Bham Family - November 2023

NOVEMBER 2023

CLOSE TO Zoe Champion

Etiquette Edge gives

kids lessons on manners, gratitude, and more PAGE 20

chooses UAB in order to juggle college and caregiving

PAGE 17

Breathing MAGIC AIR

Author and columnist Alana Smith breaks down surgery for kids in her new book PAGE 25

Family Thanksgiving Traditions

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EDITOR’S NOTE I’m so thankful for this time of year and a chance to reflect on family, blessings, and the past months of 2023. And I am thankful for the opportunity to bring y’all another issue highlighting the best of Birmingham and our families!

I’d love to tell you that I planned the “grateful” stories in this issue just for November, but it was a bit of a happy accident. When I sat down to look at all the pieces we have for you, I noticed a thread of gratitude weaved throughout, from a daughter and student who juggles her studies with taking care of her parents (page 17) to a mom who teaches etiquette classes that focus on character and confidence (page 20).

I’m also grateful for our regular columnists: Ward Williams of Just for Dads (page 8), Alana Smith of Holy Moly Motherhood (page 10), and Sean Dietrich of Sean of the South (page 12). I’m always excited to read their words each month,

4 Bham Family November 2023

and I know you’ll enjoy what they have to say, too. In this issue, I also chatted with Alana about her new book, Magic Air, which breaks down surgery into 10 kid-size steps. I’d love for you to check it out on page 25 and support Alana’s latest endeavor!

I had so much fun hearing from so many of you about your favorite family turkey day traditions. Flip to page 27 to check them out, and maybe try something new this year. Enjoy the holiday season, friends. Happy November and Happy Thanksgiving!

Stephanie Gibson Lepore, Content Director and Mom, stephanie@jbmcmedia.com

ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of Zoe Champion Zoe Champion, pictured with UAB mascot Blaze, opted for college in her hometown so she could also provide care for her parents.

Read more on page 17.

Birmingham Family Magazine @BhamFamilyMag @BhamFamilyMag @BhamFamilyAL

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ABOUT US Bham Family is published monthly by JBMC Media, LLC, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260. 10,000 copies are printed and distributed at more than 650 locations throughout Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

DISTRIBUTION If your business would like to make copies available to customers, please email matthew@jbmcmedia.com with your business name, address, point of contact, and number of copies you would like.

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OUR PEOPLE Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 617-9609 matthew@jbmcmedia.com

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Bham Family November 2023 5

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27

Just for Dads Ward Williams gives advice p. 8 Holy Moly Motherhood Living a life of gratitude p. 10 Sean of the South Thanksgiving p. 12 Faith Southside CEM Church p. 14 Schoolhouse Update from the Hoover School District p. 16

23

Education News from local schools and college students p. 29 Kids Who Shine Leeds High School Marching Band p. 30 FEATURE STORIES Balancing Act One student’s story of strength and determination p. 17

Organization Containing car chaos p. 23

More than Manners Etiquette classes grow confidence and character p. 20

Q&A Columnist Alana Smith’s new book p. 25

Thanksgiving Traditions How Birmingham families celebrate p. 27

Bham Family November 2023 7

JUST FOR DADS

PHOTOGRAPH FROM ISTOCK

Goals One of my main goals in college was to bench press 400 pounds and to be able to flex in a mirror and watch my chest bounce around.

This goal was achieved by countless hours of hard work Ward and dedication, but it was a Williams stupid goal to dedicate my time to. I spent many years in ministry working with teenage boys and asking for their prayer requests. Most of the vocalized prayer requests were immature, self-absorbed, and intentionally juvenile, and I was not going to pray for those requests. In the Bible, Solomon had the opportunity to indulge himself with any desire available to man during his life, and yet he said it was all meaningless. During the past 30 years, I have worked with families and teenagers in some capacity and have continually researched ways to understand and effectively advocate for their well-being. I am currently fully convinced that the goals, ambitions, and desires that our families, institutions, and churches set are shortsighted and not designed for long-term success.

Here are three very important examples to consider. More than 50 percent of teenagers leave the church when they leave their parents’ home.

More than 50 percent of those who answer a call to be saved in a church service leave the church. The goal that many parents have is for their children to be involved in church and saved 8 Bham Family November 2023

from hell by saying a prayer of salvation. We must change this goal to wanting our children to become disciples and lifelong followers of our faith.

As parents, we spend an enormous amount of time focused on where our kids are going to college. We have giant reveals and celebrations when they are accepted and commit to their desired schools. Current statistics say that more than 50 percent of university students drop out or don’t return to the same university where they started. We should spend as much time making sure we pick a school where students will finish, ready to enter adulthood with some capacity and resilience, as we do celebrating their acceptance into a school.

The average cost of a wedding in Alabama was $22,000 in 2022. The wedding day is dreamed about for years and is considered one of the most significant days in a family’s life. We know that more than 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. We should be spending our time and energy helping prepare our children for a lifetime of marriage, not a one-day event.

It is easier to say a prayer than to be deeply committed to a faith. It is easier to get accepted into a university than it is to graduate and start a career. It is easier to get married than to have a healthy, committed, lifelong marriage. I pray we have the wisdom to guide and direct our kids to prioritize what matters, especially when it comes to faith, family, and important relationships.

Ward Williams is the founder and executive director of Vineyard Family Services. Contact him at ward@vfsdads.com.

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HOLY MOLY MOTHERHOOD

Life Interrupted I am covered from head to toe in protective gear. As I exhale, my glasses fog over from breathing into this mask.

