Josie Balka

Josie in February 2023

### Siblings

Zach Bates, Michaela Keilen, Erin Paine, Lawson Bates, Nathan Bates, Alyssa Webster, Tori Smith, Trace Bates, Carlin Stewart, Katie Clark, Jackson Bates, Warden Bates, Isaiah Bates, Addallee Bates, Ellie Bates, Callie-Anna Bates, Judson Bates, Jeb Bates

### Children

Willow Balka, Hazel Balka

Josie Kellyn (Bates) Balka is the tenth of Gil and Kelly Bates' nineteen children. She is married to Kelton Balka. They have two children, Willow and Hazel, and they are expecting their third.

## Early Life

Josie Kellyn (Bates) Balka was born on August 4, 1999, to Gil Bates and Kelly Jo Callaham. She was the couple's tenth child, and they went on to have nine more children after her.

As her older sisters married and moved out, Josie stepped up to fill in the gap around the house. She is good at directing and organizing her younger siblings on projects at home. She is said to be loyal, dependable, and encouraging. Although she is generally quiet, when around people she knows she is giggly and fun.

### Childhood Education

Josie was homeschooled. She and her siblings were raised as active participants of Bill Gothard's Institute in Basic Life Principles.

## Family

### Courtship

Josie met Kelton Balka in 2014 at a piano recital, although the two did not connect much. The following summer, they got to talking after a church service and become friends. Later that year, Josie ended their friendship, and she and her parents felt she was too young to be in a serious relationship.

In November of 2016, the two reconnected when Josie accompanied her family on a trip to Kelton's school so his roommate Bobby Smith could ask Josie's sister Tori to begin courting. The two talked cordially, but began texting after that trip. They spent the next semester talking regularly.

   On August 10, 2017, the couple announced that they were dating.

   In the fall of 2017, Kelton asked Josie's parents for permission to begin courting her, which they granted. In January of 2018, the two spent a day together in Gatlinburg, TN, and at the Emerts Cove Covered Bridge Kelton officially asked Josie to court. This courtship was publicly announced on January 24, 2018.

### Engagement

On June 19, 2018, Kelton Balka proposed to Josie, and she said yes. On June 21, 2018, photographer Emily Klarer shared a photo of Josie with Kelton on her instagram account with a caption about shooting their engagement photos. This photo was later deleted, as were comments about the engagement on Josie's account.

On June 22, 2018, the couple officially announced their engagement on UpTV. Kelton arrived at Josie's work and sent her on a scavenger hunt that began in Knoxville, TN, and led to Arches National Park in Utah. Each stop of the scavenger hunt included a new charm for Josie's charm bracelet. At the final stop, Kelton proposed, and Josie said yes.

### Wedding

Josie married Kelton Balka on October 5, 2018. The marriage took place outdoors at Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, TN. Her father, Gil Bates, officiated the wedding. Her sister Alyssa Webster was the matron of honor, and her bridesmaids were her sisters Katie and Carlin Bates, sister-in-law Whitney Bates, future sister-in-law Ariana Balka, and friend Makayla Landrum. Her flower girls were her nieces Allie Webster and Brooklyn Paine and her future sister-in-law Kiersten Balka. Her brother Trace Bates was among the groomsmen. Her dress was designed by Leanne Marshall.

### Motherhood

On February 13, 2019, Josie and Kelton announced that they are expecting their first child, who is due in July of 2019.  On March 28, 2019, they announced that the baby would be a girl named Willow Kristy Balka.

At 2:23 am on July 19, 2019, Josie gave birth to her first daughter, Willow Kristy Balka. She weighed 6 lb, 10 oz, and was 19 inches long.

On September 9, 2020, it was announced via Josie's Instagram page that they had been expecting a baby that would have been due in March 2021, but she had had a miscarriage the previous month. On August 25, 2021, Josie announced via her Instagram page that it was the 1 year anniversary of her miscarriage, saying

'One year ago we lost an Angel. You were so tiny, but so loved. You made us stronger, you made us love deeper, and you will never be forgotten. 08-25-2020'

On January 5th, 2021, they announced they were expecting their second child in June 2021. On February 18, 2021, they announced the child would be a girl and her name would be Hazel.

