New Season: Meri, Meri and More Meri

[Alice in Fundieland 16,654]

I feel like all of Christine’s resentments are coming to the surface this season. I always wondered how long it would take and who would be the first one to start bringing up these things. I always thought it would be Meri. https://people.com/tv/sister-wives-christine-brown-hated-that-husband-kody-didnt-shower-in-her-bathroom/

[Botkinetti 7,287]

I feel like when Christine took such a strong stand against all of them living in the same house and lightening didn’t strike her down she became stronger . She is looking at spending the rest of her life with a husband in name only and she has had enough. I wonder if looking at the monogamist marriages of the younger generation has helped to open her eyes to what she missed out on being the third wife.

The days of her being needed for childcare and her own house being full of her children are long gone and she is at loose ends and seeing Kody with clearer eyes.

[DalmatianCat 1,733]

7 hours ago, Botkinetti said:

 She is looking at spending the rest of her life with a husband in name only and she has had enough. I wonder if looking at the monogamist marriages of the younger generation has helped to open her eyes to what she missed out on being the third wife.

True...two of her daughters are in (seemingly) happy monogamous marriages as is Maddie her almost-daughter. She’s probably wondering what she missed out on. And has no idea what it’s like to have her husband home every night.

[Don'tlikekoolaid 22,722]

Cody said a nice thing at the end of the show where they show previews of the next one.

Mariah and family were looking at wedding venues and were looking at an outside venue with twisting paths leading up to the altar area.  Cody said this would be great, you wouldn’t have to walk a straight path.  

 

[ifosterkittens 3,508]

Season 15 Episode 4 The Basement Wife

STH- Solo talking head, solo interview

Robyn in a STH said she wants to talk to Christine about the concerns Christine expressed at the lunch initiated by Janelle in S15 E1. At the lunch Christine said she was sure everyone hates her all the time. Christine said she doesn’t want to attend family events because they are hostile, and no one likes her. Robyn in the STH said she and Christine have gone through ups and downs with their relationship, sometimes it’s good and sometimes because of plural marriage jealousy reins. Christine in a STH said she doesn’t enjoy conversations at all, she doesn’t enjoy being vulnerable. Christine said she’ll put herself out there and after she think she’s an idiot. Robyn goes to Christine’s house to discuss it, and Christine said it is her imagination and the conversations she has in her head aren’t always healthy. Christine in a STH said she has always had these concerns when it was just Meri and Janelle she would wonder if they were mad or frustrated with her. Robyn tells Christine she can only speak for herself, but Robyn does not feel that way about Christine. Robyn in a STH said she hasn’t seen any behavior that would suggest the others hate Christine. Christine in a STH she thinks about things before family gatherings, and it is easier if the gathering is at her house. Christine knows how to prepare for it and make everyone comfortable at her own home. When she enters a sister wife’s house, she doesn’t know how to feel safe and be herself. Christine in the STH said it sounds stupid to admit it out loud.

Christine tells Robyn that Robyn has said before she doesn’t know her role in other wives’ homes, and Christine feels the same way. Robyn tells Christine they share the same role, share the role of mother constantly. Robyn in a STH said it can create tension when they share the role of being a mother and knowing when to step in and mother other children is difficult. Robyn tells Christine when you walk into another wife’s home you step down a little. Christine said the wife whose home it is is Queen Wife. Robyn says kind of, Christine said she (wife of the home) gets final say. Christine in a STH said in the wife’s home who is hosting decides the meal, the preparation, she creates it, she should be most important and make the final decision because it is her home. Meri in a STH said she doesn’t like the term queen wife or queen bee; it has a negative connotation. Meri said she doesn’t feel it has anything to do with queen wife, simply it is their home and she’ll respect their space.

Robyn tells Christine they want to say things of importance, that what they say matters and is valued, and Christine said now you know about the one house versus four separate houses. Christine tells Robyn one house was so hard she never felt like she was queen wife or queen mom. Christine goes on to say everyone else’s needs came before hers the other kids needs came before her kids too. Christine in a STH said Janelle was gone all the time, so she was like Janelle’s kids’ mom too. Christine stood up firmly for Janelle’s kids and put the needs of her kids after Janelle’s. Christine said her kids know she loved them and cared for them, but she feels she could have done better. Christine tells Robyn someone had to take the basement, not a fun choice, she hated it. She goes on to say she hates difficult conversations, so she put her needs last. Christine in a STH said in the plural community there is a basement wife mentality. If there is a wife that is queen bee the other wife goes in the basement and she doesn’t matter as much, and she’s seen it a lot. Christine said she put herself in the basement and became a basement wife. Christine felt like she stopped having a choice and didn’t matter as much.

Janelle in a STH said she has never heard or thought about someone being called the basement wife. Janelle said they’ve had plenty of houses where she lived in the basement. One was a basement with a kitchenette it was dark, couldn’t see out the windows. Janelle never felt stigma more separation. Christine tells Robyn it was hard, so she won’t do one house again. Christine said Kody said there would be thicker walls, but that doesn’t matter she would never be queen. Christine in a STH said she won’t do it, won’t have her kids’ needs not met, won’t do one house. Christine tells Robyn she had a back door entrance. Kody would enter dump his stuff at Meri or Janelle’s house, never settle in hers, wouldn’t shower there, or get dressed there until she brought it up to him. Christine in a STH said Kody would say Meri has a better shower and Christine said she didn’t care, not using hers said she didn’t matter. Christine said he did start showering there, but only because Robyn said something. Christine said she mentioned it several times over the years, and it wasn’t until Robyn was coming into the family that he started showering at her place. Meri in a STH said she never discussed this with Christine, she knew it was a problem for Christine, and it never came from her. Kody in a STH said Christine’s memory of Lehi is he never showered at Christine’s house which isn’t true, he showered there a lot. Kody said he showered more often at Meri’s house in the morning because Meri was going to work and they would visit, then he had breakfast at Christine’s house every morning before he went to work. He felt he was balancing out the relationship. He feels Christine is twisting the past experiences to a negative place and that’s why she doesn’t want to be in one home. He said it isn’t about the one home, it is how she has twisted the past and made it negative. Christine tells Robyn she needs to talk to Kody and feels everything went bad between her and Kody after the one home conversation because he took it personally. Robyn said Kody feels it is about family, but everyone must choose it (one home). Christine said she can’t keep bringing it up, and it cause such a bad situation. Robyn in a STH said she thinks Kody needs to hear what Christine just shared with her, and it will be hard for him to hear.

