Sweet Fellowship: Duggars and Friends (aka the Bates Family and Other Featured Families Thread)

[doodlebug]

42 minutes ago, Heathen said:

When I lived in South Carolina, I knew of someone who had had two sets of twins and was then pregnant with quadruplets. All natural, according to rumor. I believe one of the quads died in utero, but that's still seven kids from three pregnancies (and past time to quit). 

Back on topic: David looks vacant in his wedding photo, too -- just not as dumb as he does now. 

When I was a resident, we had a patient who had a single baby one year, twins the next and triplets the following year.  She also had a tubal ligation.

Identical twins are a total fluke of nature and don't run in families.  About 1 in 300 chance for anyone to have them.  Fraternal twins run in families because some women are more likely to release more than one egg at ovulation and the tendency is hereditary.  My mom's mother had a set of boy/girl twins who didn't survive their premature birth.  One of her first cousins had two sets of fraternal twin boys and that cousin's sister had boy/girl twins.  

If Jill were to be pregnant with twins, she would create more drama than Shakespeare.  Another miracle from Jesus and Nurie would be tasked with planning TWO 'Let's Pamper Mamma' showers as well as shill for a 'Go to Me Fund' to cover Jill's hair and makeup and a glamour photo session.

Edited July 19, 2019 by doodlebug

[Ohiopirate02]

3 minutes ago, doodlebug said:

When I was a resident, we had a patient who had a single baby one year, twins the next and triplets the following year.  She also had a tubal ligation.

Identical twins are a total fluke of nature and don't run in families.  About 1 in 300 chance for anyone to have them.  Fraternal twins run in families because some women are more likely to release more than one egg at ovulation and the tendency is hereditary.  My mom's mother had a set of boy/girl twins who didn't survive their premature birth.  One of her first cousins had two sets of fraternal twin boys and that cousin's sister had boy/girl twins.  

If Jill were to be pregnant with twins, she would create more drama than Shakespeare.  Another miracle from Jesus and Nurie would be tasked with planning TWO 'Let's Pamper Mamma' showers as well as shill for a 'Go to Me Fund' to cover Jill's hair and makeup and a glamour photo session.

If I had 6 kids in 3 years, I would have a tubal ligation,  my husband would get a vasectomy,  I would also get an IUD,  and we would always use condoms.  Just in case, but I don't think we would be having any sex in the next decade. 

[Lunera]

This girl was friends with the Bates girls and talks about their hypocrisy and how much they have changed. 

[Sew Sumi]

Is this the young woman who went into detail about the Bsteses' old church? The stories were so out there that I had some doubts as to their veracity.

[McManda]

She provided a few photos of her with Erin and Michael. That seems like a lot of effort of you were faking, considering there really isn't any pay off.

[Sew Sumi]

I didn't see the Reddit AMA, just read about it on FJ. So my information was about third-hand. They took down her post until she could be verified, but I read the post in my email;it was already gone when I tried to access it directly. I never went back to see if they put her post back up or not. 

[awaken]

23 hours ago, DangerousMinds said:

I hate thinking about this, but when do they get the chance to have sex a lot with all of those kids around? Yikes.

Seriously!  I have way less than 13 kids and it’s a challenge to find an opportunity. But then, we do have full time jobs, and feed our kids, so there that to take up our time!

11 hours ago, emma675 said:

David looks like a 1970's porn star 

LOL, so accurate!  I bet that’s what attracted Jill!  Those porn star looks!  

1 hour ago, Lunera said:

This girl was friends with the Bates girls and talks about their hypocrisy and how much they have changed. 

Fascinating. Who is this woman, and how can I read more?

[sondraK]

Wow.It sounds like the Bates don't have very strong convictions as they claim.One day it's one thing,the next,something else.Just like the Duggars.Follow the money

[Lunera]

47 minutes ago, awaken said:

Fascinating. Who is this woman, and how can I read more?

Old friend of Erin and Michael Bates.

The picture is a link to the thread. Just click on it.

[mynextmistake]

The AMA is back up if you click the link, so I guess they must have verified her story. 

I wonder what this IFBP “bombshell” out of Alabama is. 

Edited July 19, 2019 by mynextmistake

[Temperance]

She's also starting a youtube channel. 