I am standing in the ICU, at the head of my patient’s bed, staring down at this Alana 40-something, average Joe Smith with a beard. He is struggling to breathe, as his lungs just won’t cooperate anymore. Sometimes we aren’t sure what the culprit is at this point—pneumonia, Covid, flu, heart failure—a host of things that could make it impossible to breathe.

That is why I am here—to put a breathing tube in this otherwise healthy man. A man who was likely sitting at his desk last week, finishing a project. One who probably has tea parties with his daughter. A man with a lot of things left to do. His life is being interrupted.

I put the oxygen mask on his face and tell him what is going to happen. He looks up at me with panic in his eyes. I may be the last person he sees, if things don’t go as planned, so I have to be one of comfort. He has been working to breathe for so many hours today, and he is tired and grateful not to struggle any longer. Breathing should be effortless—air goes in, air goes out. Usually. I tell him I am going to give him medicine, and then I’ll help him breathe. He will not feel pain. He shakes his head in defeated acceptance. I don’t tell him my real worries, that he may not come off this ventilator. That if this is Covid, his lungs may continue to fail, and then the ventilator will no longer help. I say a prayer for this stranger, and his family.

As I begin to put him to sleep, it shocks me at how much he looks like my own husband. How this guy, as sick as he is, looks like someone I know so well. I stop and ask a nurse, “Has he seen his wife?” At a time when he needs her the most, she is unable to come in this room. I can envision her pacing in the waiting room, with so many words left unsaid, and in a panic about the journey ahead.

As I finish my work and the ventilator takes 10 Bham Family November 2023

over, I pull off my gloves and gown and head to the sink. I scrub my hands and listen as the nurses work in his room. Alarms beep. Masked people come and go. My job is done, so I walk to the waiting room. It is oddly empty, except for one tired woman.

“Hi. I was with your husband, and the breathing tube is now in. They are taking good care of him.

I’m so sorry you are here.” She exhales and runs her hands over her face, something most of us do when we don’t know what else to do.

I don’t always talk to the family. That’s a job left to the doctors usually. But I knew this woman had to feel like she was drowning in the waiting room alone. It could have been me, or you, or any of us. As I leave, I thank my lucky stars that my husband isn’t the one in that bed. I’m so thankful to be spared this grief today.

Sometimes on my drive home, after a bad shift at work, I can feel a wave of thankfulness come over me. Maybe it’s God’s way of helping us cope—a glimmer of light when the day has been dark. My blessings are brought front and center in my mind. My family, health, home, and job.

A full belly. Transportation. And then I think of things that we take for granted, like breathing. I am so grateful that I am able to live another day.

When I get home, I stare at my husband a little longer than usual.

We never know what the future holds. And sometimes I fear that someone I love will be gone too soon. I think that’s a fair worry, especially with what we’ve endured the past few years. And it’s easy to let worries and little annoyances steal our joy. But I encourage you to take a step back. Take a deep breath and fill your lungs with air. Tell your people that you love them. Love yourself. Think of the many blessings that fill your life, big and small, and bask in the glow of them.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 8 and 3), nurse anesthetist, and writer in Birmingham. She shares her writing at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she tackles all things motherhood and marriage.

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SEAN OF THE SOUTH

Thanksgiving You probably didn’t hear about it.

But yesterday, God visited earth.

Contrary to what you’ve heard, God is a big fan of people. He’s a huge fan. In fact, that’s why he came.

His visit was an under-the-radar thing. It was non-publicized. God wasn’t in it for press.

First, he came to Birmingham, Alabama. Of all places.

He stepped into a sleepy hospital corridor last night and wandered the aisles barefoot. He stopped in the room of a little girl with terminal brain cancer.

The little girl was sleeping. He touched her bald little head. She never even knew he was there. All she knew was that she was dreaming of “angels and stuff.”

When the little girl awoke, something wonderful had happened. Something almost too impossible to believe.

Her mother was seated beside her bed. Asleep in her chair. The little girl sat upright. She stretched her arms. She yawned. She remarked how good she felt.

Doctors checked her out. They couldn’t believe she felt “good.”

Because for the last six months, the child has

felt like heck. For the last six months, the little girl has been dying. But today, something had shifted. All the treatments. All the therapy. Something was working.

Turns out, the scans the doctor sent away had come back all clear. The child okay. Not just a-little-bit okay. She is totally fine. No traces of cancer. Not a single bit. This child will live.

“My baby will live,” said her mother.

After that, God went to Oklahoma City. It’s not clear how he got there. Maybe he took a Greyhound.

Maybe he flew. Maybe God doesn’t take public transportation. Maybe he just did the Star Trek thing and beamed himself up.

Either way, he landed in a little town outside Oklahoma City. A dusty town which shall remain nameless, because it is small, and everyone knows everyone’s business.

There was an old man who was suicidal. He is Cherokee. He was locked in his bathroom. He had the gun. He was going to do it. Really going to do it.

But then something warm washed all over him CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF SEAN DIETRICH

12 Bham Family November 2023

SEAN OF THE SOUTH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

and told him, in an audible voice, “Don’t do it.

Rachel drew you a picture.”

He stepped out of his bathtub when he heard the phone ring. It was his granddaughter. She was Facetiming him.

“Hey Grandpa,” said the 6-year-old child. “I called because I just drew you a picture.”

Her name is Rachel.

