New Season: Meri, Meri and More Meri

[crawfishgirl]

Someone on Reddit posted this link to Meri's mother's obituary:  https://usobit.com/obituaries-2021/bonnie-joyce-barber-march-9-1945-march-26-2021/amp/ .  Note that she went to Cal Berkeley in the 1960's, which is where many of the hippies and war protests were located.  It's also a highly-rated school.  I'm impressed.  She later became a math teacher and principal at a school.  

Edited March 30, 2021 by crawfishgirl
Spelled Meri incorrectly.

[gustava]

Was Mary's mother in a plural marriage?

[ifosterkittens]

On 3/31/2021 at 9:51 AM, gustava said:

Was Mary's mother in a plural marriage?

Yes. Per Meri Brown | Sisterwives Wiki | Fandom

"Meri Caroline Barber was born on January 16, 1971, in Alameda, California, to William James Barber, Jr. (1942-2007) and Bonnie Barber (née Ahlstrom). Her father is also a polygamist and has five wives. She has 25 siblings."

 

[ifosterkittens]

Season 15 Episode 7 Birthday Breakdown

STH- solo talking head

COVID restrictions still in place, so the Browns filmed themselves.

April 2020 Kody is working out at Christine’s house since gyms are closed. Kody in a STH said he is going between Christine and Robyn’s homes, not Janelle’s home since she asked him to stay away. He visits with Meri on occasion, doesn’t go to her house often, she advises him if she travels so they can be cautious about COVID, but he doesn’t spend the night at Meri’s house. Kody is enjoying the quiet and more time with Robyn and Christine’s kids. Janelle in a STH Kody hasn’t been to her house in a week and half, and she doesn’t know when she will feel safe having him over, feels it will be longer than two weeks. Kody prefers to use heavy weights at the gym. Robyn said Kody is 11 years older than her, her dad is older than her mom. Breanna turns 16, Robyn said in a couch interview with Kody it is sweet 16 because she’s never been kissed. Christine in a STH said Breanna is having a milestone birthday during COVID and that sucks. Meri in a STH agrees it is weird not be able to celebrate the birthdays together. Dayton, Breanna and Aurora in a couch interview, one of the girls says she misses her family and celebrating birthdays with them. Kody, Robyn and the five kids celebrate, Robyn said it is quiet, Kody said it is peaceful. Robyn said it’s not that peaceful. Kody said it is the quietest family birthday he has attended in years. Robyn feels it is disloyal to say it is a nice quiet birthday. A director asks Kody in a STH if they have discussed what they would do if someone in the family got COVID. According to Kody there is no plan. Kody said if Robyn got it, he would take care of Robyn and watch Sol and Ari. He went on to say if any wife got sick, he would take care of them. Kody tells Robyn if she got sick, he would have to be there to help her. Janelle in a STH said if she got sick, she’d tell Kody to stay away; she said her kids are old enough to take care of themselves. Janelle said if she ended up in the ICU she needs one of the parents (Kody) whole and well. Christine in a STH said if someone in her household got sick Kody would not come over, they would quarantine themselves. Meri in a STH said if she got sick nothing would happen, she would be alone. Meri said no one comes over anyway, they don’t see each other. The director tells Meri Kody said he would care for a sick wife. Meri smiles and says she disagrees with him. Robyn in a STH said logically she would tell Kody to stay away, but she can’t tell Kody that. Robyn said what if it is the person’s last few weeks of life, can’t not visit them. Kody tells Robyn at the birthday celebration he hopes it (covid) goes away in a couple of weeks.

Mariah and Audrey have been at Meri’s for a week, video call grandma Bonnie (Meri’s mom). Meri in a STH said she bought her old family home a few years ago. Meri’s great great grandparents built the house in 1870, her grandmother grew up in the home. Bonnie’s mom lives at the house (Lizzie’s Heritage Inn) and it’s run as a B&B. There are four rooms available. Meri doesn’t feel Bonnie should be exposed to visitors because she is 75. Meri in a STH gets emotional talking about her mom being a person who shelters others and is a blessing to others. Meri proposes Bonnie comes to stay with her in AZ, and Mariah and Audrey run the Inn in UT. Bonnie says that’s amazing. A director asks Mariah and Audrey if they have ever run a B & B and Mariah said no, Audrey said we’ll keep grandma safe, and we’ll learn. Meri asks Mariah how she feels, and Mariah said she is scared, trying to not let fear overtake her.

Truely has heard family members are supposed to stick together and feels because they all have the same dad the family should not be separated in four homes. Truely thinks they should all be able to hang out. Christine in a STH said half the time she thinks it is ridiculous the family doesn’t hang out, so she struggles to disagree with Truely because she agrees with her half the time. Christine feels hypocritical arguing. Garrison is turning 22, they are gathering to celebrate outside, Kody won’t make it per Janelle. Janelle in a STH said she is struggling with the isolation of COVID. Janelle and Christine’s families stand outside with distance between them to celebrate Garrison’s birthday. Kody in a STH said he is social distancing from Janelle’s house and trying to remain optimistic and not cause a mutiny where the kids say they won’t social distance anymore. Christine in a STH said she purchased the presents days ago, wiped them down, trying to be safe. (Janelle and Christine’s families get together seemed brief, kids said hellos, miss you, air hugs.) Meri in a STH said first they had division in the family, now isolation. Janelle with Garrison, Gabe and Savannah said she made the smallest birthday cake she’s ever made. Janelle in a STH said months ago she worried about the cohesiveness of the family, worried they aren’t interested in plural marriage anymore. Janelle in a STH said it is easier, feels fate is conspiring. She said they survived the lawsuit, fled Utah, maintained integrity as a family, but a virus is going to bring them to their knees?

Meri in a STH said she doesn’t think she’s even told Kody Mariah and Audrey went to UT. Mariah and Audrey went up to the inn a few days ago, Meri is now going up to drop stuff off, and pick up her mom to bring her back to AZ. Meri said the family doesn’t communicate, they don’t talk to each other daily. Christine in a STH said the only time they talk to each other is when they must. Janelle in a STH said she doesn’t pick up her phone to talk or text anyone, she’s not good, been home a month. Meri’s nephew Connor (a kid) is at the inn, and said it is weird two girls are getting married. Mariah and Audrey agree he is a cute kid, trying to figure it out. Mariah said people like Audrey more and she understands. Audrey said she did whatever Connor wanted to do. Meri hopes Mariah comes to love the house (the inn) because it will likely be passed to her.

The family has five birthdays in ten days in April that they typically spend together, not this year. Aurora is 18, so Christine and kids go to the house to sing happy birthday to her. Christine’s crowd stays outside, Robyn’s inside. Truely asks if she can come in to play with Sol and Ari, no she can’t. Janelle in a STH said Aurora turns 18, Breanna 16 and Hunter graduates from the Air Force Academy, all big milestones they can’t celebrate together. Robyn in a STH wonders how other plural families who live in one home handle covid. Robyn sees benefits of living together during the pandemic. Christine in a STH said she will not imagine all of them living together in one house because she doesn’t want that. Ari has a stuffed animal said is Truely’s and tosses it to Truely so she can have it back. Truely asks are they sure she can’t play with Ari and Solomon? Kody says not yet. Truely is visibly upset. Solomon is upset he couldn’t play with Truely. The adults agree it is difficult to explain to the younger kids.

