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Fall 2018 #FabFitFun

August 30, 2018, 7:04 pm
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Last week, I received my seasonal FabFitFun subscription box, which always puts a smile on my face. I am a #FabFitFunPartner, which means that I receive the box four times a year so I can share it with my readers. It's a great opportunity to sample products that I might not otherwise have a chance to try. In this year's fall box, my favorite item is the set of tea towels. They're adorable!

To see what's inside the 2018 fall box, check out my unpacking video below. If you would like to order a box of your own, enter the code ELLIE at fabfitfun.com to get $10.00 off. All opinions are my own.

I am planning to do a giveaway of one of the items in the fall box. What would you like me to raffle off? 

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Bates Fan File 732

August 31, 2018, 6:27 am
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Josie Bates and Kelton Balka

A new baby on the way, a new church building in the works, and a new phase in Josie and Kelton's relationship...last night's episode sure was jam packed with big Bates moments! For a discussion of the show, check out my Bringing Up Bates Fan File segment below.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Far Beyond Their Years

August 31, 2018, 9:48 am
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"Watching Josie and Kelton, you would never realize their age because they're mature far beyond their years. I keep forgetting that [Josie] is my little sister because she's so well-rounded and she's made so many goals for herself and achieved them."
-Zach Bates

Even though Josie Bates and Kelton Balka are just 19 and 23 years old (18 and 22 when this segment was filmed), Zach and Whitney Batesthink that their maturity levels are more similar to those of an older couple. In the web exclusive video below, the four discuss marriage.


If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and DuggarFamilyBlog.com).
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The Reason Behind the Vow Renewal

August 31, 2018, 11:32 pm
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This Thursday on Bringing Up Bates (preview video below), Tori and Bobby Smith are leaving their life in Knoxville behind and starting a new chapter in Nashville. The family comes to lend them a hand as they move to Middle Tennessee.

And later, it's back to Renee's--the Kentucky bridal store that has designed gowns for both the Duggars and the Bates--to find a wedding dress for Whitney Bates. But wait, didn't she already tie the knot? With their five-year wedding anniversary approaching at the end of 2018, Zach and Whitney Bates are preparing to renew their wedding vows. This ceremony took place in June (we posted photos) and was a big to-do attended by loved ones.

In addition to their desire to reaffirm their commitment to each other, Zach and Whitney also chose to do a vow renewal so that Whitney's parents could attend. Whitney openly shares that at the time of her wedding, her relationship with her mom and and dad was broken but has since been restored.

Also on Thursday's episode, Kelton goes ring shopping to prepare to propose to Josie in Utah.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Nothing Like It

September 2, 2018, 11:03 am
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Tori Bates and Bobby Smith ultrasound

Have you ever seen an ultrasound video of an unborn baby? Kelly Bates is spot on when she states that there is nothing like it. This web exclusive shows more footage from Tori and Bobby Smith's eight-week ultrasound. The Smiths are now only three months away from meeting their son, Robert Ellis Smith IV.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Websters on Labor Day Weekend

September 3, 2018, 7:44 am
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We hope our American and Canadian readers are enjoying their Labor Day holiday. The Websters took a new family photo this weekend. Zoey is five months old, while Allie is three and Lexi is one and-a-half. In the past, Alyssa and John have said that they would love to have six children, although that was a while ago. Perhaps they will end up with three boys and three girls.

John Webster, Lexi Webster, Lexi Webster, Alyssa Webster, Allie Webster
John Webster, Zoey Webster, Lexi Webster, Lexi Webster, Alyssa Webster, Allie Webster

Photo courtesy of Alyssa and John Webster
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Zach's Good Impression

September 5, 2018, 6:48 am
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"I didn't make these cookies crumbly cookies, okay? I did feel like Whitney would be proud of me because I didn't get on the floor and lick up the crumbs, so I'm thinking, 'You know, I'm really making an impression here.'"
-Zach Bates

If eating were a sport, the oldest Bates son would be a world champion. Whether it's is a dessert item or a home-cooked meal, he's always up for something tasty. But as he admits in this video, he isn't always the most refined consumer of food. What are your thoughts on his "impression"?


