Bringing Up Bates: Season Ten

 To make it easy to search this post, I have added a * before each episode title. On your PC, hit CONTROL and F to search. On your Mac, hit COMMAND and F. Then you can type in a * and see where each episode begins.

W2P 301: What's up Sugar Bum?

It has been six months since the end of season 2, and the producer says it seemed like we left Ethan & Olivia in a good place where they had each other. She asks what has happened since then between them. Ethan says he doesn't know if he can do this. 

We go to Micah & Moriah's house, and Max is making Moriah's bed while Moriah does her makeup. They have been together for almost a year, and their relationship has grown. Max came into her life while she was finding herself but still lost. She says this put strain on the relationship but now she is more stable and able to focus on the relationship. Moriah says they haven't stopped kissing since their first kiss. Moriah says that she was raised with no kissing until you get married and not a lot of physical touch. But Moriah says she doesn't feel a lot of guilt since this is what she wanted all along. Max says she is a lot more independent now. Micah says Max is over a lot now, but he is a cool dude so he likes having him around. Micah says they are like brothers. While on the Talking Head couch, Max goes to sit with Micah and says, "What's up  Sugar Bum?" and the producers talk about their competitive streak. They do push up and back flip contests. Max says Micah does win most of them, but Max wins some. Max says he doesn't try as hard since he already has a girl. The producer asks if getting a girl means you stop trying, and Max says it just means you're trying in other ways. Moriah hears this, laughs and joins them on the couch asking, "you're not trying to be attractive anymore?" They all laugh and honestly it is very nice seeing the three of them so happy on the couch. Micah says he is single right now, and he likes that. He says he is keeping things casual while focusing on his career. He's singed with a large agency and has been traveling and doing modeling and acting but also keeping his jobs up in town. 

Micah, Moriah and Max are going over to their parents for Barry's birthday. They're in a better place due to her boundaries and Moriah trying to love them for who they are. Since Ethan's confrontation, too, Moriah has realized that she doesn't want to carry around what Ethan does so she wants to deal with it and more on. Max goes into Micah's room to talk about his plans for their first anniversary. Max says he wants to eventually marry her, but he's no where near that point so he wants to get her a promise ring for her pinky because they always do pinky promises. He wants to try to figure out what her ring size is on her pinky. So the plan is, Micah will distract Moriah while Max and Lydia will try to brainstorm ways to figure out her pinky size. Micah says he does sometimes feel lonely with Ethan and Hosannah married and Moriah in a serious relationship- but he's scored more. 

Outside Cairo, Olivia drives home from a trip and she hasn't talked to Ethan in a week. She texted him, but he hasn't responded. Olivia says processing Ethan's anger for the first time in the wake of the confrontation has really changed Ethan. He's been pretty angry, so Olivia told him he needed to seek therapy to make this work. Olivia arrives home, and Ethan greets her. Ethan wants to hug her for a moment, but she's already asking him about therapy. He says it sucked, he talked to a stranger about all his problems. Ethan says he has a lot of anger and resentment towards his parents. He says he tried therapy but it didn't do anything for him. Ethan says he doesn't want to talk about his feelings, he wants to work on things with his hands to process. Olivia asks about the cars and Ethan says he got it running pretty good. Ethan says he thinks a lot about the relationship with his siblings he gave up for his marriage. He says it pisses him off to no end that his mom used his siblings as leverage to get them to do what she wants. Olivia says being at a standstill is hard, and they really need to get out of town. Olivia says they haven't found a house, so she wants to rent for a year in Tallahassee to see what they want. Ethan says he wants more rural or a small town. Olivia is worried they will grow apart due to this difference and that's where they are now. 

Meanwhile, Kim is making Caribbean seafood stew for Barry's birthday with Isaac and the girls. Kim says almost everyone is coming over. After the uncomfortable talk in the yard with Micah and Moriah, things have progressed in their relationships. They let Isaac skateboard with Micah and Moriah calls her mom to talk sometimes. Lydia is thrilled with this turn of events. She says it is an answer to a million prayers. Kim says she wishes Ethan & Olivia were apart of this too. Moriah says it is hard that she feels like she has to pick a side but not wanting to. Moriah says she still wants a relationship with everyone. Barry comes down and it is his 53rd birthday, which is his old football jersey number. So he wears one and offers another one to Micah. Moriah goes upstairs with Barry and Micah to find it, and Max pulls Lydia aside and tells her about the ring. Lydia is thrilled. Max says he is keeping Barry & Kim out of this, since he isn't ready for marriage and doesn't want to be pressured but also doesn't want to pressure them. In this whole scene, Lydia is in jeans and she's had a bit of a haircut and she looks wonderful. Lydia agrees to help and she is thrilled.