Robyn asks Christine to discuss the difference in the family culture between the one house in Lehi and Las Vegas. Robyn in a STH said she wants to make peace they aren’t living in one home because that is the idea she bought off on (her words) when she got to know the Browns. Christine said she, Meri, and Janelle made it work because of the kids. Christine doesn’t know if they would have chosen to work things out for any other reason than the kids. Robyn in a STH said she is confused; did she not see what was in front of her face? Did she fall in love of a culture of a family that wasn’t really real? Christine feels now it is more organic because they have a choice. Christine tells Robyn when she entered the family Robyn really stood up for herself, and Christine didn’t understand what that was like. Robyn asks was she harsh? Christine said Robyn did great. Christine was surprised Robyn would have conversations with Kody and have a choice and not just be told what to do. Christine in a STH said for years Kody tried to take Christmas away, Robyn came into the family and said that was the stupidest idea ever. Christine said Robyn would have magical conversations with Kody, and he would come back and say he thought they still needed to have Christmas. Christine said Robyn was heard and it blew her mind. Kody in a STH said because of his religious views he tried to move the family away from the commercialization of Christmas. He said Robyn talking to him about Christmas was to keep him from taking away the spirit of Christmas. He feels it was a big misunderstanding. Christine tells Robyn she brought a change and both Janelle and Christine became stronger people. Christine in a STH said hard conversations have a time limit of an hour, the body says it needs to breath, so she’ll run from her problems.

Christine said everyone is glorifying the past and it is BS. She said they made it work for the kids. Christine said when they got back together in Vegas, they had to figure out the balance in the cul de sac. Christine said when they get out to Coyote Pass, they won’t all be best friends, and have this magical time, they will have to figure it out. Christine tells Robyn Flagstaff has been a reset and they don’t have to do anything together. Christine said we have to decide do we want to call each other up as a girlfriend and say let’s do lunch today? She asks what is stopping us? Christine said she gets in her own head and has enemies when they actually aren’t. Robyn in a STH said it is easy to wonder do my sister wives love, care, or hate me. She struggles with it. Christine in a STH said when she has a good relationship with Kody it is easy to have a good relationship with her sister wives, if she’s in a rough spot with Kody it is difficult to want to contribute to a sister wife relationship. Robyn in a STH said if you can’t trust your sister wive to look out for your relationship with your husband you can’t be friends. She said that comes first before becoming girlfriends. Robyn said if you know a sister wife is trying to sabotage your relationship with Kody you can’t trust her. (Robyn didn’t mention or allude to any specific instances of sabotage).

Mariah and Audrey have three venues in mind for the wedding a botanical garden, ski resort and family farm with a castle. Meri and Kody in a couch interview Meri said Mariah came out as gay 3-3.5 years ago. Meri will always regret her reaction because she was clueless and felt like a bad mom. Three- or four-months later Mariah introduced Audrey, and Meri loves watching their relationship blossom.

All five Brown parents and Audrey’s parents Joanie and Rick tour the wedding venues with Mariah and Audrey. Audrey and Mariah’s friend Claire is giving the tour of the garden. Audrey’s mom Joanie said if you take a girls’ trip and tell people you are from Utah you automatically get the joke, you’re sister wives. They hope August 29, 2021 will be the wedding date. Both of their birthdays are on the 29. Kody asks if they plan on having dancing, and Mariah said yes. They joke Rick (Audrey’s dad) looks like he is surfing when he dances. Each wife describes her dance style. At the botanical garden venue Kody said Mariah and Audrey can walk down an aisle that isn’t a straight line. The crowd cheers. Meri tells the crowd Mariah and Audrey don’t want to invite people who aren’t supportive of their right to marry. Kody and Meri in a couch interview Kody said when he married Meri people came to the wedding and said they came because they loved them but didn’t condone their lifestyle. Kody said having people say I love you but I think your religion and lifestyle are dumb may have helped him personally to develop a high level of acceptance for gay people. Kody tells the group you don’t know whose mind you might open by the sacredness of your love. He said invite all the people to challenge them to think what would God have them do? Ostracize or accept them. Christine said Kody was open minded, but she would say no invite if you don’t love and accept me. Christine in a STH said there are people on both sides of the family and friends that struggle with gay couples, so don’t invite them. Kody and Meri in a couch interview Meri says dogmatically they are taught plural wives should not have a celebration. In their church the first wife could have a celebration because she didn’t have to stay hidden. Kody said the first wedding celebration wasn’t always encouraged, and a big celebration with the second wife was discouraged. Kody said his marriage to Janelle was” way played down”, and “reasonably small” for Christine. Kody got frustrated and decided for his kids and if he ever got married again it would be a big celebration.

They flash the date March 12, 2020 and while touring Kody said he wants to get back in the sun doesn’t want to get chilled with corona virus going free. Rick said the day before his company cancelled all unnecessary flights. Kody said Meri and Christine had won a cruise that just got cancelled. Kody’s mother was having her 80th birthday that Saturday (likely March 14, 2020) and his brother texted to reconsider coming to the party. Meri and Kody in a couch interview Meri said she they don’t know what COVID 19 is or how bad it was going to get but cruise lines are being quarantined, hers was cancelled. Mariah and Audrey liked Red Butte (botanical garden). Solitude Mountain Resort is the ski resort option. Meri said it looks like it will be expensive. They must ride snow mobiles to see the venue and Janelle thinks they are terrifying. Kody said Meri will look at the snow mobile as an adventure, not sure about Christine or Robyn but he knows Janelle will be scared and white knuckling. Janelle was scared, but said it wasn’t as bad as she thought and it was exhilarating, the other wives all enjoyed it. Meri with Kody on couch said she doesn’t think everyone will want to ride the ski lift to get up to the venue.

Wellesley Farms was the third location the farm with a castle they visit the following day. The crowd gathers at the castle and Kody said he heard hugs were still ok, Mariah said the concern is respiratory droplets. Mariah and Audrey couch interview Mariah corona virus is going around it’s getting scary, so hug with mouth closed. Susie shows them around Wellesley Farms, does the elbow tap instead of handshakes. Susie said they have had polygamous and same sex weddings. Susie puts on music so the crowd can dance in the castle. Kody asks Mariah how he’ll be able to afford the wedding. Janelle in a STH said they had planned to get married in Chicago, a family farm in northern Utah has to be more reasonably priced and doesn’t agree with Kody’s approach says let the girls dream and figure out the financial part. Mariah says Sunday for the date, and the venue is closed on Sundays. Kody said he would feel funny about changing the dates, dates mean things, he would seriously consider the date if it is important to them. They look at the price for Friday/Saturday and say the price is competitive with other venues.