Kody alone in his car said the highest number of cases are in ages 20-44 because those ages are still going out with friends, think they are immune, may get flu like symptoms but won’t die. Kody said he hasn’t seen Audrey and Mariah yet, headed to Meri’s house so they can talk. Kody in STH said he is excited to see Mariah and Audrey. Kody said Meri’s dog Mosely pees every time he says Kody. Kody guesses it is the alpha male thing. Kody did not know Mariah and Audrey went to UT. Kody in a STH said he was disappointed, looked forward to seeing them. Kody said it is probably better for grandma. The director tells Meri she was teasing Kody. Meri said she and Kody don’t talk, they don’t communicate. Kody in a STH wonders why they don’t just close the business, but said it wasn’t his call. They are working out the kinks of recording themselves. Kody and Meri sat outside with space between to talk. Kody said he’s social distancing from Meri, and she’s had Mariah, Audrey and her mom visit. Meri said just stay away from me Kody, he laughs. Kody tells Meri with Robyn on facetime that it didn’t work out well last time, don’t say that to him anymore. Kody in a STH said he was joking about the catfishing. Kody said it is a sore subject, and it was uncool of him to joke about it but figured if you can’t laugh at the mistakes of your past, whatever. Kody said five years ago he and Meri were in a bad place and she asked him to stop staying at her home. Old footage of the cat fishing incident. Kody in a STH said their marriage dissolved. Meri in a STH said Kody was more distant than she wanted, wanted him to put his arms around her at night. She said she couldn’t sleep from the coldness coming from Kody, and the outside situation (catfishing). Meri said she didn’t manage the situation well, said they needed to take a break for a minute. Meri said he took it as go away and don’t ever come back, because that is what he has done, and not what she meant. Meri said they never come back together. Robyn in a STH said Kody has a little PTSD from Meri telling him to move out of the house. She said it is no fun. Kody in a STH said around the catfishing incident and a year into living in Flagstaff things had gotten ugly, and he had a lot of bitterness over their past. Kody said he has been able to let that go in the past few months for himself. He said he feels more friendly to Meri now than in the past six years, but it doesn’t mean he has romantic inclinations in their marriage.

Next time Kody and Meri drama, and more covid.

[OyToTheVey]

I watched yesternights episode. I just don't understand them at all. 

1) If Meri and Kody don't talk at all, why do they disguise themselves as "married". They're already divorced, why not just drop the fascade? She should just move back to Utah and be with family. She's all alone in a house, paying rent in a town she doesn't know anyone, with sister wives or husband she doesn't talk to. Also, not to be mean, but if she doesn't see anyone why doesn't she need such a huge house? It's the wet bar all over again.

2) If Robyn and Christine are sharing Kody, why aren't they in the same household and let their kids be siblings? Kody is going back and forth anyway so it was weird. Like Ari asking if she can hug Kody, but she'll see him in a day or two anyway so what's the difference.

3) Christine is clearly unhappy. She wants to go back to Utah. I never understood the move to Flagstaff. It seemed like Kody put a mask over his eyes and used a pin and a map to find a new city.

4) Why haven't they built anything on Coyote Pass? It's a huge piece of property that they're paying money for. 

[ifosterkittens]

Season 15 Episode 8 Can I Light You Up?

STH- solo talking head

April 2020

Garrison, Gabe and Savannah are outside chatting, and Gabe said his college classes will be entirely online except for labs. Janelle in a STH said she thinks Kody staying away is coming to an end. Garrison is wearing a mask at work; Gabe’s classes are almost all online. Hunter is graduating from the Air Force Academy, it will be live streamed, and will watch it from home. Janelle thinks Gabe and Garrison think Kody is being too cautious and are skeptical them wearing masks will be enough for Kody to come to Janelle’s. Kody in a STH said he isn’t worried about him getting the virus, he is worried he’ll spread the virus. Savannah tells Janelle she has gotten used to Kody being away, it doesn’t bother her as much now. Janelle in a STH said the family has worked so hard to maintain a culture, and this (covid precautions) shouldn’t be thought of as normal. Janelle feels accepting this as the new normal eats away at what the family spent years building. Gabe expresses no one in their family is at risk. Janelle in a STH said she’ll let her boys express their opinions, but she believes the virus is real, and will take precautions to keep them safe. Savannah is apathetic about seeing Kody, upset she can’t see her siblings. Christine in a STH said the kids are missing their siblings, and she doesn’t feel like she has a say. Janelle in a STH said she and Kody are fighting on how to handle covid, and it has been the most emotionally trying month of her life. Gabe said he thinks the virus is real, but not serious enough to not see Kody for the next six months. Kody in a STH said they (Garrison and Gabe) are blaming him on making decisions to mitigate exposure, but they aren’t accountable for how much exposure they have. Kody said the two of them (Garrison and Gabe I presume) only have accountability to themselves. Garrison said it is not just going away, it’ll be a year before a vaccine. Garrison said the whole family is going to fall apart we’re done, Gabe said we kind of are falling apart. Janelle said they aren’t. Savannah tells her brothers when they do their own thing it prevents her from seeing her siblings. Christine said she doesn’t want to find fault with Gabe or Garrison, she doesn’t agree with what Gabe and Garrison are doing socially, she also doesn’t agree with what Kody is doing. Christine said all she can do is focus on her girls at home. Janelle tells the boys they need to fight to be together with family. Robyn in a STH said it is stressful, wrong, not fair, not equitable for Kody to be around her house so much and not at Janelle’s but she’s not making the decision, they are.  Janelle in a STH said the longer the family is apart the easier it is to not put the effort in.

Truely turns ten. Truely is disappointed she can’t have a big family party. Kody, Christine, Ysabel and Gwen attend the party, she has a small pinata. Kody gets her a tennis racket to beat pinata, stick wasn’t working. Kody thinks there wasn’t enough candy in the pinata, Christine said there are three kids, how much candy do you need? Christine asks if Kody wants to handle the pinata, he says no he doesn’t want to do anything, just complain about it. Robyn’s kids deliver a present and balloons to Truely. Ari asks Kody if she can touch him, and they said no. Kody changes his clothes and washes his hands upon entering a new house. Janelle in a STH said she’s glad they aren’t in one house now because there wouldn’t be consensus on the risk her boys pose, working and having a girlfriend. Janelle said it is easier they aren’t living in one house. Meri in a STH said she’s pretty sure everyone is happy to have covid as an excuse to not see or interact with each other.  Kody in a STH thinks some are enjoying the break from family interaction.

