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[narrator] Previously on
Sister Wives...
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[Robyn] Today
we're going over to Meri's.
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I guess Kody has come up
with very specific rules
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about how we get
together as a family.
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I mean, we are doing
most of these things,
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but we don't wipe our mail,
we don't wipe our groceries.
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Janelle. [chuckling] Come on.
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No, I think this is overkill.
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I really feel like
we have to make a choice.
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Do we see Kody,
or do we do everything else?
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As a family, we really haven't
spent much time together.
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It's lonely.
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Like, I live alone.
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[Kody] My relationship with
Meri is not the kind of relationship
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where I talk with her everyday.
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[Christine] We are going to go to
Aspyn and Mitch's for Thanksgiving.
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But we will be
here for Christmas.
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- So, you're going to Utah?
- [Christine] I think so, yeah.
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- And you're going to Utah?
- [Janelle] Yes.
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[Kody] I'm sitting here with
everybody sort of complaining to me
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about the rules and about,
"We're not getting together."
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And then I say,
"Well, let's go ahead
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and do what we need
to do get back together."
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And everybody resists that.
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You don't think I'm aware?
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You don't think
I'm being careful?
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I think you understand
where I'm at,
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and I want you
to just respect that.
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Yeah, [bleep] off.
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Just a couple of days ago,
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everybody had
come over to my house
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and we were
having a conversation.
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And we're kind of talking
about, like, COVID protocol and...
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I kind of made a joke,
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it kind of didn't go
over very well.
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Let's look over the rules.
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I would love to see
what rules you put in place.
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[Kody] Let's see
what you've got. Um...
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[Meri] You know, those rules
that you made up.
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- [chuckles softly]
- [laughing] I'm just...
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[Kody] I just
checked with our nanny
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and said,
"What are you doing?"
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[Meri] Oh.
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I'm just gonna say it out loud,
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I know everybody is, like,
suspicious of me.
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Well, just please stop.
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- Please, realize that Kody--
- [Meri] That was a joke.
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Okay.
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Just realize that Kody
has made these rules.
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So, we chatted for a minute,
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but we felt like
we should probably
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dive into it
a little bit deeper.
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Are you okay with me
getting my germs on here?
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Yeah. [chuckles]
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Just spray it all off.
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Yeah, sure, something like that.
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I'm using one of her chairs
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and so, I'm like, "Wait, wait,
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I'm gonna get my germies on it
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and I haven't done
my two-week quarantine yet."
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So, where do we wanna sit?
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It's, it... [sighs]
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The thing of it is,
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it's not like that it's stupid,
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it's not the quarantine
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and, like, being careful
and all that stuff is stupid.
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I'm just tired of it.
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[grunts]
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Sorry I hit such
a wall the other day.
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[Robyn sighs]
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That's okay. It's all right.
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And, like I said,
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I'm sorry that
I misunderstood your joke.
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[chuckles]
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I know that that joke
was actually, in a weird way,
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Meri showing me...
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sort of solidarity.
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It took me a second to,
like, digest what she said
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'cause I was so
sensitive about it.
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I know that Meri doesn't think
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that I'm sitting here
just dictating these rules
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or something like that.
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I know that she's making fun
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of other people
for thinking that.
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I feel like nobody gets me.
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Like, I feel like you,
of anybody in the family,
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should get me and my jokes.
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And I'm like...
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"I thought we knew each other
better than this." [laughs]
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She knows
that I'm not out to get her.
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She knows that I have her back.
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I normally would have,
I think, it's just, um,
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I've had one of the kids
call me and ask me,
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"Can't we just relax
the rules about COVID?"
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Da da da da da.
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And I was like,
this... [laughs]
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I mean, I do wanna be careful,
but these aren't my rules.
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You know, you gotta
blame somebody, so...
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[clicks tongue]
I'm an easy target.
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Like, I've been
following the rules.
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- I've been doing what I needed to do.
- Yeah.
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Because I wanted to get together
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with you guys,
you know, I mean--
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I am so grateful that
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we finally had the conversation.
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- [Meri] I don't know why--
- And figured it out...
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- [Meri] I'm sorry.
- and laid it all out.
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I am so sorry, Robyn,
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but I just think
that's a bunch of BS.
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What do you mean?
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I think that,
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since I've been
following the rules
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and you've been
following the rules,
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I should've been
able to your kids.
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I agree.
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- And I told him that.
- And I think it's stupid...
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- He said that too.
- [Meri] ...that he wasn't, you guys weren't...
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Or whoever, whoever...
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He would come to me
and he would say,
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"I think Meri's okay
to interact with you."
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I said, "I agree.
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But you need to figure out
how to say it to everybody,
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so it's not, like,
a major problem
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if people find out,
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we really
don't have to hide it."
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Whatever it is.
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So, if we don't have, like,
this group conversation,
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and then all
of a sudden Meri and I
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are able to see each other,
there's gonna be mutiny.
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You know what I'm saying?
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Like, that's not
how you run a ship. [chuckles]
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I told him that over
and over and over again.
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He's like, "No,
we're just gonna do it."
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I said, "That's really
not gonna work."
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- Why not?
- [groans and laughs]
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I am so sorry,
if there are rules laid out--
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But there wasn't like this.
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But it really doesn't matter
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because they're all
getting together anyway.
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Janelle and Christine
are getting together anyway
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and they're not
following any rules,
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they're not social distancing.
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It's just one of those stupid
situations of, you know,
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the people
who are following the rules
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don't get rewarded for it.
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During COVID,
there were a few times
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when Janelle and I got together.
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Uh, our kids just
needed each other so badly.
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I mean, we would follow
the CDC guidelines
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prior to getting together,
for sure.
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Because no one wants to give
each other COVID, for heaven sakes.
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This is so stupid.
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- I just think-- - That's not
how a family should operate.
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- This is... I am just...
- [sighs] I know.
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- Listen, I am frustrated with COVID...
- [Robyn] Yeah.
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I am frustrated
with being alone.
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It's just stupid.
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You know, it's crazy,
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I just assumed
that Meri was hanging out
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with Robyn and her kids.
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She's so careful,
she would've been so careful.
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She doesn't see anybody,
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she doesn't have
anybody in her house.
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And when I found out
that she wasn't,
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it broke my heart.
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'Cause I thought
she should've the whole time.
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See, to me, I feel like
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if they match
your risk tolerance,
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there shouldn't be any problems
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with getting together.
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So, I don't think
it has to be all or nothing.
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I think you find
your pod or whatever.
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I don't know how Christine
and Janelle are handling this,
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'cause that's really
I stressing me out.
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Know it's hard for you.
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I don't know,
I just know that sometimes
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I've been told,
I should say, I been told that
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you know, that kind of,
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that little devil on your
shoulder as a sister wife,
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you're wondering
if your sister wife
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that he's with is supporting
your relationship.
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And I am.
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If you get too much in your head
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and you start making up stories
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about things
you imagine are happening,
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that's a bad neighborhood
in plural marriage.
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I don't think this is polygamy.
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I think that everybody
has a little devil
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and an angel on
their shoulder telling them,
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you know,
"They don't like you."
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You know, "They're against you.
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You should feel
insecure and bad about this."
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Everybody has that.
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Honestly, if you don't,
I don't think you're human.
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I think it's just a part
of this life journey.
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I'm not gonna lie,
there's been times that,
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you know, I've been jealous.
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You know, when I have felt like
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that I needed, you know,
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some time that I didn't
feel like I was getting.
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I mean, obviously, that was
more in our early years.
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You know, obviously,
mine and Kody's relationship
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is definitely
different right now.
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And, yeah, that makes me sad.
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I don't feel jealous.
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I don't feel jealous of my
sister wives at all right now.
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It just makes me sad
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that I don't have
that relationship with him
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and that he's not willing
to work on that with me.
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But I didn't sign up
for monogamy.
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I mean, I know
that every person in world
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would sit there
and question that,
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but, like, I did not sign up
to be in this family
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to only have Kody in my life.
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[stammers] It's just...
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Oh, gosh, I'm so tired of this.
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I'm so tired of this.
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I've been doing it for years.
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From day one, sitting here,
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begging to be
a part of this family.
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And I'm tired
of being questioned.
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I'm just tired of it.
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[sighs]
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As much as, um, I love Kody,
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and it's great
to have him around,
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it is stressing me out.
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And I'm worried about the kids
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that aren't seeing their dad.
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Worried about the wives
that aren't seeing Kody.
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Okay?
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Sorry I didn't...
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To me it was not
at all pointing a finger.
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It gets frustrating.
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My mom calls me
the Brown family scapegoat.
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[chuckles]
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[sighs] Well...
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That's gotta be a hard position.
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I called my mom...
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And she just kind of chuckled.
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She's like, "Robyn, all they
do is blame you for stuff."
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You're just their scapegoat.
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You're the Brown
family scapegoat.
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But, hey, at least you're part
of the Brown family.