After the wedding venue tours Kody went to northern Wyoming for his mother’s 80th birthday party (presumably March 14, 2020), his wives went home. TLC put on the screen “Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the production crew was unable to travel to Flagstaff, Arizona. The Browns filmed themselves with their cellphones. Interviews were conducted with a remote-controlled camera.” Kody while driving home from his mother’s birthday party in Lovell, WY (town of his birth) said there was concern about having the birthday party. Kody in a STH said at the birthday party they were told don’t touch, no high fives, no handshakes. Kody said toilet paper is flying off the shelf, it has an apocalyptic feel to it.  The wives were flying back to Flagstaff (presumably from Salt Lake) and Kody said their trip was a little spooky. Robyn said people were wearing masks. Janelle said there was lots of uneasiness at the airport. Flights were bumped, delayed, being changed, so they rented a car and drove home. Kody says wives told him stores were closing, schools were going to close. Meri said this week it has gotten crazy, should I be nervous, are we overreacting? Janelle discusses being careful at the grocery store. Nobody knows what to do.

Next episode the uncertainty of how to navigate COVID 19.

TLDR: Robyn and Christine discuss Christine’s reasons for not wanting one home. Christine felt like a basement wife, she felt less than and her needs and her kids weren’t as important when they lived in one home. Christine will not go back to feeling less than. Christine admired Robyn’s ability to stand up for herself and Robyn’s ability to communicate with Kody. Mariah, Audrey and their parents look at wedding venue. They toured wedding venues on March 12, 2020 and concerns about COVID 19 were just beginning to affect the United States, and things rapidly started shutting down.

[Botkinetti 7,287]

I found it interesting that there was no angst about the wives being in one car together when they decided to drive rather than fly back to Arizona. Almost as if the earlier problem was producer driven or the wives didn’t want to spend that much time with Kody.

[gustava 4,816]

Show should be renamed "The Real Housewives of Coyote Pass."

[ifosterkittens 3,508]

TLC aired the first four episodes of Season 15 with bonus scenes. Some of the scenes weren't anything new, or helpful in providing context. In the second episode Felons No More bonus scene Joe Darger said they needed more gathering space and less bedroom space and were factoring that in when they build their dream forever home. (The Dargers did a big renovation to create a larger kitchen/family gathering area a few years ago.) Kody tells Joe it is a constant debate when talking about building the homes because he thinks you need 3,000 square feet to have extra bedrooms for when the kids come to visit. Kody said if you don't have the room for the kids they won't come visit. Janelle in a STH said it is a debate between her and Kody and having all this room you don't use except when the kids visit. Christine in a STH said her current house is 2,300 sq ft and she plans to build 3,000 sq ft. Christine said may add an extra bathroom but she wants a bigger kitchen and family room to gather. Meri in a STH said they only gather at one or two homes as a family, not at all four so she doesn't need the huge kitchen/family room because they don't gather at her house, but she wants it so she could host the family. 

In Robyn the Peacemaker episode bonus scene Meri, Robyn and Kody are out at Coyote Pass looking at the lots. Kody in a STH said we're at another impasse with Meri on the lot. He said can I say wet bar? We are going to wet bar the shit out of this place. (Remember Meri had to have the wet bar in the Las Vegas kitchen which meant she went with the five bedroom house plan because the four bedroom house plan didn't have the wet bar option.)

The Basement Wife episode bonus scene Robyn and Christine are chatting and Christine said she never felt like she had identity as wife, just as mom. She was mom to all the kids, and felt like a second class citizen in her own home. Robyn in a STH said feeling like a second class citizen in a plural family is messed up. Robyn said it is easy for the world to equate a plural wife with second class citizen and see her as a mistress, girl friend, the other woman etc. Robyn went on to say if you are in a household where you are all supposed to be equal and you feel like a second class citizen it is even more detrimental. Your home is supposed to be your safe place. In a second bonus scene Mariah and Audrey said Meri loves being a dog grandma. At the third location the farm with the castle Meri asked could the dogs come and be in the ceremony? Susie said no. Mariah and Audrey said they would include the dogs if the venue allowed, but will not pick a venue based on the dogs being allowed. Audrey said it wasn't a deal breaker. Kody thinks it is weird to include a dog in the wedding. Meri wants to have another party that includes the dogs, Mariah is clearly over the topic and Audrey's mom Joanie said they'll have a puppy reception. 

[anjulibai 21,670]

Again with the unnecessarily giant houses! Kody is nuts if he thinks the kids are going to constantly visit, and all at the same time, and all the wives are nuts if they want huge spaces for everyone to gather when they don't gather that often. 

I think I suggested this last season, but they ought to have 4 small houses and then a kind of reception hall with a larger kitchen that they can use for big family gatherings Maybe even give Kody that single bedroom he wants. That way no one is hosting, they're all working together, which is supposedly how this is supposed to work any way. 

It seems like the Dargers have a way better handle of planning for the future as one family, and being more realistic about their long term needs. At this point, none of the Browns are really thinking about the future realistically. 

 

[kiwi 2,057]

They needed to do the big house right when robyn joined the family. When they had all the kids at home and the original wives knew no different from all living in that original house together.

How many kids are still living at home right now? They have 18 children, 12 are adults (18yrs or older). That leaves 6 - aged 5-17.

[clueliss 27,971]

Janelle admitting that she bought toilet paper in 3 month supplies and had it delivered straight to her house made me giggle.  Also - she was trying to do the right thing by saying, 'eh - don't come here I've got 2 grown boys who stink at social distancing and want a social life' but you know - Kody's ego can't handle that. 

And Kody - at one point in one of those self shot scenes -  with Christine - you head was bowed down.  Dude - Now I see why you keep the long hair.  You're hiding the fact that you're bald under there.  (the hair separated and you could see the skin going down the side of his head).  There's no shame in balding.  (oh, except - Kody's Ego)

[Botkinetti 7,287]

I got a very strong whiff of “how dare my wives decide where I’m going to be. I decide who to grace with my presence, not them”. He was pissed that they weren’t devastated at the thought of being without him. 
 

Janelle made a rational, thought out decision to keep Kody away and help protect the rest of the family but because he didn’t think of it first he fought against it.

[fluffernutter 9,275]

What if Kody got himself a house and any wife that would actually choose to spend time with him could go and see him? No more going between houses! I suspect he'd be spending a whole lot of time alone. 

[Botkinetti 7,287]

Interesting idea about his own house.

I wonder how many of his children would visit him. He believes himself to be an exemplary father but except for Robyn’s kids he hasn’t been consistently around most of them for years . I think he would throw a huge temper tantrum when he realized that most of the older ones don’t rely on his advice and guidance.

