“Don’t look down, only look up!”
Dear Friends,
I can hardly believe another season of Bringing Up Bates has come to a close. We watched the finale together as a family, and boy did we laugh at ourselves! It’s funny how much we forgot about things we said and did. I do, however, vividly remember the roller-coaster! I think it’s safe to say the next time the family wants to go to ride the Wild Eagle at Dollywood, Callie and I will be waving from the ground!
As I look back, sometimes it feels like our life is a roller coaster. I know we’re not the only ones, life brings ups and downs to everyone. Over the past year, we’ve celebrated great blessings, but we’ve also walked through times where circumstances were uncertain and positive outcomes were nowhere to be found. It’s in moments like these that the problem-solver in me wants to implement my emergency plan for my family’s safe exit, but often times, the roller-coaster has already left the station and I just have to hold on for the ride. The truth is, God never promised this life would be easy, He promised He’d never leave us alone! We never have to ride the roller coaster of life alone! While you’re on the ride though, remember these few things…
Try to enjoy it! Find the good in it!
Hold on tight to your faith, you’re going to need it!
Believe this too shall pass.
Don’t look down, only look up!
You’ll walk away a little better, stronger and maybe braver for having done so. :)
We can’t thank y’all enough for your love and support. We love you. We hope our family has been an
encouragement to you and yours. We will see you back for season three!
Love, Kelly and the Bates family
Welcome to the Bates family blog! Gil and Kelly have been married since 1987 and have welcomed nineteen children. Fourteen of their children are married. They have forty grandchildren with two foster grandchildren.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Recap: Hello Dollywood
Lawson and the family are invited to sing at Dollywood's bluegrass festival. Brandon has decided to fly in from Chicago to go see Michaella. John and Alyssa surprised the family from coming up from Florida for a short vacation. Chad's family, Tammy, Abby and Johnny had came along.
Lawson wants to make sure that the family takes it serious but they only practiced the songs twice. The family are heading to Pigeon Forge to see Nathan. They are surprised to see John and Alyssa and even baby Allie. Everyone wants to hold Allie Jane. Alyssa gets to hold her newest nephew, Carson.
Gil can't believe that they have grand babies at three different stages because of the fact that Bradley was born in October, Allie was born in April and Carson was born in May.
The family goes to view the cabin and are amazed to see how big it is. They all say that it's a palace up in the mountains.
Kelly gives a family meeting to lay down some rules due to how high it is. When Isaiah was little, Gil and Kelly had a scared because Isaiah was leaning against the railing and fell several stories.
The kids can't wait to go up the elevator however Kelly reveals that the family broke it after a few hours but Gil reveals that they did not break it, it stopped working after a few hours.
The family is heading to watch the Dixie Stampeded and after the show is done, they head backstage to meet the Trick Rider. Trace manages to get the trick rider to teach him a few new skills.
The next day, the family is heading to the theme park. Callie freaks out during her first ride and tries to climb out of the ride while moving.
Kelly has a fear of heights and haven't been on a roller coaster in a few years. Gil manages to convince his wife to join him on the Wild Eagle and her reaction is like Callie's however doesn't try to get out of the ride while it's moving.
Lawson gets nervous when they see the size of the crowd and calls for a last minute practice. The rain storm comes through right before the family are schedule to go on. The crowd returns and the family does really good.
Carlin introduces the new song Pork Rinds and jokes why he doesn't have a girl. Kelly reveals that it is one of the most fun trips that they have ever taken.
Lawson wants to make sure that the family takes it serious but they only practiced the songs twice. The family are heading to Pigeon Forge to see Nathan. They are surprised to see John and Alyssa and even baby Allie. Everyone wants to hold Allie Jane. Alyssa gets to hold her newest nephew, Carson.
Gil can't believe that they have grand babies at three different stages because of the fact that Bradley was born in October, Allie was born in April and Carson was born in May.
The family goes to view the cabin and are amazed to see how big it is. They all say that it's a palace up in the mountains.
Kelly gives a family meeting to lay down some rules due to how high it is. When Isaiah was little, Gil and Kelly had a scared because Isaiah was leaning against the railing and fell several stories.
The kids can't wait to go up the elevator however Kelly reveals that the family broke it after a few hours but Gil reveals that they did not break it, it stopped working after a few hours.
The family is heading to watch the Dixie Stampeded and after the show is done, they head backstage to meet the Trick Rider. Trace manages to get the trick rider to teach him a few new skills.
The next day, the family is heading to the theme park. Callie freaks out during her first ride and tries to climb out of the ride while moving.
Kelly has a fear of heights and haven't been on a roller coaster in a few years. Gil manages to convince his wife to join him on the Wild Eagle and her reaction is like Callie's however doesn't try to get out of the ride while it's moving.
Lawson gets nervous when they see the size of the crowd and calls for a last minute practice. The rain storm comes through right before the family are schedule to go on. The crowd returns and the family does really good.
Carlin introduces the new song Pork Rinds and jokes why he doesn't have a girl. Kelly reveals that it is one of the most fun trips that they have ever taken.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Bringing Up Bates - Cabin Fever
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Season two finale preview: Hello Dollywood
Lawson gets the opportunity of a lifetime - to perform at the world famous 'Dollywood,' in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. While he does his sound check on stage, the rest of the family enjoys the theme park and keeps an eye out for Dolly herself!Lawson gets the opportunity of a lifetime - to perform at the world famous 'Dollywood,' in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. While he does his sound check on stage, the rest of the family enjoys the theme park and keeps an eye out for Dolly herself!
Carlin's trip to Central America!
We are here to give an update on Carlin. Carlin left for Central America on August 16th and has been gone for a little over two weeks.
Carlin got to spend time with Derick and Jill's little boy, Irsael who is just six days older than Carlin's niece Allie Jane!
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| Carlin and Israel |
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| Carlin and Joy Anna and Israel |
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| Derick and Carlin |
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| Carlin and Joy Anna and Israel |
To get more updates on Joy Anna and the rest of the Duggar family check out: The Duggar family blog
To get more updates on Derick and Jill's growing family check out: The Dillard family blog
September 2015
All about Grandbabies
* Carson
* Allie
* Bradley
Anniversary updates:
Brandon and Michaella's first month of marriage
Birthdays:
Brandon
Judson
Whitney
Birthday covers for October
* October birthday cover
* Bradley's first birthday cover
* Carson
* Allie
* Bradley
Anniversary updates:
Brandon and Michaella's first month of marriage
Birthdays:
Brandon
Judson
Whitney
Birthday covers for October
* October birthday cover
* Bradley's first birthday cover
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