3 hours ago, Lunera said:

This girl was friends with the Bates girls and talks about their hypocrisy and how much they have changed. 

Edited July 19, 2019 by Temperance

[Scarlett45]

10 hours ago, McManda said:

She provided a few photos of her with Erin and Michael. That seems like a lot of effort of you were faking, considering there really isn't any pay off.

Yes  and from what I read so far nothing sounds “sensational”  best of luck to her getting her story out there. She’s likely telling the truth.

[BitterApple]

Wow, the Bates sisters sound like a bunch of nasty mean girls. I wonder if they've mellowed with age or are better at putting on a good front?

Also, very interesting that Kelly was adamantly opposed to adoption. Now we know why Brandon and Michael haven't gone that route despite Michael's fertility issues. 

[libgirl2]

4 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

Wow, the Bates sisters sound like a bunch of nasty mean girls. I wonder if they've mellowed with age or are better at putting on a good front?

Also, very interesting that Kelly was adamantly opposed to adoption. Now we know why Brandon and Michael haven't gone that route despite Michael's fertility issues. 

How sad that they are so pro-life yet opposed to adoption. What do they think would happen to unwanted babies?? 

[Ohiopirate02]

14 minutes ago, libgirl2 said:

How sad that they are so pro-life yet opposed to adoption. What do they think would happen to unwanted babies?? 

It's even worse than that.  They are against any kind of comprehensive sex education and any form of birth control.  I guess they see any unwanted pregnancy as proof of the mother's sinful ways no matter how the pregnancy transpired.

[Misslindsey]

Wasn't Kelly's sister adopted? 

[Sew Sumi]

I think there were two adopted sisters, but Kelly never lived with them. 

[Tasya]

I don't know that I believe this girl...I think she's using the connection to try to put herself out there. Like that they hated Christmas, Kelly acted like she didn't know what Looney Tunes was (she didn't grow up fundie) and that they are against adoption (Kelly has adopted siblings). 

[sondraK]

I think adoption has something to do with the 'sins of the fathers', biblically speaking.Nevermind that doesn't even apply to now.They act like they will get 'tainted' babies if they adopt.

I wonder if they would allow it under certain circumstances.Like if a married mom died and the father felt he couldn't raise the baby alone.Or vice versa.Or a case where married parents died

Edited July 19, 2019 by sondraK

[sondraK]

I think I've heard MIchaela mention adoption;not sure they would ever go thru with it,even if they had the money.I'm guessing Kelly wouldn't like it.Didn't she encourage Whit to reconcile with her birth parents? And maybe her adoptive parents were blown off after that?

Edited July 19, 2019 by sondraK

[Zella]

9 minutes ago, Tasya said:

I don't know that I believe this girl...I think she's using the connection to try to put herself out there. Like that they hated Christmas, Kelly acted like she didn't know what Looney Tunes was (she didn't grow up fundie) and that they are against adoption (Kelly has adopted siblings). 

I couldn't say about the other stuff, but I have met several fundies who don't celebrate Christmas. So, the detail about them being hardcore against it but then relaxing as they became more famous didn't strike me as especially unusual. 

[Temperance]

Josie Bates Balka had her baby today! Willow Kristy Balka was born this morning! 

[Sew Sumi]

18 minutes ago, Zella said:

I couldn't say about the other stuff, but I have met several fundies who don't celebrate Christmas. So, the detail about them being hardcore against it but then relaxing as they became more famous didn't strike me as especially unusual. 

The Bateses themselves said that they never really celebrated Christmas with presents or a tree. They saved the gifts for I Love You Day (Valentine's day to the rest of us). I think they've since loosened up regarding Christmas and do gift exchanges.

[Zella]

Just now, Sew Sumi said:

The Bateses themselves said that they never really celebrated Christmas with presents or a tree. They saved the gifts for I Love You Day (Valentine's day to the rest of us). I think they've since loosened up regarding Christmas and do gift exchanges.

Thank you! I giggled about I Love You Day. 😄

[Lunera]

[BitterApple]

Hospital birth, yay!

[Minivanessa]

1 hour ago, BitterApple said:

Hospital birth, yay!

And, a People Exclusive photo. Nice.

Jessa must be livid with envy. IIRC she didn't get a People Exclusive deal for her third delivery. People merely reposted the Seewalds' own Insta pic(s).