[DalmatianCat 1,733]

On 3/16/2021 at 1:16 AM, kiwi said:

How many kids are still living at home right now? They have 18 children, 12 are adults (18yrs or older). That leaves 6 - aged 5-17.

Five parents and six kids is an excellent parent/child ratio.

[ifosterkittens 3,508]

Season 15 Episode 5 Polygamist in a Pandemic

STH- Solo Talking Head

Due to COVID-19 restrictions the production crew was unable to travel to Flagstaff, Arizona. The Browns filmed themselves with their cell phones. Interviews were conducted with a remote-controlled camera.

Kody in a STH said the pandemic hit the US, closed business, schools, college campuses. The mall where Aspyn works was closed. The five adults do a virtual call (not sure it they are using zoom, but same idea), Christine’s picture is sideways, Robyn is sitting (not driving) in her car for the call. Christine in a STH said it is her first teleconference phone, she doesn’t know what she is doing, afraid to touch phone. Christine turns phone, no longer sideways. Christine is in North Carolina during this call. Christine in a STH said after the wedding venue tour in Utah (March 12, 2021) she went home, and then she, Gwen, Ysabel and Truely went to North Carolina to visit Maddie, Caleb, Axel and Evie K. Christine said she asked Maddie first, Maddie said ok. Christine said after they got to North Carolina COVID was much more alarming, more of a scare. The kids are on spring break. Christine tells the other adults she worries she might not make it back home, and Kody says she might be stuck because flights are being canceled and airports might be closing. Robyn said she is so stressed she and the kids are self-quarantining at home. Robyn said she’s had pneumonia before, and Sol had RSV when he was young, and she’s talked to the doctor who said those are high risk situations. Robyn in a STH said Sol had RSV as a baby and within 10 minutes of being at the pediatrician they almost admitted him to the hospital. Robyn said it weakened his lungs. On the family call Janelle said it doesn’t seem like much has changed at her house, extended spring break mentality. Robyn tells the crowd it could be longer than a couple of weeks. Janelle hopes it will be under control in three to four weeks because they are a small town and said there are no exposures in Flagstaff yet. Robyn is nervous because they are two hours away from a large city and is worried hospitals will be overwhelmed. Kody said because everyone else is being careful he’ll be careful.

Christine asks should she and the girls quarantine after returning from NC? Kody said if their family (adults and kids) stay away from others they should be fine. Meri said we are a big family, but we don’t see each other every day. Janelle said if they are all careful and only go to the grocery store can’t they all hang out? Robyn asks if they think it is ok and safe to spend time together? Janelle in a STH sees the pandemic as bonus family time, and feels they are being careful and can spend time together. Robyn in a STH is nervous and cautious. Janelle said Garrison and Gabriel are in the prime of their social life so she’s asking them to be careful when going out and socially distance, and the boys are wondering if it is an overreaction. Janelle in a STH said the local community and national news differ. No one is sick in her community. She wonders is it a concern for large cities. Are they (they is not specified) trying to make her afraid? Robyn said she doesn’t want to be isolated, not sure what is smart. Meri in a STH asked how can they work on their relationships if they can’t see each other to talk to? Kody in a STH if the family stays away from anyone who isn’t family the family can hang out all summer. He doesn’t see it as a big sacrifice, and temporary.

Kody in his car in Flagstaff on March 22, 2020 said the whole country was told to social distance, and that’s not easy for his big family. Kody said, “I’ve got family in three, four different homes.” Christine and girls are back from NC they wanted to have a family breakfast to discuss next step, but the others didn’t come because of covid concerns. Christine said Janelle felt like she was coming down with a cold, and Kody said he had a cold too.  Janelle in a STH said she’s wondering is it normal sick or covid? Christine said while Kody was filming her you could have let me put on makeup first. Robyn said there is now a case of corona in Flagstaff. She felt in a small mountain town they were ok, but now scared.

Meri calls Mariah and Audrey. Mariah and Audrey were planning to move to Utah eventually. Meri is planning to fly to Mariah and Audrey in Chicago, help them out (pack?) bring them back to her house and figure out next step. There is concern state borders will close. Robyn and Christine think Mariah and Audrey should leave Chicago as cases continue. Janelle in a STH said she’s a slow methodical thinker and doesn’t do well in these situations and luckily Meri and Mariah do. Meri in a STH said she feels the stress, needs to fix it, feels the girls are in danger. Asypn and her husband are visiting her mom’s house. Kody, Christine and kids discuss rationing toilet paper. Kody said he had to plunge the toilet and there was tons toilet paper. Meri in STH said toilet paper and paper towels are sold out. Janelle in a STH said she gets a three-month toilet paper shipment, so she’s covered. Kody said four-five sheets of toilet paper and demonstrates how to fold the paper and discusses how to use it. Robyn in a STH said she uses a lot of toilet paper. Kody said later we’ll have the birds and bees talk so Truely knows how babies are made. One girl made a retching sound, and Truely said I know (in regard to babies) and it is disgusting. Truely asks what happens when you poop and need more than the allotted toilet paper? Christine said put a little lotion on the toilet paper, it picks things up easier and is a technique from Brazil. Kody shares the Grandpa Bill method (Meri’s dad) one square of toilet paper. Meri in a STH said it was a joke, her dad’s humor.

Kody March 23, 2020 goes to Meri’s house to talk. Kody suggested Janelle get a covid test to know if it was seasonal allergies or covid, but no test was available. Kody said there is a divide between those that think they should quarantine and others who want to spread it around and check and see if they are immune or will get it. A director asks him to name names, but he won’t. Kody recognizes Meri is panicked and feels she needs to go rescue her daughter. Kody and Meri call Mariah and Audrey to form a plan. Kody said the cost of traveling to transport their furniture would probably be the same as replacing it. Mariah asked should they just bring what they can in their car? Kody said if he drove with a trailer it would take 2-3 days to get to Mariah and Audrey which puts him at risk; therefore, the rest of the family at risk. Meri in a STH is upset because Kody mentioned him traveling to Mariah and Audrey and didn’t mention bringing Meri along (didn’t say he wouldn’t either). Kody said Meri thinks about Meri, Mariah and Audrey, he is required to consider the entire family. He feels Meri flying could expose everyone. Kody tells them to pack up and leave as fast as they can if they are going to leave, waiting for a parent to arrive stalls the process. Meri isn’t concerned about the risk to her. Kody said he will reassure Meri. Meri in a STH said she doesn’t like it when Kody makes sense (her not traveling) and she wants to do it. Meri said she feels helpless sitting and doing nothing, wants to help.

