kids, people have asked us if we had that ‘twin intuition.’ You know, the feeling where you sense what the other one is experiencing or guess what they’re thinking…Well, John, I used to say no—but now, on the day our daughter Gracie was born, I felt every ounce of joy that you did. So maybe there’s something to it after all!

Jana went on to say, “It’s truly heartwarming to see you and Abbie in your parental roles. You both seem so natural at it! The qualities that have made you such a fantastic brother will undoubtedly make you an exceptional father.

Jana waited for 11 out of her 18 siblings to marry before she found herself in love with Stephen Wissmann, whose sister Hannah is married to Jeremiah, one of her brothers. Although there were some acknowledged moments of frustration, she firmly believed that it was all part of God’s design for her life.

In August 2024, just before her wedding, Jana explained to People that she hasn’t always been clear about the larger scheme of things, but she trusts that God knows what’s best for everyone. Consequently, she decided to marry later in life. She added that if every story were identical, life would be monotonous, as each tale is unique.

Born on May 17, 1991, Jill Duggar – who later became known as Jill Dillard – had a romantic encounter that mirrored her parents’ love story. This encounter took place on Christmas Day in 2011 when she met Derick, a young man from approximately a 45-minute drive away. He happened to visit the Duggar family home while out caroling with his church group.

Jim Bob served as cupid, pairing Jill and Derick who found a connection through emails and Skype chats. In November of the same year, they visited Derick in Nepal, and their bond deepened. Their relationship continued to flourish, culminating in Derick proposing to Jill in February 2014. They got married on June 21, 2014, and are now proud parents of three sons—Israel (born April 6, 2015), Samuel (born July 8, 2017), and Frederick (born July 7, 2022).

In April 2024, Jill announced that they had experienced a miscarriage when expecting their first daughter with Derick.

In June of 2023, when the Amazon Prime Video documentary titled “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” was released, Jill and Derick took time to consider the debates and religious viewpoints related to Jill’s family, as depicted in the show.

Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifth child, Jessa Duggar, was born Nov. 4, 1992.

Jessa encountered Ben at church, and their relationship blossomed into courtship in 2013 – an antiquated method of wooing that took many viewers by surprise, as they rarely discussed their past romantic relationships before becoming engaged. Jim Bob clarified to People magazine, “Courting involves getting to know one another in a group setting, with both families spending time together and the couple establishing shared objectives to determine if they are destined for marriage. Unlike dating, couples usually do not isolate themselves but rather engage in activities under the supervision of their families.

In August 2014, Ben asked for Jessa’s hand in marriage and proposed. They exchanged their first touch at that moment. Their wedding took place on November 1, 2014. When Jessa was expecting their first child, the show “19 Kids and Counting” was discontinued, and TLC aired a special about sexual abuse, with Jill and Jessa as key participants, to increase public understanding of the issue. That winter, they started starring in their own show, titled “Jill and Jessa: Counting On”. Later, this show expanded to include other Duggar siblings, becoming known as “Counting On”.

Over the course of some years, Jessa and Ben added four more members to their family: Spurgeon (born Nov. 5, 2015), Henry (Feb. 6, 2017), Ivy Jane (May 28, 2019), and Fern (July 2021). Sadly, Jessa experienced a miscarriage during the 2022 holiday season. However, she welcomed her fifth child, George, in December 2023.

The sixth Duggar child, Jinger Vuolo, was born Dec. 21, 1993.

Jinger and Jeremy first met while working on ministry tasks in Laredo, Texas, back in 2016. From there, they began dating and eventually tied the knot on November 5, 2016, which also happened to be the birthday of her nephew Spurgeon (amongst many Duggar family members!). Soon after their wedding, speculation about a possible pregnancy surfaced.

In a June 2017 episode of ‘Counting On’, Jinger stated that they likely see themselves settled down, continuing their ministry in Laredo, and striving to serve the Lord in whatever capacity they can.

On July 19, 2018, their child named Felicity entered the world. It was around May of that same year when they announced Jinger was expecting again, and unfortunately, she had experienced a miscarriage the preceding autumn. In November 2020, Evangeline Jo joined their family as their newest addition.

Jinger and Jeremy shared in October 2024 that their third child is due in March 2025.

Born on January 20, 1995, Joseph Duggar found himself proposing to Kendra, whom he had met through their shared faith at church, at his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017. This proposal came after a brief courtship of only a few months.

Joseph confessed to People magazine that he was undeniably anxious leading up to it, yet he wasn’t worried she would reject him because she had already expressed, “‘I’m merely waiting for you!'” He shared this after proposing. Kendra added, “I am overjoyed and utterly astonished. There are so many things I want to express, but all I can say is shocked.

Since then, they’ve made public announcements regarding the births of their son Garrett (born in June 2018), their daughter Addison (born in November 2019), and their other daughter Brooklyn (born in February 2021).

Eighth in line, Josiah Duggar was born on Aug. 28, 1996.

A few months after their relationship became public knowledge, the pair revealed 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. This property holds significant family history, making it a particularly meaningful place for Lauren.

