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The Bates Family

@thebatesfam

1984

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515.5K

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Only one life will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last ✝️

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Congrats to Tennessee Standard (Trace & Warden) & Scully Mane (Trace) on winning the championship games! 🏈👏 by @thebatesfam

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10

a day ago

Happy 5th Birthday, Jadon! Your name means “God has heard; thankful.” In Nehemiah 3:7, Jadon was one of the men that helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Carl means “Free man.” Both names are a picture of God’s grace in our lives- a picture of Him hearing our prayer, a picture of all that we should be grateful for as a result, & a picture of the freedom He brings us when He washes away our sin & gives us eternal life, hope, & purpose! I’m so blessed that God gave me a grandson with such a powerful name & such a sweet personality to constantly remind me of His goodness. Your adorable shyness, your precious smile, your gentleness, your excitement, your joyfulness, your heart- it all is a gift that shows us over again & again all that we have to be thankful for wrapped up in a little cutie pie that we get to love & treasure as you grow up! I hope your birthday leaves you just as happy as you make all of us feel! by @thebatesfam

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2 days ago

Happy 2nd Birthday, Slade! I can’t stop smiling as I’m picturing your little blond hair running past me to find some new adventure on the other side of the room. You have no problem keeping up with your older siblings- exploring, playing, climbing, & roaming about. You’re so full of energy & excitement! You’re strong & tough, yet so gentle & easy going! You’re easily entertained & always happy. You have a boundless supply of enthusiasm & joy! Hearing you echoing “Happy Birthday” every time we greeted you today had me laughing so much! Thank you for spending your birthday evening with us! I’ll treasure these memories! Love you, little fellow! 🎈❤️ by @thebatesfam

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11 days ago

Recital memories… every recital Layla gets even more excited than the previous year and watching the joy on her face is such a worthwhile reward. Seeing a little one growing up & pursuing dreams, learning, laughing, & loving the process is a priceless treasure! These memories will stay stored in our hearts! ❤️🧑‍🩰 by @thebatesfam

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15 days ago

Happy 7th Anniversary, Carlin & Evan! These 7 years have certainly flown by with all of the joys & laughs & memories made. You’ve shared so much together- from new jobs, new houses, new babies, & new adventures to sicknesses, loss of loved ones (a grandmother & a grandfather), & many other sorrows that life brings - but through every smile and every tear you’ve weathered each new experience with Christ at the center and with love in your hearts. You’ve grown closer, wiser, & more grateful each step of the way. You’ve been a wonderful example of a sweet home & a beautiful relationship. You’ve been both happy and humble. You’ve been fun & spontaneous, yet responsible & thoughtful. You’ve shown your dedication & devotion through your marriage, your parenting, your career, & your Christian life. You’re young, but you’ve both learned & experienced so much more than most people ever will, & you’ve done it all side by side, as such a dynamic duo! I hope you have a perfect day celebrating all these priceless memories! by @thebatesfam

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15 days ago

Happy 23rd Birthday, Warden! Your name Warden means “Guardian, caretaker, watchman” so added with your middle name Justice; it means “A watchman for justice!” Dad was so in love with that name & the purpose and vision behind it. It’s not a very common name; in fact the internet says that only 300-350 boys in the US have ever been recorded to have been given that name. And in the year you were born in 2003, there were fewer than 5 boys in the US with that name. There is even a strong possibility that you were the only one, since the exact number of people is not released if the number is below 5 people with that name. That means your name is extremely rare. And to be honest, I feel like having a son like you- with all of your personality & talent & giant heart is just as equally rare! You are a treasure- a gift from God in every sense of that description!You’re diligent, skilled, athletic, kind, giving, selfless, & fun. You make friends easily, & you fit into any group, in any setting, feeling at home & making everyone else feel at home. I am so thankful for you (& proud); you’ve brought me such joy! I’m missing your special day today, but Janey & I are sending lots of hugs & kisses, & I’m hoping this is the best birthday yet! ❤️🎉🎁🎈 by @thebatesfam