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[chuckling] Hey,
don't say that to me.
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- [laughing]
- [Robyn] All right?
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Do you know
how hard it feels to be...
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Like, I am an outsider, Robyn.
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No, I don't feel like
I'm part of the family.
249
00:09:57,197 --> 00:09:58,997
It's this weird thing,
250
00:09:58,999 --> 00:10:02,100
am I a sister wife
when I don't have a husband?
251
00:10:02,102 --> 00:10:04,869
And I have
a husband, technically.
252
00:10:04,871 --> 00:10:06,204
But do I?
253
00:10:06,206 --> 00:10:07,272
You know what I mean?
254
00:10:07,274 --> 00:10:09,040
So, it's a really weird...
255
00:10:10,810 --> 00:10:12,010
It's weird.
256
00:10:12,012 --> 00:10:14,012
He says and does things
257
00:10:14,014 --> 00:10:15,747
that really make me
hope sometimes.
258
00:10:15,749 --> 00:10:17,148
Like, "Oh,
I need to go see Meri."
259
00:10:17,150 --> 00:10:19,784
Or, "Oh, I need
to go call Meri."
260
00:10:19,786 --> 00:10:22,053
- Like--
- Forgive me for being cynical,
261
00:10:22,055 --> 00:10:23,922
but it's really nice
that he's says it to you.
262
00:10:23,924 --> 00:10:26,191
It would be nice
if he would follow through
263
00:10:26,193 --> 00:10:27,859
and actually call me
sometimes. [chuckles]
264
00:10:27,861 --> 00:10:29,260
- Or come over and say hi.
- He calls you.
265
00:10:29,262 --> 00:10:31,329
He calls you, I see him
calling you sometimes.
266
00:10:31,331 --> 00:10:33,331
Listen, he told me...
267
00:10:36,135 --> 00:10:39,004
that we can be friends.
268
00:10:39,006 --> 00:10:40,271
He said that?
269
00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:42,374
And that's all.
270
00:10:43,042 --> 00:10:45,710
Yeah, but that's a door opened.
271
00:10:45,712 --> 00:10:47,579
- Okay.
- That's a little bit of a door opened.
272
00:10:47,581 --> 00:10:50,181
She's mourning
the relationship that she had,
273
00:10:50,183 --> 00:10:53,218
the relationship lost,
the marriage that she'd lost.
274
00:10:53,220 --> 00:10:55,520
And I understand,
I validate it, it's sad.
275
00:10:56,389 --> 00:10:57,255
But I don't know
276
00:10:57,257 --> 00:10:59,424
that it's ever
gonna be what it was.
277
00:10:59,426 --> 00:11:01,292
But it could be something new.
278
00:11:01,294 --> 00:11:05,397
You know, I mean,
I'll just keep doing it and...
279
00:11:06,098 --> 00:11:08,566
Yeah, do. Yeah, that's good.
280
00:11:08,934 --> 00:11:09,801
That's good.
281
00:11:09,869 --> 00:11:14,239
It's really, really
easy to love Kody.
282
00:11:14,241 --> 00:11:18,810
It's not easy to not feel
the love from him.
283
00:11:18,812 --> 00:11:21,079
But all I can do, I feel like,
284
00:11:21,081 --> 00:11:25,350
is just keep sharing
and showing how I feel.
285
00:11:25,352 --> 00:11:28,553
I'm technically still his wife.
286
00:11:28,555 --> 00:11:30,255
So, I...
287
00:11:30,257 --> 00:11:32,390
I'll just keep
saying those things.
288
00:11:33,025 --> 00:11:36,194
[sighs] I tell you, Robyn,
289
00:11:36,196 --> 00:11:39,831
that conversation
the other day made so sad.
290
00:11:39,833 --> 00:11:42,834
Like, we were not a family,
like, everybody's ready to go
291
00:11:42,836 --> 00:11:44,102
and do their own
thing for the holidays.
292
00:11:44,104 --> 00:11:45,570
And I'm like,
293
00:11:45,572 --> 00:11:48,740
"This isn't the family
that I signed up for."
294
00:11:48,742 --> 00:11:50,008
- Yeah.
- And...
295
00:11:50,010 --> 00:11:51,643
Sitting there
in that conversation,
296
00:11:51,645 --> 00:11:54,279
everybody didn't seem
like they wanted it.
297
00:11:55,281 --> 00:11:58,149
When we were younger,
when our kids were younger,
298
00:11:58,151 --> 00:12:00,185
we worked together.
299
00:12:00,187 --> 00:12:01,453
We did it together.
300
00:12:01,987 --> 00:12:03,488
It's been years.
301
00:12:04,990 --> 00:12:06,791
You know, we really
started getting comfortable
302
00:12:06,793 --> 00:12:08,893
just doing our own thing.
303
00:12:08,895 --> 00:12:10,862
There's like a wedge
in between us.
304
00:12:10,864 --> 00:12:14,766
It was really weird,
but I felt like the idea
305
00:12:14,768 --> 00:12:18,369
of what I thought the family
was isn't real or something.
306
00:12:18,371 --> 00:12:20,772
It was really, really weird.
307
00:12:20,774 --> 00:12:22,040
And really hard.
308
00:12:23,008 --> 00:12:27,245
Did I just make up
this lie about the family
309
00:12:27,247 --> 00:12:30,548
and what our culture was
and the team that we had?
310
00:12:30,550 --> 00:12:32,117
Did I just make it up in my head
311
00:12:32,119 --> 00:12:35,019
because I wanted it so badly?
312
00:12:35,021 --> 00:12:37,555
Nobody's fighting
for our family right now,
313
00:12:37,557 --> 00:12:39,958
I think, honestly,
except for you and me.
314
00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,027
I will tell you, I hate
that we're in this place
315
00:12:43,029 --> 00:12:44,095
that we have to fight for it.
316
00:12:44,097 --> 00:12:47,232
But I feel like that
where we're at. [sniffles]
317
00:12:47,234 --> 00:12:50,034
These relationships,
these family relationships,
318
00:12:50,036 --> 00:12:51,369
aren't important anymore.
319
00:12:52,671 --> 00:12:54,172
That's how
it's coming across to me
320
00:12:54,174 --> 00:12:59,410
And it's really, really, uh...
It's really making me sad.
321
00:13:03,682 --> 00:13:06,417
I was so overwhelmed
that I had no words.
322
00:13:06,419 --> 00:13:07,752
And I'm like, "Okay,
I'm leaving before I say
323
00:13:07,754 --> 00:13:09,087
something really stupid."
[chuckles]
324
00:13:09,089 --> 00:13:11,122
[Janelle] So, here's one
of the perks of sister wives,
325
00:13:11,124 --> 00:13:12,857
if you're having a problem
with your husband,
326
00:13:12,859 --> 00:13:14,526
sometimes they can
completely relate.
327
00:13:14,528 --> 00:13:16,161
[Christine] Janelle
needs support.
328
00:13:16,163 --> 00:13:18,029
There's a bit of choosing sides
329
00:13:18,031 --> 00:13:21,432
and there's a bit of hard
decisions that being made.
330
00:13:33,212 --> 00:13:36,114
You know, I'm actually
circling back with Christine
331
00:13:36,116 --> 00:13:39,117
after our last
conversation as the adults
332
00:13:39,119 --> 00:13:40,885
about what we're gonna
do for Thanksgiving.
333
00:13:40,887 --> 00:13:41,986
[objects clattering]
334
00:13:41,988 --> 00:13:44,856
- Hey.
- [Christine] Hey, Janelle.
335
00:13:44,858 --> 00:13:46,124
It's such a mess.
You never know how messy it is
336
00:13:46,126 --> 00:13:47,892
- until people come over.
- I know.
337
00:13:47,894 --> 00:13:50,228
After, um, the conversation
that all the adults
338
00:13:50,230 --> 00:13:51,563
had about the holidays,
339
00:13:51,565 --> 00:13:52,797
you know,
where Janelle walked off,
340
00:13:52,799 --> 00:13:54,532
Janelle called me
and she's, like,
341
00:13:54,534 --> 00:13:56,134
she was just so frustrated
with the whole thing.
342
00:13:56,136 --> 00:13:59,971
And I said, "Just come on over
and let's just talk about it."
343
00:13:59,973 --> 00:14:01,172
How do you feel
about the other day?
344
00:14:01,174 --> 00:14:02,540
Oh, yeah. Well...
345
00:14:04,143 --> 00:14:05,043
I find... I left
346
00:14:05,045 --> 00:14:06,578
'cause I was just
kind of like...
347
00:14:06,580 --> 00:14:09,013
I was so overwhelmed
that I had no words.
348
00:14:09,015 --> 00:14:10,715
And I'm like, "Okay,
I'm leaving before I say
349
00:14:10,717 --> 00:14:12,317
something really stupid."
[chuckles]
350
00:14:12,319 --> 00:14:14,085
I was being
treated like a child.
