‘Counting On’ Star Lauren Swanson Tells Fans She Isn’t a Typical Duggar Housewife
Counting On star Lauren Swanson joined the Duggar family a little more than a year ago when she married Josiah Duggar, but she has managed to keep a relatively low profile. Unlike her husband, Swanson didn’t grow up on television and she is pretty shy, but the 20-year-old recently decided to open a bit with fans on Instagram to let them know she’s not a typical Duggar housewife.
Lauren Swanson opens up with her fans
Swanson posted a selfie where she sat at a table and smiled for the camera while wearing a gray and white striped dress. The table hid her growing baby bump – she and Duggar are expecting a daughter this fall – as this post wasn’t about her pregnancy. Swanson wrote in the caption that she thought it would be fun to share 11 facts about herself with fans. And, while some didn’t come as a surprise at all, others gave fans a new perspective on the mom-to-be.
She started off by sharing that she loves Jesus with her whole heart and then she wrote that she grew up on a little farm in central Georgia. Swanson is the oldest of nine children (four girls and five boys), and she explained that she is one-quarter Hispanic and her middle name is Milagro, which means miracle in Spanish.
She knew Josiah Duggar long before they courted
Swanson also revealed that she has known Josiah and his family since 2010 when she met them at an ATI conference in Big Sandy, Texas. ATI Conferences are fundamentalist Christian family conferences put on by the Institute in Basic Life Principles, which was started by the controversial Bill Gothard.
The next fact Swanson revealed was what set her apart from most Duggar wives – she went to college and has her Associate’s Degree in Nursing. As Counting On fans know, the Duggar family homeschools all of their children and doesn’t encourage higher education. However, her sister-in-law Abbie Grace Burnett also got her nursing degree before she married John David Duggar.
Lauren Swanson’s unknown talent
Swanson also revealed that her secret talent is yodeling, she enjoys playing the piano and singing duets with her husband, and decor and design are her passion. Swanson wrapped up her 11 facts by revealing that her favorite pastime is spending time with her family.
After posting her 11 facts, Swanson answered questions from fans. She explained that she isn’t a practicing nurse because it isn’t her passion, plus she would have to take the board exams in Arkansas. Swanson also revealed that she and Duggar have picked out a name for their daughter, but they are keeping it a secret.
Their rainbow baby
Lauren Swanson and Josiah Duggar are expecting their baby just months after suffering from a tragic miscarriage. The couple opened up about losing their first child in an Instagram post.
“Many of yall don’t know this, but a couple of months ago we found out we were expecting, however, soon after we miscarried. At first, we kind of wanted to just stay quiet about the news, but knew that since everyone is anticipating for us to announce that were having a baby, we felt like it was time that we told everyone that our first and only baby is in heaven.”
They went on to assure their fans that they are not alone if they have ever suffered from the same fate.
“To the ones who have gone through this, I know your pain. It’s real and terrible. I just want you to know you don’t have to suffer in pain alone. It is not your fault. We greatly appreciate your prayers as we go through this hard time!”
Lauren Swanson and Josiah Duggar will return in new episodes of Counting On in October on TLC.