The wives in STH discuss how they make their beds. Christine just throws the covers on, no tucking. Robyn uses hospital corners. Janelle doesn’t make her bed often, throws comforter on top. Meri said it is easy to make her bed because she’s the only one who sleeps in it, and she doesn’t move much.

Kody in a STH said the Air Force Academy is graduating the students early because of the pandemic, and it is a scheduling conflict for him. Christine’s birthday and the graduation are on the same day. Kody wants to go back to Janelle’s and celebrate together. Birthdays are a big deal, when Kody can give wives and kids his complete attention. Christine said do her birthday on another day easy decision. Christine in a STH said Janelle and Kody have been separated five weeks with the quarantine. Christine tells Kody she is glad they are discussing it. Kody said you hate when I tell you my schedule, Christine said no I don’t, Kody said yes you do. Christine agrees when it is her birthday, she doesn’t want to be told the schedule. Christine in a STH said one of her biggest frustrations with Kody is he doesn’t tell her if he’ll be at her house until 5pm that night. She is going to make plans; she’s not going to sit and wait at home. Robyn in a STH said as a plural wife you must roll with the punches. Robyn said Kody has to consider the most important thing. Kody in a STH said Christine was cool with celebrating her birthday on another day, but you never know when a decision like that will be brought up and come back to haunt him.

Kody is on his way to Janelle’s and said there is an element of bitterness that is bothering him. Janelle said it feels awkward, a little strange to be seeing him after so long. Kody said he knows he picked the lifestyle but is angry about it sometimes. Kody said it has been a month of quarantine, and he had anxiety on his way over, Janelle said she had it too. Kody said he said hello to Gabe and Gabe averted his eyes, sighed a this is all stupid sigh. Kody questions if the precautions he has taken have helped or hurt the family.

Kody is getting together with Meri because it is her anniversary, our anniversary. They get takeout and go for a drive. Meri in a STH said she’s excited to spend time together. Meri made rice krispy treats for Kody. Kody isn’t sure how many years they’ve been married. He guesses 31, she said 30. Christine in a STH said her specialty is chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles. Robyn in a STH said she makes bomb lasagna and bomb cheesecake (she used the word bomb). Janelle in a STH said she’s a passable cook. A director asked Kody in a STH whose recipes he liked the best, and he said he likes to eat at restaurants, sit down with his wife so she doesn’t have to worry about cooking. The director said it was a wise answer. Kody in a STH said he and Meri haven’t lived together since before they left Las Vegas. Meri said they are celebrating a non-anniversary because they are not a couple but are in a family. She asks Kody what are they, and what are they celebrating? Meri said it is funny situation. Kody asks funny or odd? Meri said not funny ha-ha. Meri in a STH said she and Kody always had an up and down relationship and would always come back together. Over the last five, six, seven years they haven’t come back together. Meri wants to work on their relationship, said Kody wants to take it really slow. Meri tells Kody they haven’t been out together since their last anniversary. Kody asks Meri is she broken-hearted by it? To him it is an indicator it doesn’t matter that much. Kody in a STH said he’s trying to help Meri determine if she has a spark of if she is lonely for anything. He wants to be honest about where they are. Kody tells Meri if they wanted to go out together, they would.

Kody in a STH said he and Meri had problems before Janelle came into the family, but the cat fishing is what woke them up to state of the situation. He said they went to counseling, he’s looking for a spark, something to initiate a desire a relationship with each other, and it has never manifest. Kody tells Meri he thinks they miss the idea of them, not each other. Meri tells Kody speak for yourself. Meri tells Kody she has a strong draw to him but doesn’t act on it because she knows how he feels. Meri in a STH said Kody has told her she needs to make it known, flirt with him, she said she tries those things, they fail, so she backs off, and he backs off more. She said she is not giving up or walking away. Meri tells Kody she can’t make him care for her. Kody tells Meri she wants to be with him but there is one thing she’s not doing- she’s not courting him to the relationship. Kody said he’s just as guilty of this, but he doesn’t miss their relationship. Meri tells Kody she didn’t know she was supposed to court him. Kody in a STH said he’s not suggesting Meri chase him, but he needs more magic than what they have. He said she’s not making any effort, and he’s not making the effort. Meri tells Kody she’s waiting for him, Kody tells her he’s not coming, she said she knows that. Kody tells Meri she hasn’t made an effort, and she’s the one that wants it. Kody in a STH said there must be a spark to be loved romantically, and from that she will get from that romance, love, full marriage and sexual relationship. Kody tells Meri there is a lack of real interest; Meri tells Kody not on her part. Meri in a STH said she’ll ask Kody to come over, do something together, and he says no.

Meri tells Kody if he is telling her he has no interest she doesn’t know what to do. Kody in a STH said the conversation isn’t let’s get a divorce, she needs to leave, he said he’ll never do that. His faith and conscience won’t allow that. Because he hasn’t divorced or left Meri there is always a chance, they could get back together to full fellowship (his words). Meri in a STH said she’s not a quitter, she knows what she wants, it’s not how she wants it right now. She said the things Kody is telling her are difficult to hear, but she will respect him enough to listen. Meri tells Kody she knows he loved her; he wouldn’t have treated her the way he did if he hadn’t loved her. Kody said he doesn’t disagree, but he doesn’t treat people cruelly. Meri said she doesn’t either. Kody in a STH said he’s telling Meri he is past the anger and bitter phase, how do they do it right? Kody still in STH said Meri said he has to love her; Kody with a scoff says be lovable.

Meri and Kody put a blanket down to eat some food picnic style in a park/field. Meri in a STH said Kody is better than what he is being. Meri with the flashlight on her phone pointed at Kody asks can she light him up? Kody in a STH said yes, she is making innuendos after he spent hours explaining to her they’re not ready for romance yet. Meri asks Kody if he gets it when she flirts with him. Kody said yes. Meri asks if it means anything to him, turn off, exciting, gross. Kody said he’s not saying it is gross. She asks if he would push her away if she leaned over for a kiss. Kody in a STH said he and Meri are part of a marriage, but don’t want to be part of a hookup culture. Kody said romance and sex are saved for people who are in love.  Meri in a STH said she’s trying to flirt with Kody, and this is rejection, he’s not interested. Kody said after visiting with the Dargers Kody and his wives were discussing the attitudes they’ve had since living in Flagstaff. Robyn in a STH said they were discussing the future and then Kody went to a dark place, and it frightened her. Kody asks Meri when wives tell him their lives suck in plural marriage, what can he do? Kody in a STH said he’s been nagged for years about the challenges of plural marriage especially with one house conversation. Kody said he’s been blown away by the deep pain and emotion that can accompany plural marriage. Kody tells Meri he doesn’t want wives to live in an unhappy place. He feels immense pressure to satisfy wives emotional needs even when he has no desire. Meri tells Kody she’s not giving him pressure, and he said he knows.

