Josiah and Lauren Celebrate 1 Year

Happy 1st anniversary to Josiah and Lauren Duggar! They just announced that their baby, due in November, is a girl.

Lauren Swanson and Josiah Duggar (before marriage)

New Zealand, January 2018

 

Josiah and Lauren Duggar

 

Josiah and Lauren Duggar

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

10 Years of Reality TV

The Duggars with Lauren Swanson's family in the earlier days of the show (2010)

When the Duggars first appeared on weekly reality TV on September 29th, 2008, they had no idea what it would eventually become. Ten years and nearly 300 episodes later, and they are still going strong. From 17 Kids and Counting to 18 Kids and Counting to 19 Kids and Counting to Counting On, the title has changed to reflect the growing clan, but the love, faith, and family values of the stars have remained the same.

If you visit our Watch Full Episodes page, you'll find a full listing of episodes, as well as links to our recaps starting in season four, around the 60th episode. Our blog has been going strong for almost as long as the show has.

How long have you been watching the show and reading our blog?

In case you missed our post last month, this year is also the 14th anniversary of the Duggars' first television special, "14 Children and Pregnant Again."

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

The Vuolos' Gender Reveal

Tomorrow night on TLC, catch another all-new episode of Counting On. "Jinger's Double Surprise" premieres at 9pm ET/8pm CT.

In addition to the gender reveal party that Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo host in honor of their daughter, you'll see the Duggars unveil a surprise of their own for Jinger. And back in Arkansas, Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson get together with family and friends for a giant game of foosball, and Joseph and Kendra Duggar welcome little Garrett Duggar. Check out the preview video below.

Photo/video courtesy TLC

Wedding Dress Shopping with Dad

"Before Josiah came into the picture, my dad was my very best friend. I really value my dad's opinion. I really wanted him to be a part of [wedding dress shopping]."

-Lauren Swanson (now Lauren Duggar)

In this promo clip for tomorrow's new episode of Counting On, Lauren Swanson visits yet another wedding gown shop, The White Dress Boutique in Rogers, Arkansas. She knows exactly what she wants but hasn't been able to find it other stores. Like many brides, Lauren brings along her bridesmaids, mother, and future mother-in-law. But unlike most other brides, she also invites her dad to join her.

Photo/video courtesy TLC

Thrift Store Date Night

Tomorrow evening on an all-new episode of Counting On, three Duggar couples (Jessa and Ben Seewald; Joseph and Kendra Duggar; and Lauren Swanson and Josiah Duggar--then courting, now married) go on a thrift store date night. What exactly does that mean? Whatever your partner chooses for you, you must wear.

Sounds a little risky, especially when you consider that the Duggars love practical jokes. Josiah is usually the one playing the pranks, but Lauren decides to give him a taste of his own medicine. Will he take it well?

Photo/video courtesy TLC

A Big Surprise for Jinger

An all-new, 60-minute episode of Counting On airs tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT on TLC. Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo are celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary, and Jeremy has two huge surprises for his wife. Find out what they are and see Jinger's reactions in the promo video below.

Also tonight, Joseph and Kendra Duggar reveal the gender of their child to both families, and Josiah Duggar seeks the blessing of Lauren Swanson's father to propose. 

Photo/video courtesy TLC

Girls' Night Out with Lauren

A two-hour episode of Counting On airs in just a few hours. You can visit the TLC website and sign in with your TV provider to watch half of tonight's show before it airs on live TV.

Below is a preview of the girls' night out that Lauren Swanson has with Jana Duggar, Kendra Duggar, Jessa Seewald, and Joy-Anna Forsyth soon after moving to Arkansas.

Photo/video courtesy TLC

Gideon and Duke

Gideon Forsyth is just two days away from his four-month milestone. Below, he is pictured with Uncle Josiah Duggar and friend Duke Swanson. If you're wondering why Duke has the same last name as Josiah's fiance, Lauren Swanson, it's because he is Lauren's youngest brother. The boys were born two days apart.

Josiah Duggar with Duke Swanson (left) and Gideon Forsyth (right)

Photo courtesy Joy and Austin Forsyth/duggarfamily.com

Lauren Turns 19

With Lauren Swanson about to join the Duggar family, the clan now has birthdays on May 17th, 18th, and 19th, as well as May 23rd and 26th. Wishing Lauren a happy 19th!

Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson (soon to be Lauren Duggar)

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com/Josiah Duggar

Dinner with Lauren's Family

To kick off the weekend, Josiah Duggar and fiancée Lauren Swanson joined Lauren's family for dinner. You may recognize the restaurant as Northwest Arkansas's MarketPlace Grill, a Duggar family favorite. While Josiah is the eighth child in his family, Lauren is the oldest in hers.

