Yup, I am blogging about the famous Duggar family today. Wasn't planning on this but I was so moved after watching a random episode from their reality show, that I can't help but share what I see in this interesting family. I really don't watch this show much, but while Dave was gone this past weekend the boys and I watched a movie together. They both fell asleep on me and I did not want to move just yet and could only reach the remotes (I had a chic flick to put in but settled for channel surfing so I didn't wake them). I stumbled across the 19 and Counting show and it just happened to be the episode when they delivered their 19th child, Josie, emergency c-section and 15 weeks early. I don't know why, but I sat through this show filled with emotion. (by the way I would recommend this episode to anyone...I think you can find it on-line on TLC website???).
This family may not be your typcial family in America, but I believe they are doing some things very right. If you can look past their long skirts, long hair, tucked in shirts, and simple ways you will see many characteristics that many of our American family's today could learn from. With 18 family members they still make it a priority to sit down for each meal at the table and share meal time together. They plan for and make time for family activities. They intentionally set their home up to create the most opportunities to encourage family togetherness. They provide the needs of their children, but don't let all the wants take over the things that accumulate in their home. They have high expectations of their children being responsible team members in this large group, yet they have many moments of sillyness and fun. They pray together. They play together. They talk with each other. Yes, this family may be a bit out of our norm, but they have what seems to be a healthy, happy, and God honoring family. I think I could be friends with Michelle if she lived on my street :)
Anyways, back to this particular show... It started with Mama Duggar feeling a good amount of pain and being taken to the hospital. She is admitted and later they find she has preeclampsia which can be fatal for baby and mother. The only way to cure it is to deliver the baby. I watched as Papa Duggar phoned home to keep the family informed. This followed by Brother Josh leading the family in prayer for Mama & little Josie. What a great leader Josh was being at only 21. Nobody knew the gender of this baby yet and the family was soon to find out. For some reason I assumed after having 18 kids the siblings would not be overly excited to hear if it's a boy or girl. You know, it's another sibling...yeah-yeah... add them to the gang, hooray. The kids were so excited to find out! They all stood around a computer screen as Mama & Papa Duggar made the announcement and everyone cheered and yelled in pure joy over the news of another girl. I'm sure the same would have happened for another boy, but I was moved by the excitement these 18 kids still had for another addition to what many consider a non-traditional, traditional family! 19 kids and these people still have the same joy, excitement, and happiness as if it were the 1st! This alone was a testimony to me of their hearts and true belief in the blessings of children. As I continued to watch the show I was so interested in seeing the process of delivering a 24 week baby. One of my thoughts during this went back to an article I read not long ago about babies being aborted at 24 weeks. Yes, you read that right. Babies lose their lives at 24 weeks by mothers who have sadly made this choice for them. It was amazing to watch Mama Duggar deliver her 24 week baby and see that little one move, kick, cry, and fight for her little life. At 24 weeks this baby had a lot smaller chance of surviving. However, with today's technology and medical knowledge this baby will probably go on to live many years in her new family of 21! Watching this delivery was another testimony to me of the gift of life. It is precious. It is real. The Duggar's may have a few things to teach our families, but maybe the most important lesson they have taught us lately starts with the gift of life. Thank you Duggar's for sharing this personal experience on TV. I hope it was played for all those that needed a little reminder of God's desire to bring life into this world.
While watching I thought back to my earliest ultra sounds. I loved seeing Mama Duggar's u/s displayed on TV. With Austin we had a very early u/s due to a previous miscarriage. At 5 weeks we saw his little sac and heard his faint, but ever so there heart beating. Amazing. (this is not my u/s, but another one at 5 weeks)
At 12 weeks with Jaxon we had an u/s because we had no clue when we were due!! In Jaxon's u/s we saw his little legs, hands, and head. His heart was beating strong and he had his fist up to his mouth already! (again, a borrowed pic from the web, but very similar to Jaxon's picture).