Kody in a STH said he got hopeless about the family arrangement, saw lack of desire to be together. Kody tells Meri he has a wife (he does not identify who) who he thinks will never be happy, he thought they were happy for years, but she wasn’t. Kody in a STH said he’s being vague. Meri asks Kody what he wants for the family. Kody responds he wants wives who get along, like each other, and don’t say snotty things to each other that hurt. Meri tells Kody maybe it is midlife crisis, and maybe god needs to smite Kody on the top of the head, and Kody interrupts and says to make me love everybody, make me love everyone who isn’t lovable. Meri asks what she does that is unlovable. Kody says to Meri he isn’t talking about her, and she said she needs him to talk about her. Kody said they’ve been distanced for years; he’s wondering about the big picture. Meri in a STH said this is not why she started a family with him. She said she doesn’t want him 30 years later to say this isn’t what he believes anymore. Kody tells Meri the one house was a wakeup call how they don’t want to be together. Kody in a STH said he feels he and Meri appear to not want to be together. Meri tells Kody they’ve been together 30 years she isn’t willing to walk away. Kody tells Meri he’s not motivated by what they had to sit and talk about saving it. Kody tells Meri not to get defeated he said he has a way with saying words. Meri agrees he does get carried away with his words, he’s done it his whole life, and that’s why she’s giving him grace. Meri in a STH said they’ve had difficult times, but she focuses on the good times, and doesn’t want him to deny that. Kody tells Meri he has a difficult time visualizing them as a family in the future. Meri in a STH said Kody has 4 wives, 18 kids, is he going to pick and choose who he keeps?

Kody tells Meri the question going forward is do they benefit from this? If people who are unhappy for so many years, why don’t they leave and find something that makes them happy instead of badgering him about how he’s not doing it right. Kody in a STH said he’s asking himself would all of his wives be better off married to another guy? Kody tells Meri this isn’t what he wants, not what he signed up for. He tells Meri he doesn’t want a big breakup instead wants a big commitment that everyone will do their part, not just him doing all the work or him getting all the blame. He said love is not unconditional. He wants people to be happy, if they aren’t happy could they stop making him unhappy by them being unhappy. Kody in a STH said he needs the wives to commit to doing better, him doing the work alone hasn’t worked. Kody tells Meri he wants to tell the wives we are going to do better, or we aren’t going to do it anymore. Kody in a STH said Meri will bully the other wives to help save her marriage, without holding herself accountable. Kody tells Meri no one is stuck with him, they can leave. Meri said don’t say that it makes people feel like you don’t want to be with them. Meri asks Kody are they committed, will they be a family, and work through things? Meri in a STH said they are better than that, they don’t have to lose their relationship because they weren’t willing work on it. Meri tells Kody she would like to kiss him to see how he would react. Kody asks Meri his ranting gets her excited? Meri says sometimes she feels like kissing him. Kody says happy anniversary Meri. Meri says happy anniversary Kody.

Next week more covid, the separation is taking a toll on the family.

[Natalie22]

25 minutes ago, ifosterkittens said:

Season 15 Episode 8 Can I Light You Up?

STH- solo talking head

April 2020

Garrison, Gabe and Savannah are outside chatting, and Gabe said his college classes will be entirely online except for labs. Janelle in a STH said she thinks Kody staying away is coming to an end. Garrison is wearing a mask at work; Gabe’s classes are almost all online. Hunter is graduating from the Air Force Academy, it will be live streamed, and will watch it from home. Janelle thinks Gabe and Garrison think Kody is being too cautious and are skeptical them wearing masks will be enough for Kody to come to Janelle’s. Kody in a STH said he isn’t worried about him getting the virus, he is worried he’ll spread the virus. Savannah tells Janelle she has gotten used to Kody being away, it doesn’t bother her as much now. Janelle in a STH said the family has worked so hard to maintain a culture, and this (covid precautions) shouldn’t be thought of as normal. Janelle feels accepting this as the new normal eats away at what the family spent years building. Gabe expresses no one in their family is at risk. Janelle in a STH said she’ll let her boys express their opinions, but she believes the virus is real, and will take precautions to keep them safe. Savannah is apathetic about seeing Kody, upset she can’t see her siblings. Christine in a STH said the kids are missing their siblings, and she doesn’t feel like she has a say. Janelle in a STH said she and Kody are fighting on how to handle covid, and it has been the most emotionally trying month of her life. Gabe said he thinks the virus is real, but not serious enough to not see Kody for the next six months. Kody in a STH said they (Garrison and Gabe) are blaming him on making decisions to mitigate exposure, but they aren’t accountable for how much exposure they have. Kody said the two of them (Garrison and Gabe I presume) only have accountability to themselves. Garrison said it is not just going away, it’ll be a year before a vaccine. Garrison said the whole family is going to fall apart we’re done, Gabe said we kind of are falling apart. Janelle said they aren’t. Savannah tells her brothers when they do their own thing it prevents her from seeing her siblings. Christine said she doesn’t want to find fault with Gabe or Garrison, she doesn’t agree with what Gabe and Garrison are doing socially, she also doesn’t agree with what Kody is doing. Christine said all she can do is focus on her girls at home. Janelle tells the boys they need to fight to be together with family. Robyn in a STH said it is stressful, wrong, not fair, not equitable for Kody to be around her house so much and not at Janelle’s but she’s not making the decision, they are.  Janelle in a STH said the longer the family is apart the easier it is to not put the effort in.

Truely turns ten. Truely is disappointed she can’t have a big family party. Kody, Christine, Ysabel and Gwen attend the party, she has a small pinata. Kody gets her a tennis racket to beat pinata, stick wasn’t working. Kody thinks there wasn’t enough candy in the pinata, Christine said there are three kids, how much candy do you need? Christine asks if Kody wants to handle the pinata, he says no he doesn’t want to do anything, just complain about it. Robyn’s kids deliver a present and balloons to Truely. Ari asks Kody if she can touch him, and they said no. Kody changes his clothes and washes his hands upon entering a new house. Janelle in a STH said she’s glad they aren’t in one house now because there wouldn’t be consensus on the risk her boys pose, working and having a girlfriend. Janelle said it is easier they aren’t living in one house. Meri in a STH said she’s pretty sure everyone is happy to have covid as an excuse to not see or interact with each other.  Kody in a STH thinks some are enjoying the break from family interaction.

The wives in STH discuss how they make their beds. Christine just throws the covers on, no tucking. Robyn uses hospital corners. Janelle doesn’t make her bed often, throws comforter on top. Meri said it is easy to make her bed because she’s the only one who sleeps in it, and she doesn’t move much.

Kody in a STH said the Air Force Academy is graduating the students early because of the pandemic, and it is a scheduling conflict for him. Christine’s birthday and the graduation are on the same day. Kody wants to go back to Janelle’s and celebrate together. Birthdays are a big deal, when Kody can give wives and kids his complete attention. Christine said do her birthday on another day easy decision. Christine in a STH said Janelle and Kody have been separated five weeks with the quarantine. Christine tells Kody she is glad they are discussing it. Kody said you hate when I tell you my schedule, Christine said no I don’t, Kody said yes you do. Christine agrees when it is her birthday, she doesn’t want to be told the schedule. Christine in a STH said one of her biggest frustrations with Kody is he doesn’t tell her if he’ll be at her house until 5pm that night. She is going to make plans; she’s not going to sit and wait at home. Robyn in a STH said as a plural wife you must roll with the punches. Robyn said Kody has to consider the most important thing. Kody in a STH said Christine was cool with celebrating her birthday on another day, but you never know when a decision like that will be brought up and come back to haunt him.