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Win a Baby-Wearing Shirt

September 6, 2018, 8:40 am
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I (blog author Ellie) recently announced my first pregnancy on my lifestyle blog, NashvilleWife.com. Since finding out that I was expecting, I have been on the hunt for quality baby products, and I have enjoyed sharing some of these products with my readers in the form of giveaways.

I recently came across a unique product baby-wearing product that I just had to try. It's the Soothe Shirt from Lalabu, and it allows mamas to wear their newborns in style.

The Soothe Shirt is a tank top with a built-in carrying pouch for your baby. It is stylish enough to wear all day, so you can easily pop your baby in and out whenever is convenient. The Soothe Shirt also comes with an adjustable head support and pouch extender, and the design allows you to nurse your baby while he or she is inside the pouch.

The Soothe Shirt is meant for newborns between 7 and 15 pounds and allows them to face inward and maintain a safe and secure position. For more information, check out the Lalabu website, Facebook page, and Instagram profile.

I am raffling off a Soothe Shirt to one lucky reader. To enter to win, follow the prompts on the Rafflecopter widget below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Tonight: Rings, Dresses, and a Big Move

September 6, 2018, 12:26 pm
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Tune in to UP tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for a brand new, 30-minute episode of Bringing Up Bates, "The Ring, the Dress, and Ready for Next Steps." After the show, I'll have a written recap and a Fan File segment for you.

Kelton is ready to propose, but he is missing a very important item...the ring. He and Bobby visit a local jeweler to choose something that Josie will be proud to wear for years to come.

Kelton Balka and Bobby Smith
Kelton Balka and Bobby Smith

Moving day for Tori and Bobby has arrived, and it's a bittersweet occasion for everyone. 

Zach Bates
Zach Bates

Tori Bates and Bobby Smith moving

Tori Bates and Bobby Smith moving

Kelly Bates

Gil Bates, Kelly Bates, Judson Bates, Callie Bates, Tori Smith, Bobby Smith
Gil Bates, Kelly Bates, Judson Bates, Callie Bates, Tori Smith, Bobby Smith

Meanwhile, Zach and Whitney search for the perfect wedding dress for their wedding vow renewal.

Whitney Bates, Zach Bates, Carlin Bates, Josie Bates

Photos courtesy of UP
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Bringing Up Bates Season 7 Finale

September 6, 2018, 1:28 pm
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Erin Bates Paine and Gil Bates

Carlin Bates courtship\

Season seven has been the largest season of Bringing Up Bates to date. It began on January 4th with Carlin and Evan's courtship and has featured quite a few Bates family milestones, including...





Including tonight's episode, there will be four additional new episodes this season, with the season finale slated for Thursday, September 27th.

Tori Bates wedding
For a full list of episodes and recaps, visit the Watch Full Episodes page. 

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

Photos courtesy of UP
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'The Ring, the Dress and Ready for Next Steps' Recap

September 6, 2018, 6:29 pm
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Bringing Up Bates"The Ring, the Dress and Ready for Next Steps"
  • Kelton, accompanied by Bobby, goes engagement ring shopping at Bristol & Bragg Jewelers in Maryville, Tennessee. He already has a square, princess-cut diamond but needs to have it set. “Josie, she was pretty specific in what she liked,” says Kelton.
  • Gil and Kelly and the boys arrive at the Smiths’ Knoxville apartment to help them pack their belongings into a friend’s moving truck. Within an hour, everything is piled into the truck, including a small car. This past year has gone by so fast,” says Tori. “There’s a lot of things that are happening, and it’s really overwhelming, but we’re really excited.”
  • When Tori and Bobby and the Bates arrive at the new apartment in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the following day, their new church family comes by to help unload. The first-floor apartment is gorgeous, but it’s also double the price of their old one. “…The living room is huge…and the bathrooms are huge, and the closets are huge, and I love it,” says Tori. “I’m so excited about it.”
  • After unloading, everyone goes out for dinner. “I think I’m still trying to put off the emotions,” says Kelly, knowing she will soon have to say goodbye to her daughter.
  • In Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, Whitney and Zach visit Renee’s Bridal to choose a dress for their vow renewal. Renee has designed wedding dresses for Tori and some of the Duggars. Carlin and Josie go along for support. “Taking young girls around wedding dresses is like taking mamas around babies,” says Zach. “It kind of starts the fever.”
  • The first dress has a keyhole back that everyone likes. The second one has a high neck and no sleeves and immediately becomes the favorite. But when Whitney tries on the third gown, Zach tells her she looks beautiful in that one, as well. “I was no help…” he admits.
  • “The last one was really pretty,” says Whitney. “But we all just kept referring back to that second one because it was just a mature, classy, beautiful dress that would absolutely fit this event. It was the one.” 
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Bates Gals in NYC