351
00:14:14,087 --> 00:14:16,554
It was offensive
and I walked away.
352
00:14:16,556 --> 00:14:18,723
'Cause I thought, "I don't
want to be treated like this."
353
00:14:18,725 --> 00:14:19,824
You know, it was like,
354
00:14:19,826 --> 00:14:21,025
I'm like, "Wow,
where is this coming from?"
355
00:14:21,027 --> 00:14:22,193
'Cause at first you're like,
356
00:14:22,195 --> 00:14:23,828
"Make your own decision,"
and then it was like...
357
00:14:23,830 --> 00:14:24,963
"You're being irresponsible."
358
00:14:24,965 --> 00:14:26,097
- [laughs]
- [Christine] I'm like,
359
00:14:26,099 --> 00:14:28,132
"Well, that pushes
my buttons, actually."
360
00:14:28,134 --> 00:14:30,134
- That pushes my buttons.
- [Christine] I know.
361
00:14:30,136 --> 00:14:32,937
Um, so, here's one
of the perks of sister wives.
362
00:14:32,939 --> 00:14:34,072
[laughs]
363
00:14:34,074 --> 00:14:35,740
If you're having a problem
with your husband,
364
00:14:35,742 --> 00:14:37,342
sometimes they can
completely relate.
365
00:14:37,344 --> 00:14:41,212
And you're like,
"Yup, I have comradery here."
366
00:14:41,214 --> 00:14:42,146
As soon as he said it,
367
00:14:42,148 --> 00:14:44,148
"You can be irresponsible
or responsible,"
368
00:14:44,150 --> 00:14:46,284
I'm like, "You can be
judgmental and be an [bleep].
369
00:14:46,286 --> 00:14:48,219
[both laugh]
370
00:14:48,221 --> 00:14:50,154
Janelle needs support.
371
00:14:50,156 --> 00:14:53,658
She's been isolated
from Kody a lot.
372
00:14:53,660 --> 00:14:57,028
She doesn't do
the travelling like I've done.
373
00:14:57,030 --> 00:14:58,796
And their relationship is good.
374
00:14:58,798 --> 00:15:00,798
They like spending time
with each other.
375
00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:02,133
So, I think it's devastating.
376
00:15:02,135 --> 00:15:05,703
I felt like, I have felt
like that so many times
377
00:15:05,705 --> 00:15:07,071
during the summer
because there's been
378
00:15:07,073 --> 00:15:08,940
so many times
where we've gone to play.
379
00:15:08,942 --> 00:15:10,008
Mmm-hmm.
380
00:15:10,010 --> 00:15:11,509
I mean, we had to go
see my kids.
381
00:15:11,511 --> 00:15:13,912
We would go see my kids in Utah
382
00:15:13,914 --> 00:15:15,947
and then we'd see Maddie
and Caleb in North Carolina.
383
00:15:15,949 --> 00:15:18,316
And then we'd come home
and tell Kody and,
384
00:15:18,318 --> 00:15:20,752
um, he always
thought that was a bad idea.
385
00:15:20,754 --> 00:15:23,187
But we're gonna do it.
386
00:15:23,189 --> 00:15:26,190
I'm like, "I'm sorry,
it's not enough just to have
387
00:15:26,192 --> 00:15:28,159
Kody come over
for a few hours a week
388
00:15:28,161 --> 00:15:31,162
to have us stay here
for that."
389
00:15:31,164 --> 00:15:32,563
- It's not worth it.
- [Janelle] Yeah.
390
00:15:32,565 --> 00:15:34,198
He was like, "I don't think
you should go anywhere."
391
00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:35,900
And I'm like, "Well, I am."
392
00:15:35,902 --> 00:15:40,038
So, Kody will come over
once every, like, three days,
393
00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:42,340
um, for like, dinner,
like in the evening.
394
00:15:42,342 --> 00:15:45,209
And, then he'll just
get on his phone...
395
00:15:45,211 --> 00:15:46,978
He'll play games with Truely.
396
00:15:46,980 --> 00:15:48,546
He will play games with Truely.
397
00:15:48,548 --> 00:15:50,181
Um, but then in the morning,
398
00:15:50,183 --> 00:15:51,883
he'll eat breakfast,
then leave again.
399
00:15:51,885 --> 00:15:53,818
And then we won't see him at all
400
00:15:53,820 --> 00:15:56,554
until the next time he's there
in the evening again.
401
00:15:56,556 --> 00:15:57,922
So, just...
402
00:15:57,924 --> 00:16:00,091
That's just the routine
that he's been following
403
00:16:00,093 --> 00:16:02,060
since we came to Flagstaff.
404
00:16:02,062 --> 00:16:04,062
Yeah, I was... I mean,
I had to go help Maddie.
405
00:16:04,064 --> 00:16:05,763
- I had to--
- Yep. Yep.
406
00:16:05,765 --> 00:16:08,099
So, it was kind of,
like, I had to weigh
407
00:16:08,101 --> 00:16:11,235
between the needs of, uh,
my kids and then, you know...
408
00:16:11,237 --> 00:16:15,340
And it's just because we have
a different standard of rules.
409
00:16:15,342 --> 00:16:16,541
- I guess.
- [Christine] I know.
410
00:16:16,543 --> 00:16:19,544
I mean, I miss him.
I think it's horrible
411
00:16:19,546 --> 00:16:20,912
that he doesn't come over
412
00:16:20,914 --> 00:16:23,548
or hasn't come
over very often this summer.
413
00:16:23,550 --> 00:16:26,117
If I had to choose
between my kid and Kody,
414
00:16:26,119 --> 00:16:27,652
I'm gonna choose my kids.
415
00:16:27,654 --> 00:16:28,786
I just am.
416
00:16:28,788 --> 00:16:30,021
Well, Thanksgiving,
it was so funny
417
00:16:30,023 --> 00:16:31,756
when we were talking
to you, you said,
418
00:16:31,758 --> 00:16:34,292
"Well, basically, my boys wanna
do whatever Christine does."
419
00:16:34,294 --> 00:16:35,059
I'm, like-- [chuckles]
420
00:16:35,061 --> 00:16:36,060
They really did.
421
00:16:36,062 --> 00:16:37,295
It came right down
to it, they're like,
422
00:16:37,297 --> 00:16:38,229
"We're gonna do
what Christine does."
423
00:16:38,231 --> 00:16:39,931
I'm like, "Okay."
424
00:16:39,933 --> 00:16:42,900
So, when Janelle
said that for her kids,
425
00:16:42,902 --> 00:16:45,136
you know, what they were
gonna do for Thanksgiving
426
00:16:45,138 --> 00:16:46,971
was dependent on Christine,
427
00:16:46,973 --> 00:16:48,606
it hurt my feelings.
428
00:16:48,608 --> 00:16:50,074
It made me sad.
429
00:16:50,076 --> 00:16:54,045
Uh, I can only imagine
how much it bothered Kody.
430
00:16:54,213 --> 00:16:56,180
Well, what about all of us?
431
00:16:56,182 --> 00:16:58,850
What about
the rest of us, you know?
432
00:16:58,852 --> 00:17:01,619
I didn't know this much
responsibility was on my choice.
433
00:17:01,621 --> 00:17:03,921
I mean, I'm sorry for then
434
00:17:03,923 --> 00:17:06,057
making it so Janelle's
not gonna be here too.
435
00:17:06,059 --> 00:17:07,792
'Cause it sounds like
I'm kind of the theme.
436
00:17:07,794 --> 00:17:09,627
- No. No.
- But I don't feel guilty.
437
00:17:09,629 --> 00:17:12,030
I chose right
for what I need to do.
438
00:17:12,032 --> 00:17:14,665
Kody gave us the rules
that we needed to follow
439
00:17:14,667 --> 00:17:16,801
in order to get together
for the holidays.
440
00:17:16,803 --> 00:17:20,104
And I showed them
to Aspyn and Mykelti,
441
00:17:20,106 --> 00:17:21,939
and Aspyn called me immediately
442
00:17:21,941 --> 00:17:23,341
and she's in tears.
443
00:17:23,343 --> 00:17:25,743
And she goes,
"I can't follow these rules.
444
00:17:25,745 --> 00:17:26,978
It's impossible."
445
00:17:26,980 --> 00:17:28,579
She goes, "Since I can't
come for Christmas,
446
00:17:28,581 --> 00:17:29,914
that's absolutely ridiculous.
447
00:17:29,916 --> 00:17:31,949
I can't believe'
I can't see my family.
448
00:17:31,951 --> 00:17:33,851
So, I need you
to come for Thanksgiving."
449
00:17:33,853 --> 00:17:34,952
Well, if anything,
450
00:17:34,954 --> 00:17:37,121
we could hang out
for Thanksgiving.
451
00:17:37,123 --> 00:17:38,222
That's what I'm thinking too.
452
00:17:38,224 --> 00:17:40,825
- 'Cause, like, right now--
- I want your pie.
