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.