Recap: "Invites and Ride-Alongs" and "Wedding Prep and Pies"

On Last Night's Episodes of 19 Kids and Counting:


19 Kids and Counting "Invites and Ride-Alongs"

• Michelle spends quality time with John-David and learns how to operate an excavator and a dump truck. "John-David is very patient, and he is a good instructor," says the mom of 19, who makes a point to spend one-on-one time with each of her kids.
• Jinger says John is steady, quiet, and easy-going. Michelle calls him tenderhearted.
• Jessa and Ben ask Josh, who does graphic design as a hobby, to design their wedding invitations. Josh agrees. While he works, Mackynzie and Michael design their own invitations using construction paper and colored Popsicle sticks. Josh sends a few options to the future Mr. and Mrs. Seewald, and they select their favorite.
• Jill prepares dessert and a care package for Derick's mom, Cathy, who is going to Omaha, Nebraska, for five weeks of treatment that will hopefully prevent her cancer from returning. (Update: Cathy is doing very well, and her doctors say her healing is nothing short of a miracle.)
• Constable John-David takes Jim Bob on a ride-along in his police car. "We'll see if my dad follows the rules," says John. In case you are wondering, a constable is a police officer with less authority and a smaller jurisdiction than a sheriff. John-David was sworn in as constable in January 2013.
• John-David stops to help an officer who has pulled someone over in a gas station parking lot. He instructs Jim Bob to stay in the car, but the Duggar dad slips out and buys food at the convenience store.  
• "It looks like you got out of the car," says John, jokingly. "We've got to keep our strength up," responds Jim Bob, holding a package of donuts and two bottles of Gatorade.
• The ride-along turns out to be uneventful, but Jim Bob enjoys spending time with his son.

19 Kids and Counting "Wedding Prep and Pies"

• Michelle helps Jason and James make pies (also called casseroles) that they hope receive Jessa and Ben's stamp of approval for the rehearsal dinner.  "Jason and James, their cooking style is more for survival," says Michelle. "It's not for appearance of the food..."
• "The pies that Jason and James made were amazing," says Jessa.
• In Washington D.C., Josh prepares egg sandwiches for his family. Then, the Duggar dad takes Mackynzie and Michael to a nearby music store for their first music lessons.
• Mackynzie is thrilled to learn to play her tiny violin, and Michael smiles as he has his first piano lesson. Afterwards, the kids enjoy trying out a drum set.
• Ben is designing a wedding band for Jessa that he will surprise her with on their wedding day. He takes the sketches to White's Jewelry, and Jinger brings Jessa's engagement ring. "When it's all finished, I can't wait to see her face when I slide it on her finger," says Ben.
• Later, the Duggar girls head to Flowerama, a local flower shop. Jessa admits she doesn't know much about flowers. "Jessa doesn't really have a plan just yet for her flowers," says Jana.
• The employees at Flowerama show the Duggars how to make bouquets. "Our parents have encouraged us to gain as many life skills as we can," says Jessa.
• The little girls especially enjoy blowing into the flowers to make them open up.
• "These last moments together as sisters are kind of bittersweet," says Jana. "We are definitely cherishing these moments and just enjoying making these memories together before Jessa gets married."