Bringing Up Bates stars Brandon and Michaela Keilen are opening up about their journey in becoming foster parents.
In a new YouTube video, the reality stars confirmed they are providing a home to “two sweet foster children.”
“We have two little boys now — a 3-year-old and a newborn — and we don’t know what the future holds here but we’re taking it a day at a time and enjoying the foster experience,” Brandon shared in the video posted Saturday, May 24. “We’ve been praying for years that God would provide a way for us to have children, and neither of us saw this coming. All of a sudden, we’re a family of four.”
While the couple — who got married in August 2015 — had been pursuing adoption, a turn of events allowed them the opportunity to welcome two children into their home.
Related: ‘Bringing Up Bates‘: A Comprehensive Guide to the Bates Family
Gil Bates and Kelly Jo Bates have 19 children, and for 10 seasons, their lives were documented on Bringing Up Bates. The couple tied the knot in December 1987 and welcomed their first child the following year. By 2012, Kelly had given birth to nine boys and 10 girls, without any multiples in the mix. […]
According to Michaela, the news happened just in time for her grandfather Bill Bates to share his approval and support. (According to the Bates family blog, he passed away on May 13 while under hospice care.)
“One of the last things he said to me was, ‘You need to go home and get those babies,’” Michaela recalled. “I will forever treasure him knowing that I was coming home for that reason.”
While the couple isn’t ready to share photos of their children, they offered a snapshot into their parenthood journey on Instagram.
“Fostering is tender and complex, beautiful and broken, heartbreaking and healing,” Brandon and Michaela wrote in a joint statement via Instagram on Sunday, May 25. “It’s often short, but the love we have for these precious boys is real and deep. It is a privilege to provide a home for them and to offer love, safety and stability in the midst of their story. They’ve walked through so much for such tiny little people, and stepping into a brand-new world is scary and unknown.”
The statement continued, “We know they’re away from everything familiar, and we feel deeply honored to be part of their healing and to show them they are treasured, and to love them with all we have. We would be so grateful for your prayers: for healing, peace, and the comfort of knowing they are safe and cherished.”
After sharing their news with fans, both Brandon and Michaela received well wishes from longtime viewers and friends.
Related: The Duggars: A Comprehensive Guide to the Famous Family
When it comes to the Duggars, the more members, the merrier — which is why some fans have a hard time keeping track of the famous family. After tying the knot in July 1984, Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar (née Ruark) welcomed a total of 19 children, including two sets of twins, and the […]
“This is beautifully written ❤️. So proud of you guys! Praying for all ❤️❤️,” Lawson Bates wrote in the comments section. Jinger Vuolo added, “You two are amazing! Praying for you all as you show true Christlike love to these precious little ones you invite into your home 💛.”
Michaela’s parents Gil and Kelly Jo Bates have 19 children, and for 10 seasons, their lives were documented on UPtv’s Bringing Up Bates. The show was later canceled in 2022.
Both Michaela and her husband continue to update fans on their life through social media and their YouTube channel.
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