Mariah and Audrey rented a van to transport their furniture plus drove their personal car and are driving to Flagstaff, it’s taking them three days (1600 miles, 24 hour driving time per Google). Meri in a STH acknowledges it is foolish for her to help them move due to COVID. Kody said he wasn’t there to help unload the furniture because he needs Mariah and Audrey to semi-quarantine or quarantine before he has exposure to them.

Janelle calls Kody and said she knows he planned to come to her house that evening, but she is worried it is a risk because Garrison is still working construction and thinks Kody should delay visiting. Kody said there are six million in the state, and 600 cases. Janelle in a STH said Garrison is working construction and they’re still working; Gabriel is still hanging out with friends while being careful but can’t guarantee it is safe. She is making the decision Kody needs to stay away from her home until everyone knows how bad it is. Janelle while getting choked up told Kody she is trying to be brave, smart, and logical. Kody in a STH said he doesn’t know why Janelle is calling him and telling him the way it is going to be. Janelle in a STH said she would worry too much about the risk. Janelle tells Kody he’ll owe her big time after. Kody in a STH said he wishes he had a camera on him for his reaction and it is a statement of pressure. Kody said in the STH she’s making the choices, the kids are continuing on with their normal lives, and he is supposed to pay for that? Janelle in a STH said she had to get a dig in implying he owes her a tropical vacation because she’s making a big sacrifice (she acknowledges it is a choice on her part, but still a sacrifice). Kody suggests an adults conference call, and Janelle said no Robyn is going to say Kody must see the kids because she is adamant about that. Kody in a STH said Janelle is resistant to the opinions of others right now. Kody feels the whole family should be involved in the discussion, Janelle does not. Janelle tells Kody she feels powerless, and this is one way to protect everyone. Kody in a STH said this is one of the times maybe he wishes he just told his wives what to do, but he is confused and doesn’t know what to do.

March 28, 2020 day of Janelle and Kody phone conversation, and then a group call on speaker phone. Kody is at Christine’s house during the call. They are all talking over each other. Kody says one person speak at a time. Janelle in a STH said Kody interrupts the most. Kody in a STH said his schedule is a sensitive subject, and he doesn’t like the wives telling him what his schedule is. Christine suggests he spends a few days at each house, changes clothes and showers upon entering new home. Kody said he feels like he is being passed around like a rag doll. Christine and Janelle in separate STH disagree with rag doll comment. Robyn in STH said if they lived in one house during the pandemic it would be easier and they would have to come to an agreement and work it out together, they would have to. Janelle tells the group she is going to err on the side of extreme caution, and least amount of sacrifice. Kody said if he has to sacrifice being able to see the kids then everyone has to double down on the sacrifice the wives and kids don’t go to town. Janelle said she loves the idea but psychologically she needs to get out or go bonkers. Janelle in a STH said everyone should decide for themselves and doesn’t think Kody should make a moratorium. Kody in a STH said it feels like every house, every mother for themselves. Kody in the STH went on to say Janelle isn’t sacrificing anything but time with him and she won’t sacrifice her kids for that time with him. Kody sees Janelle’s decision as overreacting. Janelle said Kody says “choose the choice that allows you to choose again”, and she feels that applies to this situation. Kody said it isn’t a final decision, he needs to think about it.

Next week more on COVID.

[anjulibai 21,670]

God these people are idiots. 

[Alice in Fundieland 16,654]

This month’s New Yorker has an article about polyamory and polygamy and they interviewed the Dargers. I’m including the link, but it’s a long piece. I’ve put the excerpt about the Dargers’ backstory under a spoiler (TW: infant loss), but if you read the article it goes on to discuss Warren Jeffs and the author interviews some who escaped the FLDS. 

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/22/how-polyamorists-and-polygamists-are-challenging-family-norms

Spoiler

 

No family in America has done more for the image and legal standing of polygamists than the Dargers: Joe, his three wives—Alina, Vicki, and Valerie—and their twenty-five children, who live in and around Herriman, Utah. In 2011, they published a book, “Love Times Three,” about their polygamous life, even though their marriage was a felony at the time, and they tirelessly worked to persuade other polygamous families to come out. Utah’s decision to decriminalize polygamy was in large measure the result of a lobbying campaign that the Dargers had pursued for two decades.

 

Their house is in a relatively new subdivision, with wide views of nearby mountains. Joe, who works in construction, has built additional houses on the property for two of his adult children. “Anybody else, they’d say it’s a nice estate,” he said, when he showed me around, in June. “If you’re polygamous, it’s a compound. We’ve taken lessons from the L.G.B.T.Q. community, being very deliberate about language, because how you let people define you has an impact.”

 

I had previously met Joe, on Zoom, and he had seemed intimidating, with an unkempt beard and a forbidding manner, and he had stuck to facts that I was sure he had recited a hundred times before. But, when we sat together on his back porch, I found him clean-shaven, relaxed, and forthcoming, and his wives greeted me brightly. As we talked there for the better part of a day, children, grandchildren, wives, and others whose identities were never completely clear to me came and went.

 

Joe and his wives come from fundamentalist Mormon families and have known one another from childhood. Some of their grandparents were jailed together for polygamy after the 1953 Short Creek raid, in which state troops arrested an entire community of four hundred people, including more than two hundred and fifty children. Joe’s grandfather, who had aliases ready and hiding places mapped out, spent several years on the run. Vicki and Valerie’s grandfather, however, said, “If the authorities come, we’ll be home. Have the children be neat and comely.” He spent seven years in jail. Like many children of polygamists, the Dargers grew up in an atmosphere of secrecy, quickly learning not to tell their schoolmates about their families.

 

Joe married his first two wives—Alina and Vicki—on the same day, in 1990. He was twenty, and they were twenty and nineteen, respectively. Alina and Vicki gave birth to their first sons seven months apart, and each nursed both babies. Ten years later, Joe married Vicki’s twin sister, Valerie, after she left another plural marriage. She brought five children with her and had four more with Joe, who has seven children with Alina and nine with Vicki. So far, they have nineteen grandchildren, and Joe’s youngest children are best friends with his oldest grandchildren.

 

Alina founded a nonprofit, Cherish Families, which provides support to people both living in and leaving polygamy. Valerie works as an advocate there. For a time, Vicki homeschooled many of their children. They all talked about the difficulties of polygamous life. At one point, Vicki suffered severe postpartum depression and was consumed with jealousy toward the other women. “I hated everyone,” she said.  “I didn’t know if I was going to stay here.” Alina recalled fearing that the family might break apart. “All of us have had our turn, whatever we were going through,” she said. Effectively, they were married not only to Joe but also to one another. Valerie said, “We share the kitchen and laundry—and we love each other and we get jealous. I have to manage Alina’s and my relationship, Vicki’s and my relationship, Vicki and Alina’s relationship, all of our relationship to Joe. It’s all the dynamics all the time.”