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21 days ago

Happy 11th Birthday, Charles! What an impressive young gentleman you are: quiet, polite, thoughtful, gentle, eager to help, diligent, kind. It always brings me such joy to see what an enthusiastic worker & helper you are… to watch you play with Henry & the other siblings, while loving every minute of it… to see you bringing your mom handmade cards… to see your bright smile… to listen to you play the piano so beautifully… to read your impressive school writings… to listen to you quote your verses & sing church specials… to hear you being so grateful for every little detail… to watch you growing up into such a godly, wise person! You act years above your age! I love you so much, & am so immensely proud of you! by @thebatesfam

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a month ago

So many of our best memories were with Papa Bill! It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we said goodbye, but our hearts will be forever reminded of all the love & happy moments we shared together! by @thebatesfam

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a month ago

Happy Anniversary, Lawson & Tiffany! I’m so grateful for both of you! Four years of marriage has literally flown by, & I’ve been so happy to have been a part of so many of your big moments! From celebrations like my precious grandsons’ births to fun visits & trips together, I enjoy every second I get to spend with you both! You are two of the most encouraging & supportive people I know. Your enthusiasm, flexibility, availability, positivity, & loyalty is impressive & inspiring. Your smiles are contagious. And when you enter a room, the mood changes… & the party begins! I’m so thankful for your love, your thoughtfulness, your involvement, & your words of wisdom & life! You’re my travel buddies, my friends, my family, my heart… I love you both and am looking forward to watching you celebrate so many more years together, so many more trips around the sun together! Hope your day is filled with wonderful memories together & even better future plans to come! by @thebatesfam

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a month ago

I want to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all of the sweet moms who constantly dedicate their time & energy to pouring over little ones that become their priorities & their dreams! And I’m also saying a heartfelt prayer for all of those who have longed to experience motherhood, or to those who have had to say an earthly “goodbye” to a child- for those who are grieving & who feel a void where a child’s smile should be, I’m wishing for you to experience the hope & love & peace that only Christ can bring! 🙏As I was sitting & thinking about this holiday, I realized that once someone is gone, you miss them more than you ever knew you could. Reminiscing about my own mom, I’m fully aware that I had so much to be grateful for. Though none of us are perfect, she was amazing in too many ways to even count. Like most young kids, I didn’t truly appreciate all that she did. I often had unrealistic expectations. Yet, when I become a mother myself, I understood that motherhood is certainly no easy task, & the older I’ve gotten (& now that my mom is in heaven), I’ve come to have an even greater awareness of just how much I had to be thankful for as a child. I only wish I had verbalized that more to my mom. I wish I had said more, done more, given more, enjoyed more… We never know how much time we have, so a little piece of advice: take time to show your mom how much you care! How I’d give anything to be able to take advantage of that opportunity with my mom! Make the most of this holiday & enjoy quality time with those you love! ❤️ by @thebatesfam

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a month ago

Happy Birthday, Erin! I feel like we blinked, & you were grown. Now I’m looking at all these old photo albums & reminiscing about all the sweet memories! Even your name is special. The spiritual meaning of Erin means “Peace & tranquility.” Its actual meaning, though, is “Ireland. ” (And I think it’s neat that you chose Ireland for your honeymoon!) One site said it means “poetic & romantic.” We actually had 3 names picked in our top choices, & we were close to using one of the other names: Lindsay or Whitney, but we couldn’t have picked a more fitting name- peaceful, romantic, poetic…. You’re all of that and so much more! You’re certainly “old-school,” in such a wholesome, endearing way- calm, balanced, gentle, kind, creative, sentimental, devoted, passionate, & inspiring. Your middle name Elise means “oath of God,” fitting as well, since you’ve always been such a huge role model to me spiritually- wise beyond your years! When I talk with you, I feel refreshed, encouraged & motivated to grow in my faith & in my walk with the Lord. You’re consistent, faithful, patient, & so mature! I’m overly thankful for your example, & if I could be half of the Christian, mother, & wife you are then I would be making huge strides in life! You’re such a blessing to me, & I love you immensely! 🥰 by @thebatesfam

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a month ago

So incredibly thankful for this special day to celebrate Warden’s & Kaybrie’s engagement! We’re beyond thrilled to see the smiles they’ve brought each other, & we’ve already all fallen in love with Kaybrie’s sweet, fun, enthusiastic personality! Couldn’t feel more blessed! 💞 by @thebatesfam

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a month ago