Then God then traveled to Oregon. The 33rd state. A state with rainforests, mountains, and harsh deserts. God must have taken a pretty fast plane because he got there in just the nick of time.

There was a young man named Rob who was having a heart attack in his home. Rob is 26. He was standing in his hallway, and he was so scared. It’s not every day a 26-year-old collapses in his hallway, clutching his chest in terror.

“Don’t let me die, God,” Rob uttered.

When he woke up, he was in the ICU. The doctors said he had been dead for several minutes

before they revived him.

His mother, who was sitting beside his hospital bed asked what he’d seen when he was clinically dead.

Rob said, “I just met my father.”

The young man’s father has been dead since he was a toddler. He’s only seen pictures.

“What did he say to you?” his mother asked.

“He said something about Baltimore, Maryland.”

His mother started crying.

“Why are you crying, Mom?” the kid asked.

“I never told you this, but your father asked me to marry him in Baltimore.”

Listen, I don’t know where this letter finds you tonight. I don’t know what you’re doing right now, or where you are spending Thanksgiving.

I don’t know whether you’re happy or sad. I don’t care whether you’re religious or not. Thanksgiving is one day away. And I don’t give the tiniest crap what you’ve heard, I want you to know that no matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, God is your biggest fan.

I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving this year.

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To learn how your business can benefit as a member, call Jordan Powell at (205) 6634542, or email jordan@shelbychamber.org.

Bham Family November 2023 13

FAITH

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

A Call to Ministry

Southside CME Church enhances technology thanks to funds from Center for Congressional Resources

BY SOFIA PAGLIONI

Reverend Geraldine Daniels came to Alabama 14 years ago from Houston, Texas, to pursue her calling for ministry. After working outside of the church for over two decades, Rev. Daniels heard the call and graciously accepted. She was well prepared when she began her position as senior pastor of Southside Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church in the north Titusville community and 14 Bham Family November 2023

saw the impact of ministry in her own life. She commented on the church’s influence in its community, saying: “You have to experience ministry to do ministry.”

Southside CME Church has a diverse and active congregation with people from Calera to Trussville who pour into the pews each Sunday.

Southside CME Church received their “Life is Calling” grant award from the Samford University’s Center CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

FAITH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

for Congregational Resources (CCR) shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the nation. Life is Calling is part of Lilly Endowment’s nationwide Called to Lives of Meaning and Purpose grant initiative. Southside CME was able to maintain their congregation by using the grant to make technological upgrades throughout their church, and the congregation began attending many services online. Locals and congregants frequently sat on their porches and watched the church services that were held outside on the parking lot. Of the locals and nonmembers pouring into the church, “Everyone needs to experience worship,” says Rev. Daniels.

The church felt prepared for the pandemic, but they also felt called to use their grant in other ways. While Southside CME provided the ministry of worship to people outside their congregation, they recognized another area of need in their community: Washington Elementary School.

Rev. Daniels had a phone call with the CCR to see how the church could utilize their grant funding during these unprecedented times.

They wanted to shift their focus to help those in immediate need in their community. The CCR agreed that Southside CME can use their grant for ministry purposes. Rev. Daniels believed their call to help the children met those requirements.

“Ministry means getting outside the walls of your own church to help others,” she says.

The Life is Calling grant helped Southside CME church provide technology for students who were attending online school at the height of the pandemic. Although this was not the original intent for the grant, Southside CME church shifted their idea of ministry and were able to support the local school. The church provided headphones and other technological needs to the local students from the school, as well as lunches and behavior rewards for the children. Southside CME church also helped teachers as well by offering them small stipends for staying after hours for tutoring sessions.

“We wanted the community to feel supported. This is what the church does,” says Rev. Daniels. “The church does ministry.”

Bham Family November 2023 15

NEWS FROM HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS

8th graders tour Riverchase Career Connections Center Hoover City Schools District 8th graders from Berry, R.F. Bumpus, and Simmons Middle Schools had the opportunity to visit the District’s Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3) for the “RC3 Experience.”

Approximately 600 students explored potential career paths by taking a deep dive into the world of handson training at RC3. On Wednesday, October 18, the 8th graders toured the different Academy programs and got a firsthand look at the state-of-the-art facility.

They also toured the math and English halls, where RC3 students complete their coursework. RC3 is home to six Academy programs for high schoolers: • • • • • •

Culinary and Hospitality Academy Cyber Innovation Fire and Emergency Services Health Science Skilled Trades Cosmetology and Barbering

Jordan Ward, a Simmons Middle School 8th grader, said, “I’m interested in HVAC work training in the Skilled Trades Academy because I researched it, and people in that field make great salaries. My second

16 Bham Family November 2023

choice is the Barbering Academy. RC3 is a cool place, and I’m thankful to be able to tour the facility because it gives me an opportunity to understand what to expect. I can’t wait to be a student here.”

FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ABBY SOUTHERLAND

Balancing Act One student’s story of strength and determination

University of Alabama at Birmingham junior kinesiology major Zoe Champion embodies resilience, balancing the rigors of college life with the selfless role of full-time caregiver to her seriously ill parents.

In the eighth grade, Zoe’s family experienced their first bit of adversity when her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Then, just a few years later, her father was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—an extremely rare diagnosis that few medical professionals have seen before.

Junior year is pivotal for most high school students to decide where to go to college.

That was no different for the Leeds, native, as

she earned multiple scholarships through her involvement with Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen competition and other academic scholarships. Zoe earned eight full-ride scholarships to other universities but knew she needed to stay close to home to support and care for her family.

