Hope and Orange Tissues
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June 2017
*Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital is owned, in part, by physicians.
“From my initial consultation to my follow up appointments and everywhere in between, Dr. Stacey, his staff, and nurses were knowledgeable, thorough, and supportive. I am confident that I received the highest quality of care, and through his excellent skill, was able to achieve my desired look with an amazing result!” I really can’t say enough wonderful things about Dr. Stacey and his team. From day one I was made to feel completely at ease and confident that I was in the best hands!
Brooke, 37 Mommy Makeover, Cosmetic Surgery Patient
D. Heath Stacey, MD
J. Alex Kelamis, MD
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At Pediatric Dental Associates and Orthodontics you’ll discover that we go the extra mile for our patients! From the moment you see our office, you’ll know what we mean. We have a fully themed environment that is comforting and fun for your children. We offer preventive, restorative, and orthodontic services for kids ages 0-18. We also specialize in dental care for children with special needs.
1607 E. Rainforest Rd. Fayetteville, AR 72703
801 SW Regional Airport Blvd. Bentonville, AR 72712
Fayetteville: 479-582-0600
Bentonville: 479-268-5000
#brushflossrepeat
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We accept all insurances and we are in-network with Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, ARKids, Delta Dental Smiles, and MCNA. June 2018
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The
Family KIMBERLY ENDERLE Editor-in-Chief editor@peekaboonwa.com | 479-957-0532
JONATHON ENDERLE Creative Director jon@peekaboonwa.com | 479-586-3890
Kim and Jonathon with Gwen, Holden, Grant and Ava Enderle. PHOTO BY ASHLEY MURPHY IMAGES
FRANCES WILSON Assistant Editor
DISTRIBUTION/ CIRCULATION Joyce Whitaker Judy Evans Marcedalia Salinas
Jeremy Whitaker Michelle Dodson
BEN LACY Dad’s View
Columnist
Peekaboo Publications PO Box 1036 Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 Please send inquiries to: editor@peekaboonwa.com or call 479-957-0532 www.peekaboonwa.com Peekaboo may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine.
PEEKABOO Northwest Arkansas accepts writing contributions
6 June 2018
MEAGAN RUFFING Columnist
DAVID HOVEY Story Design
When children need medical attention, they deserve special treatment. And Northwest Pediatric Convenient Care is here to help. A team of skilled providers will deliver the care your child needs in a comforting environment designed just for kids. If your child needs care fast, come see us. To learn more, visit NW-Physicians.com. Monday - Friday: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
479-751-2522 3057 Springdale Ave. Springdale, AR 72762
HERE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR KIDS
DAY AND NIGHT.
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Whether you need prenatal care, an annual preventive exam, or gynecological screenings, Willow Creek Women’s Clinic is here for you. We also provide family planning and postpartum care as well as gynecological services for adolescents. Call 479-757-1730 to ask about same-day appointments. Or, visit NW-Physicians.com.
Alexis McCollum, M.D. Board-Certified OB/GYN
Serena Pierson, M.D. Board-Certified OB/GYN
4301 Greathouse Springs Rd., Suite 100 Johnson, AR 72762
DEDICATED TO WOMEN’S UNIQUE NEEDS AT
EVERY STAGE OF LIFE.
Members of the Medical Staff at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital.
Working together. We think that’s the key to better health care for you and your family. And now the doctors and specialists at Northwest Health and Mayo Clinic are joining forces. We will work together to resolve your hard-to-solve medical problems and to find better answers. For you that means peace of mind, and access to the finest medical knowledge available. Right here at home and at no additional cost. Northwest Health and Mayo Clinic. Working together. Working for you.
To find out more, visit NorthwestHealth.com
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JUNE 2018
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56 On the Cover: Theodore Orfan, age 3, son of Emily and Chris Orfan. Cave Springs. Photos by: Lazer Lee Photography lazerleephotography.com 10 June 2018
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Hope and Orange Tissues by: Emily Orfan
Hope for Addy Joy: Fighting DIPG by: Matt Sooter
Northwest Arkansas Championship: Where Northwest Arkansas Shines The Little Moments by: Julie Driver Grau
Creating the Ideal Clinic By: Dr. Joel Fankhauser
Dad’s View with Ben Lacy
Fun for Father’s Day with Meagan Ruffing
The Adoptive Mom with Alex Fittin
When Hearts Change, Violence Stops by: Alene Betts
Dr. Billingsley Goes Above & Beyond in Helping Eye Patient One Man Book Club by: Dan Grover
Happy Father’s Day, Dads of NWA!
Cover Sponsored by: Northwest Health www.northwesthealth.com
No matter how small, every EMERGENCY is a
BIG DEAL Arkansas Children’s Northwest is the only pediatric emergency department in the region.
ER Open
24/7
Pediatric Experts
Fast Access
Kid-Sized Care
archildrens.org/emergency (479) 725-6977 2601 Gene George Blvd., Springdale, AR 72762 In Springdale across from Arvest Ballpark, Don Tyson Pkwy. Exit 70
Peace of Mind
If you have a story to share, or an idea for a story, email editor@peekaboonwa.com and be a part of the Peekaboo family!
From the Editor
HERE IS A LOOK AHEAD! _____________________________ JULY is about all things summer! Summer safety, summer fun, and even your kids’ favorite friends their furry friends! AUGUST welcomes students and teachers back to school and gives readers a look at all the great school options around the area!
A
m I a snowflake parent? What does that even mean and why am I referencing snow in the heat of summer?
According to scientists, the probability of finding two identical snowflakes is almost impossible. The idea that everyone is like a snowflake is referenced throughout our childhood when being reminded that we are unique and that no one is exactly like us. Each of us are special and like a snowflake, completely different from the rest. As a kid it is empowering and uplifting to be reminded that we are made just like nature’s most beautiful creation and never duplicated. On the other hand, after becoming a parent, the thought of being a “snowflake parent” was terrifying. If my experience as a parent was unlike anyone else’s, if the emotions I was feeling were rare, and the struggles and chaos and learning curve were on a path never traveled then the analogy of being a snowflake was far from comforting. Despite the fact that each of us have completely different kids, and jobs, upbringings and life experiences we are all on a path to the same goal when it comes to being a parent - to be a good mom or dad helping to raise and guide and nuture calm, happy, confident, successful little people. I recently started watching the show Parenthood on Netflix (I know I am late to the party since it has been off the air for years). The show follows four siblings through their lives as parents, each one with a completely different journey and experience. Yet, each storyline that is played out on screen I can relate to in my own parenting timeline. So, either the shows’ writers (and the writers of The Goldbergs, Modern Family, and Phineas and Ferb) have been spying on our family and then writing scenes based on their observations... or the alternative explanation is that lots of families have eerily similar experiences.
The reminder that I am not a snowflake in my parenting trials and tribulations is most comforting when life gets messy. If you have ever sat through a tough parent/teacher conference or survived the darting stares of fellow diners at a restaurant while your child had a melt down (melting all the way onto the floor and then crawling around on it) then you know that it can feel very isolating. The reality is that the perfect family is a myth. A truth that even though I write it and understand it still try daily to prove it to be false. Every family experiences stress-provoking changes time-and-time again, hard choices and curve balls that are constantly thrown at them. The notion of “perfect” is not only unattainable it is unhealthy to try and attain it. Instead remind yourself - monthly, daily or hourly during a less than easy time - that you might be a snowflake in your own right but when it comes to this parenting thing you more of a snowball tied to a community of others who have been there and done that, are still in it, or will be in it soon. It is when you accept that you aren’t unique in your parenting journey it really means you aren’t alone. This means someone else (or lots of lots of someone elses) has gone through the same thing you are going through and have come out on the other side. I hope this realization also encourages you to stop before you snap at someone who isn’t doing things the exact same way you might choose to do them or roll your eyes at a tantruming child in a restaurant because you have an understanding that they too might be going through one of those stressful times right now and a smile, a wave, a hello or compliment can go a very very very long way! Until next month - Kim Enderle Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads and Dads to Be across NWA!
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and How loving and losing a son showed me just how much love there is in NWA
T
wo years ago, my greatest life’s tragedy was delivering a stillborn, beautiful baby girl. My daughter Mae died sometime just before or during labor in 2016, after what had been a healthy and normal pregnancy. My husband Chris and I were told that we would probably never know what killed Mae. But, as we held her in the deafening quiet of the delivery room, we knew that she would always be part of the life of our small family.
by: Emily Orfan
Staring at her sleepy face, noting that she had the same mouth as her older brother, Theodore, I felt a shift in my life as a mother, as a wife, and as a woman. When one chooses to take on the role of motherhood, something somatic happens inside the body. It occurs sometime during pregnancy, or perhaps the first time you lay eyes on your child, or maybe it lies deeper in that initial desire to become a mother, since I know all mamas -- biological or not -- feel this change. It’s like all your organs shift aside as your heart grows, making way for the enormous, overwhelming feeling of true love. It’s a sensation that I simultaneously love and am tortured by. Chris, Theodore, and I picked up the pieces of our broken hearts, found a new normal, and began to center our attention on our upcoming move from the east coast to Arkansas. We arrived in Cave Springs in the fall of 2016 with a truck full of all our belongings, and a belief that our new house, new community, and new friends would be the salve to our aching hearts. Immediately we fell into a beautiful rhythm of pre-school, neighborhood block parties, and play dates on the lovely Bentonville Square. We were thrilled when we found out we were pregnant in early 2017. Chris and I had anxieties about this new pregnancy, but we decided early on that our leap of faith to grow our family outplayed those fears. Between my OB, and the addition of a maternal specialist, our fears were quelled each week as our baby boy grew during a healthy and happy pregnancy. The weekend of Thanksgiving, after a smooth and joyful delivery, our son Truman was placed on my chest. I cradled his head, and brought his tiny hand to my lips, but I knew immediately something was not right. In the moments that followed, our room was filled with doctors and nurses, and my world started to crumble. Truman was taken from my chest, and that would be the last time I would hold him just as God made him, without tubes, wires, and the enormous reality of my life never being the same again. Truman was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Chris and I arrived stunned, shocked, panicked, and -- between a night of labor, and a night keeping vigil for news on our newborn -- not having slept in 2 days. After being admitted, Truman received his first bath from his NICU team. Something about knowing a team of loving nurses gave my sweet son a bath provided some comfort in our first few hours in Little Rock. The little things in life didn’t seem so little anymore. Chris and I were asked to come up with a verbal password that would gain us access to Truman’s nurse team when we called to check on him. We chose the word ‘Hope,’ and it served as a reminder to us each time we used it, to not lose the hope we desperately needed for Truman. The next few days were a blur of specialists, tests, and information
14 June 2018
overload. On top of the intensity that was our new reality at Children’s Hospital, we had Theodore and my parents (who had flown in from Connecticut) waiting for news back home in Cave Springs. The agony of being away from Teddy was growing. As I would hold Truman, knowing that his life was in jeopardy, I began to panic over the stability of the other aspects of my life. If my life was crumbling, what was to keep the other ‘pieces’ from splintering, too? We were desperate to have Teddy with us in Little Rock. We wanted to make all efforts possible to feel as much of the family of four that we were.