On June 14, 2021, Josie gave birth to her second daughter, Hazel Sloane Balka. She weighed 6 pounds and 3 ounces, and measured 18 inches long.

On August 14, 2023, Josie and Kelton announced they were expecting their child.

## Resume

### Education

Josie began studying cosmetology at Crown College of the Bible in 2016. She finished her last semester in December of 2017. On May 7, 2018, Josie graduated with a degree in cosmetology.

### Cosmetology Career

Josie worked as a stylist at R&Co Salon in Knoxville, TN.

### Effortless Beauty

In February 2020, Josie and her best friend Grace Rochat, Launched Effortless Beauty, A Beauty and Hair stylist company for Weddings. They also have their own shop selling hair accessories and Jewelry and a Youtube channel where they post makeup and Hair tutorials.

### Television Career

Josie appeared on the TLC show *19 Kids and Counting*many times as a child.

In 2012, TLC aired one season of the show *United Bates of America*, which focused on Josie's family.

In 2015, UpTV began airing a similar show, *Bringing Up Bates*, which ended after 10 seasons. Josie was regularly featured on this show.

## Wedding Involvement

Josie has been involved in the following weddings:

* bridesmaid: her brother Zach Bates's wedding to Whitney Perkins (12/14/13)
* bridesmaid: her sister Tori Bates's wedding to Bobby Smith (12/16/17)
* bridesmaid: her sister Carlin Bates's wedding to Evan Stewart (5/25/19)
* matron of honor: her sister Katie Bates's wedding to Travis Clark (12/3/21)
* bridesmaid: her brother Trace Bates's wedding to Lydia Romeike (10/1/22)

*profile photo credit*

## References

1. ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/about-family/
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.theknot.com/us/josie-bates-and-kelton-balka-oct-2018
3. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/BringingUpBates/videos/856089594558956/
4. ↑ http://www.batesfamilyblog.com/2018/01/big-news-from-josie-and-kelton.html
5. ↑ http://keepingupwithfundies.tumblr.com/post/175126897259/its-josie-emilyklarerphotography-on
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/josie-bates-engaged-162279
7. ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/bringing-up-bates-josie-bates-marries-kelton-balka/celebrity-guests/
8. ↑ https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/pregnant-josie-bates-reveals-she-and-kelton-balka-are-expecting/
9. ↑ https://hollywoodlife.com/2019/03/28/bringing-up-bates-josie-kelton-balka-baby-girl-name/
10. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7U\_0GBduo/
11. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTBPGTEH5a\_/?utm\_source=ig\_web\_copy\_link
12. ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/pictures/josie-bates-is-pregnant-expecting-2nd-child-with-kelton-balka/future-family-of-four/
13. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CLcvA6zLY1v/?igshid=1h93qp36977gq
14. ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/pictures/josie-bates-kelton-balka-welcome-their-2nd-baby-after-miscarriage/
15. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cv8PGYbvJlD/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D
16. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BJRAapmgEqQ/
17. ↑ http://www.batesfamilyblog.com/2017/12/christmas-photo-of-josie-and-kelton.html
18. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BjqmBG4HRFf/?taken-by=brandon\_michael\_jn15
19. ↑ https://www.theeffortlessbeautyco.com/
20. ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/01/zach-whits-wedding-ceremony/
21. ↑ https://www.batesfamilyblog.com/2018/04/more-photos-from-toris-wedding.html
22. ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/bringing-up-bates-star-carlin-bates-marries-evan-stewart/one-happy-family/
23. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CObWGAZpw2l/
24. ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/bringing-up-bates-katie-bates-marries-travis-clark-photos/
25. ↑ https://people.com/tv/bringing-up-bates-trace-bates-is-married-to-lydia-romeike/