453
00:17:40,827 --> 00:17:43,127
She and I are both
trying to be responsible.
454
00:17:43,129 --> 00:17:45,196
We're gonna just play it by ear.
455
00:17:45,198 --> 00:17:46,731
If whether we go, and if we go,
456
00:17:46,733 --> 00:17:49,534
if we actually get together
as a whole big group.
457
00:17:49,536 --> 00:17:52,503
I actually think Christine and I's
Thanksgiving would way more fun.
458
00:17:53,439 --> 00:17:55,006
And my boys, we have got...
459
00:17:55,008 --> 00:17:56,707
They've had a boring life.
460
00:17:56,709 --> 00:17:58,009
- Really?
- [Janelle] You know what I mean?
461
00:17:58,011 --> 00:18:00,178
No, I mean, like,
life has been kind of boring.
462
00:18:00,180 --> 00:18:01,846
So, they're kind of excited
463
00:18:01,848 --> 00:18:04,816
to have this
excursion or whatever.
464
00:18:04,818 --> 00:18:07,018
You know, I keep trying
to explain to everybody
465
00:18:07,020 --> 00:18:10,021
that I'm not gonna leave
my boys, Garrison and Gabriel,
466
00:18:10,023 --> 00:18:12,223
alone for Thanksgiving
here in Flagstaff.
467
00:18:12,225 --> 00:18:14,792
Why would I
choose to have dinner
468
00:18:14,794 --> 00:18:17,862
with just Robyn's kids and Meri
469
00:18:17,864 --> 00:18:20,932
and Robyn and Kody
when my boys are in town?
470
00:18:20,934 --> 00:18:22,366
Like, Robyn's been,
471
00:18:22,368 --> 00:18:25,770
I don't know how she's been
able to have her kids be okay
472
00:18:25,772 --> 00:18:26,671
with not leaving,
473
00:18:26,673 --> 00:18:28,706
'cause I wouldn't have survived.
474
00:18:28,708 --> 00:18:31,909
It's not been easy
being so careful.
475
00:18:31,911 --> 00:18:33,711
And it hasn't been
easy for my kids,
476
00:18:33,713 --> 00:18:36,681
but my kids respect their dad.
477
00:18:36,683 --> 00:18:41,085
They're just like, "No, I would
rather be able to be in the home
478
00:18:41,087 --> 00:18:44,021
and see you guys than
to go out and social life.
479
00:18:44,023 --> 00:18:46,991
That's not what I wanna do,
and I don't think it's safe."
480
00:18:46,993 --> 00:18:49,093
I had to find the balance
for my mental health too.
481
00:18:49,095 --> 00:18:52,130
I'm like...
I was like, that first month,
482
00:18:52,132 --> 00:18:55,099
those first two or three, four
weeks that Kody was gone,
483
00:18:55,101 --> 00:18:56,567
I had a really hard time.
484
00:18:56,569 --> 00:18:58,569
The big accomplishment
for the day
485
00:18:58,571 --> 00:19:00,938
is if I got showered
and put on real clothes.
486
00:19:00,940 --> 00:19:02,140
'Cause I was really struggling.
487
00:19:02,142 --> 00:19:04,008
So, the first two
or three weeks,
488
00:19:04,010 --> 00:19:05,810
you know, everybody
was trying to stay home.
489
00:19:05,812 --> 00:19:06,577
'Cause we were told,
490
00:19:06,579 --> 00:19:07,411
"Stay home for two weeks,
491
00:19:07,413 --> 00:19:08,713
we'll get on top
of the curve."
492
00:19:08,715 --> 00:19:09,780
Okay, so, I was doing that.
493
00:19:09,782 --> 00:19:11,716
Like, flatten
the curve, whatever.
494
00:19:11,718 --> 00:19:13,751
And it was worst
than postpartum.
495
00:19:13,753 --> 00:19:15,253
And I had
postpartum after Gabriel,
496
00:19:15,255 --> 00:19:17,155
so I know
it was worse than postpartum.
497
00:19:17,157 --> 00:19:18,589
To be responsible,
498
00:19:18,591 --> 00:19:20,791
we'll just figure out
how we get together
499
00:19:20,793 --> 00:19:23,761
based on what the numbers
and everything look like.
500
00:19:23,763 --> 00:19:25,763
I think so too. I think
we have to play it by ear.
501
00:19:25,765 --> 00:19:27,865
I'd love to say
we're gonna get together 100%,
502
00:19:27,867 --> 00:19:29,100
but there's no way
I can guarantee it.
503
00:19:29,102 --> 00:19:32,670
I think it's typical
in a plural family
504
00:19:32,672 --> 00:19:35,039
for the sister wives
to have ups and downs.
505
00:19:35,041 --> 00:19:37,742
I've seen times
with Janelle and Christine
506
00:19:37,744 --> 00:19:39,010
where they've been really close.
507
00:19:39,012 --> 00:19:41,879
I've also seen
times that, you know,
508
00:19:41,881 --> 00:19:44,248
it's not quite so much that way.
509
00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:48,152
And I think the point
is to get to a place
510
00:19:48,154 --> 00:19:49,086
that you can work together
511
00:19:49,088 --> 00:19:50,988
and that you have
each other's backs.
512
00:19:50,990 --> 00:19:53,124
So, if this is what
they're doing right now,
513
00:19:53,126 --> 00:19:54,559
I think it's great.
514
00:19:54,561 --> 00:19:55,793
Like, since the beginning,
515
00:19:55,795 --> 00:19:57,028
you been such
a big part of their lives.
516
00:19:57,030 --> 00:20:00,898
My kids, like, they kind of
are in orbit around you
517
00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:02,233
as much as
they're in orbit around me.
518
00:20:02,235 --> 00:20:04,001
- It's kind of fun, right?
- Yeah.
519
00:20:04,003 --> 00:20:05,203
[Christine] It's super,
super fun.
520
00:20:05,205 --> 00:20:06,971
But there's a really
special something
521
00:20:06,973 --> 00:20:09,774
for me with my kids
about Christine.
522
00:20:09,776 --> 00:20:13,044
She was their primary
parental figure at home
523
00:20:13,046 --> 00:20:15,146
for so many years
while I worked.
524
00:20:15,914 --> 00:20:18,216
So they are really
attached to her.
525
00:20:18,218 --> 00:20:19,650
I just love her kids.
526
00:20:19,652 --> 00:20:21,886
They're just part of my soul.
527
00:20:21,888 --> 00:20:25,189
And I love spending
time with all of them.
528
00:20:25,191 --> 00:20:27,925
So, if we could get together for
any time during the whole weekend
529
00:20:27,927 --> 00:20:30,795
that be just
absolutely wonderful.
530
00:20:30,797 --> 00:20:33,798
No, my kids were all like, "Oh,
they were the same way with you
531
00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:35,066
-in the conversation." I'm
like-- -[Janelle chuckles]
532
00:20:35,068 --> 00:20:36,901
and I threw it out
there too. I'm like,
533
00:20:36,903 --> 00:20:38,603
"Well, Janelle's thinking about
going to Utah," they're like...
534
00:20:38,605 --> 00:20:41,572
- "Well, then, let's go to Utah."
- [Janelle chuckles]
535
00:20:41,574 --> 00:20:44,942
Ysabel and Gwendlyn are obsessed
with Janelle. They're obsessed with her.
536
00:20:44,944 --> 00:20:47,044
They think that she's like the
strongest, most independent,
537
00:20:47,046 --> 00:20:48,813
courageous woman that they know
538
00:20:48,815 --> 00:20:51,115
and when they found out that
Janelle was like,
539
00:20:51,117 --> 00:20:53,884
doing her thing, going off
to her sisters', they were like,
540
00:20:53,886 --> 00:20:57,088
"Yeah. She's so cool
and independent."
541
00:20:57,090 --> 00:20:58,689
- [chuckles] All right.
- Awesome.
542
00:20:58,691 --> 00:21:00,658
- All right.
- See you later. Bye.
543
00:21:00,660 --> 00:21:02,793
[Christine] There's a bit
of choosing sides.
544
00:21:02,795 --> 00:21:08,065
Janelle and I going and doing our own thing
for Thanksgiving is really hard on everybody.
545
00:21:08,067 --> 00:21:11,569
And the thing is, I can't
always please everybody.
546
00:21:11,571 --> 00:21:14,772
I can't. And I can't always
please all the adults.
547
00:21:14,774 --> 00:21:17,675
I'm gonna please
my kids instead.
548
00:21:17,677 --> 00:21:20,177
You know, I'm doing this
for my kids.
549
00:21:25,183 --> 00:21:30,988
I need to let my kids know that we're not
all going to be together for Thanksgiving.
550
00:21:31,056 --> 00:21:32,456
[Aurora sniffles]
551
00:21:37,796 --> 00:21:41,032
[Robyn] I'm just worried about if
it's going to start making them, like,
552
00:21:41,034 --> 00:21:44,068
stop wanting to be around
the family and stuff because
553
00:21:44,070 --> 00:21:46,170
they don't care to be around us.