“I had a tough decision to make with how quickly my father was declining,” Zoe says. “My sister graduated from UAB, and she helps take care of my parents, too, but my heart was telling me to stay home and take care of them.”

She ultimately decided to take a campus CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Bham Family November 2023 17

FEATURE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

tour because of its proximity to home, but that tour and an important letter were why she chose UAB. “During the tour, UAB felt like home to me, and everything perfectly fell in place somehow,” she says. “I opened the mail one day and received the presidential scholarship to UAB, and that was the moment I realized this was the choice I needed to make.”

Zoe chose to commute from her home to care for her parents. However, that did not stop her from finding ways to get involved on campus and make her college experience the best possible. She quickly adjusted to her fulltime college student and caregiver roles, taking as many courses as she could online. “I love the flexibility with the online courses offered at 18 Bham Family November 2023

UAB,” says Zoe. “There are so many courses I can take virtually. UAB is one of the only schools that has that ability.”

Zoe earned a spot on the UAB Golden Girls dance team, adding a third title to her existing list. “I feel like, if I didn’t have UAB and Golden Girls, I wouldn’t have an outlet just for me that brings me joy outside of my home life,” Zoe says. “UAB and being a part of the dance team has added a layer of joy to my spirit.

I leave things at the door when I put my student and dancer hats on so I can give 100 percent when I’m there.”

FINDING A PATH

Zoe chose to study kinesiology, within the CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

UAB School of Education, because of her desire to be a physical therapist. “My entire senior year of high school, I asked people what I should major in to be a physical therapist, and everyone said exercise science,” she says. “I asked physical therapists and doctors, and they all said kinesiology would be my best route. As a physical therapist, I hope to help families who are affected by devastating diseases like ALS. My ultimate goal is to help them and be a relatable outlet for them and continue living by Live Like Lou’s mission of leaving ALS better than I found it.”

Zoe has continued to stay optimistic and appreciative of the kinesiology program’s compassionate faculty. “Every professor in the kinesiology program has been absolutely fantastic,” she says. “They have all had so much compassion toward me and been willing to work with me and everything I have going on at home. I’m grateful for that. I have been fortunate to have the professors I have had and my learning experiences.”

HELP ON THE WAY

In addition to her school and caregiving responsibilities, Zoe found herself challenged with finding and applying for caregiver scholarships to help her family financially. That is where she discovered the Live Like Lou Memorial scholarship and the Team Hilliard Foundation.

The Team Hilliard Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness about ALS, supporting research, treatments and families facing the disease. The Hilliard family created the foundation to honor the passing of Jim Hilliard, who lost his battle with ALS in 2021. Sam Hilliard, a professional baseball player with the Atlanta Braves, is a co-founder and uses his platform to create awareness.

In June this year, Zoe received the Lou Gehrig Memorial Scholarship of $2,130. The Team Hilliard Foundation matched the $2,130 scholarship, totaling her scholarship to $4,260.

During an Atlanta Braves baseball game, Zoe was presented with the award and had the

chance to meet other families battling the same disease.

“I met a lot of people who have experience dealing with ALS through this scholarship process,” she says. “It really meant a lot to me that a Major League Baseball player read my essay and story and knew what I was going through. People know it is severe and what it is, but they don’t know the effects and what the families are going through. No one knows unless they’re dealing with it. Finding someone who can relate makes you feel better and gives you someone to talk to.”

Even amid the whirlwind of academic demands and her vital role as a caregiver, Zoe proudly cherishes her place within the UAB family. “I love it here and feel incredibly fortunate to be a student here and part of the athletics world,” she says. “UAB is my home. I will bleed green and gold until the day I die.”

Bham Family November 2023 19

FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF KENDALL KENNEDY

Character and Confidence in a Class A mom shares her passions for etiquette and faith through creative classes that teach both.

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE You could say that Kendall Kennedy danced her way into her passion. The Vestavia mom met her husband, Derek, while they were students at the University of Montevallo. (The couple celebrates nine years of marriage this month!) Back when they were first engaged at ages 19 and 21 while in college, Kendall’s mom, Sandi Prater, suggested she and Derek teach a swing dance class for middle schoolers. “My mom wanted us to teach a class for my brother’s age group. He was in middle school at the time, and she thought it was so important for them to learn how to participate in dances and functions appropriately,” says Kendall. “So, we gathered the first-ever class of what 20 Bham Family November 2023

would become OTM Swing Dancing in spring 2013.”

As word spread throughout the community, Kendall—who graduated with a degree in secondary education and taught family and consumer sciences for five years post-college—and Derek ended up partnering with Betty Moss and Sarah Martha Parker to teach the dancing portion of their 8th-grade etiquette classes. “We did this for nine years until they both retired from hosting classes and allowed me to take over their businesses,” says Kendall, who had opted to stay home with the couple’s children, Ellie Graham (age 7), Prater (age 4), and Emma (age 2). “God’s timing is always perfect, and this was a CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

beautiful picture of His provision for our family, which allowed me to step into this role at the perfect time. As a former family and consumer sciences teacher, I had taught etiquette and table manners before, so I used my old lesson plans and ideas along with modern and updated content that applies today, and I began teaching etiquette and swing dancing to 8th-graders in Over the Mountain communities.”

Kendall’s classes, called Etiquette Edge, cover conversations, body language, introductions, posture, gratitude, table and dining manners, how to write a thank you note, and more. Each of the etiquette sessions concludes with a swing dance lesson. Parents are invited to the end of the last class to see their kids do a formal lead-out and several dances. “Derek and I have big places in our hearts for the middle school age group, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to pour into so many of them!”

