Awesome news from the Duggar family of Arkansas today, and also the same family from the TV show “18 Kids and Counting!”: Michelle Duggar is expecting baby #19 in spring 2010!

Jim-Bob and Michelle Duggar’s oldest son Joshua, and his wife Anna, are expecting the couple’s first grandchild (Mackynzie Renée) in October.

I’m a huge fan of the Duggar’s and I’m very happy for them and their family with the expected blessing of another baby.

Watch the video announcement

The Duggars: 20 and Counting! By Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar / Howard Books Take a close inside look at the supersize Duggar family (18 children plus parents)! Since their first documentary on the Discovery Health Network, viewers have been fascinated with the story of this couple’s faith and belief that children are a blessing from God. Their first book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting, is an inspiring and entertaining collection of stories, photos, recipes, tips, traditions, and practical ideas designed to answer the questions of the curious. Some of the questions they answer are “Why do you have so many children?”, “How do you provide for your family financially?”, “How do you handle mealtimes…transportation… laundry…birthdays?”, “How are your children so well behaved?”, and “Why do all your children have names that begin with J?”. Adopt a few ideas from the Duggars and improve the peace and love inside the walls of your own home. Paperback.

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Written by Traci Knoppe ©: Aside from her roles as wife, mother of six, mother-in-law and grandmother, Traci also works at home as a business owner.

In May of 2008 I blogged about HydroChic Modest Swimwear for women and I mentioned they were stylish, but really mainly discussed the UV protection qualities. Protecting your skin from sun damaging is certainly important, but today I want to talk about another aspect of HydroChic – their looks.

If you watched one of the recent 18 and Counting Duggar family episodes, when Joshua and Anna went on their honeymoon, and Anna wore modest swimwear that drew a lot of comments on blogs across the internet, then you have seen what a modest swimsuit looks like. While I’m not for sure if it was from the HydroChic line – it sure looked like one of theirs!

Whether you define modesty as ‘dresses only’, or just prefer to be covered in a longer bike shorts style, HydroChic has you covered – literally. Their swimwear fashions are top-notch and all with the UV protection I blogged about last year.

HydroChic swimwear looks like any other athletic wear. Sure, the modest skirt styles are unique, but still attractive and not ugly at all. They’ve done a very fine job, in my opinion, in combining function and fashion in their product line – without crossing the line and compromising modesty to do so.

I respect that, but more importantly, I would wear that! Seriously, I’ve seen some modest swimwear that, well… while certainly modest, would draw so much attention to myself that I felt would defeat the purpose of modesty in the first place. I believe HydroChic has accomplished something other modest swimwear companies have not – a true merging of function, fashion and modesty.

Check out HydroChic for yourself to see all their swimwear styles – they’re even having a big sale right now!

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Written by Traci Knoppe ©: Aside from her roles as wife, mother of six, mother-in-law and grandmother, Traci also works at home as a business owner.