554
00:21:54,646 --> 00:21:57,114
[Meri] Well, it is Sunday...
555
00:21:57,116 --> 00:22:01,585
and I am on way over to Robyn's
'cause I get to go see the kids.
556
00:22:01,587 --> 00:22:03,054
I am so excited.
557
00:22:03,056 --> 00:22:07,825
I've seen them from a distance
but not been able to hug them.
558
00:22:07,827 --> 00:22:10,928
I've been begging Robyn
and Kody for a really long time,
559
00:22:10,930 --> 00:22:13,864
for months and months,
I feel like,
560
00:22:13,866 --> 00:22:16,934
to be able to come over
and see them.
561
00:22:16,936 --> 00:22:19,170
And now that we've had
this conversation
562
00:22:19,172 --> 00:22:22,440
between all of us, and
we all know the protocol...
563
00:22:23,742 --> 00:22:24,708
we can do it.
564
00:22:24,843 --> 00:22:28,112
Meri and I have been
counting down the days
565
00:22:28,114 --> 00:22:30,648
when she can come
over to my house.
566
00:22:30,650 --> 00:22:33,084
[Robyn] She had to go do
one more thing at the B&B,
567
00:22:33,086 --> 00:22:34,852
and then she quarantined
for ten days.
568
00:22:34,854 --> 00:22:36,987
I haven't told my kids a thing.
569
00:22:36,989 --> 00:22:39,990
It's going to be a fun
surprise for them today.
570
00:22:39,992 --> 00:22:43,894
[in sing-song voice] I'm here.
I'm going to see the kiddos.
571
00:22:43,896 --> 00:22:46,497
I'm so excited.
572
00:22:46,499 --> 00:22:51,802
So, we've been very, very careful
through this whole pandemic.
573
00:22:51,804 --> 00:22:55,906
But they haven't really been around
a lot of anybody else besides just,
574
00:22:55,908 --> 00:23:00,044
you know, us, our families.
So-- or my part of the family.
575
00:23:00,046 --> 00:23:02,880
And we're very affectionate,
and it's a really big deal
576
00:23:02,882 --> 00:23:05,549
being able to hug
and touch someone else.
577
00:23:05,551 --> 00:23:08,986
It's been hard for them, but
they've had a good attitude.
578
00:23:08,988 --> 00:23:11,389
[knocking on door]
579
00:23:11,857 --> 00:23:12,857
Why is she here?
580
00:23:12,859 --> 00:23:15,126
[Dayton] Should I let her in?
581
00:23:15,128 --> 00:23:17,294
[Robyn] Yeah, let her in.
You want to go let her in, Sol?
582
00:23:17,296 --> 00:23:18,129
[Solomon] Yeah.
583
00:23:18,131 --> 00:23:19,697
[Aurora] Let her in?
584
00:23:19,699 --> 00:23:23,401
- Yep. Yep, you can touch her.
- [Aurora] Wait, what? Really?
585
00:23:23,403 --> 00:23:25,169
[Solomon exclaims]
I can touch her!
586
00:23:25,171 --> 00:23:27,238
Hi, Meri!
587
00:23:28,407 --> 00:23:33,043
[all exclaiming, laughing]
588
00:23:33,045 --> 00:23:35,079
[Sol] Meri!
589
00:23:35,081 --> 00:23:37,848
[Ariella] I can't believe
that you are here.
590
00:23:37,850 --> 00:23:39,183
[Aurora crying]
591
00:23:41,353 --> 00:23:43,220
- [Aurora laughs]
- [Ariella] I missed you.
592
00:23:43,222 --> 00:23:46,524
[Dayton exclaims]
593
00:23:48,660 --> 00:23:51,462
I'm just glad that
this is finally happening.
594
00:23:51,464 --> 00:23:53,931
It's just been
a really, really long time,
595
00:23:53,933 --> 00:23:58,035
and it's just not normal and natural
for family to be separated like this.
596
00:23:58,037 --> 00:24:00,237
And I've missed hugs
from these kids,
597
00:24:00,239 --> 00:24:02,373
and I've missed
hanging out with them.
598
00:24:02,375 --> 00:24:05,743
Everybody, give me a group hug!
599
00:24:05,745 --> 00:24:07,812
Group hug!
600
00:24:07,814 --> 00:24:11,415
I want all the group hugs.
All the group hugs.
601
00:24:12,384 --> 00:24:14,318
[Ariella] Ouch. Ow.
602
00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:15,586
Ari, Ari.
603
00:24:16,021 --> 00:24:17,154
[Meri giggles]
604
00:24:17,289 --> 00:24:20,524
[Robyn] You know, I can see
that Meri is, like,
605
00:24:20,526 --> 00:24:21,892
starting to get emotional,
606
00:24:21,894 --> 00:24:26,330
and she's trying not to make
it a big deal, 'cause that's Meri.
607
00:24:26,332 --> 00:24:30,734
[Robyn] But I can only imagine
after so long of just not being able to
608
00:24:30,736 --> 00:24:35,072
be around people, to sit there and just be
hugged by a whole bunch of kids that love you.
609
00:24:35,074 --> 00:24:38,809
The other night we were
watching Mom's home videos
610
00:24:38,811 --> 00:24:43,013
from when she was 19
and 20 on the VCR
611
00:24:43,015 --> 00:24:45,483
and there was a couple
of them where
612
00:24:45,485 --> 00:24:47,985
- she was like-- - [Meri]
Wait, you guys have VCR still?
613
00:24:53,024 --> 00:24:56,227
- He just told me that you can breakdance.
- [exclaiming]
614
00:24:56,229 --> 00:24:57,661
- [Robyn] He can?
- What?
615
00:24:57,663 --> 00:25:00,030
- He just told me you can breakdance.
- [Robyn laughs]
616
00:25:00,032 --> 00:25:03,701
I did not know that Robyn
was a breakdancer.
617
00:25:03,703 --> 00:25:05,436
She's been holding out on me!
[chuckles]
618
00:25:05,438 --> 00:25:07,571
- [Solomon] Andrew.
- [Breanna grunts]
619
00:25:07,573 --> 00:25:10,875
- She was getting down low.
- [Dayton] Wait, when did this happen? I haven't seen her.
620
00:25:10,877 --> 00:25:13,577
I don't know if "breakdancing"
is the right word.
621
00:25:13,579 --> 00:25:14,745
I had a few moves.
622
00:25:14,747 --> 00:25:17,214
[instrumental music playing]
623
00:25:23,088 --> 00:25:24,221
- I can do it.
- [Meri whistles]
624
00:25:24,556 --> 00:25:26,857
[Meri] Is that what your Mom
was doing on the video?
625
00:25:26,859 --> 00:25:30,027
Wow, that's fun.
626
00:25:30,029 --> 00:25:34,031
I didn't do that. So, I didn't--
I wasn't doing the spinning.
627
00:25:34,033 --> 00:25:36,300
[hip-hop instrumental
music continuing]
628
00:25:45,076 --> 00:25:47,478
[Robyn] I was about 18 years old
629
00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:50,548
and I was doing some,
like, music videos
630
00:25:50,550 --> 00:25:53,250
and we were watching 'em, it was
really fun. The kids were loving it.
631
00:25:53,252 --> 00:25:56,787
And it's making me so happy
that you're here!
632
00:25:56,789 --> 00:25:59,623
It makes me so happy
that I'm here too.
633
00:25:59,625 --> 00:26:02,192
- [Meri giggles]
- Oh, I love it!
634
00:26:02,194 --> 00:26:04,962
[sighs in relief] It was
so nice to have Meri over.
635
00:26:04,964 --> 00:26:08,566
[Robyn] We talked and we
played and we hung out and we ate.
636
00:26:08,568 --> 00:26:10,668
It was just really, really nice.
637
00:26:10,670 --> 00:26:14,271
And I can tell this is going
to be a regular thing for us.
638
00:26:17,842 --> 00:26:21,078
It does feel like your
whole family is together!
639
00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:23,581
Well, some of us, not all of us,
640
00:26:23,583 --> 00:26:25,950
- but this is good enough for now.
- Sol!
641
00:26:25,952 --> 00:26:29,320
You know, it just-- it really,
really does warm my heart
642
00:26:29,322 --> 00:26:36,260
knowing that I am... as important
to them as they are to me.
643
00:26:40,131 --> 00:26:41,699
[Meri] Robyn call me.
644
00:26:41,701 --> 00:26:45,002
She says, "I'd kind of like
to try making a turkey."
645
00:26:45,004 --> 00:26:47,705
How do I do Thanksgiving
without doing the turkey?
646
00:26:47,707 --> 00:26:51,275
-I brought something. I hope you're not mad at me.
-Oh, my gosh, no.
647
00:26:51,277 --> 00:26:56,880
[Kody] There is a tendency to
be vying for power or position.