Lauren Swanson, Josiah Duggar, and the Swanson family

 Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com/Josiah Duggar

40 Duggars and Counting

The Duggar family is growing in leaps and bounds! After Joseph and Kendra Duggar welcome their son, Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo give birth to their daughter, and Josiah Duggar marries Lauren Swanson, there will be 40 Duggars...and counting! When do you think they will hit 50 members?

For fun, let's look back at how quickly the family has grown...

2007: 19 Duggars (2 parents, 17 kids)
2008: 21 Duggars
2009: 23 Duggars
2010: 23 Duggars
2011: 24 Duggars
2012: 24 Duggars
2013: 25 Duggars
2014: 27 Duggars
2015: 30 Duggars
2016: 31 Duggars
2017: 36 Duggars
2018: 40 Duggars (or more?)


Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggars and Swansons, 2010

A few days ago, we shared the details of how the Duggar family met Lauren Swanson's family. On that topic, we thought you would enjoy this photo from the Duggar archives. It was taken at the Holocaust Museum during the family's 2010 Washington D.C. trip. The Duggars visited the museum with friends.

You probably wouldn't have recognized the friends back in 2010, but one in particular has since become very special to a certain Duggar son. The friends are the Swanson family! Now, eight years later, the Duggars and Swansons are looking forward to being forever joined when Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson become husband and wife.

Can you find Lauren in the photo? (Double click the picture to enlarge it.)

 Duggars and Swansons, 2010

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar Easter 2018

Happy Easter! Hope you had a lovely day celebrating the risen Lord. For your enjoyment, we have included a couple of Duggar Easter photos below.

Josiah Duggar and fiance Lauren Swanson

Derick Dillard, Jill Dillard, Israel Dillard, Samuel Dillard

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Kendra's Baby Bump

We know some of you have been eager to see a photo of Kendra Duggar's baby bump. This isn't a close up shot, but it's better than nothing, right? Pilot John-David Duggar recently took a group to Byrd's Adventure Center in Ozark, Arkansas, for a "fly-in" meal.

 Nathan Bates, John Duggar, Joseph Duggar, Kendra (Caldwell) Duggar, 

Lauren Swanson (soon to be Lauren Duggar), Josiah Duggar

Photo courtesy Josiah Duggar/duggarfamily.com

Jim Bob and Michelle Introduce Newest Couple

 Josiah Duggar, Lauren Swanson, Michelle Duggar, Jim Bob Duggar

Another Duggar wedding is in the works. Now that Josiah and Lauren are engaged, it's time to plan their big day. Josiah will be the seventh Duggar child and the third Duggar son to get married.

In the video below, Jim Bob and Michelle congratulate Josiah and Lauren.


If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photo and video are property of duggarfamily.com and may not be used without written permission. Visit the Duggars' website to view more videos.

Engagement Message from Josiah and Lauren

"She's the one. This is it"
-Josiah Duggar

"It's exciting to be engaged. I'm just looking forward to making many memories with you, Siah."
-Lauren Swanson

Josiah Duggar is headed to the altar with fiancé Lauren Swanson! The two have announced their engagement only six weeks after revealing their courtship. In the TLCme video below, the future Mr. and Mrs. Duggar share a message with fans. 

The proposal took place at Lauren's home in Georgia, at the very same spot where her dad popped the question to her mom years ago.

If Josiah and Lauren follow in the footsteps of Josiah's siblings with a three-month engagement, the wedding will occur around the same time as Joy and Austin Forsyth's first anniversary and Jill and Derick Dillard's fourth anniversary.



If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photo/video courtesy TLC

New Photo of Josiah and Lauren

Now that the Duggars are back home in Arkansas after an exciting trip to Australia and New Zealand, Josiah Duggar and girlfriend Lauren Swanson can continue getting to know each other in a normal, everyday setting. Below is a new photo of the new couple.

Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com/Josiah Duggar

Josiah and Lauren

In case you haven't heard the big news, Josiah Duggar is courting a gal named Lauren Swanson. (Visit our post from earlier today to watch their announcement video.) Below are two snapshots of the couple from their time in New Zealand with the Duggars.

 Josiah and Lauren

Josiah and Lauren

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com/Josiah Duggar

Duggar Courtship News

Josiah Duggar is in an official courtship! Who's the lucky girl? It's Lauren Swanson, Josiah's "special friend" who accompanied the Duggars on their trip to Australia and New Zealand. Lauren is 18 and the oldest of eight, and her family has known the Duggars for years.

"I can definitely say I have found a great friend … even better than I could have hoped for or imagined," Josiah told PEOPLE. “I so appreciate Lauren’s Christlike character and tender heart toward others. She bring sunshine into the room and encourages everyone around her."

Watch Josiah and Lauren's relationship unfold on the new season of Counting On, which premieres February 26th. 

Photo/video courtesy TLC