Kody is on his way to Janelle’s and said there is an element of bitterness that is bothering him. Janelle said it feels awkward, a little strange to be seeing him after so long. Kody said he knows he picked the lifestyle but is angry about it sometimes. Kody said it has been a month of quarantine, and he had anxiety on his way over, Janelle said she had it too. Kody said he said hello to Gabe and Gabe averted his eyes, sighed a this is all stupid sigh. Kody questions if the precautions he has taken have helped or hurt the family.

Kody is getting together with Meri because it is her anniversary, our anniversary. They get takeout and go for a drive. Meri in a STH said she’s excited to spend time together. Meri made rice krispy treats for Kody. Kody isn’t sure how many years they’ve been married. He guesses 31, she said 30. Christine in a STH said her specialty is chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles. Robyn in a STH said she makes bomb lasagna and bomb cheesecake (she used the word bomb). Janelle in a STH said she’s a passable cook. A director asked Kody in a STH whose recipes he liked the best, and he said he likes to eat at restaurants, sit down with his wife so she doesn’t have to worry about cooking. The director said it was a wise answer. Kody in a STH said he and Meri haven’t lived together since before they left Las Vegas. Meri said they are celebrating a non-anniversary because they are not a couple but are in a family. She asks Kody what are they, and what are they celebrating? Meri said it is funny situation. Kody asks funny or odd? Meri said not funny ha-ha. Meri in a STH said she and Kody always had an up and down relationship and would always come back together. Over the last five, six, seven years they haven’t come back together. Meri wants to work on their relationship, said Kody wants to take it really slow. Meri tells Kody they haven’t been out together since their last anniversary. Kody asks Meri is she broken-hearted by it? To him it is an indicator it doesn’t matter that much. Kody in a STH said he’s trying to help Meri determine if she has a spark of if she is lonely for anything. He wants to be honest about where they are. Kody tells Meri if they wanted to go out together, they would.

Kody in a STH said he and Meri had problems before Janelle came into the family, but the cat fishing is what woke them up to state of the situation. He said they went to counseling, he’s looking for a spark, something to initiate a desire a relationship with each other, and it has never manifest. Kody tells Meri he thinks they miss the idea of them, not each other. Meri tells Kody speak for yourself. Meri tells Kody she has a strong draw to him but doesn’t act on it because she knows how he feels. Meri in a STH said Kody has told her she needs to make it known, flirt with him, she said she tries those things, they fail, so she backs off, and he backs off more. She said she is not giving up or walking away. Meri tells Kody she can’t make him care for her. Kody tells Meri she wants to be with him but there is one thing she’s not doing- she’s not courting him to the relationship. Kody said he’s just as guilty of this, but he doesn’t miss their relationship. Meri tells Kody she didn’t know she was supposed to court him. Kody in a STH said he’s not suggesting Meri chase him, but he needs more magic than what they have. He said she’s not making any effort, and he’s not making the effort. Meri tells Kody she’s waiting for him, Kody tells her he’s not coming, she said she knows that. Kody tells Meri she hasn’t made an effort, and she’s the one that wants it. Kody in a STH said there must be a spark to be loved romantically, and from that she will get from that romance, love, full marriage and sexual relationship. Kody tells Meri there is a lack of real interest; Meri tells Kody not on her part. Meri in a STH said she’ll ask Kody to come over, do something together, and he says no.

Meri tells Kody if he is telling her he has no interest she doesn’t know what to do. Kody in a STH said the conversation isn’t let’s get a divorce, she needs to leave, he said he’ll never do that. His faith and conscience won’t allow that. Because he hasn’t divorced or left Meri there is always a chance, they could get back together to full fellowship (his words). Meri in a STH said she’s not a quitter, she knows what she wants, it’s not how she wants it right now. She said the things Kody is telling her are difficult to hear, but she will respect him enough to listen. Meri tells Kody she knows he loved her; he wouldn’t have treated her the way he did if he hadn’t loved her. Kody said he doesn’t disagree, but he doesn’t treat people cruelly. Meri said she doesn’t either. Kody in a STH said he’s telling Meri he is past the anger and bitter phase, how do they do it right? Kody still in STH said Meri said he has to love her; Kody with a scoff says be lovable.

Meri and Kody put a blanket down to eat some food picnic style in a park/field. Meri in a STH said Kody is better than what he is being. Meri with the flashlight on her phone pointed at Kody asks can she light him up? Kody in a STH said yes, she is making innuendos after he spent hours explaining to her they’re not ready for romance yet. Meri asks Kody if he gets it when she flirts with him. Kody said yes. Meri asks if it means anything to him, turn off, exciting, gross. Kody said he’s not saying it is gross. She asks if he would push her away if she leaned over for a kiss. Kody in a STH said he and Meri are part of a marriage, but don’t want to be part of a hookup culture. Kody said romance and sex are saved for people who are in love.  Meri in a STH said she’s trying to flirt with Kody, and this is rejection, he’s not interested. Kody said after visiting with the Dargers Kody and his wives were discussing the attitudes they’ve had since living in Flagstaff. Robyn in a STH said they were discussing the future and then Kody went to a dark place, and it frightened her. Kody asks Meri when wives tell him their lives suck in plural marriage, what can he do? Kody in a STH said he’s been nagged for years about the challenges of plural marriage especially with one house conversation. Kody said he’s been blown away by the deep pain and emotion that can accompany plural marriage. Kody tells Meri he doesn’t want wives to live in an unhappy place. He feels immense pressure to satisfy wives emotional needs even when he has no desire. Meri tells Kody she’s not giving him pressure, and he said he knows.

Kody in a STH said he got hopeless about the family arrangement, saw lack of desire to be together. Kody tells Meri he has a wife (he does not identify who) who he thinks will never be happy, he thought they were happy for years, but she wasn’t. Kody in a STH said he’s being vague. Meri asks Kody what he wants for the family. Kody responds he wants wives who get along, like each other, and don’t say snotty things to each other that hurt. Meri tells Kody maybe it is midlife crisis, and maybe god needs to smite Kody on the top of the head, and Kody interrupts and says to make me love everybody, make me love everyone who isn’t lovable. Meri asks what she does that is unlovable. Kody says to Meri he isn’t talking about her, and she said she needs him to talk about her. Kody said they’ve been distanced for years; he’s wondering about the big picture. Meri in a STH said this is not why she started a family with him. She said she doesn’t want him 30 years later to say this isn’t what he believes anymore. Kody tells Meri the one house was a wakeup call how they don’t want to be together. Kody in a STH said he feels he and Meri appear to not want to be together. Meri tells Kody they’ve been together 30 years she isn’t willing to walk away. Kody tells Meri he’s not motivated by what they had to sit and talk about saving it. Kody tells Meri not to get defeated he said he has a way with saying words. Meri agrees he does get carried away with his words, he’s done it his whole life, and that’s why she’s giving him grace. Meri in a STH said they’ve had difficult times, but she focuses on the good times, and doesn’t want him to deny that. Kody tells Meri he has a difficult time visualizing them as a family in the future. Meri in a STH said Kody has 4 wives, 18 kids, is he going to pick and choose who he keeps?

