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Saturday, January 4, 2014

More Courtship News

We know you all enjoy occasional updates from the Bates family. Over the course of the past two months, two Bates children (Zach and Erin) tied the knot, and two more started courtships. Alyssa's courtship with John Webster began in November, and the New Year brought news of another budding relationship. Michael, the second oldest of Gil and Kelly Bates' 19 children and the oldest girl, entered into a courtship with Brandon Keilen. Here's a photo:


59 comments:

  1. Lol when you said more courtship news I thought you meant another Duggar was courting, or more news about Jessa and Ben.

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  2. SO HAPPY FOR THEM,MAY GOD BLESS THEIR COURTSHIP!

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  3. Brandon and Michael are so cute together! :)

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  4. Yay for Michael!!! How old is this boy though. He has a very boyish face, like he's a lot younger than Michael.

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  5. Michaella is not the oldest of the bates. Zach is

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  6. Zach is the eldest child not Michael.
    Michael is the oldest daughter

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  7. They are adorable!! I see this being a short courtship!
    They will be engaged and marrried within the year :)

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  8. Michael aka michaella is not the oldest of the bates kids.

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  9. Hi! It's great news to hear! But I thought Zach was the oldest..... I might be wrong tho! I'm really happy for Michael and Brandon! May The Lord bless them as they look to him for guidance. I'm in a courtship myself at the moment and I know the blessings it brings!

    Love from Australia

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  10. Isn't her name Michaella? I don't think they have a Michael courting a boy.

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  11. I was so happy to hear about Michael! I am also happy for Zach & Whit, Erin & Chad and the courting couples Alyssa and John and Michael and Brandon! :)
    I love the bates and duggar families :)

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  12. the bates are really out ! are they much older than the duggars ? they seem to be a little slower ! ... however like everyone it's better not to rush and to find the right person . I guess the right person just hasn't come along. look forward to updates :)

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  13. Lilly and Ellie, do you know anything about john david duggar and if he is courting any lucky lady? I wonder when more of the duggars will beging courtships and marriage? How exiting for Michael! So much is going on in the Bates family, I wonder how Gil and Kelly keep things together!!

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  14. I always like seeing a wholesome, clean, good example of a couple getting some attention. We have too many Kardashians and such hogging the spotlight.

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  15. I believe jim bob is the problem that the older duggar girls havent started courting yet

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  16. So happy for Michael. I was wandering when was she going to start courting. They look perfect together

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  17. I'm especially happy for Michaella. Seems like she's always behind the scenes, quiet, sweet, and patient. She deserves to be happy.

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  18. I miss the "United Bates Of America" I understand it not being on weekly but even to do update shows 3 or 4 times a year would be awesome!!!! Love you Duggars! I pray for health and happiness for you all in 2014-Can't wait to catch up with you in the new season....God Bless

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  19. I was so happy to read about Michael's courtship. It is interesting that it looks like in less then a year the Bates will have the oldest 4 leave home. For some reason I can't see the Duggars letting the oldest 4 leave, or oldest 3 girls leave so close together. I've always felt from reading the Bates's blog that Kelly is way more involved in the day to day schooling and care of her children then Michelle. Isn't Jessa in charge of homeschooling? I wonder who will take over when she marries. Jinger?

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  20. How fun! They look so cute together!

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  21. So so happy for Michael! She reminds me of sweet Jana, they are so nurturing to others. Remember everyone, its not a race between the Duggars, God see's fit to the timing of his matchmaking. The Duggars are all still very young.Thankyou, Lily & Ellie once again for the updates :0}

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  22. Congratulations! I am so happy for you all.

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  23. Michael and Brandon are just gorgeous! Best of luck to them and thanks for the picture and update. Any new pictures of Jessa and Ben?

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  24. sorry to say this but everyone might not want jim bod and michelle for in laws or want their lives put on a tv show. they want their children to hold real jobs and hold real lives. you cannot keep your faith locked up at home. you need to go out and live in the real world.

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  25. What a sweet time for them! So excited for each of them!

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  26. I saw the title and got exited it was one of the Duggar children. Love the Bates family though and follow them on their blog too.

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  27. The second oldest Bates is Michaella, not Michael

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    1. You are right,Michaela is the second oldest Bates. But if I remember correctly, Michael is her legal name and Michaela is the "nick name" they have called her since she was little :)

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  28. Watching the show it look like joy Anne had a crush on Larson bates, just saying.

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  29. The girl's name is Brandon?

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    1. Michael is the Bate's daughter courting Brandon,the Keilen's son.
      Hope that helps :)

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  30. I'm SO happy for Michael. She deserves the best!