 

In 2001, several members of the Darger family contracted a respiratory virus, and Joe and Alina’s five-month-old daughter, Kyra, wasn’t recovering. (It later emerged that she had an undiagnosed heart defect.) When her condition deteriorated, the family called 911 but couldn’t get through. Joe drove to a hospital, with Alina doing CPR in the back seat. By the time they reached the hospital, Kyra had died. “There were a lot of questions,’’ Alina recalled. “And always, accusingly, ‘You’re a fundamentalist.’ ” Authorities opened a criminal case and interrogated all the Dargers. A nurse came to the house, and then identified herself as an employee of Child Protective Services and interviewed each child alone.

 

The criminal case was closed after a month and the family-services one two months later, but the automatic suspicion that the family encountered marked a turning point for Joe. “I was, like, We’ve lived in this fear and it doesn’t work,” he said. It was an inauspicious time to start campaigning for plural marriage. In the early two-thousands, Tom Green, a fundamentalist Mormon, was convicted of bigamy and child rape; he had married one of his wives when she was thirteen. In 2006, Warren Jeffs, the leader of the F.L.D.S., who had turned the community at Short Creek into his personal fiefdom, was placed on the F.B.I.’s most-wanted list, for arranging marriages between adult followers and underage girls. In 2011, after two trials—on charges including rape, incest, and sexual assault of minors—Jeffs was jailed for life.

 

Supporters of polygamy argue that its illegality makes it easier for men such as Jeffs to operate, because women fear that, if they go to the police, they may lose their children. “When you’re criminalizing people who are otherwise law-abiding, you push that suffering under cover of darkness,” Joe said. But he also believes that polygamists have an obligation to confront what the practice has enabled.  “It was important for us—both to win public approval and to regain our own integrity—to say we are responsible for Warren Jeffs, our culture created this,” he said. “There’s problems in every culture. Until we own those problems, we’re not going to be seen as responsible people.” The Dargers note that many of the problems associated with polygamy come from factors that can, but often do not, accompany it: child marriage, assigned marriage, lack of education, and poverty.

 

Joe acknowledges that the system is patriarchal. “But patriarchy is as prevalent in monogamous households as in polygamous ones, and patriarchy is not misogyny,” he said. He emphasized that in households with many women they have a strong voice: “There’s no major decision we make as a family that we’re not unanimous on. We may not all agree, but we’ll all align.”

 

Alina said, “Why is it that we’re always ‘brainwashed’ unless we’re choosing the way they think?” It’s true that how we grow up influences what we eat, where we live, whom we socialize with or marry. It determines our taste in clothing, our sense of humor, the value we place on formal education. Freud wrote about the “repetition compulsion,” which drives us continually to re-create our own past, whether we were happy in it or not. 

 

Do people in the mainstream argue that polygamists have been brainwashed because mainstream values are alien to polygamous ones? If so, were most people brainwashed to idealize monogamous marriage? Animal models suggest that monogamy is less natural than nonmonogamy. Yet violations of it serve as the basis for terminating otherwise healthy relationships. We are brainwashed into keeping pets, taking daily showers, thinking that it makes sense for nations to have inviolable borders; brainwashed about the morality of abortion, the necessity of medical marijuana. People are brainwashed into Jewish culture or Black culture or French culture.

The Dargers’ book came out a month after Jeffs’s final conviction. Alina, Vicki, and Valerie were terrified. One of Joe’s mothers-in-law, who had been swept up in the Short Creek raid as a child, called in tears, begging the family to halt publication. The publisher phoned Joe just before the book went to press, saying that she would understand if Joe and his wives had second thoughts. Kody Brown, who, with his four wives, had recently become the subject of the reality show  “Sister Wives,” came to Joe in a panic, saying that his family was under investigation and that his lawyers had advised him to move to Nevada. Joe said, “I’m prepared to be arrested.”

 

 

I wonder how Kody feels about that opening line, “No family in America has done more for the image and legal standing of polygamists than the Dargers: Joe, his three wives—Alina, Vicki, and Valerie—and their twenty-five children, who live in and around Herriman, Utah.” That must be a blow to his ego.

Edited March 20 by Alice in Fundieland

[anjulibai 21,670]

Kody is too stupid and selfish to give polygamy a good name. 

The Dargers sounds like they have things together and have worked through their problems. They also sound very self-aware, which none of the Browns really are. 

[crawfishgirl 2,620]

If these polygamists want to make the concept of polygamy look palatable, then they need to get Kody and family off the air.  They are not good ambassadors of their lifestyle, since everyone seems miserable.  If that's the best that they have to offer, then I'll pass on it.

At least the polyamorists seem more open minded, and it's not just one man and multiple wives.  If the husband can have multiple partners, then the wives should be able to as well, if that is what they want.  I will never support this model of polygamy otherwise.

One interesting item that the New Yorker article mentioned was the legal aspects of it, including spouse eligibility for health insurance benefits, etc.  The current legal definition of marriage benefits spouses financially in certain ways, especially since women are more likely to take time off from careers and stay home with children, and the non-working spouse needs access to the other spouse's benefit plans and eventual social security benefits.  I wonder if the legalization of polygamy would impact employment benefit and pension plans, since not many companies would want to cover multiple spouses, since that would greatly impact the cost of the plans. 

[Chickenbutt 13,235]

The most interesting thing about the show this season is watching the reactions to Covid and their thoughts on what's going on. "It will be over in 2 weeks." "It's in big cities, not our little mountain town." Watching the show a year into Covid actually makes it interesting. I keep yelling at the TV......You have no idea what is to come!

[ifosterkittens 3,508]

Season 15 Episode 6 Different Wives, Different Rules

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the production crew was unable to travel to Flagstaff, Arizona. The Browns filmed themselves with their cell phones. Interviews were conducted with a remote-controlled camera.