“My motto for etiquette classes is, “All etiquette boils down to kindness,”” says Kendall. “The “why” behind the lessons we learn, table manners we teach, and even the way we approach others during the dancing portion of the classes boils down to kindness.

In His time on earth, Jesus modeled for us how to love and care for others, and I believe we can be more Christlike through proper manners and etiquette that does the same. Yes, we learn the correct fork to use for each course of a meal and at the conclusion of a class, students have skills that would qualify them to dine with the Queen, but, like I tell them, that’s not the reason behind what or why I teach. I teach these classes to encourage kids to present themselves in a way worthy of the character they want to be known for and to give them an awareness of others through everyday situations where they can respond with kindness.”

Kendall now hosts 7th-grade swing dance through OTM Swing Dance at various locations, though she notes, “All we need is a big empty space—we bring our own sound system—so we can come to your school, church, or local community center!” Etiquette Edge classes for 8th-graders are typically held at the new Vestavia Civic Center but can also be taught in a location closer to where the students are from.

“I absolutely love teaching kids, love opening up my home to others, and I love being able to contribute financially to my family even though I no longer have a traditional job—other than wrangling three small kids,” says Kendall with a laugh. “One of my favorite units from my time in the classroom was baking, so I decided to host baking classes and camps at my home

during the summer. This started out as one camp with eight kids, and it’s since grown to a few types of baking camps for several weeks each summer.”

This past summer, Kendall took her passions for teaching etiquette and scripture memorization and combined them into a new camp called Girls of Grace. “It was for ages 8–12, and we learned lessons in kindness through etiquette while also memorizing scripture,” Kendall explains. “Each day was a different passage of scripture with hand motions, which helped the girls commit the verses to memory. We also did art projects, games, and activities all centered around etiquette lessons. Girls of Grace was the first camp I have ever hosted that advertised the Gospel being shared and taught, and it was so well received! It was a blast to teach, and I am hopeful to offer more summer sessions in the years to come.”

Sharing the Gospel is, after all, Kendall’s genuine heart. “People often ask me how I do it all,” she says, “but the first thing that comes to mind is Jesus.

He doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called, and that could not be truer for me. The Lord places thoughts or ideas on my heart, and it is only Him who makes them come to fruition. Seeing that I write devotionals and curriculum and “teach” for a living even though I was an average student on a 504 Plan due to my ADHD and dyslexia is pretty comical.

I want Jesus to be seen in me and through me to every student I teach, so I continue to put myself out there, trusting that He will be faithful to use all my shortcomings to bring Him glory.”

Practically, Kendall also credits Derek for his help in keeping both business and family afloat. “Derek puts the family on his back and carries us through our busy seasons,” she says. “He helps me clean the kitchen after baking classes and blows up the balloons I use for camp decorations and so much more. I can do a lot because I have him on my team always! We also have two wonderful sets of grandparents whose greatest joy is spending time with our children, and they jump in to help all the time. We have a few girls the Lord has blessed our family with who babysit for us regularly and who adore my children! I am forever grateful to the sitters who love our kids and let Derek and I teach classes without having to worry about what is happening at home.” The sitters won’t have a full house for long, though, as Kendall notes a new phase of life with Ellie Graham. “She now comes with me to every etiquette class and helps out by serving the plates, washing dishes, and organizing supplies. I hope to be an example of a hard-working mother to her, CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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because that is the kind of mother I grew up with. It’s so sweet to have her at classes with me!”

Ellie Graham was also the motivation for Kendall’s devotionals. “When she was a baby, I started to feel the weight of wanting so badly for her to know Jesus!

We were coming up on the Christmas season, and I heard “Joy to the World” playing. The words “Let every heart, prepare Him room” made me tear up, because my greatest desire in life is that all of my children accept Jesus into their hearts. I learned from my own mom that our greatest calling as mothers is to put the word of Jesus in front of our kids daily and trust that He has a perfect plan for their lives. I began looking for a resource to teach the Christmas story to my daughter in a way her little brain would understand it, but I could not find exactly what I had in mind—so I wrote it myself!” Kendall created a 25-day Christmas devotional, Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room, intended to begin December 1st and end on Christmas Day. “It includes daily activities or crafts that enhance the lessons and also includes suggested scripture memory for the Christmas season,” says Kendall. “The next year, I added a Valentine’s Day devotional called The

Greatest Love of All, an Easter devotional, Savior of the World, and a Thanksgiving one titled A Thankful Heart. More recently, we added a devotional all about missions called Mission Minded and a scripture memory devotional. The devotionals, written for ages 2–10, can be found at kendallpkennedy.com. “My hope is to come alongside parents by providing them resources to help shepherd their child’s heart to know and love Jesus at a young age!”

As we approach the season of thanksgiving, the privilege of guiding young children—her own and others’—is not lost on Kendall. “Derek and I are humbled and incredibly grateful for the way the community has supported our business. We owe a huge thank you to every parent who has ever planned a class or organized a group to take one of our classes!

We have always felt so loved and supported in our endeavors to teach kids these worthwhile life skills,” she says. “And, while I believe my lessons encourage positive behavior, ultimately Jesus is the only One who can mold and shape hearts. My prayer is that every child knows Jesus better after spending time in our classes and camps.”

