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We’re the world’s biggest family

Stressed about choosing a baby name? Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have done it 16 times — and there’s another on the way!

They’ve used almost 100,000 nappies, get through nearly seven litres of milk a day and the family washing machines run 24/7. But for Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, the proud parents of 16 children, those numbers are about to change again.

In less than two months Michelle will give birth to her 17th child — which will earn the 41-year-old supermum a place in the record books.

And Michelle, who has been pregnant for an incredible 133 months of her life, does not intend to call a halt to her one-woman baby boom. “We’ll see what happens after number 17. If we are blessed with an 18th child then I will be happy.”

The pair already know number 17 is a girl who they will name Jennifer. She is guaranteed plenty of attention from her 10 brothers and six sisters, who range in age from 20 months to 19 years old.

All the children have names starting with “J” — Joshua, 19, twins John-David and Jana, 17, Jill, 16, Jessa, 14, Jinger, 13, Joseph, 12, Josiah, 10, Joy-Anna, 9, twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 8, Jason, 7, James, 5, Justin, 4, Jackson, 3 and Johannah, 20 months…

For the full story, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale June 25).

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Kate’s tears – Owen’s new love

Kate Hudson broke down in tears and vowed to “take time off from men” after discovering ex-boyfriend Owen Wilson has already found himself a new girlfriend, just three weeks after the couple split.

Those close to Kate say she is devastated that Owen, 38, has moved on so quickly, especially as she’d secretly been hoping for a reconciliation.

“Kate is totally disillusioned with men right now and is taking time out to enjoy being a mother and being single,” tells a friend.

Adding to her heartbreak, the notorious playboy seemed happy to be seen in public with his new love while on holiday in Paris, despite going to stealth-like measures to hide his relationship with Kate, 28, even though they dated for several months.

While Kate and Owen deny they were having an affair while she was still married to The Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson, friends say Kate now regrets not working harder to save her six-year marriage.

“She’s complaining to everyone that she made all these sacrifices,” a friend says. “She feels like a fool.”

She’s also upset that she introduced her three-year-old son Ryder to Owen, something friends say she didn’t take lightly.

“The only man in her life at the moment is Ryder and that’s the way she intends to keep it — for now,” adds the friend.

For the full story, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale June 25).

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Ange’s fury – Jen’s secret meeting with Brad’s mum

Jennifer Aniston received an unlikely visitor this week in the wake of rumours she’s seriously considering settling down with British model Paul Sculfor.

Days after it was revealed that Paul, 36, was set to move in with Jen, 38, the former Friends star had a visit from her ex-husband Brad Pitt’s mum Jane, who told her not to give up hope of getting back together with her son.

Mrs Pitt’s surprise visit was a blatant slap in the face for Angelina, who had earlier been talking up her relationship with Brad’s parents.

But those close to Ange maintain she’s always had a rocky relationship with Brad’s mum. Insiders say Jane blames Ange for her son’s marriage split with Jen…

For the full story, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale June 25).

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Diana and her boys

Royal writer Judy Wade reflects on Diana’s most important legacy — her sons.

When Princes William and Harry walk on stage at Wembley Stadium on July 1, their only thought will be to make the Concert For Diana — the one they planned and organised — a perfect tribute to the mother they adored.

Sadly, the boys were too young and grief-stricken to take charge of events after my favourite royal, Diana, died 10 years ago, so this is their chance to show the world how much they love and miss her.

The concert will be shown in 140 countries on what would have been their mother’s 46th birthday. “We wanted something that would really bring her whole spirit — her joy of life and everything she stood for. And on her birthday, it’s got to be the best birthday present she’s ever had,” explains William.

The Princes recall how they would often find their mother dancing around the Palace to some of the artists scheduled to perform at the concert.

“We used to catch her dancing to her music — we’d walk out of the room rather embarrassed that our mother was just dancing around,” recounts William. “It was a big release for her.”

During my days reporting on the Royal Family, Diana regularly told me of her dream that William would be a new kind of king, one more in touch with ordinary people. So she made him queue up at their local hamburger bar and told him to wait his turn for rides at Disney World in Florida, refusing offers to go to the head of the line.