Everyone sits down to eat, and Kim talks about Moriah and Max. She says if the children are in their household, she would want some say in the relationship. She says she prefers meeting families with children and hoping there will be mutual interest among the kids. But she can tell Max and Moriah really like each other and she is happy for them. Moriah says they love each other, they're not ashamed of that and she wants her siblings to see they can do what they want. Lydia is trying to get Moriah's attention to show her the pinky ring she is wearing to hopefully trying to figure out the size. Moriah doesn't notice, but Micah does and Micah thinks she is being too subtle. Micah points the ring out to Max and the brothers start joking about Lydia's small fingers, passing it around and trying it on. They finally get Moriah to try it on, and it is too big on her pinky but fits on her ring finger. Kim suggest grabbing her mother's old teeny tiny ring to try on, since Moriah's fingers are so small. Lydia is shocked because Kim doesn't know what's going on but she is helping. That ring fits perfectly, and they all joke about Moriah's tiny pinkies and now they know the ring size. They do a toast to Barry and Moriah gives him a hug. Both Kim and Barry are thrilled with this turn of events and where their relationships are at.

Lydia is back in her prayer closet thinking about Ethan & Olivia. Lydia was heartbroken by the confrontation last year. Lydia says she hasn't seen him since, and has been crying herself to sleep missing him. It has been hard for her, and she prays to see Ethan soon if it is God's will. 

Micah shows some of his workouts and talks about how it is important to be in tip top shape. 

Back at Ethan & Olivia's house, Micah is there visiting and hanging out. Micah says things haven't been easy, since Ethan & Olivia didn't like that Micah & Moriah were communicating with their parents. But everyone accepts this now, and things aren't as awkward. Ethan jokes his new hair cut is too short and he looks like a french fry. Micah suggests doing a work out, since Micah thinks that really helps with stress. Micah guides Ethan through a work out. They have fun together. Micah starts chasing Ethan around to try to get him to do one more set of push ups, and it is so clear how much Ethan is missing his family. 

Moriah and Lydia are hanging out, and Moriah says they now do that a lot. They joke and talk about Moriah's tattoo. Lydia says she is older and her parents trust her to be with Moriah. Moriah says she was shocked that the family was accepting of her tattoo. 

Lydia heads out again, going to her first job interview at a local autoshop where all the Plath siblings tend to work. She likes fixing cars- she always used to do it with Ethan. She thinks this job would make her happy. The owner greets her, and talks about the job: washing cars and talking to customers. He leads her into the shop, and says, "Recognize that guy?" Lydia and Ethan both are immediately emotional to see each other, and the episode concludes there. 

Welcome to Plathville: Season 2

To make it easy to search this post, I have added a * before each episode title. On your PC, hit CONTROL and F to search. On your Mac, hit COMMAND and F. Then you can type in a * and see where each episode begins. 

Counting On: Season 11

 To make it easy to search this post, I have added a * before each episode title. On your PC, hit CONTROL and F to search. On your Mac, hit COMMAND and F. Then you can type in a * and see where each episode begins.

The Final Counting On Special: "A New Life"

This special ended up being the final Counting On special on TLC, airing on March 30, 2021. Counting On was ultimately cancelled on June 29, 2021.

Who all is currently pregnant?

Photo by Nynne Schrøder on Unsplash

1. Anna (Keller) Duggar, expecting a girl, due Fall 2021.
2. Erin (Bates) Paine, expected arrival in January 2022. 
3. Carlin (Bates) Stewart, due in April 2022. 
4. Katey (Nakatsu) Duggar, due in April 2022. 

Bringing Up Bates: Season Nine

To make it easy to search this post, I have added a * before each episode title. On your PC, hit CONTROL and F to search. On your Mac, hit COMMAND and F. Then you can type in a * and see where each episode begins.

2020 Bracket Challenges: Best Element Series

I like to include pictures to go with polls, and usually I make collages based on the options in the poll. Since this poll series has so many options, it would make my usual collage look a bit cluttered. To me, my options seemed to be: pick only a few people to highlight in a collage, or use stock photos. In order to avoid any favoritism, I've decide to use stock photos to add visual interest to these polls. 