Vineyard Family Services Feeding Kids in Need, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and Helping Families in Crisis Donations help us: Feed children in need and provide other essential items Deliver family emergency food boxes Aid fathers and mothers with parenting programs Support incarcerated families and children Provide at-risk teens important life skills

www.vfsdads.com

22 Bham Family November 2023

ORGANIZATION

The Oniva Picnic Time Brand folding wagon makes for easy transport of sports equipment to the field. (via Amazon)

Car Peace with Kids’ Sports

Fall means football, soccer, volleyball, and more.

Here’s how to stay prepared.

CONTRIBUTED BY HOUSE PEACE The Oniva Picnic Time Brand folding wagon makes for easy transport of sports equipment to the field. (via Amazon) Fall means a lot of things, like a certain seasonal latte, crunchy leaves, cooler temps, and, for many of us, an abundance of car time transporting kids to their various sports engagements—practices, scrimmages, and games, oh my! All of that time in the car probably means our vehicles are becoming mini storage units of athletic gear, and a place that isn’t typically a vehicle for chaos (our literal vehicles), suddenly become quite chaotic.

Recently, I asked the following question on Instagram, and I got plenty of great responses: What extra sporting equipment do you keep in your car?

A lot of you said you keep seating for yourself (folding chairs, blankets, stadium seats, etc.) in your car at all times during this season. I love a waterproof blanket that folds up into its own carrying case for storage and easy transport. It can be used for sitting on the ground during soccer games or covering up at a chilly football game.

Below are some additional organizational tips and a few favorite products that might help keep this busy season a little more peaceful for you.

KEEP AN EXTRA IN THE CAR.

An extra what? Well, that depends on what your sport needs, but ultimately there is going to be something that, if forgotten at home, means your kid or someone CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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ORGANIZATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

else’s kid doesn’t get to play in the game. Things like socks, mouth guards, shin guards, and other safety items are generally inexpensive and required for games, so even if your child said she knows “for sure for sure” that she put both of her knee pads in her volleyball bag, you can rest assured that she’ll get to play even if she “for sure for sure” didn’t because you have an extra set in the car—just in case.

BUY THE NEXT SIZE IN ADVANCE.

It would be super fantastic if our kids sized up in shoes in perfect time to buy a new pair for their sports seasons, but we all know growth spurts don’t work like that, and it’s not unheard of for the shoes your kid wore at the game last week to suddenly not go on their feet this week because they’re too small. To avoid this sweat-inducing pregame moment, I like to buy the next size up in advance so that when this happens, we can quickly and easily transition to shoes that fit.

In our life, that means extra ballet slippers and jazz shoes, but in your life that could mean extra volleyball sneakers or soccer/football cleats.

KEEP CREATURE COMFORTS IN THE CAR. Having one kid in a sport means the rest of the family is going to be watching a lot of games. If your kid’s sport is outdoor, it’s a great idea to keep a waterproof blanket in the car to either lay down on the grass, or to use for warmth in the chillier months. You might also want to keep folding chairs or stadium seats in the car, because forgetting them in the garage means sitting on the cold, uncomfortable bleachers for an hour. No thank you. If you have younger children, keeping some small toys and extra snacks/waters in your car is also important, because a bored and hungry toddler will surely ruin this for all of us. A sturdy cart or wagon may also be helpful for containing and transporting gear to and from the car and across fields. You can keep the wagon packed with all the items mentioned above so that it’s easy to grab and go.

As we make our way through the fall sports season, these tips and products will help streamline what can easily become a very chaotic time.

For more ideas to help you corral the chaos, visit housepeace.net.

Explore the world creatively! Ages 4-14 ONE WEEK ONLY: DECEMBER 18-22 FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

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Magic Air: Ten Kid-Sized Steps to Surgery

Q&A

A chat with columnist and author Alana Smith about her new children’s book

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

Alana Smith, a nurse anesthetist and mom to two young boys, couldn’t find a book to prepare kids for surgery—so she wrote one herself!

Alana wanted the book to be a “fun guide to surgery,” from one kid to another. Read on for more about her inspiration and process!

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how and why you conceptualized the book.

A: I’ve been a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for 10 years, and I specialize in anesthesia. As a mom to two boys, we love books and I realized we didn’t have any books about surgery. After some research, I found that no one had written any books about surgery. There was nothing on the market that would prepare my kids if they ever needed surgery in the future. I was already in the writing space as a columnist for Bham Family and 280 Living, so I decided I would learn everything I could about picture books. Then, I wrote it.

Q: From the perspective of your job, why did you think your book was needed?

A: Surgery is scary for everyone. No one really knows what to expect unless you’ve been through it before. Even then, the anesthesia is what seems to scare people the most. I think it’s even scarier for kids, because they have zero control over anything that happens in the hospital. Even in pediatric hospitals, kiddos are currently given a paper pamphlet about what to expect on surgery day. Books are excellent tools—especially with great illustrations—and I was honestly shocked that a decent picture book about surgery and anesthesia hadn’t been written before.

Q: And from the perspective of a mom,

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ALANA SMITH

what did you hope to accomplish with the subject matter?

A: I hope it’s useful. I hope that anytime someone has a kiddo headed to surgery that they will recommend this book as the go-to.

This book will be a success if kids read it and think, “Okay, I got this. I’m not scared anymore.”

Q: How did you approach the story to make it appealing for kids?