648
00:26:56,882 --> 00:27:02,419
I never want to see my wives
sharing a kitchen, ever.
649
00:27:13,665 --> 00:27:15,299
[Robyn] Hey, kids.
650
00:27:15,301 --> 00:27:18,569
Can you guys come in the living
room so I can talk to you guys?
651
00:27:18,571 --> 00:27:23,841
I need to let my kids know that we're not
all going to be together for Thanksgiving,
652
00:27:23,843 --> 00:27:27,911
and that Janelle and Christine
have decided to go up north.
653
00:27:27,913 --> 00:27:33,851
I'm frustrated by it and I am
sad and I'm actually kind of hurt,
654
00:27:33,853 --> 00:27:35,786
but I need to let 'em know.
655
00:27:35,788 --> 00:27:39,023
Dad put together, um...
656
00:27:39,025 --> 00:27:45,796
a list of all the things
that each household has to do
657
00:27:45,798 --> 00:27:50,034
in order to-- in order for the whole
family to be able to get together.
658
00:27:50,036 --> 00:27:54,138
- [Ariella sighs] - [Robyn]
Basically, Janelle said that
659
00:27:54,140 --> 00:27:58,575
her household aren't-- They're
not able to follow those rules.
660
00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:03,647
[Robyn] Um...
661
00:28:03,649 --> 00:28:06,850
- [Dayton] Well-- - I don't--
I don't know exactly like,
662
00:28:06,852 --> 00:28:09,653
what is really going on.
I know that
663
00:28:09,655 --> 00:28:13,691
Gabe has a girlfriend
and a social life,
664
00:28:13,693 --> 00:28:17,127
but Janelle basically just said that her
and her kids that are living in her home
665
00:28:17,129 --> 00:28:19,730
are actually going to
travel to Utah
666
00:28:19,732 --> 00:28:23,267
and go have Thanksgiving
at her sister's house.
667
00:28:24,202 --> 00:28:26,103
- [Dayton] Okay.
- [Ariella yawns]
668
00:28:27,539 --> 00:28:29,840
I'm just worried about how
it's going to make them feel.
669
00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:32,843
If it's going to start making
them be bitter and stop,
670
00:28:32,845 --> 00:28:36,013
you know, wanting to be around
the family and stuff because
671
00:28:36,015 --> 00:28:38,082
they don't care to be around us.
672
00:28:38,717 --> 00:28:41,385
[Robyn] Um, Christine...
673
00:28:41,387 --> 00:28:47,157
has decided as well to go to Utah and
have Thanksgiving at Aspyn's house.
674
00:28:58,737 --> 00:29:01,572
[Ariella yawns]
675
00:29:01,574 --> 00:29:04,141
[Robyn] I didn't want to go, "No,
that's not true, that's not true,"
676
00:29:04,143 --> 00:29:07,745
because there is truth
to what Aurora is saying.
677
00:29:07,747 --> 00:29:10,013
I'm not going to lie to her.
678
00:29:10,015 --> 00:29:14,151
I think Christine actually wants
679
00:29:14,153 --> 00:29:17,121
to be able to kind of
get together.
680
00:29:17,123 --> 00:29:22,092
I think she just decided that
she would rather go to
681
00:29:22,094 --> 00:29:23,193
- Aspyn's.
- Aspyn's.
682
00:29:23,195 --> 00:29:28,599
Honestly, yes, I mean,
that's very natural for a mom
683
00:29:28,601 --> 00:29:31,702
to want to go see her kids
that have moved out.
684
00:29:31,704 --> 00:29:35,205
You can't really do that
[laughs] in a plural family.
685
00:29:35,207 --> 00:29:37,741
Where is Kody supposed to go?
686
00:29:37,743 --> 00:29:39,576
Janelle wants to go
to this kid's house.
687
00:29:39,578 --> 00:29:41,111
Christine wants to go
to this kid's house.
688
00:29:41,113 --> 00:29:42,913
Meri wants to go
to Mariah's house.
689
00:29:42,915 --> 00:29:46,917
Even once my kids are grown
and out of house...
690
00:29:46,919 --> 00:29:49,686
[stammering] it's going
to be the same thing.
691
00:29:49,688 --> 00:29:53,991
As a plural family, you have
to do things differently.
692
00:29:53,993 --> 00:29:58,262
[Robyn] Um, Meri has decided to
come have Thanksgiving with us.
693
00:29:58,264 --> 00:29:59,963
Really?
694
00:29:59,965 --> 00:30:01,398
- [Dayton] Wow.
- [Breanna chuckles]
695
00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:03,167
[Dayton] Kudos to her.
696
00:30:03,169 --> 00:30:06,370
I'm really sad that we aren't going
to be all together for Thanksgiving,
697
00:30:06,372 --> 00:30:08,605
but I can't like, dwell on that.
698
00:30:08,607 --> 00:30:11,041
I have to sort of...
699
00:30:11,043 --> 00:30:14,144
rally the troops, I guess
you'd say, and like,
700
00:30:14,146 --> 00:30:18,115
be the keeper
of the good morale.
701
00:30:20,251 --> 00:30:21,251
[Aurora sniffles]
702
00:30:26,558 --> 00:30:27,958
[Aurora sniffles]
703
00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:31,028
[Robyn] I don't want them
to feel sad and rejected,
704
00:30:31,030 --> 00:30:32,896
but I don't know
how they couldn't.
705
00:30:32,898 --> 00:30:35,299
That's how I feel.
[chuckles softly]
706
00:30:35,301 --> 00:30:40,671
You know, and I'm trying to be big
about it and kind of mature about it
707
00:30:40,673 --> 00:30:42,940
but it's hard for me too.
708
00:31:00,191 --> 00:31:03,093
So, today is Thanksgiving and
Meri is coming over to Robyn's house
709
00:31:03,095 --> 00:31:05,596
to have Thanksgiving
with Robyn and our kids.
710
00:31:05,598 --> 00:31:08,899
The weirdest thing is Christine
and Janelle are both in Utah
711
00:31:08,901 --> 00:31:12,870
with other family members
having Thanksgiving there.
712
00:31:12,872 --> 00:31:17,875
[Kody] So, they were choosing to go do their
Thanksgiving other places, and here we are,
713
00:31:17,877 --> 00:31:21,078
literally just eight of us
for Thanksgiving.
714
00:31:21,080 --> 00:31:23,347
[Meri] Oh, you snuck
some grapes? You snook?
715
00:31:23,349 --> 00:31:25,182
- [Ariella] Mmm-hmm.
- You snook the grapes?
716
00:31:25,184 --> 00:31:26,249
[Ariella] Mmm-hmm.
717
00:31:26,251 --> 00:31:29,553
Typically for Thanksgiving,
I do the turkey because,
718
00:31:29,555 --> 00:31:33,657
well, I just know how to make
a really good turkey.
719
00:31:33,659 --> 00:31:37,261
[Meri] Christine typically
does the rolls.
720
00:31:37,263 --> 00:31:39,730
Janelle would usually bring
a couple of pies.
721
00:31:39,732 --> 00:31:41,999
Robyn always does
the relish trays.
722
00:31:42,001 --> 00:31:45,135
So, we all just have different
things that we bring.
723
00:31:45,137 --> 00:31:48,805
Well, Robyn called me
and she brought up--
724
00:31:48,807 --> 00:31:53,944
Well, I think she was very nervous that it
was going to be kind of a touchy subject.
725
00:31:53,946 --> 00:31:57,281
She says, "I'd kinda like to
try making a turkey."
726
00:31:57,283 --> 00:31:59,216
"And how would you
feel about it? And I'm like,
727
00:31:59,218 --> 00:32:02,019
"I'm great with it. Do it.
I don't care."
728
00:32:02,021 --> 00:32:03,620
Um, but to be honest with you,
729
00:32:03,622 --> 00:32:06,990
it was a little bit weird. I was
thinking about it, it's like, how do I...
730
00:32:06,992 --> 00:32:10,027
How do I do Thanksgiving
without doing the turkey?
731
00:32:10,029 --> 00:32:12,930
Like, I always do a turkey.
How do I do this?
732
00:32:12,932 --> 00:32:15,899
Like, I don't know what to do
[chuckles] with myself.
733
00:32:15,901 --> 00:32:18,068
So, I still had to do a turkey.
734
00:32:18,836 --> 00:32:20,003
I did a turkey.
735
00:32:20,005 --> 00:32:22,539
- I brought something.
- Oh, yeah?
736
00:32:22,541 --> 00:32:25,375
- Robyn, I hope you're not mad at me.
- Oh, my gosh.
737
00:32:25,377 --> 00:32:26,443
[Robyn] What?
738
00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:29,913
[Robyn] What?
739
00:32:30,081 --> 00:32:33,917
I don't know what kind of sister
wife thing might've gone on.
740
00:32:33,919 --> 00:32:35,819
I don't know if there was
a little rub.
