3 years ago
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Last Friday, my photographer and I visited the world-famous Duggar family at their 7,000 square-foot home in Springdale, Ark. When I heard that I would be the one meeting 17 kids and two parents, I expected this blog to practically write itself.
Images of screaming kids running around and mass chaos breaking out ran through my mind. So you can imagine my slight disappointment when I walked in and the house was quieter and more organized than you would ever dream. Not once did I ever hear the kids fight over who would play with what toy or who got to swing next.
It was quite different from when I was younger and my older sister Amanda and I would constantly get in trouble for tattling and arguing. Amanda always thought I, as the "baby of the family," got away with murder. Simply not true! OK, maybe just a little.
Shortly after we arrived, all the kids got out their violins and proceeded to stand in two straight lines practicing their violin Christmas ensemble piece. It was music to the ears! They are all unbelievably talented. Following practice, they played together outside as the older girls fixed lunch (chicken noodle soup, salad, and fruit).
I'm not sure what instructions the parents gave the kids, but whatever they said, it worked. They were the best-behaved group of 19 one could possibly imagine.
Before lunch, dad Jim Bob said grace as the family stood in a circle holding hands. This is one of the closest-knit families I have ever had the privilege of meeting. You would think having 17 kids, it would be hard for mom and dad to truly know each one, but they do!
It was then off to the cafeteria-style line with their paper plates to get food. The older ones graciously served the younger children. Everyone has a paper cup for the day with his or her name written in magic marker. Mom says if there is no name, no one knows whose cup is whose. Each child then sat to eat at a long oak wood kitchen table that doubles as a school desk for the kids.
Classes followed as mom Michelle taught each one, minus the two older boys Josh and John David who were at work on their new used car business!
Meanwhile, I was taken on a tour of this super-sized family house that the kids helped build.
There are two 1,000-square-foot dormitories, one for the girls and one for the boys, nine bathrooms, a game room, prayer room and massive pantry that looks like a grocery store. It's no wonder why this house needs to be so big!
Let me tell you a little bit about who this Duggar clan is and why they have yet to say "no more kids!"
When the Duggar were married in 1984, (she was 17 and he was 19), they didn't want children immediately, feeling they could not afford them. After four years, Michelle stopped taking birth control pills to have their first child, and then went back on birth control after giving birth.
"We never dreamed--we thought we would have one, two, maybe three at the most," says Michelle.
When she got pregnant anyway only to suffer a miscarriage, which they blame on birth control pills, the couple felt that they had taken a child's life. They prayed for forgiveness and asked God to give them a love for children, and bless them with as many as he decided.
Inside of a year, Michelle gave birth to the first of their two sets of twins, and she hasn't stopped since.
"There's Josh, Janna, John David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, and baby Jennifer," explains Michelle.
Both Duggars are real estate agents, and both also host Bible-based "Financial Freedom Seminars." From 1999-2002, Jim Bob served in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He lost a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2002.
When I asked the Duggars how they stay so organized, they explained that each child is in charge of one "jurisdiction," everything from grocery shopping to violin lessons.
Michelle says it is almost easier having 17 kids than five because the older ones help out so much.
To have this many kids, you truly have to be a very patient understanding parent. I am mind-boggled when I think of having labor 15 times. Michelle has been pregnant 135 months of her 41 years! Yes 135 months! Can you imagine?
After changing 90,000 diapers, this family of 19 still is not ready to quit expanding.
"We would love more. We would love more. I guess we'll wait and see. I'm 41 now and we would love more," says Michelle.
"I've always left it up to Michelle," explains Jim Bob.
Yep, they're not joking. It may only be a matter of months before they're announcing Michelle is once again expecting.
"It's so funny. This last pregnancy, I told Dad that one of my older daughters called me on the phone when I was out at Wal-Mart and she said, 'Mom, you were due to start on such and such date. Would you mind picking up a pregnancy test because we are so excited. We think you may be pregnant.' I called Dad and said this is really embarrassing when your daughter calls."
Click the THVideo icon to see an extensive interview with the Duggars. Also, to play the game "Name That Duggar," and to see the Duggar Family website click on the links under the pictures.