A: I knew it had to be fun. I didn’t want this to be a boring hospital book. I probably studied 100 picture books while writing this story, as I wanted to figure out what made the reader want to turn the page. I studied how the words flowed and what made me as a parent love a book. Some of my favorite books to read aloud are Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Stuck by Oliver Jeffers, and I really CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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Q&A CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

wanted my book to have the same fun, lyrical flow.

Picture books these days don’t really rhyme, so I wanted to stay on trend with that as well. When I pictured kids holding this book wondering what they were going to learn from it, I knew it had to be in the second person point of view, with the narrator talking to the reader: “Psst! I hear you need surgery!” Once I figured out how to approach the voice, the story flowed from there.

Q: You talk about accuracy being so important. Obviously you have the anesthesia covered, but how did you find your illustrator, and what steps did you take to ensure the pictures matched your words?

A: The illustrator search was the most timeconsuming part of this project. I’m in several writer groups online, and I had five illustrators submit sketches to me from those groups, but they just didn’t feel quite right. The illustrations are key to a good picture book, so I wanted to be patient and make the best decision. I saw another book that was beautifully illustrated

by Roksana Barwinska, a children’s illustrator from Poland, so I reached out to her and she happened to have an opening and wanted to be a part of this project!

Q: How did you make such a potentially scary subject straightforward and somewhat lighthearted?

A: Kids love to hear from other kids. I wanted this to be from the perspective of an older kiddo who had been through surgery before and was helping a younger child know what to expect.

The narrator’s voice and the fun illustrations make this intimidating topic approachable.

Q: And your own boys inspired the book characters?

A: I knew I wanted to have my kids portrayed in the book because they are the reason I wrote it. Once I figured out how I wanted to approach the text, I knew my nine-year-old was the perfect narrator. He guides the reader through surgery, as well as his little brother, the brave patient. His handwriting was made into a 26 Bham Family November 2023

custom font for the book, too. Roksana did an amazing job making the main characters in the likeness of my boys, but while they are the main characters, I wanted this book to be relevant and inclusive, so there are many kiddos in this book!

Q: How are you publishing the book?

A: I decided to publish the book myself, as getting a traditional publisher was unlikely with how specific/medical this topic is. I also wanted to have full creative control over the text and what was illustrated, so self-publishing was the way to go. I created Sleeping Bird Books, and funded the project myself up until this stage of the print run. I wanted quality printing (hard cover, dust jacket, and premium paper), so to do that you need to print in bulk, otherwise the books just aren’t cost-effective.

That’s where the Kickstarter comes in, which allows everyone to preorder the book and tells me exactly how many to print. I’m glad I went this route, as I was originally going to print 1,000 books, but I’ve already sold that many, so I’ll be printing 2,000 or more. Once the books arrive in early 2024, I’ll ship out the Kickstarter orders and then the book will be on Amazon, or signed copies will be available through my websites magicairbook. com and sleepingbirdbooks.com.

Q: What is your ultimate goal for the book?

A: I’d love to see Magic Air: Ten Kid-Sized Steps to Surgery in hospital pre-op bays, waiting rooms, pediatrician offices, and in gift shops. I’d love for every parent who is facing surgery for their child to know that this book exists.

FEATURE

Thanksgiving Traditions

Here’s what other Birmingham families are up to on this fall holiday in the Magic City.

It’s the day that officially starts the holiday season, and Thanksgiving overflows with family—and framily—celebrations. Whether you start with a special breakfast, bake your grandmother’s pecan pie every year, or mark the day in an unconventional way, it’s a time for togetherness, gratefulness, and stuffed-to-thebrimness. Just about everyone has “their thing,” and we enjoyed hearing from readers about their favorite turkey day traditions. Read on to learn about the ways other folks in our community handle the holiday—maybe you’ll find something new to add to your list this year!

“We’re that family—we start Thanksgiving Day running a 5K together!”

*Consider the Sam Lapidus Montclair Run, sponsored every year by the Levite Jewish Community Center; bhamjcc.org/sam-lapidusmontclair-run “Going person to person around the table to share what we’re grateful for. The kids’ responses are always the highlight!”

“We order a smoked bird from Bates House of Turkey. It’s the best!”

“Watching the Iron Bowl. War Eagle!”

“Tailgating at the Iron Bowl with our leftovers.

Roll Tide!”

“Thanksgiving lunch is for turkey.

Thanksgiving night is for putting up the CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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Christmas tree!”

“Eating all the pies we order from Miss Myra’s!”

“Loading up after dinner and taking all the kids to look at Christmas lights and get hot chocolate.”

“Post-dinner games! Uno is one of our favorites.”

“We have a homemade “Thankful Turkey” that we hang on the wall, and each day we add a feather and write something we are thankful for.

We start November 1st.”

“Cooking individual Cornish hens instead of a turkey.”

“Our family volunteers together at The Jimmie Hale Mission on Thanksgiving Day.” “We never miss the Cowboys game. We’re not Cowboys fans, but it’s just become our thing.

And this year Dolly is performing at halftime!”

“Our first Christmas movie of the season starts right after Thanksgiving dessert!”

Enjoying this magazine?

Check out our sister publication, Enjoy Hoover.

“Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together while we eat breakfast. It fuels us for cooking the main meal!” *Watch for the Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon & White Band to perform this year!

“We love a good morning hike at Oak Mountain to start the day.”

“We prefer ham over turkey, and we’ve been ordering a smoked one from Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. Absolutely delicious!” *Martin’s donates $5 from the sale of each Thanksgiving Meal to local charitable organizations dedicated to fighting hunger; martinsbbqjoint.com/thanksgiving.