Orange Tissues
“You now know the color of the tissues at the bottom of the box.” A friend of mine who had spent time in the intensive care unit with her own baby once said this to me. Indeed, as you get to the end of the supply, the tissues go from white to an orange sherbet color. We went through lots and lots of tissues as we began to realize that our tiny Truman would not be coming home in the securely latched car seat that had been traveling around in our car for weeks. Truman’s body was perfect on the outside, and his mind and intellect were also perfectly intact. He had the same eyes, mouth, and toes as his brother Teddy, and the most beautiful effervescent peach-colored skin. He loved to be sung to and would trace my face with his eyes as I sang to him over his crib. His vitals, displayed on a monitor, would be stable and steady when Chris and I would hold him or talk to him. As parents, we understood this child knew he belonged to us, and was just happy to be part of the team. It was the very same connection I had with Theodore the first moment we first locked eyes, and the moment we held Mae. But, as test results began to come back, and Truman’s pediatric
team continued to consult with us, we knew our time together was coming to an end. Truman was officially diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy on Saturday, December 8th. I remember it was a Saturday, because after the meeting where we were told that Truman would not live to see his first birthday, Chris and I took a walk outside the hospital and there were Christmas carolers.
“Oh yeah, it’s Christmastime,” Chris and I remarked to one another. Inside the hospital, days are the same as nights, and the outside world and all its vibrancy is forgotten. The unfairness of it all had set in, and Chris and I were angry: at the world, and at God. It didn’t seem possible that Christmas, a time of joyous celebration, could continue when our hearts were breaking. With every new nativity scene I saw, I grew more and more resentful. Celebrating the birth of our savior seemed like a cruel trick. SMA is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. SMA is a genetically recessive gene (much like the recessive gene for blue eyes) that, when passed from both parents, results in the affected
disease. I had to go back to my 8th-grade biology knowledge of the genetics grid. SMA is a carrier gene, meaning lots of people are carriers for this gene; however, once a carrier makes a baby with another carrier, the odds of both parents passing the gene is 1 in 4. I was frustrated that I had never heard of this disease or carrier gene before. If it’s so common, why aren’t we talking about it? If it’s the number one genetic killer of babies, why don’t I know about it? That next week felt a lot like a dream. We had been praying for a Christmas miracle, but what we came to understand was that our miracle would be the time we were going to be able to spend loving our sweet son, surrounded by our extended family. During the next few days, we kept his room dimly lit, with soft music playing. Chris and I took turns cuddling and rocking our tiny babe, inhaling his
smell, and pressing our cheeks to his. We told him all the things we wanted him to know, how special he was, and how loved he was. Teddy would join us, playing and reading on the floor while we took lots of pictures with Truman, and sang the songs Teddy wanted him to ‘learn.’ We spent our nights curled on the couch beside his crib, frequently getting up to change a diaper, and for me to pump breast milk. Despite the terminal diagnosis, I was determined for Truman to have my milk until the very end. And that end came quietly in the early hours of the next Saturday. Truman slipped peacefully from this world as we held him and vowed to him that he would always be our precious son. We promised, that, despite his short time on earth, he would be remembered and celebrated. He was one of us, a proud member of Team Orfan, and we wouldn’t let the world forget it.
An NWA love letter We arrived home in Cave Springs feeling beaten down and lost. Our families surrounded us and helped to care for Teddy while Chris and I disappeared into each other’s arms. We knew this hurt would be with us forever, and we knew that our family would never feel complete, but we also knew that we would survive. We had been here before. We knew less the last time, and the circumstances were a bit different, but we had endured saying goodbye to our child once; we would just have to find a way do it again. I separate my life into two parts these days: before Truman died, and after. I feel like two totally different people, and the person that I’m becoming on this side is still evolving. But the old Emily and new Emily have a lot in common. Both are a devoted mother and wife, both love time with friends, all things Bravo, and sipping wine with a yummy dinner. The thing is, I’m not sure the new Emily would
be where and who she is without the bridge that connects the two. That bridge is my beloved NWA community. When we make the decision to become mothers, we make an obvious commitment to our children. A not so obvious commitment, however, is the one we make to our fellow mamas. The commitment is where the saying ‘it takes a village’ comes from. When our world became perilous, it was like an SOS was sent out, and the troops rallied. We had prayer warriors, bags of toys, and travel supplies packed up for us. We received immediate support from the community of parents who had lost children themselves, some of whom lost their children to the same or similar genetic disease that Truman had. A society of parents who, unfortunately, knew those orange colored tissues too well. They packed up hospital
bags, knowing just what we would need, and gave sage words of advice, having been right where we had been. My moms group set up a meal train for two months of dinners. A few mamas got together and came into our home and decorated it for the holidays. We arrived home from Little Rock just before Christmas to a warm and bright house. A small ceramic ornament hung on the tree, given to us by friends shortly after Truman died, saying ‘Hope’ in red cursive letters. Our sweet hope for Truman had followed us home. I don’t believe in the saying that God only gives us what we can handle. I desperately don’t want to think that God
gave us this recent series of painful experiences. However, I do believe that God places the people and the tools needed for each experience into your path in order to help you survive the sufferings of life. I believe that our family was meant to live among the people of NWA when we were forced to say goodbye to our Truman. The kindness and consideration that emanates from the people of this beautiful city is encouraging and inspiring. From the neighbors who sent gift cards and collected mail, to the instant support and love from Theodore’s preschool staff--who helped us navigate the incredibly difficult topics that no three-year-old should have to try and wrap their head around. To the hair salon (Accents) who quietly waived the cost of a haircut to my family who had had to suddenly extended a one-week stay into months of unexpectedly living in Arkansas. The smiles from strangers in
Walmart, the simple kindness of the barista who subtly handed me tissues as I cried writing this article. To my mama village who, with their house-decorating, gave me the gift of being able to look at holiday decorations and be reminded of compassion and love, and not just the despair of a painful time. Finally, to connecting so deeply with the family that created one of the largest SMA charity foundations in the country. These people are the tools, the bridge. I think of my Truman throughout the day, every day, and I feel his absent weight in my arms. I cherish every moment with my sweet Theodore, and am so thankful for his constant, unconditional love. I know that in these moments it is God’s presence I’m feeling. Because, what I was neglecting to see when I was so indignantly dismissing the nativity scenes back in Little Rock, was behind each manger with the tiny baby, was the cross itself. There they
were together; the birth and the death. The Christ born at Christmas represents both the God of miracles and the God who is always with us. My faith is still rattled by the loss of my son, but, between feeling God within my community, and seeing God in the small moments with Theodore, and Chris (which aren’t so small anymore) I’m feeling it come back. Teddy is my purpose, being his mother is my calling and greatest joy in life, and loving him in this community is the reaffirmation that life will go on.
Tape and Tunnels: Ordinary Materials, Extraordinary Uses
June 2 to October 21 For more information visit amazeum.org/experiences
Presented by
Provided in partnership with the Arkansas Discovery Network. Tape and Tunnels has been developed by the Oklahoma Museum Network.
June 2 to September 3 Curious Contraptions featuring exhibits from the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre and Science Projects, London. Photo credit Gayle Laird, Š Exploratorium, www.exploratorium.edu
18 June 2018
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Hope y o J y Add for
FIGHTING
DIPG
By Matt Sooter When young, especially in the teenage and young adult years, most people tend to have a feeling of invincibility. Nothing can or will ever hurt you, and nothing will ever derail your plans for a healthy and prosperous life. A little age and experience have a tendency to teach the fallacy of these thoughts, but they can sometimes creep back into one’s mind during parenthood: nothing can or will ever hurt my child, or derail their plans. They will be perfect in every way.
June of 2016, life was good; one might even go so far as to believe life was perfect. I was twentyseven, and had recently been hired for a new job that I absolutely loved. I had a beautiful wife and two beautiful children who were healthy and strong and loving life. We had just moved to a new town and were getting settled into a new home. Things were off to a great start, and we made the most of a busy summer.
Once again, experience tends to bring these expectations back down to earth, as our children skin knees and bump heads on every table they encounter; and yet, we tend to hold onto these expectations when it comes to life’s bigger complications. We expect the best for our children, and work hard to make sure they receive the best. We recognize that there are many things out there that could harm our children, but tend to lean toward a “That could never happen to my child” attitude. This was my view of life up until November of 2016. But, this story isn’t about me.
Fast forward to October of 2016. We were spending a day in Branson at Silver Dollar City with grandparents. It was a long, but fun, day and the kids were thoroughly tuckered out. As we were walking up yet another hill toward the exit, my mother asked me if my two-year-old daughter, Addy, was okay because she seemed to be walking a little funny. It was nothing extremely noticeable, but, as I watched her, I noticed she had a little hitch in her step every once in a while. Not thinking too much of it, I chalked it up to her being tired and having gone through a growth spurt recently. She was probably still growing into her new height, I thought, but I decided to keep an eye on her over the next few days. Nothing could actually be wrong with my child, right? Those kinds of things happen to other people’s children--not mine.
First, a little background. In
A couple of weeks went by, and that hitch grew
20 June 2018
into a missed step, a stumble, a fall. Almost daily she was having more trouble walking. Trouble walking grew into a tremor in her hands, and then she was having trouble feeding herself because all her food would fall off her fork or spoon before it made it to her mouth. A few more days passed and she couldn’t walk down the hallway without holding a hand or feeling her way along the wall. We were worried, to say the least, and made a point to bring it up with her doctor at her checkup the next week. I was scheduled to be at a conference three hours from home on the day of Addy’s checkup, so my wife took her and spoke of our concerns with our doctor. The symptoms concerned him greatly. He informed my wife that he was going to be calling Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) to consult with them, and that she would likely need to make the drive from Rogers to Little Rock for an MRI. For the time being, he recommended she take the kids home and pack a bag just in case. When my wife called with an update, I could hear the fear and panic in her voice. We agreed that I should stay where I was, since she would likely be making the trip to me. It didn’t take long for her doctor to call and tell my wife to get on the road to Little Rock, because they were expecting us for an emergency MRI. She immediately loaded up the kids and started the three-hour drive. Once I knew she was on her way, I headed to ACH. I sat, and I waited. Time never moved so slowly. It was about to slow down even more. Once my wife arrived with the kids, we were checked in through the emergency room and placed in a private room to wait. And that’s exactly what we did. We waited and waited. And then we waited some more. Unfortunately, an emergency case came in, and the pediatric anesthesiologist who was scheduled
to help with Addy’s MRI was pulled to help with an emergency surgery. We were finally moved to an overnight room around 2am. Later that morning, Addy was finally sedated and went back for her MRI. Once again, we waited. That evening, a team of doctors came to our door with grim faces. We sat there and listened as they showed us images from the MRI and used big words and complicated phrases we didn’t understand at the time. The short version was that they were fairly certain that our daughter had a tumor growing in her brain stem. It was aggressive, there was no treatment and therefore no cure, and it was going to take our little girl from us in a matter of months. We spent the next week in the hospital hooked up to machines and wires and being monitored and woken at all hours of the night by kind nurses just trying to do their jobs. Scans were sent to St. Jude’s for second opinions, and we were released after a week with a two day reprieve before a scheduled biopsy. Our little girl was going to have brain surgery at the age of two to confirm that she had a monster in her head named Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). The nearly eighteen months since our first visit to ACH has been a wild ride. Addy’s biopsy confirmed her diagnosis of DIPG. Our only option at the time was to do radiation therapy. From November 2016 to January 2017, Addy had 33 courses of radiation. Her tumor responded by shrinking by over half, and her symptoms were alleviated. She was once again able to walk, run, and play as a normal little girl should. Radiation gave her six months of happy, normal life. In July of 2017, however, an MRI confirmed that her tumor was once again Read On...
