Exclusive interview with Jim Bob Duggar: 'It's comical, we're renting the Planned Parenthood house'

February 4, 2010 - (With slideshow) During an exclusive telephone interview with Jim Bob Duggar this afternoon, he said the house they’re renting was previously owned by the lady who started Planned Parenthood in Little Rock, Arkansas, and that Jordyn learned to walk there.

“It sounds like they’re making the best of the situation and what they're doing shows me that anything’s possible when families stick together.” Melody Cash of Seattle said. “I can’t believe they rented the ‘Planned Parenthood’ house and they have 19 kids – that’s just too funny. ”

I asked Jim Bob to fill me in about the house they’re renting and if all of the kids have been staying there with them.

He said, “Well first, it’s comical that the house we’re renting was actually owned by a lady who started Planned Parenthood in Little Rock. There’s even a plaque outside in the front yard.”

“Josh and John are working so they come every weekend, sometimes in the middle of the week. Josiah has helped them and is back this week. The other kids are here most of the time,” Jim Bob said.

“We are so proud of Josh and John for helping save little Maddye’s life,” he said, “They really worked together, with Josh calling 911 and staying on the phone with them while John performed CPR.” (Click here for more information about the incident).

“John,” he said, “Is starting a towing company so he’s working with Josh right now and comes mostly on weekends. And Josiah has been helping the boys and is here with us this week.”

Jim Bob said the older girls are there most of the time unless they’re out running errands, taking kids to the dentist or doctor, or doing volunteer work.

“Today,” he said, “The older girls are volunteering at a soup kitchen.”

I asked how little Jordyn is doing and he said, “She’s doing great. She just turned a year and learned to walk over the last three weeks.”

“Josie,” he said, “Is eight weeks old today and weighs 2 lbs. 5 oz. now. She’s a preemie so preemie issues come up. Michelle is at the hospital with her right now. I couldn’t be there because I have a cold.”

“Michelle and I have been here non-stop for nine weeks now,” Jim Bob said.

We talked about the children’s schooling and Jim Bob said, “Since we’re homeschooling it’s not an issue. We brought the kids’ computers here so they could continue their school work.”

Melody said, “I home school my kids too, and when our preemie was born it was so hard to make everything work. Luckily we lived not far from the hospital, but still, trying to juggle our four kids who were all under 6 at the time was really hard. I felt I missed out so much for about six months or more because of all the issues we had to deal with having a preemie. The good news is Sarah, who was only 2 lbs. 1 oz. at birth is a normal, happy little 3-year old now. You’d never even know she was a preemie.”

Exclusive Interview: Jim Bob Duggar proud of sons for helping save a life (Video, photos, 911 call)