Josie Kellyn Balka (née Bates) (born August 4, 1999) is the tenth child and sixth daughter of Gil Bates and Kelly Bates.
She is the sister of Zachary 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, and Jeb Bates.
She is the wife of Kelton Balka and the mother of their children, Willow, Hazel and Miles.
Early life[]
Josie as a baby
Josie Kellyn Bates was born on August 4, 1999, in Tennessee, to Gil Bates and Kelly Bates. She was the couple's tenth child, and they went on to have nine more children after her.
Along with her siblings, Josie was homeschooled growing up. She and her siblings were raised as active participants of Bill Gothard's Institute in Basic Life Principles, and regularly attended the yearly Advanced Training Institute conferences in Big Sandy, Texas.
As her older sisters got 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.
Personal life[]
Courting
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, as she and her parents felt she was too young to be in a serious relationship.
In November 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 2018, the two spent a day together in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and at the Emerts Cove Covered Bridge in Sevierville, Tennessee, Kelton officially asked Josie to court. This courtship was publicly announced on January 24, 2018. Their courtship proposal was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Heavenly Honeymoon & A Courtship Countdown".
Engaged
Engagement[]
On June 19, 2018, Kelton 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, Tennessee, 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. Their engagement was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Monumental Proposal".
Just married
Marriage[]
On October 5, 2018, Josie married Kelton Edward Balka at Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, Tennessee. The wedding was officiated by Josie's father Gil Bates. Josie's matron of honor was her sister Alyssa. Her bridesmaids were her sisters Carlin and Katie, her sister-in-law Whitney, Kelton's sister Ariana, and her friend Makayla Landrum. The flower girls were Josie's nieces Allie and Brooklyn and Kelton's sister Kierstin. Kelton's best man was his best friend and Josie's brother-in-law Bobby. His groomsmen were his brother Grant, Josie's brother Trace, and his friends Evan Stewart, John Whitney, and Jayman Yant. The ring bearers were Josie's brother Jeb and Josie's nephews Bradley and Carson. Her sister Erin played the piano and her sister Tori played the violin. Her brother Lawson wrote a song titled "Crazy Love" for the wedding. Her dress was designed by Leanne Marshall. Their wedding was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Bride, a Groom and a Love That's True!".
For their honeymoon, Josie and Kelton spent some time in Asheville, North Carolina, where activities included a lesson in latte art, a trip to a chocolate factory, and a scenic hike to Chimney Rock. They also spent time on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. Their honeymoon was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Latte Love!".
Baby Willow
Motherhood[]
On February 13, 2019, Josie and Kelton announced that they were expecting their first child, due July 2019. On March 28, 2019, they revealed that the baby would be a girl to be named Willow Kristy Balka. Willow Kristy Balka was born at 2:23 a.m. on July 19, 2019, in Tennessee. She weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces, and was 19 inches long. Her birth was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A First Time For Everything".
Baby Hazel
On September 9, 2020, Josie revealed that she and Kelton were expecting what would have been their second child, due March 2021. However, at their most recent ultrasound, on August 25, 2020, they had found out that they lost the baby.
On January 5, 2021, Josie and Kelton announced that they were expecting their second child, due June 2021. On February 18, 2021, they revealed that the baby would be a girl to be named Hazel Sloane Balka. Hazel Sloane Balka was born on June 14, 2021, at Tennova North Birthing Center in Powell, Tennessee. She weighed 6 pounds and 3 ounces, and was 18 inches long. After her birth, Hazel was transferred to the NICU at East Tennessee Children's Hospital, due to a blood condition where Josie and Hazel's blood were fighting each other. She was released from the NICU on June 21, 2021.
On August 14, 2023, Josie and Kelton announced that they were expecting their third child, due late February 2024. She was induced at midnight on February 21, 2024. They waited to find out the gender until birth. Their son, Miles Kelton, was born on February 21, 2024, at 3:12 p.m., weighing 7 lbs 10 oz and measuring 21 inches.
Health[]
In an interview with US Weekly, when announcing their pregnancy with Hazel, Josie revealed that their miscarried baby in 2020 “lost its tiny heartbeat” after they both recovered from COVID-19.
After doing routine bloodwork in the first trimester with Hazel's pregnancy, Josie was diagnosed with an exceedingly rare blood condition. It was possibly caused as a result of having COVID-19 or her previous miscarriage.
During a 'Q&A' on Instagram, Josie and Kelton revealed that the blood condition she suffered from during Hazel's pregnancy would most likely occur during any future pregnancies.
Josie has used an IUD. It caused her to have hormonal acne.
Career[]
Education[]
In Fall 2016, Josie began studying Cosmetology at Crown College of the Bible. She finished her last semester in December 2017. On May 7, 2018, Josie graduated with a degree in Cosmetology.
Cosmetology[]
Josie got her cosmetology license in 2017. From 2017 to 2019, she worked in a salon in Tennessee. Josie currently works as a stylist for her own wedding business, Effortless Beauty in Knoxville, Tennessee. She sells hair accessories on the business's online store.
Television[]
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. Josie was regularly featured on both shows.
Wedding involvement[]
Josie was a bridesmaid at her brother Zach's wedding to Whitney Perkins on December 14, 2013.
She was a bridesmaid at her sister Tori's wedding to Bobby Smith on December 16, 2017.
She was a bridesmaid at her sister Carlin's wedding to Evan Stewart on May 25, 2019.
She was the matron of honor at her sister Katie's wedding to Travis Clark on December 3, 2021.
She was a bridesmaid at her brother Trace's wedding to Lydia Romeike on October 1, 2022.