growing. During those months, we searched the globe for a treatment. We spoke with doctors in New York, London, Mexico, and nearly everywhere inbetween. The week before Addy’s MRI, we received word that she had been accepted into an experimental program in Monterrey, Mexico. After the MRI, I sent my wife, Addy, and our son to spend the weekend with family while I made preparations to travel to Mexico. The next week, we were all on a plane toward a lot of unknowns. Our first meeting with the doctors in Mexico and Addy’s first treatment all went well, and we were able to return home after only a few days. Since then, we’ve been traveling back and forth every three to six weeks to have treatment. These treatments have been expensive, totaling over $250,000 for treatments and airfare since July 2017. God has provided through many generous people who have continually partnered with us to care for our little girl. On Monday, May 7th, Addy and my wife were once again in Monterrey for treatment. We were anxious about this trip because Addy had been presenting some symptoms, and we were unsure of what was causing them. After her MRI, the doctors came out and informed us that she had developed hydrocephalus, a fluid build up in her brain, and that she would need a shunt placed immediately to drain the fluid. Treatment was postponed and my wife booked a flight straight to Little Rock. Addy’s shunt was placed and an MRI performed on her spine base. On Wednesday, the 9th, we found out that Addy’s cancer had spread to the lower part of her brain and on down her spine as well. Her Mexico treatment that had kept her cancer stabilized was no longer working, either because
the protocol had changed, or because the tumor had mutated. Whichever it is, doesn’t really matter at this point because the outcome is the same. For the second time now, our doctors have told us to go home and make memories. So, that’s our plan. We’re going to go make memories, but we’re also not going to give up. We are desperately searching for a new treatment that will give us more time. It may be too little, too late, but we have to try. God has moved mountains for our little girl up to this point, and we pray He’ll continue to do just that. Our children are not invincible. They get scrapes, and booboos, and cancer. So, what’s the point of this story? Why have you read this incredibly sad and discouraging story up until this point? My hope is that you’ve not only been saddened by this story, but that you’ve also become angry that someone would have to go to Mexico to receive treatment for cancer. My hope is that this story would inspire you to take action for those who cannot take action for themselves. Our children are our future, and yet they only receive 4% of cancer research funding -- 4% for all of childhood cancers. And, of that 4%, only about 4% of that goes toward research for DIPG patients. The average adult cancer victim loses about 10-15 years of their life to cancer. The average child cancer victim loses around 75 years of life. Our children deserve more. Please, write your representatives and demand that more funding be given to childhood cancer research. If you are able, please give to the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation. Most of all, please pray for our little girl as we continue to fight this monster. We serve a great God who is able to use all things for His good. We know that He will heal our little girl one way or another, and that we will see her again one day. We’ll just have to wait a while to see her again. Until then, please help us fight for our girl and for the many others like her who are fighting with very little help. Please help us fight, and defeat, DIPG.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HopeforAddyJoy/
Where
Northwest Arkansas Shines T he Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G returns June 18 – 24, with a week-long schedule of community events, featuring a variety of affordable, familyfriendly activities. The week truly offers something for everyone – from a food festival and 5K race to junior golf lessons, a kids’ center and, of course, the golf tournament, too. The best part? Kids 17 and under get in to the tournament for free with a ticketed adult! Here are just a few of the events and activities to look forward to throughout #NWAChampionship Week.
Walmart and P&G STEAM Center
Yoga for Girls presented by Dove New this year, #NWAChampionship Week will offer a free beginners’ yoga class onsite at the tournament for young girls, ages 6 to 12. The event will highlight how sports and exercise can help build confidence and self-esteem in girls. An LPGA player will even make an appearance to share how yoga has impacted her life on and off the course. Registration is free and available online at NWAChampionship.com. The first 100 participating girls will receive a gift, courtesy of Unilever and Dove. Don’t miss this new familyfriendly addition to the week!
The Walmart and P&G STEAM Center, the tournament’s redesigned Kids Center, will make its debut at the 2018 #NWAChampionship. The STEAM Center will feature fun and engaging activities in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Science experiments, robotics and other hands-on experiences are sure to be a hit among the smallest tournament spectators! With healthy snacks, exciting activities and a viewing deck on the 16th hole, the STEAM Center is the perfect spot for families to enjoy the #NWAChampionship. The Walmart and P&G STEAM Center is open to the public Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24, and is free to all tournament spectators. 24 June 2018
5K @ the LPGA benefiting Mercy Experience the most spirited 5K race in Northwest Arkansas at the 5K @ the LPGA benefiting Mercy, held Saturday, June 23. The race route winds through the Pinnacle community and onto the golf course, providing a unique experience for all participants. The event also offers a 1K
Fun Run, perfect for families to enjoy! Race registration is only $20, which includes a performance T-shirt, water bottle, finisher medal, daily #NWAChampionship tournament ticket, breakfast after the race, and more. Sign your family up today!
The First Tee Junior Golf Zone presented by Dove New in 2018, all tournament spectators with a Kids Ticket (ages 17 and under) are invited to test their golf game or try something new at the Junior Golf Zone. Located on the putting green near the 9th hole, the Junior Golf Zone will feature putting challenges, prizes and instruction from the First Tee coaches. Best of all, junior golfers receive a free gift courtesy of Unilever and Dove after participating. No preregistration or golf experience is required, and walk-up participation is encouraged. Don’t miss the best week of the year – come celebrate the community spirit of Northwest
Arkansas this June at the #NWAChampionship! From kid-friendly activities to professional tournament play, there is something for everyone at the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. Daily tickets are only $10, with free entry for kids 17 and under with a ticketed adult. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit NWAChampionship.com, and follow @NWAChampionship on social media to stay in the loop on exciting #NWAChampionship Week news.
The
Little
Moments By Julie Driver Grau There are times I feel like I travel into a time warp. This happens when I am watching my husband and daughter interact, and I suddenly feel like I am seeing a moment I spent with my own father. Sometimes, those flashbacks bring me to tears, since my father never met Jillian. But, more often than not, the brief reminders of my childhood make me smile. The funny thing is that it’s never the grand events that I recall about my dad. Sure, we took family vacations and went to places like Disneyland and New York City, but, truthfully, I recall very little of those trips, except for what I see in the yellowed 1970s photos. It isn’t the details of a drive up the east coast to learn about American history, or the hot Texas summer car trip
to Corpus Christi that come flooding back when I think of my father. What I recall is the sweetness of time well-spent as father and daughter. The fleeting moments of daily living sneak up and create a lump in my throat. Those are the memories that seem to come from my very soul. For me and my father, those little moments included him playing his guitar while singing “Moon River” at bedtime; taking out his single false tooth for a laugh; playing morning “Reveille” on his trumpet when my brother and I wanted to sleep in; eating breakfast at a local dive while sharing the comic pages (and being taught to tip the breakfast waitress extra money for getting up early); taking a quiet Sunday drive in the country just for fun; looking through his telescope at the stars and discussing the wonders of the universe; or watching the latest movie with a tub of fresh
popcorn. Unfortunately, life is so much busier today than when I grew up. My father had his own business, and often worked out of the house, so he never really escaped from his work. However, it was at a time before email and phones had people tethered 24/7, so time with him was easier to catch. And, as a kid of the 70s, my time was less scheduled, so I was easier to “catch,” as well. Today, my husband travels or works from home but rarely appears during the business day without a phone in his ear, and international business happens at all hours. While we try to keep activities to a minimum, my daughter’s schedule fills up quickly as well. Sometimes, in a “keeping up with the Joneses” moment, I worry about the fact that we rarely have time (or funds) for those big family vacations, Disney cruises, or long stretches of time to unplug. It is both a blessing and curse that most of our vacations have been attached to business trips. However, because of my mental time travels to the days I spent with my father, I know for certain that those little moments when a father can unplug are enough. For my husband, it happens when he takes a long lunch to teach our daughter to ride her bike, or steps out of his office to give her a spin to a song she is singing at the top of her lungs. I see the small moments with her father starting to collect
in my daughter’s heart. She treasures sharing family meals, cheering for the Chiefs, playing with vintage matchbox cars, enjoying a boat ride on the lake, dancing in her daddy’s arms like a ballerina, roasting marshmallows at the fire pit, and snuggling on the couch for their own version of popcorn and movie night. And that’s just it. Fatherhood isn’t in the big gestures. Our children don’t need their dads to buy more toys, or take them on expensive family vacations. They don’t even require huge chunks of time. In our children’s memories, fatherhood will be best remembered in the little moments of daily living. Now, go find a little moment to live.
Happy Father’s Day.
Creating the Ideal Clinic by: Dr. Joel Fankhauser
I
decided I wanted to be a doctor and a father standing in a dump in Guatemala City. I saw people who had intentionally given up comfortable lives to do hard things, and I thought to myself, “These are the sort of people I could get behind.” It was at that point I decided to become a doctor, adopt children, and move overseas. I clearly have not moved overseas, and the full story behind why is a beautiful story to be told another day. What these decisions have in common may not be immediately obvious. It occurred to me on that auspicious day that the reason I respected the people I met in Guatemala was because of their intentional sacrifice to care for someone more vulnerable than themselves. One year after my trip, I met the lady who would become my wife. Amazingly, she also had decided before we met that she wanted to adopt and move overseas. Alice and I married four years later. We are now parents to five kids, ages 4, 7, 9, 11, and 12. We were young and idealistic when we had our first children. Frankly, I was better at using the rational and analytic portion of my brain than the relational part, so, when those adorable little cherubs started to grow bigger and express their own apparently maniacal preschool desires, I was not really sure how to handle it. Alice and I started looking for ways to encourage a better connection between our children and us. At the time, we were not used to hearing that word. We did not know what was truly lacking -we just knew that something was amiss. When our second child was in kindergarten, Alice came to me and said that we needed to learn more about Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) through Dr. Karyn Purvis’ The Connected Child. Through TBRI, we learned about attachment styles. We learned that there are four mature attachment styles: secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant. Ideally, we all want secure attachment styles. We want to feel connected to people we love with little relational anxiety. Individuals with anxiouspreoccupied attachment style pursue closeness but are anxious that other people do not feel as close.
This can be somewhat self-fulfilling and defeating. Individuals with dismissive-avoidant attachment tend to avoid attachment or relational closeness and distance themselves when things get hard. People with fearful-avoidant attachment style tend to avoid closeness because they fear it. They tend to have very low self-esteem. We learned to recognize what our baseline attachment style was and how it changes when we become stressed. We learned our kids’ attachment styles, and how to foster in them a more authentic attachment with us. Our two youngest are both adopted. Adoption is beautiful, but it is hard. Now that I am older, and hopefully a little wiser, I recognize that in an ideal world adoption would not exist. My babies would be raised by their birth parents. Families would not be broken, and parents would not relinquish their children. I am an advocate of adoption, but more
�� so I am an advocate of family reunion if possible. Because adoption is proof that our world is in need of redemption, it brings difficulties, even as it can bring some of that needed redemption. Our youngest have put the skills we learned to the test. For all you dads out there, I will give you advance warning: As I was learning about TBRI, I thought to myself regularly, “This seems so dumb. This can’t possibly work.” Resist the urge to reject it before trying it. The ideas of attachment and vulnerability have dramatically influenced my medical practice. Initially, I worked for a typical clinic and felt so pressed for time. I knew that there were people coming through my door that had problems so big and overwhelming to them that, even if I had the time to ask, they did not have the confidence to answer honestly. I knew that the typical medical clinic was truly shortchanging the most vulnerable people in my office. When it became clear that we were not moving overseas for the foreseeable future, I decided I needed to look at other career options.