Stock Image Credits: 

1. Week 1: Photo by Katelyn MacMillan on Unsplash
2. Week 2: Photo by James Bold on Unsplash
3. Week 3: Photo by Peter Hansen on Unsplash
4. Week 4: Photo by Andre Jackson on Unsplash

Will They Wed-nesdays?

Photo by Jose Martinez on Unsplash

Will they Wed-nesdays are a weekly March Madness style bracket challenge pitting fundie engagements against each other to crown the ultimate fundie engagement! It is a follow up to Wedding Wednesday.

If you would like to vote in the most recent Will they Wed-nesdays, please follow this link.

Updated Bracket

Expected Schedule 

1. Week 1: Upper Left Quarter. July 22-28
2. Week 2: Upper Right Quarter. Lower Left Quarter. July 29-August 4
3. Week 3: Lower Left Quarter. Upper Right Corner. August 5-11 
4. Week 4: Lower Right Quarter.  August 12-18.
5.  Week 5: Left Side Semi- Final. August 19-25 
6. Week 6: Right Side Semi Final. August 26-September 1.
7.  Week 7: Final Four. September 2-8
8. Week 8: Championship. September 9-16. 

Bringing Up Bates: Season 2

To make it easy to search this post, I have added a * before each episode title. On your PC, hit CONTROL and F to search. On your Mac, hit COMMAND and F. Then you can type in a * and see where each episode begins.

Welcome to Plathville: Season 1

To make it easy to search this post, I have added a * before each episode title. On your PC, hit CONTROL and F to search. On your Mac, hit COMMAND and F. Then you can type in a * and see where each episode begins.

Early Summer Transparency Post

This transparency post runs from March 2020 to June 2020. Thank you all for your support during this difficult time- we appreciate all the kind words we've been sent! 

Wedding Wednesdays

Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

Wedding Wednesdays were a weekly March Madness style bracket challenge pitting fundie weddings against each other to crown the ultimate fundie wedding! Thank you to the anon who suggested this back in January 2019 for Round 5 of Flash Polls! Carlin & Evan Stewart ended up winning it all!

Final Bracket

Summary of Results 

Flash Polls

Flash Polls are weekly guessing polls which run during the seasons of Counting On and Bringing Up Bates. They are just for fun and occasionally snark.

In order to keep track of the polls, I have grouped them into “rounds”. Each round is approximately 7 flash polls. Round 7 ended in May 2020. I prefer you send flash poll suggestions to this form so I have a designated place to find ideas.

SUGGEST AWAY 

Round 8 Start Date: March 21, 2021

After Round 8 of Flash Polls, it is possible that KUWF will host another Bracket Challenge. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to suggest them in this form. 

2020 Followers Census Results

Photo by Christian Lambert on Unsplash

Thank you to all 548 participants for joining in this year's census! If you'd like to compare, you can see our previous results here: 2018 and 2019. But without further ado, let's get to the results.

Spring Break Transparency Post

Thank you for your patience with this one. The last two weeks of March were crazier than expected for just about everyone, and we needed a bit of time on this one. Just a reminder that this transparency post goes through March 18, 2020 and any asks received after that date that we decide to TP will go in the Summer Break Transparency Post. Thanks for all your understanding!

Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta 1101: Are They About to Fight?

Note: This recap will focus on Jessica Seewald's dress hopping experience with her SIL Jessa Duggar Seewald. The other bride and her entourage have been omitted- which is where the title of the episode comes from. 

Jessica Seewald arrives at Bridals by Lori. She is 21 and from Little Rock, Arkansas. She has brought her future MIL and SIL, her MOH and her best friend [for purposes of this recap, we'll call her BFF], as well as her current SIL, Jessa Duggar Seewald. Robin is her consultant, and asks what she is looking for. Jessica says she wants her dress to be sexier, form fitted with a gradual poof on the bottom. Her future MIL says she will have to voice her opinion is there is too much cleavage showing. Jessica's mom could not get off work, so her future MIL is her mother figure for the day. Jessica says her wedding is in 3 months, which will limit her options. They just got engaged a month ago and want a quick wedding. They're both police officers, and before that she was a 911 dispatcher so she bossed him around on the radio everyday. They started talking, and it just went from there. Jessica is excited to get to "girl out" since she spend a lot of her time in uniform. Jessica says she wants the wedding to be rustic, and it will be at a little church she grew up in. Jessica says her fiancé's family is more on the modest side, and her future MIL, SIL and Jessa are worried about the modesty. Jessica is not bothered. The entourage pulls some dresses by themselves while Robin picks options with Jessica.