September 7, 2018, 6:59 am
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With only four weeks to go until Josie and Kelton tie the knot, some of the Bates ladies decided to take a trip to New York City to enjoy some girl time before the wedding. Among other sites, they have visited Times Square, Central Park, and the Empire State Building and have taken a double-decker bus tour of the city.

They may be small town folks, but the Bates have toured the Big Apple multiple times. Trace and Carlin were there with Crown College last fall, and Callie, Judson, and Kelly were there for Callie's birthday one month ago. New York City is also the setting of the season three finale of Bringing Up Bates, in which Nathan asks Ashley to begin a courtship. And if you have been following the Bates since the beginning, they traveled to New York to kick off United Bates of America, their short TLC reality series that aired in 2012.

Have you ever been to NYC?

Carlin Bates, Whitney Bates, Josie Bates
Carlin Bates, Whitney Bates, Josie Bates

Photo courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates
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What's in a Ring?

September 8, 2018, 10:06 am
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Judson Bates and Jeb Bates

"I think if Kelton's going to propose to Josie, you need like three things to have. You need a place to go, you need the ring, and you need a girl."
-Judson Bates, age 7

How important is an engagement ring? The Bates all agree that it is very important. In this video, some of the guys and girls, including seven-year-old Judson, share their thoughts.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Gotta Work Work Work

September 10, 2018, 8:26 am
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"One of the biggest highlights was seeing how excited my boys were..."
-Gil Bates

Grab a hammer and nails...it's time to get to work! This Thursday on Bringing Up Bates, Gil and his sons are in the midst of a huge church renovation project (video below). The older guys are excited to lend a hand, and the little boys are sad that they are too young. "We wanted to help, but every time we were too little," says Judson. "You had to be 12 and up."


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Speed Up or S-L-O-W Down?

September 12, 2018, 7:56 am
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Michael Balka and Kelton Balka

During a meeting with his father and Josie's parents (video below), Kelton asks for clarification on what exactly Gil and Kelly Bates meant when they gave Josie and Kelton the "yellow light." It could have a different meaning depending on the way you look at it! But in order to fulfill Josie's dream of a fall wedding, Kelton will need to speed things up.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Cousins, Hard Work, and a Proposal Plan

September 13, 2018, 6:36 am
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Tonight is the third-to-last episode of Bringing Up Bates season seven. As we announced last week, the season finale airs on September 27th. A season eight premiere date has not yet been announced, but when it is, we will post it here.

This evening, you can look forward to three Bates storylines. Whitney and Erin enjoy a play date with their kids, which is one of the reasons why they love living only 10 minutes apart.

Kaci Bates, Bradley Bates, Carson Paine
Kaci Bates, Bradley Bates, Carson Paine
 
While Whitney holds newborn Everly in a full-sized rocking chair, Brooklyn sits in her little rocking chair with her baby doll.

Brooklyn Paine, Whitney Bates, Everly Paine
Brooklyn Paine, Whitney Bates, Everly Paine

Meanwhile, Gil and his sons partner with a group called Carpenters For Christ to add an addition to their church. And later, Kelton calls a meeting with his father and Josie's parents to discuss the upcoming proposal.

Bringing Up Bates church renovation

Bringing Up Bates church renovation

Gil and Kelly Bates church renovation

Gil and Kelly Bates church renovation

Gil and Kelly Bates church renovation


Photos courtesy of UP
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Bates at the Beach 2018

September 13, 2018, 10:13 am
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The Bates love the beach! Ever since their oldest children were young, Gil and Kelly Bates have enjoyed taking family trips to the ocean. This week, some of the members of the family spent time soaking in the sun and sand in Florida.