For further information on attachment and parenting, read The Connected Child by Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross and The Whole-Brain Child by Drs. Daniel Siegel and Tina Payen Bryson.
$10. In our office, you can have your blood count checked for $4, your hemoglobin A1c For further information (a measure of diabetes on direct primary care control) for $7.50, and in general: your thyroid for $6. I dpcalliance.org/blog/ also opened my door to some of our most For more information vulnerable citizens of about Dr. Fankhauser’s Benton County. About current practice: 10% of my patients directcarenwa.com are foster children, or children who have For more information been in foster care about Dr. Fankhauser’s but are now reunified family, you’ll have to with their biological ask him, but be aware family. Their care he leans towards a is complicated by a dismissive-avoidant number of factors, attachment style, so including relative lack of access to any isn’t likely to answer previous medical your questions. information, the amount of government paperwork required, as well as the increased likelihood that a foster child will have disabilities, including mental health concerns, compared with a child who has never been in foster care.
I asked as many people as I could to explain what a clinic would look like if they could design it. I “created” the ideal clinic, and then thought, “I can’t be the only person who has thought of this. I need to figure out if someone else is doing it.” To be forthright, it costs me to see a foster child. It In the process, I discovered direct primary care. costs me money because I could easily see a patient who could pay more. It costs me time because of the In 2015, Dr. Dan Weeden and I opened a clinic amount of paperwork I do. It costs me emotional that is as close to an ideal practice as I think we energy, because their stories are often tragic and can design. In 2017, we added Dr. Lynn Davis. heartbreaking. It is my hope, though, that, just like The medical world is constantly looking for me so many years ago, someone sees me with my “efficiencies,” and by that they typically mean children or my patients and sees a man who chose “ways to speed up patient visits” or “ways to to sacrifice--to truly care for people more vulnerable increase revenue per patient.” I have discovered than himself. that primary care has to be efficiently inefficient. It is primarily relational, so we made our average As I think about my children and my profession, I visit time >30 minutes. Creating that margin am reminded that to whom much has been given, gives our patients and us a chance to discuss much will be expected, and to whom much has issues that may be important. It allows me to ask been entrusted, much will be demanded. I have about underlying causes or factors that worsen been entrusted with the care and nurturing of my an illness, especially causes that would not have children, both biological and adopted, and the care been addressed in the typical six-minute visit that of Northwest Arkansas’ children and families. It is I used to have. I also know that primary care is my hope that the trust that I have been given is found essentially universally needed, so we made our fulfilled when the day comes that I hear, “Well done, clinic affordable, with lab tests typically being $5- faithful servant.”
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The End of an Era A
s a father, there are certain things that drive you full on b-a-na-n-a-s. Things like: constantly turning off the lights, obnoxious mouth-breathing neighborhood trolls, the eternal search for stolen charger cords, and last, but not least, large, outdoor, some-assembly-required objects, like a trampoline.
If you’ve ever put one of these behemoths together, you know it takes the patience of Job, the engineering skill of Elon Musk and the strength of Hercules--which is odd, because the boxes that trampolines arrive in are surprisingly small. Very efficient packers, our sports friends are. I remember being exhausted while installing the final spring, feeling like I just finished moving the Great Pyramids stone by stone. I looked at this majestic masterpiece with one thing in mind: “Those little monsters better bounce their brains out.” And they have! It was an outstanding investment, save for the very first bounce, which nearly killed my then 5-year-old son (Note: Read, and heed, the warning labels, and don’t let the critters bounce until the net is completely installed; otherwise, a certain daughter may bounce a certain son off of the trampoline and headfirst into a granite counter top. Grade “A” parenting ‘round here you know). Sure, there have been some “opportunities,” as the Walmartians call them, with the trampoline (layman refer to these opportunities as massive freaking problems). Like, Nerf basketball games that turned into gladiator matches, lots of time and twine invested in fixing ripped netting due to labrador nibbling, and a large swath of earth that has not seen the sun for 5 years and is now not dissimilar to the Martian landscape. Now, before I go on, this is your fair warning. I’m about 30 June 2018
to launch some knowledge on you that, in my opinion, is akin to giving you the spoilers from Avengers Infinity Wars. So, if you want to bail, now is the time. Okay, guys, you’re still with me. So, anyway, after approximately 1,500 days of dedicated service, the trampoline finally floundered. During a heated game of “let’s bounce a beach ball off the roof, onto the trampoline, and then beat the crap out of each other”--don’t ask me why they do this--the trampoline ripped. Luckily, nobody ended up half-in, half-out, because if they did, it would be like blood in the water for the other combatant - since if they weren’t hurt by the fall, they would be the opportunistic sibling. The trampoline was down for the count (pun intended--at least, I think there’s a pun in there). It sat in the yard, unused and un-abused for a few days before I set out to dismantle the maimed metal monstrosity. Shockingly, the beast that took 9 days to assemble quickly disassembled in around 9 minutes. I’d like to chalk that up to more clever engineering on the part of the manufacturer, but there was also some concern that maybe the assembler didn’t follow all of the directions. To be fair, I kept the magic tool that was used to connect the springs during assembly, and without it I would have needed a blow torch and 20 pounds of TNT to take the thing apart. Seriously, this tool is like giving MacGyver Frodo’s ring, Harry Potter’s wand and Yoda’s lightsaber. Anything can be done. With it, you are invincible; without it, you are toast. I completed the dismantling without nearly as much blood, sweat and beers as the construction, then gazed at what was left: a big patch of dirt. That’s when the sadness kicked in. I then realized how much I was going to miss the trampoline. It arrived when the littles were 5, 9 and 11-
-a time when trampolining (is that word?) was a pretty big deal. This was pre-psychotic sports schedules and hellacious homework hours and teenage terror tantrums. A time just a bit after little red wagon rides, but way before learner’s permits. A time where the kids could sort of take care of themselves, but knew and appreciated you being around. Now a piece of that memory was gone. All of my threats about nuking the trampoline or chopping it into a bajillion pieces if the munchkins didn’t behave were never carried out, but it was now gone. And, as usual, reaching another era of life gives me perspective, and my perspective is this: I’ve seen and known a lot of dads that have busted and broken trampolines sitting in their back yards that look like some weird modern art that I don’t understand. Tramps torn far beyond repair with no hope of rebounding to their former bounding selves. And now I know why; it hurts them too much to take them down (and okay, yeah, some dads are lazy, but that ruins my emotional ending). It’s like taking memories away that you know you’re going to miss.
... it hurts them too much to take them down. It’s like taking memories away that you know you’re going to miss.
However, in case you decide to go ahead and dismantle your torn and tattered trampoline, know this – I still have the magic spring removal tool, and it is now for sale to the highest bidder.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
• School Assemblies & Workshops • Special Events & Camps • Corporate/Non-Profit Presentations • Awesome Party Concept
EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL AGES! www.super-sci.com • 479-444-0303
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FUN FOR
By Meagan Ruffing
s ' r e h t a F Day
Let’s be honest. Dads can sometimes get the short end of the stick when it comes to Father’s Day. Guys are hard to shop for, and there’s only so many times you can paint your kids’ hands to make those super cute handprints that make for a great present--that inevitably get stored away with the rest of the drawings and family photos. Why not throw a little fun into the mix this year and think outside the box for Father’s Day? Here are some pretty neat ideas for you and your kids to do together to honor the man in your life.
F
Forget handprints and go for the full use of your hands and feet this Father’s Day. Take your dad to an indoor rock climbing facility. See who can make it to the top of the wall the fastest!
a list of things to find, like acorns, twigs, leaves, etc, and see who can find the most items. Whoever wins gets to take the other out for ice cream.
E
Trampoline parks are the new “IT” fitness craze. Get your whole family together and jump around for some good old-fashioned exercise and laughter. Your dad might even surprise you by doing a back flip!
Enjoy some one-on-one time with your dad this Father’s Day. That might look like spending time alone with each kid doing something that is special between just the two of you, or extending Father’s Day from one day to an entire week to make sure you can fit in all of the one-on-one dates. I know my kids love having it be just them and their dad, because their personalities get to come out. For example, my youngest daughter loves going to McDonalds and to the park with her dad. My son, however, loves going to Old Navy and picking out new clothes or getting a new toy. Tailor it to be something special between dad and child.
Hike your way up a nature trail in town, or go for a car ride and head to a state park where you can hike and explore nature together. For an extra fun time, turn it into a scavenger hunt. Print out
Rest. There’s nothing like sleeping in when you have kids. Before dad even gets up in the morning, take your kids out for breakfast so the house is nice and quiet for dad to sleep in. Bring him back
A
Add another tool to his toolbox this year by taking him to a hardware store and picking one out together. Instead of just giving him a new tool, make a project together, like a new dog house or a bird house.
T
H
32 June 2018
R
breakfast, so that when he wakes up he can eat it in bed. You might even get him a new pair of pajamas, and have your kids give them to him the night before so he knows he can sleep in without having to worry about getting up and taking care of anything the next morning.
S
Surprise Dad with a day out. Don’t tell him where you’re going, or what you’re doing. Maybe even take it one step further and put a blindfold on him when you’re in the car so he doesn’t peek! Your kids will think this is the most hilarious thing ever. Let your children help plan the surprise excursion by asking each one to come up with something fun to do. You might end up driving all over town to complete your day, but it will be fun and exciting; especially to see what your kids come up with.
D
Don’t stress over what to get your husband for Father’s Day. It’s a day meant to celebrate all that dads do and to show appreciation for their love and investment into their families. Keep it simple, and make the priority be about honoring your child’s dad, and not how much money you think you need to spend.
A
Ask your husband what he wants to do for Father’s Day. If he’s someone who doesn’t like
surprises, and really just wants to keep things low key, ask him what would make him happy on this special day.
Y
You know your family best. Think about the times you’ve heard your husband laugh, or when his eyes have lit up and his smile stretched from ear to ear after your kids have said something funny. Take those moments and turn them into more memories for the special man in your life. Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 17th this year. Take this list of ideas and make it personal to you and your family. This just might be the best Father’s Day ever. Meagan Ruffing believes that her husband is the hardest person to shop for, surprise, and plan for when it comes to Father’s Day. This list, along with the ideas from her three kids, will be what she uses to plan a special day for their dad. To stay in touch with Meagan, visit her Facebook page, writermeaganruffing or visit her at www.meaganruffing.com for free Father’s Day printables.
34 June 2018
“ THE WAY TEACHERS TEACH YOU HERE IS
OUTSTANDING.” XAVIER LOVES THAT THE NEW SCHOOL GIVES HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TACKLE A TOUGH MATH EQUATION, PLAY PETER PAN IN THE SCHOOL PLAY AND SHOOT HOOPS WITH HIS FRIENDS. “The New School really expands your mindset and I want other kids to experience that.” THE NEW SCHOOL IS A SPECIAL PLACE where a welcoming environment is matched with a challenging curriculum. Teachers here are focused on classroom learning that leads to real world discovery. “My favorite subject is math because math is in everything. This building, math made it happen so it’s really awesome to know that math is in everything.” Our low student, teacher ratio and dynamic learning environments help students look at the world in a new way.
