I’m not a big autobiography reader but I put Michelle Obama’s Becoming on my Christmas list. And I am not alone. The response to Michelle’s new book has been so overwhelming, she’s doubling the number of book events for 2019 to make sure everyone who wants to see her on this book tour will. And it’s not only those who get to see her who are thrilled, according to the former FLOTUS, she’s just as excited.

Not only is Michelle Obama continuing her book tour after attending former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral last week, she’s adding new cities to the lineup!

“I couldn’t be more excited to visit even more cities across the country and around the world,” the former first lady, 54, said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE about the additions to the final leg of her book tour, Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama.

“I’ve been so humbled by the response to the tour thus far and the overwhelming interest we’ve received from so many communities we weren’t able to visit this year,” she continued. “That’s why I’m thrilled that we’re able to expand our conversations to these new settings and wider audiences. I can’t wait to continue the discussions that have been so meaningful for me and, I hope, for so many others.”

[From People]

I’m sure Michelle’s book will be on the best seller list for a while. I don’t doubt that it’s well written with interesting stories and insight. Plus I think so many of us want to feel some connection to the Obamas. You invite book characters into your life and people want the Obamas in their lives right now. This news is amazing because so many people will get to meet Michelle, if even just for an hour. I think getting out and meeting folks is what she thrives on too. She loves the public. And we love her.

The link has more the information but the second half has been expanded to include 21 events – 11 in North America and six in Europe. You can check dates and get tickets here. If anyone has the chance to see her, please let us know about it.

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Photo credit: WENN Photos and Getty Images

Yesterday, Kathie Lee Gifford announced that she will be stepping down from her wine-soaked perch on the Today Show’s fourth hour after eleven years. Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb became fixtures of Today’s programming, day-drinking and interviewing minor celebrities and basically looking like they were enjoying themselves. People Magazine had a nice piece about how there’s no real scandal about Gifford’s resignation, she just wants to move on, and Today Show staffers will really miss her. For eleven years, Kathie Lee just signed one-year contracts, always telling people that she would only do it for one more year. According to Page Six, Kathie Lee only signed her 2018 contract because of the Matt Lauer stuff:

Kathie Lee Gifford wanted out of the “Today” show a year ago, Page Six has learned. Sources tell us that Gifford — who announced on Tuesday that she’s leaving the NBC show after 11 years — went to execs in the fall of 2017 and said she was ready to quit. But network insiders tell us that NBC News brass begged her to stay on for another year because the all-important morning show’s lineup was in upheaval, and they wanted to keep as much continuity as possible.

The execs even signed off on Gifford taking off big chunks of time to make movies and record music, so that she’d stick around. When Gifford initially raised her resignation with her bosses, Matt Lauer had just been booted from the “Today” show amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Megyn Kelly’s floundering hour was sending shockwaves through the franchise, and at the same time fans were still feeling the absence of favorite Tamron Hall. So we’re told that Gifford was offered a sweet deal to stay on for an 11th year co-hosting the beloved, wine-swilling fourth hour of “Today” with Hoda Kotb.

Meanwhile, sources tell Page Six that Jenna Bush Hager is the hot favorite to take over for Gifford. Hager has become popular with viewers and NBC News chiefs alike, we’re told, and is set to step into Gifford’s role when she leaves on her 11th anniversary in April 2019.

After she announced her departure from the show on the air Tuesday morning, Gifford said: “I know somebody wonderful will be sitting in this seat afterward.” And, “I have my idea who might be absolutely wonderful.”

[From Page Six]

I’ve seen Jenna Bush Hager on-air, in clips, and I’ve never really found her that impressive as a co-host or cultural reporter or whatever. I mean, she’s not a total nothingburger, and obviously she’s quite popular within NBC, but I just think it would be a mistake to put Hager in without a real search for a good replacement for Kathie Lee. There’s a huge generation gap too – Kathie Lee and Hoda worked because they were both blousy and boozy older gals. Eh.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

The Duggar family is now reflecting on how hard things were for them when Josie Duggar was born. She is now nine-years-old and is doing great. People shared the details about her birthday and what the Duggars have to say now. At her birth, things were rough on the family, but they are much better years later.

The fans remember when Josie Duggar was born. It was a very scary time for the family. The 19th Duggar child was actually born three months early. In a recent Instagram post, the family shared saying “Josie was born on December 10, 2009 at 25 1/2 weeks gestation and weighed 1 pound 6 ounces.” Now she is a happy little girl who is thriving. The Duggars are very lucky that she is doing so well.

Josie was born on December 10, 2009 at 25 1/2 weeks gestation and weighed 1 pound 6 ounces. Today is a huge milestone for her, she is a healthy, happy 9 year old that is full of energy. We are so thankful for everyone’s prayers and all of the doctors and nurses at Arkansas Children’s Hospital that saved her life. That was the most difficult time in our family’s life, but by God’s grace Josie and our whole family made it through!

A post shared by The Duggar Family (@duggarfam) on Dec 10, 2018 at 7:26am PST

Josie was born early due to her mom Michelle Duggar having preeclampsia. Josie weighed only 1 lb., 6 oz. at her birth, which was three months earlier than planned. This wasn’t the scariest part, though. Josie had problems with her bowels just eight days later. She was born at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas, but had to be rushed to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for treatment after this happened. Her parents were by her side through it all.

Luckily, Josie Duggar didn’t have to have surgery. They were able to treat her and things worked out. Josie has been a very lucky little girl. The family ended their post saying “That was the most difficult time in our family’s life, but by God’s grace Josie and our whole family made it through!” This was a hard time for the Duggars. Any parent would never want to have to deal with seeing their child suffer like she did during this time.

Counting On is a bit different than 19 Kids and Counting. The fans loved getting the chance to see Josie Duggar and learn all about her. Now she isn’t really on Counting On much since it focuses on the older children. It would be great if viewers get to see a bit more about Josie and how she is doing now. As she gets older, she will probably be on the series a bit more.

Make sure you don’t miss new episodes of Counting On when it returns to TLC. Hopefully, they will show a bit more of the youngest Duggar Josie now that she is an older child.

The post Duggar Family Reflects On Josie’s Scary Premature Birth After She Turns 9 appeared first on Celebrity Baby Scoop.

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Me either, but I’m still cashing the checks. Merry Christmas! https://t.co/yfb7qhxXJi
— Al Roker (@alroker) December 10, 2018

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