BitterApple

They're on the Bringing Up Bates subReddit.

Josie posted a bunch of wedding prep reels, and she did do Kelly's hair and makeup. She's very good at her craft, because that's the most put-together I've seen Kelly look at any of the weddings.

I noticed that too. She wasn't anywhere near as dolled up as she usually is. I also noticed she didn't post any pics of the wedding (or she hadn't the last time I checked). I think she might not have been feeling her best and just wanted to get through the day. Alyssa surprised me as well. That's the most casual I've ever seen her at a wedding. The family photo was so jarring because the ensembles ran from sloppy (Nathan) to nice but a tad underdressed (Michael, Erin, Alyssa) to getting ready to hit up the club (Josie, Carlin). If Emerson and Jackson weren't in the shot, you'd have no idea what the heck kind of event they were attending.

It reminds me of the God-awful wigs from the Twilight movies.

Kelly thanked Miss Renee, so I'm assuming her or one of her staff. People in the bridal industry work with an array of body types and know which silhouettes are most flattering. Josie definitely got ahold of her hair.

Wow, date I say it, but Kelly looks nice. The blue color suits her and the dress is flattering. This is a rare moment where she knocked it out of the park.

In one of Carlin's latest reels, Bradley is floating Zade around in the pool, tossing a ball. Zade looked so cute and happy and I realized this is the first time I've ever seen anyone playing with him, as opposed to dumping him in a stroller and shoving a cookie into his hand. Layla was eating her usual dinner meal of corn chips during the rehearsal (shocker, I know). The outdoor venue for the wedding looks beautiful, I just hope they have nice weather.

I thought MediCorp wouldn't be stupid enough to set foot in Ukraine, but I was wrong, however from what I've seen on the news, the Israelis are really, really pissed. I have a feeling Nathan & Co. running around cosplaying useful people will get them drop-kicked right back to America.

Judging by social media, the outing was a bust. Layla was exhausted and fell asleep on most of the rides. Zade was red-faced and crying, and even Hailey looked clammy. It may have been better to do the Disney trip after the wedding. I think the kids were tired from traveling the day before and probably overwhelmed by the humidity and huge crowds. I think Zach had the right idea by renting the AirBnB and letting his kids chill at the pool.

It's funny you mentioned rich=presentation. It reminds me of the Kardashians' fancy pantries and walk-in fridges loaded with artfully arranged produce, 80% of which is probably getting thrown away because one household can't possibly consume that much, even accounting for staff and kids. Circling back to Carlin, I absolutely agree she's trying to give herself the childhood she never got to experience. Not only with the spending and the junk food, but perhaps the medical episodes and social media as well. The latter two have given her the validation and attention lacking in the first 20+ years of her life.

Judging by the reels, it looked like a miserable day to be there. Crowded, overcast and rainy. Both kids were tired and cranky.

Donuts for breakfast on top of the milkshake she had after church yesterday. If this kid isn't pre-diabetic by the age of ten, it'll be a miracle.

I had to spend a couple days in the hospital last year and the food was surprisingly good. They had a large, diverse menu and I could check off anything I wanted. Was Carlin not offered meals during her stay? So more travel after the wedding? Thank God Zach and postpartum Whit are around to run the Boutique. I wouldn't want a silly little thing like work to get in the way of party party!

I agree. I will say though, all the Bates sisters humblebrag, minus Tori and Michael. Whit was positively obnoxious over that SUV, Katie vacations constantly, Alyssa is always showing off her pool, and while Erin doesn't have material wealth she has her "perfect" husband who does everything while she preens on her lily pad. It's like cereality noted, J&K took a splashy trip but they spend conservatively in other areas. I know many people thought Kelly knocked them down a peg so the other sisters wouldn't feel bad, but none of them are living poorly or struggling by any means.

Lulz!!!! I was scrolling really fast and read that as "the Bill Gates School of Financial Management." 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I'm like, wtf, how is someone that rich skipping out on hospital bills!." I noticed that Carlin thanked her friend for watching the kids. I know Carlin is an attention seeker, but it's pretty damn pathetic Kelly won't step up to the plate and help with her own grandchildren. She is NOT that busy.