Xavier
8th grader
Learn how The New School can help your child discover more. Schedule a tour today by calling 479-521-7037 or visit thenewschool.org.
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NORTHWEST ARKANSAS’ PREMIER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SERVING PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
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JUNE First Friday
June 1 | 4:30-8pm Bentonville Square A giant block party on the Bentonville Square featuring Crusade & The Big Hog Band! Enjoy friends, family, street food, music, vendors and all of downtown at once.
Farm Family Day
June 2 | 10am-2pm Rogers Historical Museum Join us for free family fun! We will have pony rides, weaving and rope-making demonstrations, community booths, activities and prizes, face painting, food and much more.
Life 5K Run/Walk and Free Community Health and Family Fun Expo
June 2 | 8am - 1pm Murphy Park, 501 S. Pleasant Street, Springdale 5K Walk/Run: Join us in raising awareness and funds for the social service side of breast cancer. Expo: Fishing derby, mammograms, shooting range, dental screenings, archery and more!
Opera in the Garden
June 5 7-9pm Faulkner Performing Arts Center Botanical Garden of the Ozarks 4703 N Crossover Rd. Fayetteville Opera in the Garden at the Botanical Gardens - Cinderella (Free) Everyone invited (no pets please) The talented artists at Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point are coming back to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks to perform Cinderella on Tuesday, June 5! Both children and adults will enjoy this free show. The performance begins at 7 pm on the Great Lawn. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are welcome! 36 June 2018
Wheelchair Dancers with Heart
June 7 | 6:45 - 7:45pm Kaleidoscope Dance Academy (Teen/Adults) Kaleidoscope Dance Academy FREE KDA is offering Wheelchair Dancing to all age groups. Dancers may be assisted or unassisted and any level of movement. We are so excited to expand our program of loving dance. These classes are offered at no charge to dancers.
Make-It-Yourself Workshop
June 9 | 10-11:30am The Amazeum Workshops focus on making things with real materials, including opportunities for tool usage and open-ended activities that emphasize process over product. Make-ItYourself workshops are for children ages 4-6 years and one adult caregiver. Advanced registration and payment required.
Siloam Springs Police & Fire Camp
FREE, but must register! Ages 8-12 Monday, June 11th and June 12th at SSFD Station 1 June 13th and June 14th at Intermediate School | Siloam Springs Spend the day with members of the Siloam Springs Police and Fire Departments learning about emergency services. Police and Fire Department tours are optional. Lunch will be provided. Registration forms are available at the Parks and Recreation office
Summer Family Fun at Crystal Bridges Museum - Africa Aya
June 13 | 7-8pm FREE Dance to the beat with Afrique Aya as they share rhythms inspired by the culture and music from West Africa! Free art-making for all is part of the evening. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to the Great Hall.
Vacation Bible School June 4-8 First Church Springdale 206 W Johnson Ave | Springdale June 10-13 Southside Church of Christ 919 Dixieland Road | Rogers An adventure with our ‘Bible Bros!’ Learn about Jesus, Noah, Jonah, and Moses’ stories in a cool, video game-themed experience! And don’t just bring the kids! There will be guest speakers, refreshments, and entertainment for teens and adults! Register now at vbspro.events/p/fx2018 June 11-15 Central UMC Children’s Ministries 6 W. Dickson Street | Fayetteville VBS is a fun-filled week designed to engage your child in transforming experiences. Cost: $25, registration closes June 8. Register online at centraltolife.com/ childrensevents June 11-15 Summer Xtreme Week 2018 - Undefeated Christian Life Cathedral | Fayetteville Worship, playing crazy games, cool crafts, munching on delicious snacks, making new friends, and, most importantly, spending time learning from God’s Word! christianlifecathedral.ccbchurch.com/goto/ forms/217/responses/new June 18-21 First Baptist Church | Rogers PLEASANT GROVE CAMPUS Epic VBS www.fbcrogers.org/vbs June 18-22 First United Presbyterian Church | Fayetteville Extended day available www.fupcfay.org June 24-28 Peace Lutheran Church 805 W Olrich St | Rogers Get ready for our free summer Vacation Bible School! Each day a family meal is provided before the fun begins. www.peace-church.org
June 24-28 TIME LAB VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL University Baptist Church | Fayetteville Imagine the thrill of meeting great heroes of the faith like Abraham, Moses, or Gideon, and the fun of experiencing life in ancient cultures like Rome! June 25-28 First Baptist Church | Rogers OLIVE STREET CAMPUS Epic VBS www.fbcrogers.org/vbs June 25-29 Bella Vista Baptist Church bvbaptist.com/vbs July 9-12 Cross Church - All Campuses VBX 2018 Join us for the most exciting week of the summer. VBX is a time where 3 year olds - 5th graders have the opportunity to experience God in a fun and exciting way. This years theme is “Game On.” We will be teaching about how Jesus equips and prepares us for life’s big game! crosschurch.com/springdale/events/vbx-2018 July 9-13 Phillips Chapel Free Will Baptist Springdale phillipschapel.org/events July 9-13 First Baptist Church | Centerton Join us for VBS this summer as we gear up for life’s big game! fbccenterton.org/ministries/vbs-2018 July 16 – 19 First United Methodist Church | Downtown Bentonville Join us this July for Mission Station Vacation Bible School! This is the only VBS of its kind in Northwest Arkansas. Children 3-yearsold (must have turned 3 by August 1, 2017) through 5th grade will learn how to minister to those in need in our community through fun, hands-on mission projects. http:// fumcbentonville.org/ministries/children/ Amped Vacation Bible School July 25 - 27 New Life Church 1611 Cheri Whitlock Street| Siloam Springs peekaboonwa.com
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Prevention is to Avoiding
T
Key
he heat and humidity of Northwest Arkansas are both quickly approaching and, with them, the risk of heat stroke.
Ironically, the first sign of dangerous heat stroke or heat-related illness is often the absence of sweat. As the temperature rises, your body’s natural cooling mechanism – perspiration – evaporates and helps to cool your body. But, on those really hot and humid days, evaporation is slowed and your body runs a higher risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. “Virtually all heat-related illnesses are preventable,” says Dr. Gregory Spears, board-certified family medicine physician practicing at Northwest Medical Plaza - Bentonville. “Be extra careful when the heat index is 90 degrees or above, and always drink plenty of water or fluids with electrolytes when the heat index is high. If you must be outdoors, take frequent breaks inside or in the shade. Heat stroke can affect people of any age or fitness level. Don’t underestimate the danger.” Heat exhaustion is a precursor to heat stroke. If you experience any of these symptoms, get out of the heat immediately, get to a cool place and slowly drink water or other fluids with salt or sugar:
• Pale skin • Fatigue or weakness • Dizziness or nausea • Profuse sweating • Rapid pulse or fast, shallow breathing • Muscle weakness or cramps
Stroke
Do NOT drink caffeine or alcohol, and if you don’t feel better within 30 minutes, seek medical help. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke if not treated. These more dangerous warning signs can indicate heat stroke is imminent:
• Skin that feels hot and dry, but not sweaty • Confusion or loss of consciousness • Throbbing headache • Frequent vomiting • Trouble breathing “Heat stroke is more serious than heat exhaustion, and it can be life-threatening,” says Dr. Spears. “If you or someone you know experiences signs of heatstroke, remember NOT to attempt to bring down the temperature too quickly. Don’t use ice or ice water. Attempt to bring down the temperature gradually with cool spray or mild air conditioning, and dial 911 or proceed immediately to the nearest ER.” Certain groups of people are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Babies, young children, the elderly, the infirmed and people on certain medications are all at increased risk. So, be an alert and informed neighbor this summer. Check on elderly neighbors regularly, and take action immediately if you see children or pets left in vehicles.
Dr. Spears is currently accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 479-553-2664 or visit NW-Physicians.com.
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Today, Sunshine School serves over 500 individuals a year through various programs, including a preschool program; speech-language, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapies; and community support programs providing in-home care for individuals with unique needs. While the programs and services provided by Sunshine School have changed over the years, the vision has stayed the same – envisioning a world where individuals have the resources they need to reach their full potential as active members in their communities. “We know that each child and adult who we serve has a different set of needs and their fullest potential looks different from person to person,” says Cyndi Bilyeu, Sunshine School CEO. “We talk a lot about the miracles that happen in our hallways each day, because truly so many of the things that our kids do – reaching big or small milestones – are miracles”.
By Jamie Harvey For 60 years, the Sunshine School & Development Center has been serving the Northwest Arkansas Community by developing and enriching the lives of individuals and families through therapy, education, and support. It all began in 1958, when Blanche and Elbert Clardy of Rogers, Arkansas wanted to find a school for their 10-year-old son, Ronnie, to attend. He had Down syndrome, and, at the time, there was no place in public education for children with developmental disabilities. The Clardys knew of other children in the area who also needed special help, so they got together with another family, the Brileys, and began making plans for a school. The original school was in the basement of the First United Methodist Church in Rogers. By the end of the first month, the little basement had soon grown to adapt to eight families, and was only growing more and more! They tapped into a deep community need. Through the generosity and kindness of neighbors and much hard work, a new building was built in Vaughn, Arkansas, where it stayed until public schools started integrating children with disabilities into the public schools in 1991. The focus was changed to early intervention and preschool, while building programs to help people of all ages with special needs.
For some, the miracles we see are bold transitions. One of the students graduating in August is Paxton. When Paxton came to Sunshine School three years ago, he was unable to sit up, crawl, or eat solid foods. His team of teachers and therapists has worked with him over the years to make sure he is able to reach his full potential. “We’ve been blessed with an outstanding team of therapists and teachers who go above and beyond,” his mom Amber shares. “They help Paxton reach his goals every single day. He’s now crawling on all fours, he’s eating solid foods, and he’s gone from completely non-verbal to communicating via a device and verbalizing so many sounds.” For others, the miracles that we see are more subtle. “For some of our families, a miracle may be their child being able to drink out of a cup, or hold a fork independently. Maybe it’s using scissors, or being able to stand in line with their friends to go out to the playground,” shares Cyndi. “For the families in our community support program, it may be a miracle to get a weekend of rest or see their adult child buy groceries for the first time. Whatever their miracles are, we are here to help make them happen”. This summer, over 60 kids will graduate from Sunshine School’s preschool programs. Thanks to the work of the Clardys and the Brileys, these kids – like hundreds before them and hundreds after them – have the resources and support they need to keep making miracles.
For more information about the Sunshine School & Development Center, the services they provide, or how you can get involved, visit www.nwasunshineschool.org.
Meet Christy Harmon: When we follow God’s will, we are not guaranteed outcomes that we like. We are only guaranteed that God will redeem our broken stories to accomplish something beautiful that will point us back to Him. When my birth parents found out that they were pregnant with me, they knew that, as college students, they were not equipped to be parents. And yet, they already loved me. So, they did the hardest and most sacrificial thing they could do. They entrusted their baby girl to my parents, who had been praying for the right baby at the right time. But the day that my adoption was finalized was only the beginning of the story. My birth mom gave me the diary that she kept during her pregnancy. On August 18th, 1990, she wrote these words: Well, today was the day! I had a little baby girl! Emotionally and spiritually I feel at peace. People seem to think that I am doing the wrong thing, and I get judged a lot, but I don’t feel bad because I know I am walking in God’s will. She was doing what God called her to do, but that didn’t make it easy. The next day she wrote: I’ve had a baby and I keep wanting to hold her, but she’s gone. I miss her.