“Millie Ray’s orange rolls.”

“Our entire extended family is together at Thanksgiving, so we draw names for Christmas gifts after we finish eating!”

“Unpopular opinion: We don’t like green bean casserole! We always have broccoli-cheese casserole instead.”

“We eat dessert first. Highly recommend!”

DENTISTRY FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN, TEENS, AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Dining. Shopping. Entertainment.

All there is to do in Hoover!

Contact us today, and let’s work together.

Matthew Allen matthew@jbmcmedia.com (205) 617-9609 Michelle Haynes michelle@jbmcmedia.com (205) 381-1311

28 Bham Family November 2023

Tabitha Jarman Gatrey, DMD

4823 Promenade Pkwy Suite 101 | McCalla 205/230-9000

psmilesal.com

EDUCATION

Jefferson County to Build IB School Construction begins soon on a new International Baccalaureate School for middle and high school students. The new campus in Fultondale is estimated to be completed in about two-and-a-half years and will cost approximately $68 million. Over the summer, the Jefferson County Board of Education voted to accept a bid to build a new Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School (JCIB). The campus will be located at the site of the old Fultondale High School on Carson Road and will house 6th–12th grade students. “JCIB consistently ranks as one of the best schools not just in Alabama, but in the entire nation. It only makes sense for these students to have their own campus,” said Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin. “I am personally excited about what the future holds for this program and these students, who are some of our best and brightest.”

Currently, JCIB students are split among two campuses: Shades Valley High School and Pleasant Grove for middle school. This move brings both sets of students under one roof. “We are beyond excited to work together as a cohesive faculty on one campus. A unified campus will foster greater teacher and student collaboration, sharing of best practices, and a unified approach to student development,” said Lori Lightsey, JCIB Principal. “There will still be a clear distinction between our middle and high school students, and they will be housed in different parts of the building. However, this move will allow some continuity in the IB program and help streamline our IB efforts,“ said Gonsoulin. “We were also intentional in placing this school in Fultondale, as it is a central location in our district.”

Homewood Announce National Merit Semifinalists 15 Homewood High School students have been named National Merit Semifinalists, a school record. Congratulations to the following students: Naomi Jones, Maggie Player, Anna Chason Wiggins, Emma Chiesa, Kayla Warren, Maren Smith, Kenneth Wang, Jackson Kittinger, Benjamin Shacka, Tripp McCain, Mira McCool, John Roberts, Gordon Pavy, Quinn Boney, and Nathaniel Bernstein. More than 1.3 million juniors entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide semifinalists represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. These seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships in spring 2024.

Briarwood Announces Upper School Head Bo Morrissey will become the next Briarwood Christian Upper School Head. Bo currently serves as the Assistant Head of Middle School at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville. He has more than 18 years of educational leadership experience in both administrative and classroom capacities. He will start at BCS November 1. “I am deeply humbled and incredibly excited for the opportunity to serve as Upper School Head for Briarwood Christian School. The mission, community and culture at Briarwood is evident as soon as you walk through the doors and I look forward to joining such an authentic and missional community. My family and I feel a joint sense of blessing and excitement as we join the Briarwood family,” he says.

Bham Family November 2023 29

KIDS WHO SHINE

LEEDS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF LACEY HARRELL

The Pride of the Green Wave Marching Band, representing Leeds High School, was invited to perform at Pearl Harbor. Band director Chip Wise was commissioned to compose a piece to honor three local Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and the band will perform Wise’s piece, “City of Valor,” at the Remembering the Heroes concert at Pearl Harbor in March 2024.

The medal recipients, all Leeds residents, make the city the only one in the United States to be home to three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. They are: SSG Henry E. “Red” Erwin, First Lt. William R. Lawley, Jr., and PFC Alford L. McLaughlin.

According to a post from the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce: “This is an extraordinary once in a lifetime opportunity for our high school band to perform a musical piece that was specially 30 Bham Family November 2023

written to honor our city, our community, and most importantly to honor our very own Medal of Honor recipients. It is a huge honor that students will get to travel to such an iconic and historical place and perform something so special for the Leeds community and to continue to honor veterans who have laid down their lives for our country.”

The Leeds High School Band Boosters are putting together fundraisers to ensure the 70plus band members can all make the trip. The booster organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, separate from the school, so all donations are tax-deductible. Their latest effort is a raffle for a five-night trip to Disney World. To purchase a $50 raffle ticket, you can Venmo @LHS-Band.

For more information or to make a donation, visit leedshighschoolband.com.

Her cure happened Kennedi is cured of sickle cell disease thanks to a life-changing bone marrow transplant she received from her sister here at Children’s of Alabama. The amazing treatments, discoveries and innovations for pediatric blood disorders and cancer happening here are helping change lives for the children of Alabama, across the country and around the world.

ChildrensAL.org

Bham Family November 2023 31

Serving Shelby County Families

WHAT WE DO:

Identify juveniles who are either at high risk for or already involved in substance misuse and provide them resources to make better choices for a healthy lifestyle while promoting mental wellness.

PREVENTION:

Compact’s Community Coalitions educate, engage, and empower their communities at the local level to prevent substance misuse and provide resources to those impacted.

INTERVENTION:

Our Intervention Team works to educate parents and students as well as locate youth who are at risk of, or involved in substance misuse or addiction, and provide them help and resources.

www.compact2020.com

32 Bham Family November 2023

Parent Talk Line: 205-605-1827 • Teen Talk Line: 205-605-1830