I could totally see that. They probably figured Josie would have her cute little bridal business for a while, and then do the godly thing and bow out after Willow was born. I've long suspected part of the reason Erin left BSB was because Chad was putting pressure on her to be a "proper" SAHM. I know everyone thinks she wears the pants, but Chad is very Fundie. A woman working too many hours outside the home is something I think he'd put his foot down over. Carlin and Whit have the Boutique, but their husbands quit their jobs to be with them full time. I'm sure Kelly doesn't judge that because the couples have that 24/7 "togetherness" that Fundies deem necessary to keep a marriage intact. Josie and Kelton have taken separate vacations (gasp!) so clearly that's indicative of deeper problems (eye roll).

Right?! All Kelly had to say was something like "Happy Anniversary! I can't believe five years has gone by so quickly! We're so proud of you and everything you've achieved!." Short, simple and nice. Instead, Kelly starts off great, the message takes a random dark turn and then tries to redeem itself in the end. I don't know what Kelly's aim was, but the comments about the house, kids and marriage were really unnecessary. I'm not a Josie SuperFan, but I follow her Insta, and she's never claimed her girls are angels, and she's shown her home in disarray multiple times. Yes, she's highly curated, but so are the rest of the sisters. Kelly basically saying "you're not as perfect as everyone thinks" comes across as very petty and spiteful. I feel like this Mediterranean vacation has the entire family shook, lol. 😅

Did you guys see Kelly's anniversary post for J&K? Someone posted it on Reddit and let's just say it's certainly an interesting read..... https://www.reddit.com/r/BringingUpBates/comments/171kf9q/a_lot_to_unpack_in_kellys_balka_anniversary_post/

Good grief, Carlin. Why is she acting like she just returned from the War? She was perfectly comfortable in a private room for five days. What a drama queen.

It wouldn't surprise me. There was a reason Trace quoted them an insanely high estimate to do work on their house. He clearly didn't want the job, which makes me wonder if E&C have a reputation within the family. They made one visit to Alyssa's and haven't been invited back since. Throw in what Evan said about his sisters and Michael never taking the kids, and a pattern starts to emerge. It'll be interesting to see if things cool off now that Katie has a baby to occupy her time.. I think C&E wore out their welcome when they stayed so long for Hailey's birth. Part of that was Katie's fault because she rushed everyone up there when she wasn't actually in labor, but after she was settled at home, the Stewarts should've taken their cue to leave. Travis probably picked up the tab for groceries and takeout, which on one hand makes sense, but I could see him getting annoyed once he realized E&C were there more to party! party! rather than help his wife.

I think Kelton loves having the hot, blonde wife to show off. It checks another box in his accomplishment manifesto.

I think Whit's mom helps her out quite a bit. He absolutely should be, but this is a guy who threw away his electrician training to be a goofball on YouTube. Responsibility ain't his strong suit. I could understand Evan stopping by the hospital for a few hours a day to spend time with Carlin and alleviate the boredom, but camping out there 24/7 is ridiculous. With regards to Michael, it's interesting how she's always with Josie's and Tori's kids but never Evan and Carlin's. I wonder if it's because she and Carlin aren't close or whether Layla's lack of routine makes it too much of a headache.

Evan's mom looks lovely. She should give Kelly a few tips on styling for middle-aged women. Are clunky athletic shoes with dresses a thing now? Because if so, I hate it. I was watching Carlin's reels today and Creepy Pastor was in one, tickling Layla. Something about that guy skeeves me out.

Oh, good. That means they should have plenty of money to settle back in Germany! 😜 It seems like a lot of Fundie men had real education and careers before drinking the Kool-Aid. Gil, college educated, worked at Nabisco. Dr. Paine, an M.D. (his wife also has a BSN). Kelton's dad went to Baylor and worked in IT before God laid it on his wife's heart that he should quit and be self-employed, and IIRC, Steve Maxwell worked for Boeing. Unless Uwe has family money, there must've been another job besides piano tuner. He might be watering down his resume to claim he can't find adequate employment if he's deported.

I think it was at one point, but I can't help but wonder if her commissions are down. Inflation is really hurting the average family right now. Her followers may not have as much disposable income to spend on Dime Beauty and fast fashion. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the Stewarts are broke, but if you follow their social media, there's subtle signs they can't spend like they used to. I think that car is really eating into their budget.