741
00:32:35,821 --> 00:32:37,487
Robyn's kind of wide-eyed.
742
00:32:37,489 --> 00:32:39,556
But I know Robyn
and her personality.
743
00:32:39,558 --> 00:32:42,993
I think she's going to roll
with this, but she's wide-eyed.
744
00:32:42,995 --> 00:32:45,796
- I had to bring a turkey.
- [Robyn] Okay. [laughs]
745
00:32:45,798 --> 00:32:48,565
[Robyn] I'm just kind of like,
"Huh, okay,"
746
00:32:48,567 --> 00:32:51,435
You know, I'm just kind of
surprised, but I'm easy about it.
747
00:32:52,537 --> 00:32:53,837
- Oh, my God!
- [laughing]
748
00:32:53,839 --> 00:32:57,808
[Dayton] Wait a second.
Wait, what is that? Oh, my God.
749
00:32:57,810 --> 00:33:00,711
-[...] Don't touch it! Don't touch it!
-[...] That's so fun.
750
00:33:00,713 --> 00:33:03,480
[Meri] Kody loves Rice
Krispie Treats, and I thought
751
00:33:03,482 --> 00:33:06,183
I need to make a
Rice Krispie Treat turkey.
752
00:33:06,185 --> 00:33:08,719
Isn't that the cutest thing
you've ever seen?
753
00:33:08,721 --> 00:33:11,421
It's a Rice Krispie Treat
turkey...
754
00:33:11,423 --> 00:33:14,758
and with candy stuffing.
It's just funny.
755
00:33:14,760 --> 00:33:18,328
Hey, wait! Before you eat all of it, I want
everybody to be able to get a picture of it.
756
00:33:18,330 --> 00:33:21,064
[Robyn] Oh, she's teasing me.
She's totally teasing me.
757
00:33:21,165 --> 00:33:22,165
It's cute.
758
00:33:22,167 --> 00:33:24,067
- That's really cute.
- I had to.
759
00:33:24,069 --> 00:33:25,869
- I had to do a turkey.
- Yeah.
760
00:33:25,871 --> 00:33:28,038
Yeah, it's quiet here.
761
00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:29,773
[Kody] If Meri would've done
this with the whole family here
762
00:33:29,775 --> 00:33:31,908
it would've been
the noisiest thing.
763
00:33:31,910 --> 00:33:33,810
Everybody would've been
whooping and hollering.
764
00:33:33,812 --> 00:33:36,780
We've had lot of
crazy Thanksgivings.
765
00:33:36,782 --> 00:33:40,684
One year in Las Vegas, we
had a lot of extended family,
766
00:33:40,686 --> 00:33:45,322
and I think we must've had 79
or 80 people at that Thanksgiving.
767
00:33:45,324 --> 00:33:50,427
It filled the entire room
with people and tables.
768
00:33:51,396 --> 00:33:53,130
[Kody] That's fun.
769
00:33:53,132 --> 00:33:55,532
[murmuring]
770
00:33:55,534 --> 00:33:57,067
[Kody] It's quiet here.
771
00:33:57,069 --> 00:33:58,402
It's been peaceful.
772
00:33:59,704 --> 00:34:01,138
[Ariella] It's not the side.
773
00:34:01,140 --> 00:34:02,906
[Kody] It's great
having Meri around.
774
00:34:02,908 --> 00:34:05,575
We don't have a
strained relationship.
775
00:34:05,577 --> 00:34:08,178
We just don't have
a full marriage.
776
00:34:08,180 --> 00:34:10,447
Through this entire process
777
00:34:10,449 --> 00:34:14,651
of what happened with the
catfishing to where we are now,
778
00:34:14,653 --> 00:34:20,957
I'm basically just trying to have a
good, amicable relationship with Meri.
779
00:34:20,959 --> 00:34:23,994
But this-- It's no more
than that. It's not a marriage.
780
00:34:25,696 --> 00:34:28,365
Well, I don't feel like I need
to make a big batch.
781
00:34:28,367 --> 00:34:30,867
I'm really comfortable here
with Robyn in her kitchen.
782
00:34:30,869 --> 00:34:33,937
[overlapping chatter]
783
00:34:33,939 --> 00:34:35,906
I just don't need to use
that much gravy.
784
00:34:35,908 --> 00:34:39,576
Meri and I actually work
really well in a kitchen together.
785
00:34:39,578 --> 00:34:42,646
Um, I don't know [chuckles]-- I don't
know how it would be if we lived together
786
00:34:42,648 --> 00:34:44,815
and shared a kitchen
but [laughs]...
787
00:34:44,817 --> 00:34:49,052
But when we work together for holidays,
we actually work really well together.
788
00:34:49,054 --> 00:34:52,122
[overlapping chatter]
789
00:34:54,725 --> 00:34:57,194
I would never again,
for the rest of my life,
790
00:34:57,196 --> 00:35:00,197
ever want to have wives
sharing a kitchen.
791
00:35:00,199 --> 00:35:03,533
There is a tendency,
from what I've seen,
792
00:35:03,535 --> 00:35:07,571
to be vying for power
or position
793
00:35:07,573 --> 00:35:11,074
or relinquishing power
and position to get along.
794
00:35:11,076 --> 00:35:15,212
And so personally, I, out of
just knowing women's nature,
795
00:35:15,214 --> 00:35:19,082
I don't give a damn about
what polygamists believe
796
00:35:19,084 --> 00:35:21,551
about what you
should do with wives
797
00:35:21,553 --> 00:35:24,154
to make them grow
and become celestial.
798
00:35:24,156 --> 00:35:29,559
I never want to see my wives
sharing a kitchen, ever.
799
00:35:34,565 --> 00:35:37,033
To our family.
800
00:35:37,035 --> 00:35:38,535
To the corona-pocalypse.
801
00:35:39,103 --> 00:35:40,237
[all] Cheers.
802
00:35:40,239 --> 00:35:43,206
[Meri] I really feel sad that
Janelle and Christine
803
00:35:43,208 --> 00:35:44,541
didn't find it important enough
804
00:35:44,543 --> 00:35:48,078
to spend Thanksgiving
with this part of the family.
805
00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:51,548
[Robyn] No, seriously though,
thank you all for coming. I'm excited.
806
00:35:51,550 --> 00:35:56,186
I'm just glad that I didn't
let COVID control my life.
807
00:36:05,229 --> 00:36:07,230
I will do whatever you
taught me to do, woman.
808
00:36:07,232 --> 00:36:09,332
[Christine] That's my favorite
thing you've ever said...
809
00:36:09,334 --> 00:36:11,101
I was talking to Aspyn.
810
00:36:11,103 --> 00:36:13,737
[Christine] For Thanksgiving this
year, Gwendlyn, Ysabel, Truely and I
811
00:36:13,739 --> 00:36:16,173
went to Aspyn and Mitch's
house in Utah.
812
00:36:16,175 --> 00:36:18,608
-What is this? And what is it used for?
-It's a baster.
813
00:36:18,610 --> 00:36:20,243
It's part of a baster.
814
00:36:20,745 --> 00:36:22,846
[Christine] Originally Janelle and I
were going to do Thanksgiving together
815
00:36:22,848 --> 00:36:24,814
but it just didn't work out.
816
00:36:24,816 --> 00:36:28,018
We really felt like it was too much of
a COVID risk, to be completely honest.
817
00:36:28,020 --> 00:36:29,452
- Want to know something fun?
- Yeah.
818
00:36:32,557 --> 00:36:35,425
Wait till you become an outie.
819
00:36:35,427 --> 00:36:36,459
[Christine]
So, Mykelti is like,
820
00:36:36,461 --> 00:36:38,061
I don't know, four and a half,
five months along.
821
00:36:38,063 --> 00:36:42,098
She's definitely showing.
She popped right out super fast.
822
00:36:42,100 --> 00:36:46,203
So, you can see her belly
button in her shirt. It's so cute!
823
00:36:46,205 --> 00:36:49,072
I love you. And I love you.
824
00:36:49,074 --> 00:36:51,875
[singing] ♪ I love you ♪
825
00:36:51,877 --> 00:36:55,812
Ysabel has a really special
relationship with everybody here.
826
00:36:55,814 --> 00:36:59,416
Um, she had her scoliosis
surgery a couple of months ago,
827
00:36:59,418 --> 00:37:02,686
and she's still in a crazy
amount of pain.
828
00:37:02,688 --> 00:37:06,256
She just doesn't feel good. She's
uncomfortable. Sitting's really difficult.
829
00:37:06,258 --> 00:37:08,225
And here she is
just being sweet.
830
00:37:08,227 --> 00:37:11,394
- [Christine] All right.
- Oh, my gosh. Yes.
831
00:37:11,762 --> 00:37:13,930
That looks good.
832
00:37:13,932 --> 00:37:18,969
We're just having so much fun,
and it's so relaxing and so wonderful.