STH- solo talking head

Kody in Robyn’s garage on March 29, 2020 said he can’t understand why they are hunkered down. Kody said it doesn’t get really real until someone you know passes from it (COVID-19). Kody in a STH said his conversation with Janelle a few days ago she said Garrison and Gabriel can’t truly social distance with work and school so Kody should not come to her house. Kody said he is only around every three, four nights, and Janelle is so used to it she makes independent decisions all the time. Kody said monogamous couples don’t have this issue, and just stay in the one house. Kody said Janelle told him not to come, and that’s the independent woman part. Robyn in a STH said she doesn’t care if it is real or not, won’t take the chance. Christine in a STH said everyone is concerned, and then lonely. Kody in Robyn’s garage said in hindsight maybe Janelle is making the right decision and it could save a life, but they’ll never know. Kody said the hardest part is being separate from Janelle, Savannah, and Gabriel, he gets choked up, and said they’re lucky they are a big family, and none of them are alone. Janelle has Garrison, Gabriel and Savannah at home. Christine has Gwen, Ysabel and Truly at home. Robyn has all five kids at home Dayton, Aurora, Breanna, Sol and Ari. Meri has Mariah and Audrey at home, and they’ll do a 14-day self-quarantine at Meri’s house.

Kody said he talked to Savannah on the phone and she’s not missing the school drama, playing video games, and playing her guitar. Kody said it’s a good time to train yourself up. A director asks Janelle in a STH about Kody saying Savannah is practicing her guitar and a good time to train yourself, and Janelle chuckles in an ideal world yes, but the kids are playing a lot of video games and school. Janelle said there is no classical education in her house right now. Kody in Robyn’s garage said they are changing society and his family for this (COVID), he feels nutty being separated from family. Christine in a STH said she’s probably underreacting, and Kody is probably overreacting. Kody said he doesn’t want to make light, but he wonders if we are overreacting.

Christine in a STH said Mariah and Audrey quarantining after arriving from Chicago makes sense. Christine said only Kody will get to see Mariah and Audrey after the two-week quarantine, and that’s dumb. Kody in a STH said he’s going between Christine and Robyn’s homes. Mariah and Audrey speak to Kody on the phone at Meri’s house. Kody tells Mariah he was told put your credit card in the freezer after you’ve used it, leave shoes outside in the cold, leave boxes in the cold for two days. Meri, Janelle and Christine in STH feel those precautions (mentioned in previous sentence) are extreme. Christine in a STH asks about groceries. She said a cereal box has been touched by several people by the time it gets to her house, and what is safe? Meri in a STH said they (not specified who is they) say people need four hugs a day to survive, and people aren’t getting four hugs a day right now. She loves hugs and touch from the appropriate person and feels lonely without it. Meri said she isn’t being demanding or pushy with Kody. She said he doesn’t come to her house often, maybe now that Mariah and Audrey are in town he’ll visit. Meri said he typically goes between Janelle, Christine and Robyn. Kody in a STH said there is nothing going on between Meri and him. Kody said Meri attends holidays, birthdays, family get togethers, he sees her once in a blue moon. Kody said they quit dating, and he quit calling her to say they should do something.

Kody on the phone with Mariah says everybody struggles with a bad economy, some will struggle with the death of a loved one. Mariah tells Kody so many people are going to die. Mariah in a couch interview with Audrey said a human life is more important to her than money. Robyn in a STH said if your family member dies it doesn’t matter to you if the economy is good or bad. Kody in a STH said if you aren’t a privileged individual, and he said Mariah sort of is, then the economy is life and death to you. Kody said if you can’t work, can’t feed your kids. Kody said Mariah is just seeing we need to save grandma, which he doesn’t disagree with. Kody tells Mariah you can’t circumvent civil rights because they never come back. Mariah said the economy is not more important than human beings, and Kody said he agrees. Christine in a STH said when they lived in Vegas and Mariah would come home from college Christine would say no discussion of politics in her home, but they always discuss it. Kody and Mariah agree it is going to be a long-term situation. Mariah tells Audrey and Meri she feels like she needs a nap after her conversation with Kody. Christine in a STH said she feels like she needs a nap after every conversation with Kody.

Christine said it is super sad Janelle and the kids are separated from Kody, and it will be difficult for Janelle and the kids. Janelle talks with Garrison, Gabe, and Savannah. Janelle tells the kids she asked Kody to stay away for a couple of weeks, and she made the decision. Savannah tells Janelle she shouldn’t take the blame, the blame in on COVID. Savannah asks how Kody feels about the decision. Janelle said he was upset. Gabe said he doesn’t think it (COVID) is going to be a very big deal, and no one he is talking to is worried about it. Garrison is working various job sites; he is a contractor for home builders. Janelle asks if Kody calls the kids. Savannah said he’s called her, and Gabe said once. Janelle tells Gabe he can call Kody too because he is always with his girlfriend. Janelle in a STH said Gabe has only being dating the girl a few weeks, and they want to spend all their time together. Janelle is happy Gabe found someone more level-headed. Kody in a STH said he’s called Gabe more than once, he learned Gabe had a girlfriend when he called Gabe and he said he was at her house. Kody said he feels that’s why they family can’t be together because Gabe is being exposed to people they don’t know. Robyn in a STH said she’s been grateful her kids aren’t dating right now so she doesn’t have to have that conversation. Janelle tells her kids she’s heard the incubation is two weeks.

Gabe asks how long until they can see Kody. Janelle said it could go a month, six weeks. Janelle in a STH said she thinks it will go longer than six weeks but doesn’t want to freak the kids out. Janelle in a STH said she feels the pressure. Robyn in a STH said the communication in the family has gotten worse, and they are not working as a team. Kody in a STH said it isn’t on Gabe or Garrison, it is on every household choosing what to do and being exposed to others. Gabe tells Janelle he thinks they should be quarantining together. Gabe in a STH said he and a lot of the other siblings are of the opinion the moms should be quarantining the kids togethers in one group instead of four separate groups. Gabe tells Janelle if they go a month without seeing Kody he doesn’t think that will be fair. Gabe in a STH said he thinks it is unfair to Janelle, and that’s what he’s worried about. Garrison said it is unfair, but it is what it is. Gabe asks what changes they have to make to see Kody. Janelle in a STH said it is unfair of Gabe to ask when can they see Kody because it is dependent on Gabe and Garrison. Gabe said he is home more, but he won’t be home all the time. Gabe said he’s not at risk. Gabe in a STH said if Kody is going to be gone for a month he doesn’t see why he can’t hang with friends for the first two weeks. Gabe said he’ll social distance if it means they can see Kody, but if they aren’t going to see Kody, why social distance?