My birth mother left the hospital with empty arms, and my birth father never got to meet his newborn daughter. God had a plan to redeem their brokenness, my parent’s brokenness, and my own brokenness, however, and bring us close to Him. Growing up I always knew that I was loved, wanted and cherished. My mom and dad were confident in their role as my parents, and as a family we prayed for my birth parents regularly. My mom and dad told me that my birth parents entrusted me to them because they loved me and wanted what was best for my life. They taught me that, just as they welcomed me into their family, God also welcomes me into His eternal family through the grace of adoption. My earthly adoption is just a physical reminder of God’s love for me. Although I did nothing to deserve it, nothing to earn it, God Almighty chose me and calls me his daughter. Because my parents celebrated my adoption story, I celebrated it, too. Through the years my parents sent letters and pictures to my birth mom, but, when I turned 15, they decided that they should ask her if she wanted something more. My parents asked my birth mom if she wanted to meet me again. So, fifteen years after my birth mother said goodbye to her baby girl, she got to wrap me in her arms, laugh with me, talk with me, and have a relationship with me again. I got to witness healing take place in my birth mom’s heart. As I sat between my birth mom and my parents, I experienced how deeply loved I have been since before my birth. But that’s not the end of the story. Almost four years ago, my husband encouraged me to reach out to my birth father. By this time,
I had visited my birth mother several times, but reuniting with my birth father was a bit out of my comfort zone. My husband reminded me that, while it may be scary, I was not alone, and that it was worth taking a risk if I could have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with him. So, I wrote my birth father a simple thank you note. Here is part of what I wrote First of all, I just want to say, thank you. I don’t know how much you know about me, but I cannot even tell you how grateful I am to you for allowing me to have the life that I have. I have the most loving, caring, generous, and kind parents I could ever ask for. My little brother David is 16, and one of my close friends. I am now living at home for the summer and planning my wedding! I am getting married in December to the most wonderful man I could ever ask for. His name is William and we have been friends since 7th grade. You would love him! There are so many other things that I would love to tell you about, but I really don’t want to overwhelm you. I just wanted to let you know that when I think of you (which I do often) I smile and thank God for you. Thank you so much for the gift you have given me of my life and a wonderful family! I will continue to pray for you and smile when I think about you! Love Always, Christy
Little did I know that my birth father had dealt with years of questions and guilt over my adoption. My letter was an answer to his prayers, and our visits have resolved some of his loss. I am so thankful for my adoption and for my parents who raised me to know the Lord. They prayed for me, disciplined me, loved me, and pointed me to Jesus. Because of that foundation, I am now able to share with my birth parents the hope that I have found in the midst of my own brokenness. I am not sure how the story will end, but my prayer and my deepest desire is that God would use my relationship with my birth parents to point them to Jesus and His amazing grace. Today, I oversee a pregnancy counseling ministry at an adoption agency, Lifeline Children’s Services. I regularly get to meet with girls who, like my birth mom, have just found out that they are pregnant. I have the privilege of meeting them in a moment of darkness and sharing the truth of the gospel with them. Many girls have a very negative view of adoption, but their perspective shifts when they realize what a beautiful and selfless act of love it is. They are able to see that through openness in adoption, they can have an ongoing relationship Read On...
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with their child while also being able to achieve their own personal goals and dreams. Adoption is beautiful. I am so thankful for the way that it has impacted my life and I pray that more women will consider it as a beautiful and loving decision for their baby. --- Excerpt from Christy’s podcast interview --Alex: What do you wish someone had told you before you started working at Lifeline? Christy: I think just that I am not that important. I know that sounds like a weird thing to say, but God is so sovereign and I tend to take the weight of the world and the weight of other people’s stories on myself. I feel a huge responsibility, especially when I’m facing something heavy. God is so sovereign and He chooses to use us; He chooses to use me, but the outcome is not my responsibility. He can work even when I make mistakes and something good can happen out of it. Just remember, especially for those who have adopted before, that you’re not necessary for good to happen for the person you’re trying to minister to or to love on. That realization takes so much pressure off of me to be able to live my life and be faithful to doing the right thing, rather than trying to solve everybody’s problems. Alex: Gosh, that’s humbling and relieving at the same time, which is the best. So what is something you wish you had done differently along this journey? Christy: Probably to have spoken less. So many of these sweet birth mamas have never had anyone listen to them and demonstrate that what they have to say is valuable or important. I think that so often I want to fix their situation, when really they need someone to listen to them and value them in that way. Alex: That’s a good one, I think that all of us could stand to do that a little bit more. What is a way that we as adoptive moms can help birth moms, and make this process better for them? Christy: Pray for them. I know that sounds super spiritual, but praying for them is going to soften 44 June 2018
your hearts as adoptive mamas to them. It’s also going to be an activity that you can bring your child into. It’s going to open your minds and eyes to ways that you can practically help them, whether that be sending them a card, or emailing them, or just sending an update to your agency so it’s sitting in your file if she ever reaches out. Also, speaking positively about them to your children and to other people in your lives. They have so many people who are prying into the messy parts of their story, who are judging them and thinking negatively about them. If you can be a fan of theirs, then their child can admire them and respect them for the decision that they made. I think that that’s really beautiful, and can be a huge step forward for who they are and how other people see them, and how we as a culture think of birth mamas--that can be a big and important voice. Alex: Wow, it’s taking me a minute to process all of that--so, so good. What is your biggest piece of advice or encouragement for adoptive families? How does what you do mix with what we do? Christy: Oh man--and this is so my parents talking and not me, because I have very little advice to give-but: don’t make decisions based on fear. There is just such a big God who cares so much deeper about your children than you do, and He knows what’s best for them. Making decisions coming from that place, and trusting and relying on Him, is going to create freedom for your child, too. I felt so much freedom to be able to bond with my parents by asking questions and by having those conversations, and I can’t even imagine if they had been really fearful or responded with “Oh let’s not talk about that” or something like that. If your kids are asking about it, then they are probably mature enough to know about it, at least to some extent. So, I would say, in an age-appropriate way, tell your child their story over and over and over again.
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Alex Fittin hosts The Adoptive Mom Podcast: A weekly program for the strongest of moms (and dads, too!). This podcast features all kinds of characters from the adoptive community, including support systems, grandparents, pastors, birth moms, educators, adopted kids, and of course, lots of adoptive mamas! On this show, we are honest, raw, and supportive about the struggles, joys, wins, losses, and the beautiful and ugly parts of this adoption thing. No topic is off-limits, and you can always count on a real take on one of the most important things one can do: adopt.
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Kidsthe in
kitchen
By the wife of a chef and mom of two picky eaters
Now that school is out, schedules are often even more crazy than usual! This recipe is quick to make, and will add a great source of vitamins and minerals to start the day off right. For me, the best part of eating local is not only just knowing that everything my family is eating comes from local plants, local pollen, and is locally sourced--yes, that’s important--but, for me, I love knowing the farmers. Knowing the names of those who are growing the food, putting in the early mornings (and the rainy mornings!), doing everything it takes to provide nutritious meats, fruits, and vegetables. If you have not spent Saturday mornings with your family at the farmer’s market, I implore you to add that to your summer bucket list. The farmers in this area are the most amazing people! For this recipe, you need strawberries. There are many local farms where you can spend a few hours with your family to, together, go pick the strawberries. You can then bring them home and make a delicious jam together!
KNIFE SKILLS
Teaching your child proper knife skills at a young age will greatly benefit them as they grow older. Not only does it help with their fine motor skills, but it also provides an excellent opportunity to teach safety rules. This is also a great recipe for kids because it needs lots of stirring (perfect for littles as long as you discuss heat safety and watch them closely). The younger kids also often love pouring in the ingredients.
TIP FROM THE CHEF
STRAWBERRY JAM Strawberry Jam
1 T lemon Juice
2 c fresh strawberries
1/4 c chia seeds
Wash strawberries, remove their tops, and cut in halves or quarters. Add strawberries to a medium pot and cook, covered, on med-low for 20 minutes. Stir about every 3-6 minutes. As you stir, the strawberries will break down and become more of a puree. Either use a potato masher or an immersion blender and puree the remaining strawberries to your personal preference of chunkiness. Our girls prefer no chunks. Add in the lemon juice and chia seeds. (You can also add in the scraping from the inside of a vanilla bean for added delicious flavor.) Stir the ingredients into the puree and let sit for 15 minutes. Pour the jam into jars and let cool and congeal overnight. This jam is excellent to make in bulk and freeze, so double, triple, as needed! Chef dad has been working with our girls since they were old enough to sit on the counter and stir a bowl. He passes down his knowledge and skills to them, filling their hearts with the love of creating in the kitchen. He has instilled a passion for creativity in the kitchen that I hope lasts their lifetime.
Be sure to cut the strawberries in smaller pieces that are roughly the same size to ensure an even cook time. 46 June 2018
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† Zachary is a 2016 K12 student in Washington, D.C. and his statement reflects his experience at his Zachary is a 2016 K12 student in Washington, D.C. and his statement reflects his experience at his school. Families do not pay tuition for a student to attend an online public school. Common househo Families do not pay tuition a student attend online public school. Common items and officefor supplies like to printer inkan and paper are not provided. Ourhousehold enrollment consultant can and office supplies like printer ink and paper are not provided. Our enrollment consultant can help address your technological and computer questions and needs. address your technological and computer questions and needs. †
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C R Y S TA L B R I D G E S
Enroll Now! Explore a variety of themes and activities to unleash your creativity and imagination. VIEW ALL CAMPS AT CrystalBridges.org/SummerCamps
Inspiration & Beyond MON, JUNE 18 – FRI, JUNE 22 9:30 am – 3:30 pm | AGES 9 – 12 Enjoy the unique opportunity to travel between two museums for a one-of-a-kind summer camp! Sponsored by Nice-Pak Products, Inc.
See all Youth and Family Programs at CrystalBridges.org /Calendar.
Crystal Bridges & Amazeum members enjoy a discount on camp registration.
Movie Making
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49
WHEN HEARTS CHANGE, VIOLENCE STOPS Let’s Change Some Hearts)
By Alene Betts Founder Changers, ink changers-ink.org
Already an avid quilter, children’s advocate, designer, writer and volunteer, I joined a group of women that hosted a ‘Mother’s Day Out’ in inner city Cincinnati, OH. As I said goodbye to one of the ladies, I gave her a hug. Noticing a little pin on her coat, a symbolic key with “JESUS” written on it, I said “How cute! I haven’t seen one of those in years. Keep your eyes on Him.” b and had been trained well. e for the start. This Thegame next to morning, mywas phone rang. Its shocking rtunityreport: to serveher the 22-year-old players. Buntson had been shot and ustle.killed He grabbed thesidewalk bats and right outside the door on the ack. He encouraged the players, where we had said goodbye. Our group set up the owels,funeral new balls and bats. dinner, loved But on, itand consoled our friend. layersThrough needed new bats at once the following weeks, we were pained as goingshe everywhere. Waterabottles went through nervous breakdown and the just unwrapped disappeared crumbling of family relationships. ! Being a batboy was hard work!