[Ohiopirate02]

Just now, Jeeves said:

And, a People Exclusive photo. Nice.

Jessa must be livid with envy. IIRC she didn't get a People Exclusive deal for her third delivery. People merely reposted the Seewalds' own Insta pic(s).

Jessa was stupid enough to post before being contacted by People.   They are not going to pay you for doing their job.  

[Minivanessa]

Just now, Ohiopirate02 said:

Jessa was stupid enough to post before being contacted by People.   They are not going to pay you for doing their job.  

That's possible, but I wonder if they were in contact with People and got the brush-off, so then posted their own pics. Jessa's had People exclusives before, so you'd think she'd know how that works. 

I also wonder if the Bates, who if they have any Joshgate-sized skeletons in the family closet have so far kept them locked up, have succeeded the Duggars as People's fave fundies. If they haven't totally shoved the Duggs aside, they seem to have joined the party.

[Heathen]

11 hours ago, BitterApple said:

Wow, the Bates sisters sound like a bunch of nasty mean girls. I wonder if they've mellowed with age or are better at putting on a good front?

Also, very interesting that Kelly was adamantly opposed to adoption. Now we know why Brandon and Michael haven't gone that route despite Michael's fertility issues. 

I always thought Erin was a bitch and that Alyssa wasn't far behind her. I very much doubt the Bateses have changed; they have the same awful beliefs dressed in a prettier package. 

Kelly Bates is just as repugnant as Michelle Duggar. 

[Heathen]

51 minutes ago, Jeeves said:

And, a People Exclusive photo. Nice.

Jessa must be livid with envy. IIRC she didn't get a People Exclusive deal for her third delivery. People merely reposted the Seewalds' own Insta pic(s).

I'm surprised Kelton the Klassy didn't grab Josie's ass for this photo, too. 

[lascuba]

Confirmation bias about fundies is my biggest addiction and that reddit AMA is giving me the biggest rush right now. I've always suspected that Michaela was a major bitch. And Kelly being anti-adoption tracks with all the rumors about her pushing Whitney to disavow her adopted parents and forgive her abusive birth parents. 

[galaxychaser]

4 hours ago, Temperance said:

Josie Bates Balka had her baby today! Willow Kristy Balka was born this morning! 

Same birthday as Felicity Vuolo.

[awaken]

Josie’s husband has always pinged for me. 

Willow is a nice name, but not with Balka. 

[BitterApple]

5 minutes ago, awaken said:

Willow is a nice name, but not with Balka. 

I agree. I like the name Willow, but it doesn't flow well with Balka. 

[galaxygirl76]

1 hour ago, lascuba said:

And Kelly being anti-adoption tracks with all the rumors about her pushing Whitney to disavow her adopted parents and forgive her abusive birth parents. 

Whaaaa? What a stone cold bitch.

[Sew Sumi]

7 minutes ago, galaxygirl76 said:

Whaaaa? What a stone cold bitch.

Whitney had the vow renewal mostly so she could have a wedding attended by her bio parents. Her adoptive parents were at the real wedding but were out of the picture by the time Bradley was born 10 months later.

[Misslindsey]

Did the AMA say how old Michaela and Erin were when they made their comments? I mean I doubt their views have changed, but if they were on the younger side they probably were just parroting what their parents said. Gil and Kelly were probably hardcore drinking the fundie kool-aid at the time. It is probably unpopular, but while I tremendously disagree with their views I do not think Michaela and even Erin are bitches. I do think Erin is princess-y, but I also think she has changed a fair amount since she first appeared on whatever the Duggar show was called at the time. If this does not make any sense it is because I have had a lot of wine tonight.

[Spencer Hastings]

To be fair, a lot of middle/high school aged girls are awful. Add in minimal peer socialization, a belief system that is built upon judging others, and a strong sense of entitlement because daddy is running things....you have Michaela and Erin Bates. I can see them lacking humility and making catty comments that they’d think twice about as adult women. 

[Heathen]

15 minutes ago, Spencer Hastings said:

To be fair, a lot of middle/high school aged girls are awful. Add in minimal peer socialization, a belief system that is built upon judging others, and a strong sense of entitlement because daddy is running things....you have Michaela and Erin Bates. I can see them lacking humility and making catty comments that they’d think twice about as adult women. 