Kody tells Meri the question going forward is do they benefit from this? If people who are unhappy for so many years, why don’t they leave and find something that makes them happy instead of badgering him about how he’s not doing it right. Kody in a STH said he’s asking himself would all of his wives be better off married to another guy? Kody tells Meri this isn’t what he wants, not what he signed up for. He tells Meri he doesn’t want a big breakup instead wants a big commitment that everyone will do their part, not just him doing all the work or him getting all the blame. He said love is not unconditional. He wants people to be happy, if they aren’t happy could they stop making him unhappy by them being unhappy. Kody in a STH said he needs the wives to commit to doing better, him doing the work alone hasn’t worked. Kody tells Meri he wants to tell the wives we are going to do better, or we aren’t going to do it anymore. Kody in a STH said Meri will bully the other wives to help save her marriage, without holding herself accountable. Kody tells Meri no one is stuck with him, they can leave. Meri said don’t say that it makes people feel like you don’t want to be with them. Meri asks Kody are they committed, will they be a family, and work through things? Meri in a STH said they are better than that, they don’t have to lose their relationship because they weren’t willing work on it. Meri tells Kody she would like to kiss him to see how he would react. Kody asks Meri his ranting gets her excited? Meri says sometimes she feels like kissing him. Kody says happy anniversary Meri. Meri says happy anniversary Kody.

Next week more covid, the separation is taking a toll on the family.

Urgh all I can say is fuuuuuuckkkk Kody.  I get Meri has some major issues when it comes to dealing with her feelings, but I think a lot of that stems from Kody asking for something, her trying it a bit, and then him backing out.  He definitely did this with the surrogacy thing with Robyn.  He was all for it until Meri said she'd finally come to a place where she wanted to try, and then he said no.  I think you can see it in the way he talks.  He says divorce isn't on the table, because he would never consider one.  He doesn't want to be the one who asks for it, who ends it.  He just continues to come up with excuses to not be with Meri hoping eventually she'll be so miserable she'll just be there as someone to help the other wives out or she'll divorce him and it will be all poor Kody. I think Meri does some of the same, but in her case I get the religious pressure more.  In Mormonism, men are called into heaven on their own, but women need their husband to call them to heaven, otherwise they're stranded and unable to be with their family.  So if Meri divorces Kody, she won't be with any of them in heaven, including Mariah.  She also grew up in polygamy unlike Kody and so the social pressure must be intense.  She's never experienced life outside that particular world view.

I do wonder if now that her mother has passed if that will change her views a bit.  I know that many people will have trouble going against certain family positions until that person has died.  Kody and Meri have both mentioned in the past that if Meri went to her mom to complain about Kody she would totally shut it down and tell her that he's a good man and that's the way it is and fix herself.  I'm not saying Meri isn't overly self-involved, but that kind of sentiment makes it hard to admit publicly this isn't for you and you want out.

[ifosterkittens]

21 minutes ago, Natalie22 said:

Urgh all I can say is fuuuuuuckkkk Kody.  I get Meri has some major issues when it comes to dealing with her feelings, but I think a lot of that stems from Kody asking for something, her trying it a bit, and then him backing out.  He definitely did this with the surrogacy thing with Robyn.  He was all for it until Meri said she'd finally come to a place where she wanted to try, and then he said no.  I think you can see it in the way he talks.  He says divorce isn't on the table, because he would never consider one.  He doesn't want to be the one who asks for it, who ends it.  He just continues to come up with excuses to not be with Meri hoping eventually she'll be so miserable she'll just be there as someone to help the other wives out or she'll divorce him and it will be all poor Kody. I think Meri does some of the same, but in her case I get the religious pressure more.  In Mormonism, men are called into heaven on their own, but women need their husband to call them to heaven, otherwise they're stranded and unable to be with their family.  So if Meri divorces Kody, she won't be with any of them in heaven, including Mariah.  She also grew up in polygamy unlike Kody and so the social pressure must be intense.  She's never experienced life outside that particular world view.

I agree. Watching Kody with Meri and his STH it feels to me like he is saying I won't divorce or officially cut you out of the family, but why won't you leave? Kody has made it clear he won't prioritize their relationship, it is up to her to court him. I concur Kody wants Meri to leave him, and he can play the victim. Meri had an emotional affair, she was cruel to the other wives, and if she left Kody he can say he honored their vows, and she made the decision to leave.

I've contended Meri will stay at least as long as the show is still filming so she can cash in on the TLC money. Once the show ends, and now that her mother is gone maybe she would consider leaving. I wonder if she is counting on Lizzie's Heritage Inn (the B&B in Utah) providing a nice revenue stream and place to live once TLC money is no longer coming in. 

7 hours ago, OyToTheVey said:

2) If Robyn and Christine are sharing Kody, why aren't they in the same household and let their kids be siblings? Kody is going back and forth anyway so it was weird. Like Ari asking if she can hug Kody, but she'll see him in a day or two anyway so what's the difference.

3) Christine is clearly unhappy. She wants to go back to Utah. I never understood the move to Flagstaff. It seemed like Kody put a mask over his eyes and used a pin and a map to find a new city.

4) Why haven't they built anything on Coyote Pass? It's a huge piece of property that they're paying money for. 

2. I am also surprised Christine and Robyn didn't get the kids together since Kody was going back and forth between them every few days with no quarantine time or testing in between. I do wonder if Robyn said no because she had stated Sol had RSV as a baby, and she had previously (date unknown) had pneumonia and she said that made the two of them more vulnerable. It was also April 2020 so our understanding of COVID was still fairly limited, and they may have felt they were doing the best with the information they had. 

3. I suspect Christine is the wife Kody said was unhappy and he suspected she would never be happy. He said he wouldn't name the wife, but my guess is Christine. Aspyn and Mykelti live in Utah, and I think she wants to be closer to them. 

4. I doubt they could afford to build on Coyote Pass. It took much longer than anticipated to sell the Las Vegas homes, and they had to drop the price on some of the homes to get them sold. They bought a house for Christine in Flagstaff, then bought Robyn's house. Christine's home in Flagstaff cost a little less than what her Vegas home sold for, but Robyn's house was absolutely more expensive than the Vegas home. Before they moved to Flagstaff they knew the cost of building was more expensive than in Vegas, and once COVID hit the cost of lumber and other building materials have gone up. Plus they are carrying the Coyote Pass mortgage. 