Michelle, Lauren’s future mother-in-law, expressed her love for Lauren in a video on their family blog, saying, “Lauren is such a cherished young woman.” Jessa and Ben added their congratulations, along with a gift of chocolate shaped like X’s and O’s. In the video, Michelle hinted at a sweet reward if they visited her, holding up the treat as she said, “I think you two might want to save your first kiss for your wedding day, but if you come over here, I’ll give you…

In the summer of 2015, a past relationship with Marjorie Jackson came to an end. As Josiah explained to People magazine in March 2016, “Marjorie and I had some wonderful moments together. We were simply attempting to listen to God’s guidance on everything. She felt it wasn’t the appropriate moment then, so we took a brief break.

On June 30, 2018, they officially got married, and they expressed to People that their wedding day was “completely perfect.” Their first child, Bella Milagro, was born on November 8, 2019, which means ‘miracle baby.’ This was after the couple had experienced a miscarriage in October 2018. They then welcomed another daughter, Daisy, in 2022, and a son named Ezra in May 2023.

Ninth sibling Joy-Anna Duggar was born Oct. 28, 1997.

She had been friends with Austin Forsyth for fifteen years before he began courting her. Following this, 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.

On February 23, 2018, Joy-Anna and Austin became parents to baby boy Gideon Martin Forsyth. Later, on August 21, 2020, they welcomed their daughter Evelyn Mae Forsyth into the world. And most recently, on May 17, 2023, Gunner James Forsyth joined their family as their third child.

Back in December of 1998, I was privileged to welcome the arrival of Jed Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar, the lovely twins of my dear friends Jim Bob and Michelle.

In the spring of 2021, Jed tied the knot with Katey Nakatsu following a year of romance. They are now proud parents to their son Truett, who was born in May 2022, and their daughter Nora Kate, who joined the family in June 2023.

In July of 2024, Jed and Katey shared the exciting news that they were expecting twin girls. On January 8th, 2025, their lovely daughters Elsie Kate and Emma Kate were born.

Jeremiah, a qualified flight instructor, is married to Hannah Wissmann (sister of Stephen, Jana’s husband), and together they are the proud parents of daughter Brynley, born in December 2022, and daughter Brielle, born in February 2024.

They announced in Decemeber 2024 that their third daughter is on the way.

No. 12 Jason Duggar was born on April 21, 2000.

In January 2017, according to the Daily Mail, Jim Bob assisted Jase in purchasing a $33,000 fixer-upper located in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, approximately half an hour from the Duggar family’s main residence. Subsequently, he established his own construction company.

In May 2024, he made their relationship public on Instagram with Maddie Grace, and they got married the following October.

Charmed No. 13, James Duggar was born July 7, 2001.

He doesn’t have a public romantic relationship with someone who could be his future partner, but he shows great affection towards many nieces and nephews as a loving uncle.

On his 19th birthday in 2019, mom Michelle posted: “James is our beloved ‘fun uncle,’ and all the young lads around here admire him greatly and aspire to be like him!” His ability to accomplish virtually anything he conceives is remarkable. As a child, we often discovered James tinkering with household appliances. He has always had an affinity for disassembling things, understanding their inner workings, and reassembling them—often with his own unique enhancements!

This year, James put in a lot of effort to earn his Commercial Driver’s License, and now he’s a skilled operator of large trucks and heavy equipment! We’re eagerly anticipating the wonderful things that await him in the future.

No. 14 Justin Duggar arrived on Nov. 15, 2002.

In the autumn of 2020, I made my relationship with Claire Spivey official to the world. We took our bond a step further when we got engaged in November, and on February 26, 2021, we exchanged vows and became husband and wife.

In the company of his elder sister Jill, Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifteenth child, Jackson Duggar, entered the world on the 23rd of May, 2004.

On his 16th birthday, Michelle, Jackson’s mom, complimented his wit and mentioned that she was certain he had been eagerly anticipating getting his driver’s license.

Johannah Duggar was born on October 11, 2005, which is why the initial family reality show was titled “16 Kids and Starting a New Life”.

On her 15-year-old daughter’s birthday in 2020, Michelle expressed, “This girl is full of life and enjoys meeting new people, and she can’t get enough of it.” She continued, “Her younger siblings idolize her and believe she’s simply amazing, and I couldn’t be more thankful to God for allowing me to be her mother!

Jennifer Duggar arrived on Aug. 2, 2007, then the baby of the family.

Their TLC show that premiered Sept. 29, 2008, was christened 17 Kids and Counting.

Now, OMG, she’s a teenager.

Michelle wrote that “Jennifer is trustworthy, devoted… and full of fun!” when her granddaughter turned 13. “She’s adored by the nieces and nephews, often found with one clinging to her because they don’t want her to let go! Jennifer also has a deep affection for animals and faithfully attends to her pets daily! Recently, she even assisted in caring for a brood of 7 baby bunnies!

Here on the right, the penultimate Duggar child was born Dec. 18, 2008.

In 2019, Jordyn-Grace was described by her mom as an outgoing girl who can easily strike up a conversation with anyone, and her laughter is often one of the highlights of our day.

19th on our list is Josie Duggar, who was born on December 10, 2009, three months before her due date. At birth, she weighed just 1 pound and 6 ounces. Due to her early arrival, she spent six long months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

On her baby’s eleventh birthday in 2020, Michelle wrote: “Josie is a whirlwind of activity,” indicating that from the moment she wakes up to when she goes to sleep, she seldom takes a break!

2025-03-21 17:18

Jana Duggar’s First Trip With In-Laws

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