How old was Erin when she made the snotty comment about people with green hair? Late teens, maybe 20? That's old enough to have outgrown repeating what Mommy and Daddy say, and old enough to not be a snot. 

Erin is a bitch. 

[DangerousMinds]

5 minutes ago, Heathen said:

How old was Erin when she made the snotty comment about people with green hair? Late teens, maybe 20? That's old enough to have outgrown repeating what Mommy and Daddy say, and old enough to not be a snot. 

Erin is a bitch. 

Isn't she also the one who had a birthday cake for Gothard at her own wedding reception?

[Heathen]

5 minutes ago, DangerousMinds said:

Isn't she also the one who had a birthday cake for Gothard at her own wedding reception?

Yep. And is continuing to have children despite having complicated pregnancies, not very much money, and little space. And she still wears those stupid Gothard-approved banana curls. All signs point to Princess Erin being a true believer, whether she admits it or not. 

Edited July 20, 2019 by Heathen

[mynextmistake]

7 hours ago, Lunera said:

Josie looks a bit like Taylor Swift in this photo. 

[GeeGolly]

Not much of an exclusive by People magazine. All the photos are SM photos. I wonder if there will be a follow up story, with a photo shoot similar to what People did when Spurge and Henry were born.

Josie has always been close to her sister Alyssa. Alyssa is 24 with 3 kids and Josie now has her first at age 19. I wonder if she'll follow in Alyssa's footsteps.

I also wonder how Kelton handled the birth. It might have been difficult for him due to the fact his mom died in childbirth years ago.

[sondraK]

4 hours ago, Heathen said:

How old was Erin when she made the snotty comment about people with green hair? Late teens, maybe 20? That's old enough to have outgrown repeating what Mommy and Daddy say, and old enough to not be a snot. 

Erin is a bitch. 

Despite Erin's bible study,she doesn't apply it.She doesn't love thy nbor as thyself,and she judges people

[riverblue22]

14 hours ago, BitterApple said:

I agree. I like the name Willow, but it doesn't flow well with Balka. 

Oh well, she'll only have the Balka name for 17 or 18 years~

[mimionthebeach]

On 7/16/2019 at 10:19 PM, Ohiopirate02 said:

I just went and looked at some pictures of my 4 year old niece, and Sofie really is gaunt compared to her.  Sofie doesn't have any of her baby fat left.  My neice is slimmer that Meredith,  but she still has some fat.  Sofie does not look healthy. 

When my daughter turned four, she was going through a series of tests, over the course of 3 months, to determine the precise nature and extent of a congenital gastrointestinal malformation.  She wasn't able to eat much and kept running fevers. We had to resort to Ensure to make it possible for her to keep down the antibiotics. At her birthday party, she left the table just before cake, to go to bed. Her weight dropped by more than 10% and she was 25th percentile to start (and 95th for height). Looking back at pictures still makes me weep. 

She never looked this gaunt and sickly. 

[mimionthebeach]

On 7/17/2019 at 10:57 PM, DangerousMinds said:

I hate thinking about this, but when do they get the chance to have sex a lot with all of those kids around? Yikes.

That's where the sister moms create a diversion. Otherwise, I don't think they're that fussed if kids are in the other room (or in the cage in the closet).

On 7/17/2019 at 11:25 PM, Heathen said:

Especially when they were living full-time in that damned RV! "When the RV's a-rocking, don't come knocking"? How could the kids NOT know what was going on? Did they just stand around outside until they heard Jill squeal, "Oh, David!"? 

One good thing about this conversation. It's turned into a dandy diet aid. 

But it could lead to an unhealthy use of alcohol. 

On 7/19/2019 at 10:14 AM, BitterApple said:

Wow, the Bates sisters sound like a bunch of nasty mean girls. I wonder if they've mellowed with age or are better at putting on a good front?

Also, very interesting that Kelly was adamantly opposed to adoption. Now we know why Brandon and Michael haven't gone that route despite Michael's fertility issues. 

Aren't Kelly's adopted sisters also of mixed race? I could be completely misremembering, but given the Bateseses apparent fondness for old KKK leaders, that may have fed Kelly's distaste for adoption. 

[GeeGolly]

[Heathen]

18 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

Some of those photos are creepy -- Kelly's melted clown face, Gil's disembodied head, to name two.