Jessa says when she went dress shopping, she thought she knew what she wanted but she tried on a bunch of dresses and you can end up leaving with something completely different. Jessica decides to start with one of the entourage's picks to rule it out. It's pretty revealing, and Jessica likes the dress more than she expected. Jessica is excited to show the group. BFF is surprised that her pick is so low; Jessa agrees that this is too much. BFF says they want it to be pretty and tasteful. The future MIL says she thinks it is a little low, and she isn't going back to Arkansas with that dress. 

Jessica wants to please everyone, but she isn't as conservative as everyone with her. She feels like it looks good on her. The consultants decide to put Jessica in the fitted lace dress she originally imagined. Jessica likes it, but the first dress has changed something in her mind. She comes out, and future MIL is not happy. This dress is more revealing, the fitted cut is too much, but the lace is nice. Jessica is not wowed like the first dress did, but she keeps thinking about it.

Jessa says she liked the A-line on Jessica, and she thinks Jessica liked it too. Lori says you shouldn't have to talk yourself into your wedding gown, and Jessica is trying to talk herself into that gown because she always pictured it. Jessica decides to try on more A-line, and they pick one that is not see-through. And the dress is pretty revealing on Jessica again- and she says she likes how the first one is low, but not as in your face as this one. Jessica decides to go out and show them this one, since once they see it they'll be fine with the first dress. As she walks out, Jessa says, "oh, that's the dress of the rack!" and her MIL says "speaking of rack..." Her Future MIL, in a talking head, says she is going to need a prayer and a whiskey for this one. Jessa asks if this is even a wedding dress, and in a talking head says that's not how you should look on your wedding day.  Jessica isn't totally sold on this one anyway. They decide to keep trying.

Jessica is back in the fitting room and wants the first dress again. Her plan seems to have worked, as future MIL says she will be happy with anything after that last dress. Putting Dress #1 back on, Jessica says she feels perfect and she wants to show her mom. They send a picture to her mom, and Jessica calls her. Guinn says it is elegant and stunning. Guinn says she wishes she could be there but is happy to be included. Jessica, crying tears now, heads back out and hopes everyone will be supportive. Jessica shows the entourage and says she thinks this is the one. She is emotional, and says it feels right. She asks what they think, and Jessa says to look no further. Jessa says it is a bout the bride loving her dress, and she was glowing so she decided to support her and cheer her on. The future MIL saw her getting emotional, and knew not to discourage her from having her dream dress.

They jack her up, and she turns and cries seeing herself in the veil with accessories. She sees herself walking down the aisle, and she says yes to the dress. She is shocked that she had this plan and ended up with something completely different. The dress is perfect.

Three months later, in Arkansas, Jessica is getting ready to walk down the aisle. Jessica says it is more modern than people are used to but she loves it. Guinn says Jessica has always been strong and when she got the picture she knew it was the one.  Jessa says she is two and a half weeks away from her due date but honored to be a bridesmaid. Finally, Mr. Seewald walks Jessica down the aisle, and her fiancé cries. The Pastor pronounces them husband and wife, and her new husband kisses his bride. The happy couple seems genuinely quite thrilled and full of emotion when they talk about being married to the camera. Her husband loves the dress, and says it was perfect.  They dance at the wedding, throw the bouquet, and toss the garter, they cut the cake.  her husband says: "I'm glad you said yes - to that dress." Jessica says, "I'm glad I said yes to you!"

Counting On: Season 10

To make it easy to search this post, I have added a * before each episode title. On your PC, hit CONTROL and F to search. On your Mac, hit COMMAND and F. Then you can type in a * and see where each episode begins.

Bringing Up Bates: Season Four

To make it easy to search this post, I have added a * before each episode title. On your PC, hit CONTROL and F to search. On your Mac, hit COMMAND and F. Then you can type in a * and see where each episode begins.

BuB Season 9 Special: "I Love You Day"

If you are familiar with BuB specials, you know this, but the episode is clips from past episodes organized into categories with titles. Each category title will be in bold.

The special opens with Kelly explains the origin of I Love You Day: Christmas was crazy, and to have a family focused holiday, Alyssa suggested using Valentine's Day as “I Love You” day.