Meanwhile, my life went on.
u trabajo y se había entrenado My adult children came for Thanksgiving, and it habíawas llegado el momento deaque a happy time with new grandchild. As we da. Esta fue quemada la primera shopped excitedly at an upscale mall on Black servir Friday, a los jugadores. I went Bunt aloneera back to our van after we bullicio. Agarró las paletas y stante. Alentó a los jugadores,
realized we had left the baby’s bottle. A desperate woman emerged from between parked cars. Forcing herself into my vehicle, she assured me: “I’m not drinking or on drugs, but I need help for my children.” Our whole family was shaken by the invasion, and what might have happened. However, with the help of our church, donations were arranged to help that woman’s family have a nice Christmas. Then came December 14, 2012 with another of society’s violent events: the Connecticut shooting. Perhaps readers will
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team had gotten the winning run. But Bunt and Catchy learned, when hearts change, violence stops and kindness takes over for mean spiritedness.
remember the President on television saying, “Our incident with overly hearts are broken today--we must change.” As a enthusiastic fans Todos aplaudieron y saltó hacia arriba y hacia follow-along, the coach from Winthrop University during a ballgame. abajo para que el equipo había llegado la carrera took a microphone, exclaiming, “This might be ganadora! the They are diverse Bunt y pegadiza pero aprendimos en el sentido only time I will have a national microphone, and I characters, and the de que cuando corazones cambio, la violencia se detiene y la bondad se lleva a cabo en el civismo. must say, no matter who you voted for, he is right. text is presented We must change.” My husband and I, watching in both English and from our recliners, just looked at one another. Spanish. Changer’s We knew that in our file cabinet were thermal- received an endorsement chromatic color-change heart stickers with the from the former Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell message, “!hen hearts change, violence stops.” The of the Greater Cincinnati Police Department-stickers, with the warm touch of a hand, became you might remember him from CNN discussing transparent revealing a secret message. The effect how Cincinnati dealt with violence through is loved by everyone, children in particular. transparency. He arranged to give away “Bunt” coloring books and crayons at Fanfest, the event I had designed “My body is special” stickers for a preceding the All-Star game hosted by the Reds child abuse prevention agency. Being a creative that year. A teacher’s guide was written by Dr. individual, I was inspired to do anti-violence Rebecca Lilley, Clinical Counselor and educator, ones as well. We mulled the idea over for a few who worked in a low-income district. She also days, then invited our pastor and his wife, an arranged a presentation of our complete concept elementary school teacher, out for dinner to in the inner-city school. discuss possibilities of our church’s reaction to stemming the violence. A couple of weeks later, We have now retired to NW Arkansas and hope to we were mentioned in a sermon on “Respectable impact our new ‘home’ with the inspiring message Sins: Apathy,” expounding on the fact that often that “When hearts change, violence stops.” We people think about doing something, but then have placed the book “Bunt, the Batboy” in many don’t do it. office lobbies around Northwest Arkansas, as well as in the public library. “Bunt the Batboy” Again, with the help of our church, we formed is available on Amazon and through Barnes and a non-profit -- “Changers, inK.”-- with a twist Noble. We believe now, more than ever, the time on the word “Inc.,” referring to the color change is right to raise up a positive statement addressing ink on our stickers. The NPO Vision Statement pervasive violence! declared that proceeds initially would go to mental g it was Opening Day, sunny and health organizations, a now-familiar cause. So, We challenge everyone to join us in sharing this everyone was cheering at thousand the parade, we produced several stickers and did message that society needs hearts to be changed usy mudding up for balls and to wiping groundwork where put them to use. One in order to prevent violence. We look forward to I heard spirit, “Go to the Reds.” seeing every elementary school child take home was amorning, lot of work! Butinhemy didn’t Now,be I am not a all sports w it would worth theperson, effort. but you surely know a booklet of “Bunt,” a strip of that the Reds are the major league baseball team stickers and a decal for their in Cincinnati. That evening, on the eleven o’clock parents’ car. We are open sion news, he would make, just wearing a Reds spokesperson was interviewed. I to licensing! In fact, Bunt as very special! Heand cocked his hat contacted him we met for breakfast later in and his partner Catchy d puffed out his and the week. Hechest opened thekept door for us to give away are already on the drawing ng. the anti-violence stickers at two major league ball board as toy characters, games at the Great American Ballpark. We got the and we hope to see that word out. Surely our mission was accomplished. vision become a reality. Well, on the way home, accompanied by members We believe that if we of our ‘small group’, Ben, a retired principal can have color-change commented,tarde “Alene, you de have written children’s mountains on beer sea demasiado es día stories--do one on non-violence leado y luminoso. Si bien todo el for elementary- bottles, then we can school age children. You need to reach a child by have color-change lcan the en el Bernard 4thdesfile, grade, age ten orestaba so, in order to positively hearts with a message of uavemente las behavior bolas y limpiar impact hasta their life values.” Thus, “Bunt, non-violence on product. s. Hathe sido un duro trabajo! quetowards K-4th Batboy” was written,Pero geared a, sabía que“Bunt, sería” digno de todo el grade. the main character, along with “Catchy” the batgirl, avert a potentially violent
que,52sólo June con 2018 el uniforme era muy
2018 Free Summer Concert Series Presented by:
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June 26th • 7 pm
Funk Factory July 31st • 7 pm
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August 21st • 7 pm Thanks to our sponsors:
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Dr. Billingsley
Goes Above and Beyond in Helping Eye Patient
B
ecause of John Billingsley, III, M.D., one patient can see better than ever before, and received help with a heart problem he had been living with for a long time.
Dwayne O’Mealey, a Springdale resident, used to wear thick glasses and had blurry eyesight. He had cataracts, astigmatism, was extremely nearsighted and couldn’t pass a driver’s test even with his glasses, detailed Dr. Billingsley, an ophthalmologist at Legacy Eye Center in Siloam Springs. O’Mealey went to see Dr. Billingsley for help with his eyes, but Dr. Billingsley ended up helping him with so much more. O’Mealey used to have chest pains, and his heart would skip a beat. While performing surgery, Dr. Billingsley discovered that O’Mealey had sleep apnea, which caused the heart issues. During the eye surgery, Dr. Billingsley fixed the astigmatism in both of O’Mealey’s eyes, and implanted a lens in each eye. O’Mealey later visited another specialist to treat his sleep apnea. He now sleeps with a CPAP, and his heart issues are gone. O’Mealey even says he no longer wears glasses! “That changed my life big time,” he says. “I see colors I’ve never seen.” O’Mealey says that Dr. Billingsley is friendly, takes his time and answers all of his questions, “He’s the best of the best in my book.” Dr. Billingsley performs general eye exams and treats various ocular medical conditions and performs multiple ocular procedures, including cataracts, drooping eyelids, facial rejuvenation, laser treatments, injections for macular degeneration and cosmetic eyelid surgery. He sees 54 June 2018
patients from the age of young adult and older. He performs surgeries at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. Dr. Billingsley explained that he is able to diagnose problems early on by looking at the blood vessels in people’s eyes. From there, he can refer patients to other necessary specialists.
Dr. Billingsley is currently accepting new patients. Legacy Eye Center is located at 500 S. Mt. Olive St., Suite 102, in Siloam Springs. A new remodeled and modernized space in the clinic is planned to open this summer. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 479-524-6115.
Dana Schlagenhaft is co-owner of Hello Local, a retail experience store opening in downtown Springdale in July 2018. Hello Local is dedicated to supporting local small businesses and carries a wide array of locally-produced and NWA-centric products. Learn more at shophellolocal.com
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Forego those mass produced “World’s Greatest Dad” mugs (again) this Father’s Day
Products created by Northwest Arkansas small businesses offer perks that can’t be matched by ship-to-your-door global websites – a personal touch, dedicated customer service, and the powerful feeling that your money is supporting vital, growing businesses in our community.
Hello Local NWA Coffee Tour Box Hello Local Springdale shophellolocal.com
[
In honor of Father’s Day, here’s our favorite locally-created products for the Northwest Arkansas dad who seemingly has everything:
Give your dad a tour of Northwest Arkansas’ emerging coffee scene – all from the comfort of his kitchen. Offering two-ounce coffee bean samples from seven different local roasters, Hello Local’s NWA Coffee Tour Box is the essential pick-me-up for any coffee loving dad.
For the dad who values local experiences:
For the uber-stylish, on-the-go dad:
Biteseeing Food Tour Bentonville www.biteseeingfoodtours.com
Personalized Steel Bike Clip Modus Things, Fayetteville *Available exclusively at Hello Local
Bitseeing Food Tour is a walking, guided tour of downtown Bentonville that includes tastings in at least five locally-owned locations -- including favorites like Tusk and Trotter, Bentonville Baking Company, and Peddler’s Pub. The three-hour tour explores the background and inspiration behind local restaurant owners and chefs as well as downtown Bentonville’s history. Hogshead Beer Tour Northwest Arkansas www.hogsheadtours.com/beer/ Get behind-thescenes access to Northwest Arkansas’ best local craft beer breweries, learn about the brewing process, taste multiple craft beers, and enjoy quality time with friends on a Hogshead Beer Tour. The three-hour guided tour moves from brewery to brewery in classic style – via a 1970 Volkswagen van or a 1988 Toyata LandCruiser. 56 June 2018
For the cyclist who has everything, check out the steel bike clip created by Modus Things, a division of Modus Studio in Fayetteville. Bike clips hold one bike, offer additional space to store a helmet or other accessories, and can be customized by finish color or personalized graphics. “I Owe All My Manly Good Looks to You, Dad” Father’s Day Card Hen Pen Paper Co. Fayetteville www.henpenpaperco.com Sometimes a locally-created greeting card says it all. Black Ops Headband JUNK Headbands, Bentonville www.junkbrands.com
Dad will stay cool this summer with JUNK’S Technical T-Shirt fabric, a breakthrough technology specifically designed to keep heads cool and stylish, while emulating a super comfortable t-shirt feel. For the ultimate foodie father: Bacon Natural Flavored Organic Olive Oil Ramo d’Olivo, Bentonville ramodolivo.biz Bacon flavored olive oil. I repeat. BACON flavored olive oil. Cook your favorite dish with it, drizzle it over tomatoes or potatoes, or use it anywhere you want the delicious taste of bacon. Cooper Cutting Board Mabry Makings, Fayetteville mabrymakings.com Large, manly, and made from Northwest Arkansas Black Walnut, this farmhouse serving plank from Mabry Makings in Fayetteville will be a perfect culinary accessory for any kitchen-capable dad. For the sports-loving dad who deserves to score a gift he’ll really love... The Tailgater Arkansocks, Little Rock www.arkansocks.com Equip dad’s feet for football season with The Tailgater from Arkansocks. Cozy and heavyweight, The Tailgater will stick with dad outdoors, in the stands, or in front of the television (while he Hog Calls, of course). The Greatest Mascot that Never Was T-Shirt Hello Local, Springdale shophellolocal.com Hello Local celebrates what could have been in this spirited shirt honoring “the greatest mascot that never was.” **Brief Local History Note: Thunder Chickens was one of the original mascot options for the team now known as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals when they came to the region in 2007.
