On tonight's episode of "19 Kids and Counting," 38 Kids and Counting...
- On their way home from Atlanta, the Duggars stop in Tennessee to visit Gil and Kelly Bates and their 18--soon to be 19--children. They enjoy riding horses, chopping down trees (the Bates have a tree-trimming service), playing fiddle, and chatting up a storm.
- Two years ago, the Jim Bob and Michelle helped the Bates add an addition to their house as a Mother's Day present for Kelly. What began as a simple laundry room that would be completed in a weekend quickly turned into a three-story addition that took over a year to build! Now, the project is finished, and both families are able to enjoy their handy work.
- Jim Bob and Gil wholeheartedly believe that they are the happiest, richest men in the world. "I know I tease about Bill Gates being rich," says Gil. "And I'm Gil Bates. We're direct opposites, but I'm really really rich, richer in anything that really counts."
- What news does Zach Bates have to share? He has entered into a courtship with Sarah Reith! The two are as happy as can be. Congratulations, Zach and Sarah!
- Will there be any Duggar-Bates courtships in the future? "I wouldn't be surprised if somebody, somewhere, ends up doing something!" says Jill. But she also clears up a misconception: "A lot of people do like to assume that because the Bates and our family are so much alike, that everybody down the line--birth order--is going to marry the person right across. But it doesn't actually work that way."
- "We'll wait and see what the Lord has in store," says Michelle.
- After unplugging the bus toilet and fixing the air conditioner, the Duggars are ready to head out. Hugs all around (even from some of the boys!), Josie blows kisses, and they're off!
Cant wait to see these two special families together again!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful episode! What godly families! They are both an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI hope Michelle gets prego soon or the Bates will be the next ones one Tv
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update! I can't wait to watch them! They are both just fabulous families!
ReplyDeleteLove both families!
ReplyDeleteDo you all realize those horses are STARVED?
ReplyDeleteHips
Ribs
Thin!
Invest in some HAY and some GRAIN and some VET care!
NO horse should be that skinny, nor should they be ridden.
Josie is so cute when she is blowing kisses. She is definitely a miracle! I felt bad for Josie when someone opened the door and fell over. I also felt bad for Jordyn when she fell off the rocking horse. Josie didn't even cry when she was hit with the door. I'm excited to see when the Duggars go oversees.
ReplyDeleteThose horses looked healthy to me. The Bates love animals and would never ever harm them nor starve them.
ReplyDeleteWishing the best to Zach & Sarah, they seem really sweet :)...those of us who follow already know they've been "courting", so, I'm hoping for an update soon (an announcement of a wedding date!)
ReplyDeleteThe horses did appear somewhat thin...
It would be my opinion that Josie may be the last of The Duggar's 19 & Counting, but you never know. Although The Bates are expecting another child, I know they've said they aren't interested in a reality show of their own. I'm sure they will continue to appear with The Duggars...I enjoy seeing them every once in a while and it's gotten me interested in keeping up with them.
I thought that was so funny when I heard the "gil bates" "bill gates" thing. creative! and the Bates are catching up!
ReplyDeleteAh Kelly Bates loves all animals including horses. The reason why some of her horses may appear a little on the thin side is because they were rescues. They're working on fattening them up. One person made a comment on her blog and she responded back you can even check it out on her blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing that up, Anonymous!
ReplyDelete~Lily and Ellie
Love it when the Bates are on the show. Seems like it goes by so fast. Hope they are on more often. Best of Luck to Zach and Sarah and hope there are some Duggars courting soon!!
ReplyDeleteWhy are they riding the thin horses?Why did they not explain this on T.V.Any way it takes a lot of money to take care of horses(I know I've had some)Hay,feed vet bills how do they afford to do rescues, when the family had to be given an addition to their house and were living with one bathroom.
ReplyDeleteIt might those horses have equine infectious anemia(which would be sad).It's a wasting disease and the horses will get thin no matter how much you feed them.All that can be done is to make the horses comfortable before their premature death.
ReplyDeleteThis is what Kelly Bates said on her blog in response to the horses condition, " We are horse lovers too and appreciate your concern. We have 6 horses. Four are very healthy (2 of those we nurtured back to a healthy size having bought them underweight and are now finding a safe home for them, since they have already improved). The two that are currently very underweight, we bought from an auction to help rescue them from bad situations. The thinnest of the two has only been with us for about 3 months. She has been wormed and has already had 2 vet check ups. She is on a feeding schedule along with special supplements to help her gain weight. She has made some improvement already... but the vet, the ferrier, and the co-op have all told us that it will take time. It is sad, because she is one of the sweetest horses I've ever seen. The other horse that is underweight was from an abused home and has gained much weight and is enjoying all of the love and attention she now gets. When we feel that they are healthy enough, we will find them good homes also. The film crew wanted those two horses for their scene because they were smaller and sweeter. We didn't think about people assuming that their underweight size was our fault... Especially, since they look so much better than when we got them (and if you compare them to our other horses, its obvious they're not being underfed.)... but, since the TV audience only sees and hears glimpses here and there, often not hearing any background info, it's totally understandable that people might be concerned... as I would be too!"
ReplyDeleteI hope this clears it up!
Thanks so much for posting that, Bayley!
ReplyDelete~Lily and Ellie
I happen to know that the above statement from the Bateses' blog about the horses being "rescued" is completely untrue and I am completely shocked and disgusted after hearing them claim that. I happen to know for a fact that they have owned those horses for years and they look worse than before. The abused filly that they "rescued" was in fact born on their place from one of their starved mares and it almost died only because of their neglect. Those horses DO NOT receive proper care.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Its about time they start nursing those poor horses back to health imo. They got to be so unhealthy due to the Bateses' neglect. (crowded in a tiny, poorly fenced muddy yard with no grass.)
ReplyDeleteWhat do the girls wear while riding?
ReplyDeletewho who who is Sarah I though Zach married Whitney...?????
ReplyDelete