There are a lot of dads in the Bates family! Let's take a moment to honor each one. There's Gil, faithful husband to Kelly and father of 19.
Gil Bates and Lawson Bates
Then there's Papa Bill, husband to Mama Jane and father of Gil, Greg, and Jennifer.
Papa Bill and Mama Jane Bates
Kelly's father, Ken Callaham, passed away 14 years ago but still holds a special place in Kelly Bates' heart.
Kelly Jo Callaham and father Ken
Kelly Jo Callaham and father Ken
Chad Paine is the devoted husband to Erin (Bates) Paine and father of Carson Paine and Brooklyn Paine.
Chad, Carson, and Brooklyn
Zach Bates is the oldest Bates child and now has a wife, Whitney, and two children of his own.
Zach Bates, Bradley Bates, and Kaci Lynn Bates
Down in Florida, John Webster is fearlessly leading his three girls, wife Alyssa (Bates) Webster and daughters Allie Jane Webster and Lexi Mae Webster.
The Websters with Papa Bill and Mama Jane
And even though he's not a Bates, here is a photo of Whitney's own father.
Bradley Bates and his maternal grandfather
Photos courtesy of Gil and Kelly Bates, Zach and Whitney Bates, lawsonbates.com, chadanderin.com, Alyssa and John Webster, UP
Ok, not being picky here, but Alyssa is listed as if she is a child of her husband's. Why is that? He is 'leading Alyssa, Allie and Lexie"...like they're all equal as children to John? Come on now, this is just too much.
ReplyDeleteI thought the wording seemed a bit odd.
DeleteI agree. That sentence should be reworded.
DeleteThe man is the leader read your Bible. You are following a Bible believing family, so don't act shocked when they act like it!
DeleteWhy are guys so mean and picky and nasty. If you can say something nice then don't comment get off this blog.
DeleteBecause john takes care of all 3 of them. That word was ok to write.
DeleteThere has to be a better word than "leader."
DeleteJust curious - when you say "Whitney's own father" - is that her adoptive dad or biological dad?
ReplyDeleteAlso on the last photo he is listed as maternal grandfather, what about a name? Fans know who the bates and duggars are yet their photographs give them their full titles, its getting silly, we only need full names of non family members.
DeleteJim Croce's song, "Time in a Bottle" comes to mind, especially with the photos of family's with small ones. When you're in the thick of things, it's hard to imagine past the diapers, mountains of laundry, relentless meal prep, never-ending cleaning, and pure exhaustion. People tell you to enjoy it, that it will pass quickly. And you think... easy for you to say! But before you know it, you discover it for yourself- in a flash, the kids are all grown up and on their own. You're left wondering where the time went, wishing you'd spent more time looking beyond the seeming drudgery and just savoring the sweetness of it all.
ReplyDeleteI did savor it, and I'm so glad I did. My child has turned out so differently than I had hoped and prayed she would. I have my memories, though, and I know God is not finished with her yet.
DeleteThank you Jesus for these Godly men who have raised such Godly children. May they continue to be blessings and wonderful examples of your love. May they continue to lead and bless everyone around.
ReplyDeleteHelp them to remain faithful and focused on You. Help them bring up their children according to your desires and lead them out of temptation. And lastly father, help me to find a godly man somewhat like these. In your name father, Amen and thank YOU.
Happy Belated Father's Day guys.
Denise,
DeleteWhat a sweet prayer for the dads! Thank you for being so thoughtful.
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DeleteIt is so nice to see not only pictures of "today" but those of yesterday(s). Important for everyone to look back & recall wonderful moments.
ReplyDelete9:42: I don't think that a wife should need 'taking care of' like a small child needs it from a parent. Sorry, but Alyssa IS a grown woman in her own right and that's biblical and Godly too. A husband tends to his wife's needs; a father takes care of his children and raises them in to adulthood. Alyssa has already reached adulthood. I respectfully submit this explanation and I understand that many here lead very limited conservative private lives. We God-believers out here also live a godly life, but give a grown woman more dignity than the wording of that post indicated. Thank you for allowing me to submit this.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the Bates family doesn't know who Jim Croce was nor have they heard this very inspiring, thought provoking deep, beautiful song. It was the last one he released before he died in 1973, I think.
ReplyDeleteI was in college when Jim Croce died, so I remember him well. Perhaps Gil and Kelly aren't old enough to. Certainly, there are a lot of young folks who aren't familiar with his music, even though they may not belong to a denomination that frowns on secular music.
DeleteI don't think Gil and Kelly Jo are old enough to know who Jim Croce was.
DeleteKelly looks exactly like Carlin in that picture of her as a teenager with her dad!
ReplyDelete