“I Love You Day” Eve: the couples have dinner to celebrate with the couples. This was also Alyssa’s idea, but Kelly thinks it is a great one.  From the newly courting, to newlyweds to grandparents, it is nice to get all the couples together. Papa Bill and Mama Jane being there is special, since they’ve been together so long and are good examples for everyone. They recount how they met: Mama Jane was in the water, and Papa Bill hit her with a float when he was riding the wave. Zach says Whitney was the prettiest girl he ever saw and kept going to her restaurant. Zach says he told Alyssa he was gonna marry her the first day.  John says Alyssa turn around and he was so shocked he just stood there quietly. Everyone laughs and shares with the table and it is a special time together.

I <3 Surprises: The Bates family looks out their window, trying to see who has arrived. It is a barbershop quartet for Whitney, and they give her a card, a rose, and they sing two songs for her. The entire family is so touched by the gesture. Whitney says it was the sweetest thing she’d ever seen.

Erin gives her mother a gift, and she opens it to find a quilt. There is a quilt with their grandkids on it, plus a new name: Brooklyn. Kelly exclaims, “Is it yours?” and Erin nods while everyone cheers. Josie is jealous Erin used Brooklyn.

At the farm themed I Love You Day, Mama Jane is celebrating her birthday and they present her with a rocking chair made by Chad with all her grandkids' names ons it. They also give her a scrapbook, and she is touched by the gesture.

Gettin’ All Dressed Up: At the Chivalry I Love You Day, Josie gives Nathan a hard time for not wearing a costume. “The King can wear whatever he wants.” “I Don’t think so.” The Paines arrive all decked out, and everyone is impressed. Erin says everyone went a different direction with the theme. The Keilens arrive as well, and everyone loves the dress Michael sewed herself.

At Growing Old Together, Mama Jana and Papa Bill arrive in 50s clothes, while the younger people dress like old people. Evan and Carlin and Erin and Chad went above and beyond. Evan wins for the guys, and Carlin for the ladies.

Bates’ Dates: Bobby arrives for his first I Love You Day, and brings Roses for Tori. The whole family rushes out to meet him when he arrives. Tori is worried it will be overwhelming for him.

Lawson shows up at the couple's dinner, and everyone thinks it is surprise girlfriend. Turns out, it is Nathan in a wig, a pillow down his shirt to be breasts, and a nightgown. Kelly: It wasn’t no couple.

Trace ACTUALLY shows up with a “female girl” to surprise the family, not at the couples dinner, but he brought his friend Chaney to the party. They met on the ski trip, and kept in touch. Trace thought this would be a good way for her to meet everyone.

The guys sing their Yankee Doodle song from Season Four:

Trace-y Bates-y went to town
Looking for a lady
He got sent home all alone
Because he drove her crazy
Kenny thought he’d try his hand
Up in the big city
That’s where he met Ashley
He tried to turn her country
[Lawson solo]: Me, I’m still here all alone
I ain’t got nobody
But that’s alright, that’s ok
As long as there’s a party
[Bobby solo]: I used to play those chasing game
Then I started thinking
Tori Bates is all I want
And that’s not changing
[All together]: that’s alright, that’s ok
As long as there’s a party

It’s All Fun and Games: The games are always fun at this party. Tori and Alyssa compete to stack cups, and Tori crushes Alyssa. John and Zach compete at a game where you blow up a balloon and use the air to knock the cups up the table.

The piñata which no one can bust is next. All the brothers and brothers in law try in vain to bust the piñata, and so Gil finally goes. He busts it on the first try.

At the Farm themed party, the Bates have a pig calling contest, and the competitions are all over the place. They race stick horses to finish it off.

All Wrapped Up: Everyone loves giving their presents. The Bates do a draw and give gifts to their secret pal. It is fun to let everyone connect to their sibling each year.

At the Farm themed party, Michael got everyone a keychain with a letter from Kelly’s dad before he passed away. That was such a special gift and everyone is touched.

Erin sums it up: It’s all about loving each other, and this day is a special time for the whole family, and she hopes they do it forever.

The special concludes with a sneak peak of the new season: Carlin and Evan’s honeymoon, Josie delivery of Willow, a 40+ person family vacation, Michael set Katie talking to a boy who sent her a pizza, Whitney talks about how crazy the dress boutique is, Gil isn’t the best a grilling, Three babies on the way- Carlin, Erin and Whitney- and a new relationship in the works with Chaney and Trace.