[anjulibai]

Quote

Kody in a STH said he’s asking himself would all of his wives be better off married to another guy?

Almost unequivocally, yes, Kod, they would be better off. 

[DalmatianCat]

7 hours ago, anjulibai said:

Almost unequivocally, yes, Kod, they would be better off. 

I can’t get over him complaining that he’s the “only one” putting in any work when the wives say they don’t always hear from him or know where he is. 

Its also absurd for a man whose been married to three of his wives for over 25 years to still think he needs to have “in love” feelings in order to treat them lovingly as a wife. Love is much more than that. 
And poor Meri...can a guy give any worse mixed signals??? Flirt with me...no not like that, tell me you want me, be devastated you can’t have me, etc. Does he hear himself? I wonder if Robyn is ever privately concerned about being stuck having Kody all to herself after all the other wives give up and he has no one else to bother.
And for all their talk/whining about not communicating and never talking or texting each other...I wish just one of them would decide to be the change they want to see in the family. Texting a “Good morning, I hope you have a great day!” to your husband/wives/sister wives is not that difficult. What the recipient does with the text is up to them, but they each have the ability to reach out. I would love see one of the wives try an experiment where she does send out one positive text a day to the spouses and each Friday and Saturday invites everyone over for a casual dinner (whenever they figure out their covid response). The dinner would not be obligatory (obligations seem to stress this family beyond belief). Just—“if you can come I’m throwing burgers on the grill and I grabbed an extra tub of ice cream! If you can’t, no judgement” (and she would need to literally stick with that). Board games, movies, whatever. It might be hard at first, but I feel like tiny, consistent efforts like this would be what would eventually add up to a HUGE difference. But...no one seems willing to try. Maybe they have too much baggage from former attempts, but I don’t understand all the whining without at least attempting something on their own. It’s like they have no autonomy to reach out on their own without some huge family discussion on how it should go down. Seriously...reach out! Make an autonomous decision to at least text your family once a day! You can’t always wait for someone else to make the first move or for some big catalyst. If this family is important to you, act like it! 

[Botkinetti]

I think they want their viewers to believe that family is important to them that’s why they drone on and on about their unique family culture.
To me the wives behave as if the other women were old co-workers they once had something in common with but now struggle to have a conversation with. I think they are fine about only seeing everyone every once in a while but feel they have to pretend to be upset to keep the show on the air.

[clueliss]

I seem to spend every episode muttering 'Kody is an asshole' (over and over and over and...)

Mind you - Meri does have issues and needs to deal with them. 

Christine also has issues.

When he asked if his wives would be better off without him - I yelled "YES!"

However they maintain the facade because of $$$ (TV money - however limited) and because in 'their faith' they get into special heaven or whatever. 

[gustava]

22 hours ago, clueliss said:

However they maintain the facade because of $$$ (TV money - however limited) and because in 'their faith' they get into special heaven or whatever. 

I think it's more the $$$ these days than their "faith."   

[Flossie]

On 4/6/2021 at 4:30 AM, Botkinetti said:

To me the wives behave as if the other women were old co-workers they once had something in common with but now struggle to have a conversation with. I think they are fine about only seeing everyone every once in a while but feel they have to pretend to be upset to keep the show on the air.

Co-workers.  Yes!  That's what they are!  Whatever they once were, thanks to Kody and the show, they're now co-workers trying to keep a struggling company afloat, because they're scared to have to find another way to make a living.

Kody is the inept owner/manager of our little gang, always fumbling along and screwing up.  But he had one talent, back then.  He could find people to join him.

The wives are the junior managers, who've been through thick and thin with the company.  They happily joined long ago, when they believed that with hard work they would grow something that paid off dividends in the physical world, and eventually in the afterlife.

Now the business is failing, and he's not about to take the blame.

[clueliss]

To continue @Flossie analogy

The kids are the workers and Kody keeps scratching his head trying to figure out why the talent keeps fleeing the company to work (live) somewhere else and then do things like blow out of Flagstaff without talking to Kody to run the Inn for Meri's mom. 

[DalmatianCat]

Mykelti had her baby on Monday! Based off her Instagram Christine and Truly are with them and we’re probably there for the birth as well. It was a homebirth that went well. Pictures are on her Instagram and baby looks darling and parents happy. No pictures of Kody with the baby yet.

[Alice in Fundieland]

In the magazine article, I believe it was US Weekly, Tony said Robyn FaceTimed with them for the entire birth. 

[OyToTheVey]

I watched the last episode. Does Kody think we're dumb? There's absolutely no way that car that Gwen got in the mud is older than 20 years, it's obviously isn't. That looks like a brand new Lexus to me. Where did they have the money for it?

[clueliss]

Why are we rehashing the. same. thing. every. week?  I actually stopped the dvr and checked to see that I really was watching a new episode because I sat there and though - we've already seen this. 

[Botkinetti]

Because they have nothing else to say. 
It appears the word of this season is communication. None of them know how to communicate effectively but they all want to talk about it endlessly. 
The only interesting thing to me is that Kody showed how deeply insecure he is by refusing to ask his neighbour for help pulling out the car. He was afraid the neighbour would think less of him. I’m sure the neighbour (if he knows him at all) doesn’t think highly of him but for reasons that have nothing to do with towing a car.

[ifosterkittens]

Season 15 Episode 9 A Family Stuck

COVID restrictions for filming still in place.

STH- Solo Talking Head

Kody in a STH recounts his anniversary conversation with Meri from last episode. They haven’t lived together in five years. Meri in a STH said Kody questions plural marriage, would he do it again? Adults have a group video call. Kody is with Janelle during the video call. Janelle in a STH said she’s struggling with the isolation. Janelle prefers the video call to group text. Janelle asks other adults do they want to get together when Hunter comes home. Hunter will be home for the summer. Janelle in a STH said she’d like to get the whole family together and said there are some that aren’t on board. Kody thinks teleconferencing is the best for now. Christine would like to get together, agrees it may not be safest or most responsible to do so. Robyn in a STH prefers not to get together thinks it is safer. Kody talked to his doctor and she said ICU is full and advised to not gather as a family. Janelle said she doesn’t 100% agree with the doctor, wants to get family together. Janelle in a STH said Kody is taking the isolation to a whole different level. She wonders will they continue to be apart for another two years, and will the family exist after that much time apart?