Carlin Bates
Carlin Bates

Erin and Chad Paine, Carson Paine, Brooklyn Paine, Everly Paine
Erin and Chad Paine
Carson Paine, Brooklyn Paine, Everly Paine

Erin Paine and Everly Paine
Erin Paine and Everly Paine
(That smile, though!)


Photos courtesy of chadanderin.com, Carlin Bates
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'Baby Fever and Proposal Decisions" Recap

September 13, 2018, 6:30 pm
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Bringing Up Bates “Baby Fever and Proposal Decisions”
  • A group called Carpenters For Christ has arrived to help Gil and the boys expand the church. “They like to start really early, so they said, ‘Be out here about 5:30,’” says Gil, chuckling. “Bates time, 5:30 means 5:30pm.” But the Bates know they will need to do better than “Bates time” for this project.
  • The three middle boys are thrilled to be part of the building crew. “We got a lot out of this process,” explains Jackson. “We got some blisters, we got really tired, but we got a few learned lessons. It’s fun, and it’s hard work.”
  • On the first day, the crew gets a slow start due to some unexpected rain, but after just six days, they are already working on putting up the roof and installing windows. “Only about 15 percent of the guys are skilled…” says Nathan. “The rest of us, this isn’t what we do for a living, but we’re just kind of taking directions from people…”
  • After Carpenters For Christ leaves, the Bates still have a lot of work to do, but they are extremely grateful for the progress that has been made.
  • Whitney drives 10 minutes over to Erin’s house for a play date. “When I first had Everly, just adjusting to the life with three kids was really hard,” admits Erin. “Now I think it’s getting easier because Carson and Brooklyn are amazing with her.”
  • Whitney is hit hard with baby fever when she holds newborn Everly, and Erin completely understands how she feels. “Baby fever is very real and very scary, especially when it’s my wife that has the baby fever,” jokes Chad.
  • “I just love these kids growing up together,” says Whitney. “It just makes me so happy.” She states that she really wants a third child but that she is scared, as well.
  • Later, Gil and Kelly meet Kelton and his dad, Michael, at their house for an engagement discussion. Gil and Kelly had given Josie and Kelton the yellow light, which Gil had intended to mean “move forward with caution.” But Kelton says that Josie has been putting the pressure on him to propose, although he doesn’t seem to mind.
  • “Josie kind of established the parameters when she says she wanted a fall wedding, and not next fall, so I think the boundaries have been set,” laughs Kelly.
  • Kelton is considering proposing under the same covered bridge where he asked Josie to begin a courtship, but Kelly gently suggests another idea. Gil and Kelly are planning to take Josie on a birthday trip to Utah, a place Josie has always wanted to visit. “What if you showed up there and surprised her?” Kelly tells Kelton, who is absolutely thrilled.
  • When Kelton pulls out the ring, Gil and Kelly are shocked that he is so on top of things. “The [Balka family] is already a step ahead of us,” says Kelly, who thinks the ring is the most beautiful thing she has ever seen.
  • As Gil and Kelly leave, Kelton is excited but is also very nervous about planning this big event.  
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Kissing Cousins

September 14, 2018, 6:37 am
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Carson Paine, Brooklyn Paine, Kaci Bates, Bradley Bates
Carson Paine, Brooklyn Paine, Kaci Bates, Bradley Bates

"I feel like watching the nieces and nephews is kind of like a playback in our own lives. The only thing we didn't do, is them cousins are kissing all over each other. Bradley is in love with Brookie, and Carson is in love with Kaci."
-Carlin Bates

With the Bates family adding new little ones every year, it's like a flashback to the good old days, when Gil and Kelly Bates had a passel of youngins. In this Bates exclusive video, Carlin Bates and Trace Bates look back on their childhood. They are only 14 months apart and were inseparable as kids!

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

Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Bates fan file 734

September 15, 2018, 11:04 am
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Only two new episodes of Bringing Up Bates to go before season seven comes to a close. How sad is that? Below is my Bates fan file segment for Thursday's episode.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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