833
00:37:18,971 --> 00:37:21,004
I could definitely
get used to this.
834
00:37:21,006 --> 00:37:21,905
Not saying anything.
835
00:37:21,907 --> 00:37:25,075
We're missing Ysabel.
836
00:37:25,077 --> 00:37:27,711
[Christine] I think part
of the reason this is so nice
837
00:37:27,713 --> 00:37:32,916
and pleasant and easy going is
because it's super stressful at home.
838
00:37:32,918 --> 00:37:36,152
- I'm thankful everyone could come.
- You're welcome, Mitchell.
839
00:37:36,154 --> 00:37:39,022
I'm thankful everyone
can be here for Thanksgiving.
840
00:37:39,024 --> 00:37:40,390
[Christine]
Things are hard at home.
841
00:37:40,392 --> 00:37:45,095
So, I think part of the reason
why this Thanksgiving is so nice
842
00:37:45,097 --> 00:37:49,266
is because I can just leave all of
the problems and leave all the stress
843
00:37:49,268 --> 00:37:51,268
and just have it be easy.
844
00:37:51,270 --> 00:37:53,136
[indistinct conversation]
845
00:37:53,138 --> 00:37:55,839
[Robyn] No, seriously though,
thank you all for coming. I'm excited.
846
00:37:55,841 --> 00:37:57,540
[Christine] The relationship
that I have with my kids
847
00:37:57,542 --> 00:37:59,309
is the most important
relationship that I have.
848
00:37:59,311 --> 00:38:03,013
I'm grateful that I was able
to see them this year.
849
00:38:03,015 --> 00:38:08,018
I'm just glad that I didn't
let COVID control my life.
850
00:38:09,587 --> 00:38:12,222
[Janelle] Hey, so we're going
to sit here and have
851
00:38:12,224 --> 00:38:15,759
Thanksgiving for the first
time not with the family, right?
852
00:38:15,761 --> 00:38:18,995
[Janelle] So, I, for the first time in
many years, went and had Thanksgiving
853
00:38:18,997 --> 00:38:21,931
with my sister in Utah.
854
00:38:21,933 --> 00:38:24,734
[Janelle] Do you guys remember
a time that we had Thanksgiving...
855
00:38:24,736 --> 00:38:26,803
- Oh.
- No.
856
00:38:26,805 --> 00:38:29,639
No, it's never been
like this. [chuckles]
857
00:38:29,641 --> 00:38:30,907
Stupid COVID.
858
00:38:30,909 --> 00:38:34,811
The reality was, I didn't even
think to call Kody or anybody
859
00:38:34,813 --> 00:38:37,981
'cause I was really having
a great time with my family.
860
00:38:37,983 --> 00:38:40,984
We were busy.
We were busy doing all the...
861
00:38:40,986 --> 00:38:44,554
the fun things that are
in Utah at the holidays.
862
00:38:44,556 --> 00:38:48,124
We did video chat Robyn's
house for Thanksgiving.
863
00:38:48,126 --> 00:38:50,760
So, we did touch base with
everybody, at least that way.
864
00:38:50,762 --> 00:38:53,196
[Kody] Ari, hey, will you
give me a sweet smile?
865
00:38:53,198 --> 00:38:57,267
I would like you to look in that
camera and give a sweet smile, please.
866
00:38:57,269 --> 00:38:59,569
This is special for Mommy and I.
867
00:38:59,571 --> 00:39:02,839
It's just us and it's small,
and it is quiet.
868
00:39:02,841 --> 00:39:08,812
There is some simplicity to
that. It's a marked difference.
869
00:39:08,814 --> 00:39:15,285
And it definitely like, kind of a prick
to my heart that not everybody's here.
870
00:39:21,225 --> 00:39:22,892
- Absolutely.
- [Robyn laughs]
871
00:39:22,894 --> 00:39:24,861
Absolutely.
872
00:39:24,863 --> 00:39:29,899
[Meri] I really feel sad that Janelle and
Christine didn't find it important enough
873
00:39:29,901 --> 00:39:33,970
to spend Thanksgiving
with this part of the family.
874
00:39:33,972 --> 00:39:38,241
I could've chosen to go do
Thanksgiving with my mom or Mariah.
875
00:39:38,243 --> 00:39:42,612
Because I chose this family doesn't
mean that my mom or my daughter
876
00:39:42,614 --> 00:39:44,748
is any less important.
877
00:39:44,750 --> 00:39:50,253
This is just where I want
to be and need to be for...
878
00:39:50,255 --> 00:39:52,455
such an important
family holiday.
879
00:39:52,690 --> 00:39:54,257
[Kody] So, I...
880
00:39:59,997 --> 00:40:04,734
COVID has been [stammering]
such a strain on the family,
881
00:40:04,736 --> 00:40:07,704
and everybody here at this table
882
00:40:07,706 --> 00:40:13,610
has been really easy on
me about my rules for COVID,
883
00:40:13,612 --> 00:40:19,849
and the contrast has been one of those
things that has really just made me aware
884
00:40:19,851 --> 00:40:24,888
of those who are loyal to me
and those who are not.
885
00:40:24,890 --> 00:40:28,458
It's as much respect
as it is loyalty, I suppose.
886
00:40:28,460 --> 00:40:31,394
How you love a man
is to respect him.
887
00:40:31,396 --> 00:40:35,799
And so I'm sitting here just appreciating
where I'm at and who's with me.
888
00:40:35,801 --> 00:40:37,167
[Janelle] Hey, here we are.
889
00:40:37,169 --> 00:40:39,369
Having Thanksgiving.
890
00:40:39,371 --> 00:40:42,038
Alone. With our other family.
891
00:40:42,040 --> 00:40:45,608
There's all this discussion
about loyalty and respect.
892
00:40:45,610 --> 00:40:49,012
And I thought in marriage
that was mutual.
893
00:40:49,014 --> 00:40:51,948
I thought you were supposed to
give it both ways.
894
00:40:51,950 --> 00:40:56,853
Not just that all the respect and
all the loyalty flows to one person.
895
00:40:56,855 --> 00:41:02,192
This isn't me choosing to not be with
Kody, Meri, Robyn and Robyn's kids.
896
00:41:02,194 --> 00:41:06,696
We will not ever be compliant
enough for their rules.
897
00:41:06,698 --> 00:41:08,898
- [all] Cheers!
- [glasses clinking]
898
00:41:08,900 --> 00:41:12,969
[Christine] Thanksgiving at
Aspyn and Mitch's house was lovely.
899
00:41:12,971 --> 00:41:15,972
It was cozy and no drama.
900
00:41:15,974 --> 00:41:17,807
It was really, really great.
901
00:41:17,809 --> 00:41:20,543
To our family.
902
00:41:20,545 --> 00:41:24,481
To the corona-pocalypse, which
has made us appreciate family more.
903
00:41:25,015 --> 00:41:29,085
- [all] Cheers!
- [glasses clinking]
904
00:41:29,087 --> 00:41:32,155
[Kody] It's just really
actually very peaceful.
905
00:41:32,556 --> 00:41:34,691
It's quiet, it's easy.
906
00:41:34,693 --> 00:41:37,026
But I'm not saying
that that's what I want.
907
00:41:37,028 --> 00:41:40,430
You want a easy life,
be a monogamist.
908
00:41:41,332 --> 00:41:44,300
[indistinct conversation]
909
00:41:45,202 --> 00:41:46,703
[narrator reading]
910
00:41:46,705 --> 00:41:49,138
[Janelle] My mom passed away
last night.
911
00:41:49,140 --> 00:41:51,908
I'm sort of stunned
and I'm sort of at a loss.
912
00:41:51,910 --> 00:41:53,376
[Kody] Gabriel,
don't just blame Mom.
913
00:41:53,378 --> 00:41:55,111
- You guys had your own
[indistinct] - No, I'm not. No.
914
00:41:55,113 --> 00:41:56,913
No, I want to take some
responsibility here.
915
00:41:56,915 --> 00:41:58,114
[bleeps]
916
00:41:58,116 --> 00:41:59,215
Why are you upset?
917
00:41:59,217 --> 00:42:01,150
[Kody] It makes me mad at myself
918
00:42:01,152 --> 00:42:05,088
that I haven't been
more in charge.
919
00:42:05,090 --> 00:42:09,759
COVID has sort of pulled this
blanket off of some of our issues.
920
00:42:09,761 --> 00:42:10,927
I actually think so too.
921
00:42:10,929 --> 00:42:13,229
These things
were there before this.
922
00:42:13,231 --> 00:42:16,199
I've caught myself in the last
few weeks kind of reflecting.
923
00:42:16,201 --> 00:42:18,201
Do I still choose
plural marriage?
924
00:42:19,637 --> 00:42:22,071
It's Christmas Day!
925
00:42:22,073 --> 00:42:25,408
It was just really,
really, fun to just actually
926
00:42:25,410 --> 00:42:28,378
be together and just
hanging out with everyone.