Janelle in a STH said she worries about Kody, he loves his deep conversations with Kody, and she worries Gabe will feel it emotionally most of the kids. Gabe asks how him going to school once or twice a week different than Robyn going to the store once or twice a week. Janelle said she comes and goes quickly, changes her clothes after. Gabe said his classes are socially distanced and everyone wears a mask on campus. Janelle said she doesn’t want to take the chance. Savannah said she doesn’t want to take the chance with the little ones. Savannah tells her family she would be devastated if they lost Ari, Sol, or Truly because they didn’t properly quarantine. Robyn in a STH said Sol has had RSV so he’s higher risk. Janelle in a STH said in 2004 she lived apart from Kody when the family moved from Wyoming to Utah. Janelle and the kids stayed in WY for eight months. Janelle said he visited as often as he could, every couple of weeks, but this is different, and feels like the virus is hunting them.

April 10, 2020 Kody just got fantastic news from Joe Darger. Kody gathers Robyn and kids and tell them the governor of UT signed a bill decriminalizing polygamy. It is now an infraction the equivalent of a traffic ticket. Janelle in a STH said they are no longer felons for living their religion. Janelle said when the pioneer Mormons came to Salt Lake in 1847, they practice polygamy for 50 years. In 1890 they decided to try for statehood, so they had to outlaw polygamy, and it has been illegal ever since. Meri in a STH said it is basic human rights, civil rights. Kody tells Robyn’s house a senator studied it, submitted a bill, and said decriminalization starts opening up societies. Kody and Robyn in a couch interview Kody said if you want to clean up polygamy give all plural wives a marriage license. Kody said it would be a threat to him. He said first the man will be willing to shoulder the responsibility, take it seriously. Robyn said he should that’s a lot of alimony. Kody said second a the wife leaves and she is being abused she can clean the house (meaning money). Robyn said that’s a lot of child support too. Kody and Robyn said Ari is always talking and in your face. Janelle in a STH said they’ve been working on this bill for a decade, and it is anticlimactic they can’t go celebrate. Kody tells the crowd at Robyn’s plural marriage isn’t legal, isn’t allowed, but won’t be threatened with jail, now it’s just a ticket. Kody said if he ever got a ticket for plural marriage he would sue. In a couch interview with Robyn Kody said he would sue the state for violation of his civil rights. He said there is still fire in his bones. Kody wants to sue them again, he said he would mortgage Coyote Pass (CP), he’d sell CP to sue the state of Utah. He said next time he sues the state of Utah he’s going to get compensated. Robyn is sitting there laughing. Kody said he didn’t want money, he wanted to change the laws and curses. Robyn tells him to stop.

April 11, 2020 Janelle said she had contact with random people that had been in the county where a new case was diagnosed, it makes you paranoid. Arizona governor issues a stay-at-home order. Janelle and Kody talk on the phone and say the stay-at-home order is for the next month. Garrison got a letter to keep in car to prove he’s an essential worker. Janelle in a STH said stay-at-home is different than the police stopping her to ask her if she should be out. Christine in a STH all dramatic so they can pull people over on the road? Janelle in a STH feels dictatorship if the police are looking for her papers, sounds like the Gestapo. She wonders if we can control being exposed, numbers are rising, it is scary. Christine in a STH said when their family gets together it exceeds ten—currently told not to get together in a group larger than ten.

Two weeks later they learn school is finishing virtually. Five birthdays coming up, Garrison, Breanna (16), Aurora (18), Christine and Truly. Robyn and Kody tell Aurora and Breanna rest of school year is up in the air, finishing virtually, don’t know about graduation. Aurora gets emotional saying 2020 seemed like the coolest year to graduate, and now it is the worst. Robyn with Kody in a couch interview says the kids are young, don’t understand the gravity of the situation and their health is more important than prom or graduation. Robyn says only immediate family member can attend the birthday parties. Christine in a STH said they always celebrate birthdays together but can’t because of COVID and Truly melted down when she learned no big birthday with the family.

Aurora said she’d like an emotional support dog as a birthday present, Breanna wants a dog too, and Kody said he would rather feed a horse regularly. Janelle in a STH said she thought Robyn’s family should have a dog for a long time, she’s a dog person, has two. Meri in a STH said Kody has been opposed to dogs since day one. Kody tells Aurora, Breanna and Robyn he’d rather feed a horse than have another dog in his house. Kody in a STH said with animals comes a ton of responsibility and with him going from house to house he doesn’t have the ability to be responsible for the animal. He doesn’t know what to do about the inconvenience of them, and dog hair on his pants and suit coats. Robyn said why don’t you say never mind you can’t have your birthday wish. Kody said he is not killing their birthday. Kody tells the girls if you get a dog you have to take it to college if you leave the house, are you going to college together? Kody asks are you marrying the same man? Robyn laughs. Janelle in a STH said that is a plural family joke. Kody tells the girls they can have a milk cow and chickens. Christine in a STH said Kody thinks a dog is a bunch of work, but he would take on a cow and chickens. Christine said she would probably have to take care of them, not Kody.

Christine tells Gwen, Ysabel and Truly about Utah’s bill passing. Gwen and Christine agree going public helped show polygamy isn’t a big scary cult. Christine in a STH said the credit goes to Joe Darger and his family, the Browns left the state, and the Dargers kept fighting. Christine said she always carried the weight of the secrecy of polygamy as a child. Christine said the culture of her church was to be secretive because the government could come in separate families and take dad away. Christine didn’t think the bill would pass, but felt if it did, she wanted to go back home (to Utah). Christine asks her daughters about moving back to Utah. Gwen said they she like where they are, and they put a ton of money into Coyote Pass. Christine said they haven’t built on CP. Gwen said yeah, and that’s weird. Ysabel said she has friends and is settled. Gwen asks if Christine feels they are meant to move back to Utah because she disagrees. Christine in a STH acts surprised, says she’s shocked the girls don’t want to go back. Gwen, Ysabel and Truly say they are settled. Christine in a STH said no means no for now, may change in three years. The girls say the bill passing is great news, proud of Christine for the work she’s done, but they don’t want to move. Christine tells the girls why not sell CP, use the money to purchase land in Utah. Christine in a STH said she knows building on CP is the dream, but what if they had more of a plan? Christine said she is more hopeful to talk to Kody and other adults, feels it is next logical step. Ysabel said why can’t we pick a place and stay there?

Next week Breanna turns 16. More Kody/Meri drama.

Season 3 of Seeking Sister Wife returned, but I missed most of the episode, and have to wait for the repeat, so recap coming next week. 

[ifosterkittens 3,508]

Meri posted on Instagram that her mom unexpectedly passed away yesterday March 26 at the age of 76. 

[anjulibai 21,670]

Oh that's too bad. 

[Jana814 17,827]

On 3/27/2021 at 6:23 PM, ifosterkittens said:

Meri posted on Instagram that her mom unexpectedly passed away yesterday March 26 at the age of 76. 

I don’t watch the show anymore. But I felt terrible when I read that her mother passed away.