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  31. Hearing Bates updates is just as fun as hearing Duggar news! Watching the two families grow is just amazing! Congratulations to all the new couples! Looking forward to hearing or reading about new additions soon!

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  32. Ack! Michaela sometimes likes to be referred to as Michael. As Kelly has explained on their family blog. And she is the second oldest child but the eldest daughter. And yes, Brandon is the boy.

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  33. @Angelina

    Michaella is a nickname... Her name is Michael.

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  34. @Anonymous

    Nope, her proper name is Michael... There is an explanation about the inspiration for her name on the Bates family website. I could share it here, but that would be no fun. You can find it under the comments for her courtship announcement.

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  35. @Anonymous
    Her Name on her birth certificate is Michael. Read Mrs. Bates blog and she says it several times

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  36. @Angelina
    Your wrong her name is MICHAEL Read MRS. Bates blog and she will tell you. I think the mother of MICHAEL will know how to spell her own child's name.

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  37. He is 24, and Michael will be 24 this month.

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  38. For all the commentors questioning the spelling of the oldest Bates' girl, her name is Michael.it is unusual but not unheard of. The actress who played the mom on The Waltons was also Michael

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  39. I am so happy for the Bates! They are a wonderful family. Do you know if any of the duggars are courting?????

    Sadie

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  40. Kelly said in a comment once that they originally named their 2nd oldest, Michel after David's wife in the Bible. Kelly was a new Christian then and didn't know that that Michel wasn't a good role model. She figured that out after she read her Bible more. Not wanting to name their daughter after someone who wasn't someone to admire, they decided to change her name to "Michael." However, they decided to name it more feminine and spell it: "Michaela." They were only allowed to add one letter to it to legally change it since she was under a year at that time. Michaela now wants to be called "Michael". Her younger siblings even call her: "Mickey" for short. Also, as for the Duggars not having more courting. I know they wait for the one God has for them. Maybe they haven't found the one yet, but they are still young. They have time.

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  41. @Anonymous

    Or, maybe their father hasn't okay'd the right courter!

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  42. @Linda and Natalie Tell JimBob it's not a race!!!

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  43. Congratulations! Hope you are happy together and I can't believe another Bates child is in coutship Yeah for them!!!

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  44. Maybe the reason the duggar kids arent courting is becase theres no one decent available. Im thinking its firstly because of that. secondly because potentiol courters are put off by them being on a high profile tv show. And find the whole thing intimidating. and thirdly, because they are travelling more than being at home! why build a fancy home if you end up practically living out of a bus and other peoples homes? I used to like the Duggars more than the bates. but now i see the bates have more sense to live a quiet life out of the limelight and allow their kids to live in a normal setting. The Duggars spent time spreading their lives across the world. now they are running out of ideas for the show and its clear its time it ended and did only the occasional special. let their kids grow up in something that doesnt move.

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  45. @Anonymous
    I agree with you. I think "ministry mindset" has become code for "willing to be on the show". I think it would be quite intimidating to sign up to be a famous in-law. Anna stepped into the role beautifully though I must say.

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  46. oh but its not just pressure on prospective future in laws and courters...I think the duggar kids, especially the girls have so much pressure on themselves due to the world watching them grow and live their lives. People want something exciting on the show; they want world tours, weddings, baby anouncements, etc...which are not all bad things, they're great, but sometimes I think we're...idk what the word is...maybe a tad selfish to want all these things from the duggars. I don't mean to start an argument though, just my small opinion.

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  47. I just have this deep seeded feeling that the show will be cancelled if its not a ratings bonanza this season. If thats the case then i hope we have the occasional specials and updates. After all the years of loyal viewership and truly caring for this family it would be an absolute shame for them to just fall off the map forever after all the time and care we have invested in this wonderful family, i pray that it doesnt happen. Godspeed!

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  48. Anonymous 49 spoke about the Duggars travel schedule. Exactly how much time does thei family spend on the road? I don't ask to judge or criticize, I'm just curious if anyone knows. Thanks

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  49. I know you probably get a lot of comments about this, but you forgot the la on Michaella'a name..... Micheal and Brandon just looks wrong...

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  50. Her given name is actually Michael...

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  51. yay for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  52. Michael has been used before. I remember the wonderful actress Michael Learned from the "Walton's Show." I thought it was a really cool name. It also had a wonderful Christian family message and their kids kept in close touch on their mountain with their family in adulthood.

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  53. Yay for the Bates. The Bates kids are just leaving left and right. Kelly just confirmed that Alyssa just got engaged to her beau John Webster. Kelly said she's waiting for pictures.

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  54. Hey everybody. Yay for the Bates i suspected she would be next!!! Stopped by the bates site because she has Zach and Whitney's wedding pictures up and she confirmed that Alyssa and John are engaged to.

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