IS YOUR CHILD BETWEEN THE AGES OF 7 AND 14? The Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Children’s Research Institute are conducting a research study to learn more about the effects of breakfast on muscle health and energy in children’s bodies. Email us at boost@uark.edu to see if your child can participate in the Breakfast Boost study. Participants will be paid for their time!
www.siloamwomenscenter.com
Kyle Thompson, DO, FACOG
Chad Hill, MD, FACOG
Natalie Eiland, DO
Siloam Springs Women’s Center BOARD CERTIFIED OB - GYN SPECIALISTS SERVING SILOAM SPRINGS REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Focusing On:
• Comprehensive OB Care & Delivery • Gynecological and Laparoscopic Surgery • Female Incontinence • Pelvic Pain • Pelvic Reconstruction • Minimally Invasive Outpatient Hysterectomy • In-Office Surgical Sterilization
Now Accepting New Patients Emily Goucher, APRN, WHNP-BC COMMERCIAL INSURANCE • MEDICARE • OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS & MISSOURI MEDICAID
603-2 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 100, Siloam Springs 479.524.9312 58 June 2018
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm
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P A REC
PEEKABOO Ma g a z i n e
KIDSFEST 2018 at LOGO DESIGNS AND GUIDELINES
PHOTOS BY: FOCUSED BY B PHOTOGRAPHY www.focusedbyb.com
WHERE THE KIDS OF THE COMMUNITY TAKE CENTER STAGE!
On May 6th, Peekaboo Magazine was honored to host Northwest Arkansas’ sixth annual KidsFest Event - as part of the Bentonville Film Festival. Families were able to enjoy, art stations, free gaming, Peppa Pig and George, soccer, live entertainment, Kona Ice, popcorn, cotton candy, balloon art, young chefs, magic, princesses and superheroes, and much more!
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One Man Book Club
By Dan Grover I’d like to introduce you to One Man Book Club, your destination for age- and content-aware book reviews!
I love surprises. Well... Sometimes I love surprises. Like when they come wrapped in a bow, or bring an unexpected smile. But I HATE being surprised with unexpected violence or language in the books I read—or that my kids read. Movies, television, and even music are kind enough to have content ratings.
But books? Nothing. Books, as wonderful as they are, have no rating system. Parents and discerning adults are at the mercy of authors and publishers to give clues about the surprises we are going to find in their books.
Spoiler alert: they do a really bad job. Examples? You bet. You’ll find the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas shelved in the Juvenile Fiction section of your local library. It’s published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books. In fact, this is from the Bentonville Public Library’s website: “Looking for the teen girl version of Game of Thrones? Find it in this sweeping fantasy debut - that already has thousands of loyal online fans.”
Major problem: Book one starts out innocent, but, as the series progresses, the four-letter word count skyrockets and the sexual content goes from PG to PG-13. By book five, Empire of Storms—still published by Bloomsbury Children’s, still shelved as juvenile fiction—the sexual content shoots past PG-13, skips R, and lands squarely in the land of porn. Yep. Porn. In our libraries, marketed to teen girls. How about the popular Divergent Trilogy? These books feature teenage main characters in an unrealistic romantic relationship, yet I see older tweens and young teens reading these all the time. The main characters are 16 and 18, have never even held hands with the opposite sex, yet navigate a complex romantic relationship with the skill of a seasoned adult and maintain super-human control over their hormones. Did you see the movie Ready Player One? Do you or your teen readers want to read the book? The book is awesome, I highly recommend it… but before you pass it on to your young reader, you might like to know it drops the f-word every 42 pages and the sh-word every 11 pages. It also has a frank discussion of a mature topic on page 192. I put Ready Player One as appropriate for 16 and up, but with the caveat that if you can’t talk to your parents about what you read, you aren’t ready to read it! To do our job as parents, we need to know what media our kids are consuming. Movies, television, music—they all have rating systems. Books do not! Parents and other discerning adults need a resource to find books they and their kids will love to read… without having to worry about being surprised by the content.
I created One Man Book Club to be that resource. Well… that, and no girls would let me join their book club!
Looking for some great books? Give these a try.
At www.OneManBookClub.com, you’ll find over 600 book reviews from over 250 authors… with more being added each week. Each review includes thoughts and opinions about the book, commentary on the content, and a recommended minimum age. You’ll also find curated book lists by age, with books that are age- and contentappropriate. Can’t find the book you’re interested in? Send me a note, and I’ll send back my recommendation.
For age 10 and under, try The Wild Robot, By Peter Brown
Want more engagement? Find “One Man Book Club” on Facebook and join in our daily discussions about books and kids and other topics of interest to our community of parents and discerning adults. We’d love to add more friends… the larger and more engaged our community becomes, the better of a resource we will become. I hope you’ll join us!
Happy Reading!
For age 10 and up, try The Luck Uglies, By Paul Durham For age 12 and up, try Lockwood & Co., By Jonathan Stroud For age 14 and up, try Mistborn, By Brandon Sanderson For age 16 and up, try The Books of Babel, By Josiah Bancroft For age 18 and up, try Red Rising, By Pierce Brown
Find reviews and many more at www.OneManBookClub.com. One Man Book Club was created by Dan Grover, a busy dad of 6 reluctant readers, who loves books and loves to help others find great books to read.
Nurturing DREAMS FOR LOCAL FAMILIES.
Member FDIC
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DADS of nwa Scott Pierce Scott, you are such a wonderful, loving father and husband. I am so grateful for the memories we share and the life that we have built together. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to our family! I love you more now than ever. - Kathryn
Phil Cristofaro My dad is an extraordinary dad. He is funny and always supports me! - Madeline I love my dad because he is kind, he loves me, and he always forgives me. - Mazie
Chris Parrish. We have been together for 4 years and just got married this past January. Chris has two children, Trinidy and Wade, with his previous wife, and I came with my son, Thompson. He's been a wonderful dad since day one when we decided to introduce our kids and become a blended family. He took my son in as his own. Thompson's father passed when I was pregnant, so he's never met his father, or known what it's like to have one. Chris has been raising Thompson and referring to him as "his son." I could not ask for anyone better. We are very lucky to have found him Andrea 64 June 2018
Coleson Rakestraw Marleigh wakes in the morning and helps get Coleson ready for work. She sets a timer for some playtime with Daddy before he has to head out the door to go to work. As soon as Marleigh hears the garage door open at the end of the day, she runs out to greet her daddy. They play in her playhouse, cook in her kitchen, take her for bike rides, garden with her and jump on her trampoline. Coleson is an amazing father to Marleigh, and we are so thankful for him. Samantha
Chris Ballay This daddy does it all! He is the hardest worker I know. He works for Dr. Pepper, travels for work, has a farm in Missouri, and still manages to play football, basketball, baseball, and anything else with our boys. He would do absolutely anything for his family and we love him so much! -Meredith
Justin Kester Justin is a great hard working father. He works so hard for our family that sometimes the children don't get to see him for one or two days at a time, since he goes in early and comes home late. I never overlook all the sacrifices he makes so we can all be happy and feel loved. - Kristina
Jerome Carter My husband is a fun and loving dad to our two bubbly daughters. I call them ‘Daddy’s Little Girls.’ Every minute spent with their dad is so precious to them. Since he spends a lot of time at work, they enjoy every moment with him--whether it be a daddy and daughters time carpooling to school, or diving inside a swimming pool on a hot summer vacation. They love their dad so much, and look to him as their very own super hero. -Jalissa
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At a
ARTS and MUSIC
Amazeum (Pg. 18) (479) 696-9280 Arts Live Theatre (Pg. 45) (479) 521-4932 Crystal Bridges (Pg. 49) (479) 418-5700 crystalbridges.org Imagine Studios (Pg. 23) (479) 619-6085 Trike Theatre (Pg. 27) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org Wing Studios (Pg. 55) wingstudios.net
BANKS
First Security (Pg. 63) www.fsbank.com; www.onlyinark.com
CHILDCARE/NANNY SERVICES
ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 55) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com Infiniti Childcare (Pg. 34) (479) 418-3116 Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool (Pg. 69) (479) 273-1011 Preschool Place (Pg. 56) 479-685-1891 www.preschool.place
CLOTHING
Oh Baby Boutique (Pg. 21) ohbabynwa.com
DENTIST
Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics (Pg. 4) (479) 582-0600
DERMATOLOGY / SKIN CARE
Advanced Dermatology (Pg. 25) (479) 268-3555 NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com Women's Health Associates (Pg. 71) whanwa.com
EDUCATION/TRAINING
New School (Pg. 35) thenewschool.org Rubalcava Jiu-Jitsu (Pg. 51) (479) 366-1897
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To advertise email: editor@peekaboonwa.com
Sunshine School (Pg. 40-41) nwasunshineschool.org Super Science (Pg. 31) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Thaden School (Pg. 13) (479) 268-5321 Wing Studios (Pg. 55) wingstudios.net Young Chefs Academy (Pg. 48) (479) 401-2006
FAMILY FUN / ENTERTAINMENT
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Pg. 53) (479) 750-2620 City of Rogers (Millwood) Camps (Pg. 47) (479) 502-2541 Cross Church VBS (Pg. 66) crosschurch.com Crystal Bridges (Pg. 49) (479) 418-5700 Fayetteville Public Library (Pg. 17) (479) 856-7000 Imagine Studios (Pg. 23) (479) 619-6085 Rogers Historical Museum (Pg. 23) (479) 621-1154 Starlight Skatium (Pg. 33) (479) 444-STAR Strike Zone NWA (Pg. 70) strikezonenwa.com Super Science (Pg. 31) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Trike Theatre (Pg. 27) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org
FOOD / DRINK
TCBY (Pg. 3) (479) 636-8229 (TCBY)
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Arkansas Children's Northwest (Pg. 11) ARchildrens.org/nyla Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 19) fccare.org Northwest Health (Pg. 9) northwesthealth.com
JEWELRY AND GIFTS
David Adams (Pg. 47) davidadams.com (479) 444-7778
LEARNING CENTER
Academic Math and Language Therapy (Pg. 57) (479) 253-3256 www.amltherapy.com ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 55) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com
Elizabeth Richardson Center (Pg. 47) ERCinc.org K12 (Pg. 51) (877) 344-8785 Mary’s Little Lamb Preschool (Pg. 69) (479) 273-1011 Preschool Place (Pg. 56) 479-685-1891 www.preschool.place
Orthodontist
Pinnacle Orthodontics (Pg. 45) (479) 877-6565
PEDIATRICIAN
Best Start (Pg. 5) (479) 575-9359 Northwest Pediatric Convenient Care (Pg. 7) (479) 751-2522 NWA Pediatrics (Pg. 39) (479) 442-7322 Ozark Pediatrics (Pg. 53) (479) 544-9432
PHOTOGRAPHY
Main Street Studios (Pg. 59) (479) 524-2004
THERAPY
Academic Math and Language Therapy (Pg. 57) (479) 253-3256 www.amltherapy.com Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 19) (479) 524-2456
ULTRASOUND
Baby Face & More (Pg. 13) (479) 270-7391
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Parkhill (Pg. 43) Parkhillclinic.com Siloam Springs Women's Center (Pg. 58) (479) 524-9312 Willow Creek (Pg. 8) (479) 757-1730 Women's Health Associates (Pg. 71) whanwa.com
To advertise and become a part of the Peekaboo Family email: editor@peekaboonwa.com
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2 hour facility rental includes your choice of activities, party room, party host, pizza, drinks and party supplies
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Kickball, Flag Football, Batting Cages, Nerf Battle and Slime Making.
GAMES, PIZZA, FUN & MORE!
YOUTH SOCCCER SPEED & AGILITY
*30 minutes of strength and conditioning drills, speed work and agility drills for the beginner.
WHEN: Mondays TIME: 6:30-7:00pm AGES 7-10 CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED
www.strikezonenwa.com 1300 W. HUDSON RD, ROGERS AR Call 479-877-6877 or message us for pricing and to book your party
70 June 2018
500 SE Plaza Avenue Bentonville, Arkansas
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