Kody tells wives if they want to see him, he’s the only person they see besides their immediate children. Kody in a STH said he doesn’t like to tell wives what to do because they put him in his place. He said this is one time he wishes he could implement rules for them to follow. Christine said they don’t really get a choice. Kody in a STH said he wants everyone to feel they have a choice, but if they want a physical relationship (his words) with him follow the rules. Robyn in a STH said you can’t have a physical relationship if you aren’t alive. Christine in a STH said she won’t follow the rules Robyn does. Christine said they will go do stuff. Kody in a STH said he thinks Janelle is lazy about an ounce of prevention. Janelle tells adults her kids said they would choose to hang out at Christine’s house with her kids over Kody coming to their house. Christine in STH said it is an extreme compliment, she loves Janelle’s children. Kody in a STH said he thinks Janelle is full of s#$%. Kody said the kids aren’t seeing each other regularly anyway. He feels Janelle doesn’t want him coming down on her children for not following COVID protocols. Christine in a STH said if she and Janelle allow their kids to hang out that means Kody won’t come over. Janelle suggests the adults have a social distanced outdoor picnic at Coyote Pass, everyone bring their own food. Kody in a STH said there is a lack of trust in the family.

Kody in a STH said they currently are not able to finance building on Coyote Pass. Gwen got her car stuck in the mud at Coyote Pass. Kody said the frame is floating on the ground, tires spinning freely. The car has been sitting there for a few days. Kody would use a tractor if he had one and said asking the neighbor for help would be sheer embarrassment for him. Kody and Christine in a couch interview Kody says if he is not successful Christine will ask the neighbor for help, but don’t mention his name. Christine said she wouldn’t betray Kody. Christine said if the neighbor asks don’t you have a husband Christine would tell the neighbor her husband is at another woman’s house (she laughs). The stuck car’s battery is dead. Janelle in a STH said they bought the car for Maddie in high school, and it was 15 years old then. The car is a Lexus a mini SUV. I don’t know anything about cars, so someone else may be able to better describe it. They dig, jack up the car, get it out of the mud. Kody said he is getting a tractor, pick up and four-wheeler out of this experience, and Christine said you get a kiss.

Janelle in a STH said the pandemic has highlighted the breakdown in communication among the adults. Robyn later said the same thing in a STH. Robyn meets Janelle at her house outside in the garden. Janelle has raised garden beds with tomatoes and basil. Janelle tells Robyn she’s ready to improve her communication skills. Janelle said she gets excited and thinks her conversation comes off as aggressive. Robyn tells Janelle when the five adults have conversations, she goes home with a stomachache nearly every time. Robyn in a STH said she rarely fights with Kody, has a handful of real fights, maybe not even 5, over the last decade. Robyn said she was married before, and there was a lot of fighting and she told herself if she married again, she would be more cautious. Janelle and Robyn agree the way the family communicates needs to change, and Janelle suggest setting some ground rules for communication.

To celebrate Christine’s birthday late (it was the same day as Hunter’s graduation) Christine and Kody drive to Sedona, AZ to see the sights in a convertible, watch the sunset. Flashbacks to the adults going to Sedona and working with their therapist Nancy. Kody in a STH said he feels the family is constantly using emotion and desire to not be separated against science (COVID precautions). Kody feels he is policing the family. Christine tells Kody if Maddie and her kids come for a visit she won’t stay away. Kody tells Christine the dilemma of who to visit is more complicated for people than polygamy. Christine in a STH said she doesn’t agree, it isn’t illegal to visit people. Christine in another STH said her relationship with Kody has been strained since the blowup about the one house. Kody in a STH said he opened himself up to Christine’s complaints about plural marriage, and it has unraveled plural marriage for him, and made him cynical. In their religion there is the belief endure to the end. Kody said it seems plural marriage is a challenge Christine doesn’t seem to enjoy. Kody said frankly plural marriage is not a challenge he enjoys. Christine in a STH said she doesn’t feel she is important to Kody. Kody is unsure of the future.

Robyn and Kody discuss having another child. Robyn said she is 41 the biological clock is ticking, so they need to decide if they are done having kids. Kids range from 4-26 years old. Kody said Ari has been weaned for a year and still keeps them up at night. Robyn said it is getting better, Kody doesn’t agree. Robyn said she’s never had the “I’m done” feeling when it comes to having kids. Robyn in a STH said she made promises to a certain number of children to be their mother in her pre-life and she wants to fulfill those promises. Kody tells Robyn he wants a life with her that isn’t just about their kids, and she feels relieved and sad at the same time. Kody in a STH said he wouldn’t want to discourage Robyn from having another child is she has a premonition they should. Robyn tells Kody she had something, someone hanging around their room all day (sounds like a spirit given the context) she said it was a dark-haired boy. Robyn in a STH said she believes we exist in a spiritual form before we are born and come to earth and she had interactions with some of her children when they were a spirit before they were born. Kody in a STH said he thought the decision was made to not have more children, and then Robyn mentions the dark-haired boy. Kody said his blonde hair comes out with the kids, doubts they would have a dark-haired boy, and says maybe they are supposed to adopt. Kody said adoption was never an option because they were having their own children (his words), but now that they are winding down adoption is more appealing. Robyn said they need to think about it more, she doesn’t have a strong answer either way.

Hunter arrives at Janelle’s. He graduated from the Air Force Academy and will be home for three months over the summer. Janelle in a STH said Kody will stay away for a couple of weeks now that Hunter has arrived because of exposure risks. Janelle goes to Christine’s sit outside to discuss communication. Christine in a STH said Janelle is stubborn, has blinders on. Janelle and Christine were on opposite ends of the spectrum on the one house. Christine tells Janelle on the topic of one house she (Christine) felt what Janelle and Kody wanted (one house) was more important than what she wanted. Christine in a STH said looking back she wishes she would have taken better care of her kids and stood up for herself more. Christine tells Janelle it is always a little awkward when the family gets together, she’s nervous, nauseous. Christine feels deep down she doesn’t matter than much, and she doesn’t have an equal voice. Christine tells Janelle she doesn’t think they are at the point where they can be completely honest. Janelle asks why don’t they make it so they are completely honest. Christine says she doesn’t think Janelle is nuts, but it is unrealistic. Janelle and Christine agree it is easy to live separately and just focus on their own kids, and it is not what they signed up for. Christine in a STH said Janelle is right the family is at a crossroad, and she’d like to move back to Utah, be near other polygamist. Janelle tells Christine what they are doing isn’t working, and feels communication is a large piece.

Next week more COVID and family struggles.

[Alice in Fundieland]

Surprise, surprise, according to the clip in this article, Kody is frustrated with Christine for not really trying to convince the other wives to move back to Utah. He is so gross. He never owns up to anything and instead chooses to blame his problems on everyone else. I wish they’d all leave him. 
https://people.com/tv/sister-wives-christine-breaks-down-about-wanting-to-move-back-to-utah/

 

[viii]

I feel like Meri, Janelle and Christine should all leave him and move back to Utah or where ever they want to go and find a life outside of him. 

Kody clearly only cares about Robyn in a romantic way, so let her stay and they can figure out their spirit children. 

[Don'tlikekoolaid]

It must be very hard to leave if you truly believe that nonsense about the woman must be pulled into heaven by the husband.  Kind of like if I leave I will go to Hell.  These beliefs can really destroy a person and ruin entire lives.

[ifosterkittens]

Seeking Sister Wife Season 3 Episode 1 Polygamist and Proud! recap is available in the Seeking Sister Wife sub forum if anyone is interested.