Despite having servants at their disposal, the Princess expected her sons to be tidy and helpful, but like most teenage boys they didn’t enjoy household chores. “Put your laundry away,” she once told Harry after a housemaid brought in a pile of freshly ironed clothing. Half an hour later, when she found it still sitting on a table, she reminded him again.

“OK, but stop nagging!” he replied.

Just before Diana died she was planning to take William to the dentist, and to have him measured for his first grown-up suit. All those plans were swept away with her death on August 31, 1997, and the Princes were moved from Diana’s home at Kensington Palace to their father’s place at St James’s Palace.

Harry sobbed for months, while William, still only 15, bottled up his feelings, rarely talking about Diana. Once, while sitting in the cosy kitchen of a friend’s home, he suddenly cried, “I miss my mother so much, sometimes I just can’t stand it.” Then out poured months of longing and loss…

For the full story, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale June 25).

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In the mag – July 2, 2007

On-Sale Monday June 25, 2007

  • Rod and Penny’s romantic Italian wedding — exclusive pictures!

Rod Stewart married his long-time love Penny Lancaster in a romantic ceremony in Italy on June 16. The couple, who have a 17-month-old son Alistair, pledged their vows in a civil ceremony at a 17th-century villa before celebrating with 100 of their closest family and friends. Don’t miss the exclusive photos in this week’s issue of Woman’s Day.

  • True life — ‘An evil neighbour made our lives hell’

When John and Angela Giannaros moved into their new home on bushland in an upmarket Melbourne suburb, they agreed they’d found the perfect haven for their family. But within a couple of years they found themselves under siege and relentlessly harassed by one of their neighbours.

  • Katherine Heigl — ‘I’m ready for marriage’

At just 28, Katherine Heigl has a hit show on her resumé, a burgeoning movie career and a handsome musician fiancé. Yet happiness is something the former child model is still getting used to.

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James and Erica’s lavish wedding

Sydney billionaire James Packer made the gorgeous “gal from Gunnedah”, Erica Baxter, his bride in a dazzling ceremony on the French Riviera last week.

Last Wednesday morning the couple exchanged vows in an intimate civil ceremony at the Antibes Hotel de Ville (town hall) in the company of a small group of family and friends, including James’s mother Ros Packer, his sister Gretel and his best friend and best man David Gyngell.

Celebrities, sports stars and business leaders had jetted in from around the world to seaside Antibes, to witness the wedding between the model-turned-singer and Australia’s richest man.

With the finest champagne and delicacies, flowers flown in from Holland, and singer Michael Bublé performing for guests, James excelled himself in his quest to give Erica a fairytale wedding. Guests partied well into the night, with the music still echoing across the water just before midnight.

One onlooker, who watched Erica and James in the days before the wedding, says, “They looked so happy and so in love, kissing and holding hands. She was gorgeous, he was smiling like a Cheshire cat, besotted…”

For the full story and exclusive wedding pics, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale June 25).

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July on the road with The Weekly

Lyndey Milan talks to Today's Mike Dalton.

The sun smiles on Launceston

In Victor Harbor, we were joined by plenty of locals to support Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, with tea, coffee and cupcakes donated by Dairy Farmers. Lyndey Milan whipped up some fabulous recipes, Kate Mahon and Revlon make-up artist Jeane Andreas showed us the latest in beauty, Sussan provided the fashion and the Commonwealth Bank got us started on our budgets.

We also talked to the locals about the whale-watching season and met Senior Australian of the Year Phillip Herreen.

What’s on this month

Sam Bailey — farmer, pilot and author

This month, the Commonwealth Bank presents Sam Bailey on the road train in Broome and Darwin. Sam will tell his amazing story — how he suffered a life-changing injury and overcame overwhelming odds to fulfil his dream to become a farmer and found romance in the most unexpected place. You can read Sam and Jenny Bailey’s heartwarming story in the July issue.

For On the Road locations and times, visit our website at www.aww.com.au/roadtrain or email [email protected]

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Paris interview “beneath” Barbara

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