March 2015 by Peekaboo

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Northwest Arkansasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Family Magazine

MARCH 2015

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2005 Promenade Blvd. Ste 140, Rogers (479) 636-TCBY (8229) Jessica Ritchie Photography

the PEEKABOO family Kimberly Enderle

Editor-in-Chief editor@peekaboonwa.com (479) 957-0532

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Distribution/ Circulation Joyce Whitaker Judy Evans Marcedalia Salinas Colleen Cook Jeremy Whitaker Michelle Dodson

Peekaboo Publications, PO Box 1036, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 Peekaboo Northwest Arkansas accepts writing contributions. Please send inquiries to: editor@peekaboonwa.com or call (479) 586-3890 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 nwa W h at ’ s I n s i d e | M A R C H | 2 0 1 5 16

Our Superhero Remington by: Tina Bell

It’s Lemonade Day! NWA

Zane’s Story by: Janelle Paquette

The Dalai Mama with Kristin Hvidza

A Tale of Paint and Tutus

Feeling Stressed? by: Hollie Weber

Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year by: Kyla Berry

March Calendar of Events

Blessed by Love by: Erin Morrell

A Look Inside: What is Unitarian Universalism? by: Jeffrey Tate

Abbey’s Story by: Kristie Hendricks

Running Moms by: Sarah Hood

Answers to Questions About Endometriosis by: Jason Hurt, MD

Rituals of Life with Eva Lebens

Dad’s View with Ben Lacy

Meet Jaxon by: Tosha Lands

Simple Steps for Bedtimes Without Battles

Pedal It Forward by: Marisa Lytle

Project Zero by: Michaela Montie

10 March 2015

o n t h e c ov e r Thatcher Sims Hall, 4 years old. Son of Jay and Natalie Hall of Bentonville. Photo by: Kim Ginn of Sweet Portrayal Photography

www.sweetportrayalphotography.com

from the editor

s quickly as we ushered in Winter, this month we are welcoming Spring (with very open arms.)

Just like the quickly changing seasons, the stages of childhood come and go much quicker than I remember when I myself was in them. In the blink of an eye, a baby becomes a toddler, a toddler becomes a kindergartner, then Kindergarten graduation quickly turns into high school graduation. Last month, my best friend welcomed her third child into the world, a beautiful baby girl. Their family already has two sweet boys, so this little girl was an exciting addition. Holding a newborn baby has the strangest effect on a person -- it makes the heart swoon, and puts us under a spell. As for me, I walked into the hospital to visit them, utterly content with being a mom to three little people, only to walk out set on having a fourth--until Jonathon said “nope.” This quick shift in perspective made me think about how often my views on myself and the world around me change over the course of a month, a week, or even a day. Most of the

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time, this transformation is linked to the influence of social media. Within the span of a single Facebook and/or Pintrest viewing session, I can go from feeling satisfaction, even happiness with the way I dress and look, to being 100% certain that I need to hire a personal trainer and a stylist. I can go from being proud of the activities I have planned for my kids one minute, and then, a quick browse of my newsfeed later, I find myself reorganizing my entire way of parenting. Envy seems harmless, but the natural urge to compare myself to others can be dibilitating. I have caught myself a number of times feeling strong and normal, and then, in an instant, feeling panicky and insecure. What happened to me? Oh, yes...It’s because I just saw a random picture of a woman two feet taller than me (okay, maybe not that tall), much more fit, and doing something super awesome with her four perfectly behaved children. I don’t even know the woman in the photo because I found her by clicking on the profile page of a friend of a friend of a friend, yet now the picture is absolutely yanking the positivity out of me. I work to catch myself and my negativethought loop before it snowballs. We teach our children to be proud of who they are and to “keep your eyes on your own paper,” so maybe we should start taking our own advice.

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This month I challenge you to break the “cycle of comparing” and to stop discounting yourself and your accomplishments for the sake of anyone else’s. I will be doing the same.

Our Superhero Remington Written by: Tina Bell

He’s a one-year-old, and he’s our superhero! Remington was diagnosed with a stage three anaplastic astroyctoma brain tumor four months ago. Currently, Remington and I are in Memphis, at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, fighting the fight. However, his journey doesn’t start here...

n February 27, 2001, my whole world as I knew it was nothing, totally forgotten. The day I held my first child, I knew I was put on this earth to be a mom. Savanna was my first child, and boy, is she a joy! She is hardworking, goal-driven, and one of the most freespirited kids I know. Then, on February 8, 2003, my little Skyler came into the world, and, boy, I thought I had it all under control until she came along! She has taught me to enjoy life and take it with both hands. She is so smart, and she will turn your bad day upside down with just one giggle. With two baby girls, I thought I had a perfect world, but God was not even close to being finished with His blessings. On June 24, 2006, my mom’s birthday, my little firecracker, Annabelle, was born. She loves with her whole heart but is the first to call you out on something if you’re wrong! Then, on October 1, 2009, I finally had my boy, and we named him Colton. He is so fun, and Lord, is he different from my girls! He taught me about bugs, farts, and how to make “dirty” look okay. ONCE again, I thought, what a blessing my four sweet babies are! Yet again, God was NOT finished blessing us.

at 9 months old. He was air-evacuated to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock where we stayed for nine days. There the team stabilized him, and we made our first appointment to return three weeks later for an MRI to determine the cause of the bleed. The results showed there was still too much blood to get a clear scan, so we scheduled another appointment for three weeks later. On August 22nd, my entire world was turned upside down. We prayed the MRI scan would reveal what could be wrong, but never did we expect to hear the words “brain tumor.”

On October 28, 2013, we welcomed a precious 7 pound, 4 ounce little boy, and we named him Remington. My pregnancy was totally normal, and he passed all the tests newborns endure. He was precious, smiled often, loved food, and was the perfect blessing which made us the “fab five.”

The next phase of this journey is called, “Our Extreme Emotional Roller Coaster Ride.” We went through several more MRI scans in Little Rock and a lot of talk about biopsies and retraction. On September 24th, Remington was scheduled for another MRI with possible retraction (brain surgery) and a biopsy. Dr. Cai, our neurologist, came into the conference room and said, “Today’s the day, guys. We are going to try to remove the tumor.” I thought that day would never end but also felt those six hours couldn’t go by fast enough! Up until then, all of my children had been so healthy. I had never had to sit in a chair in a waiting room for six hours while my baby was having surgery to remove a

There was no way we could have known something was wrong, but on July 9, 2014, Remington collapsed at our Wednesday night church service while sitting on the floor. That night we took him to the ER because he wasn’t moving his right side. After a CT scan, we learned Remington had a left frontal lobe brain bleed, which basically means he had suffered a stroke

16 March 2015

brain tumor. During this time, my husband, children, and family were my rock! My oldest child, Savanna, created an Instagram post, asking for prayers and encouraging others to follow by posting a picture of #P4R on their wrists to show their support. That day I was absolutely blown away by all the support we received! Doctors, therapists, and nurses at Arkansas Children’s Hospital even put #P4R on their wrists. We knew, after realizing how many supporters we had, that a Remington #P4R Facebook page was needed to be able to keep in contact with everyone more easily. Within days, my heart was full again because we were up to 1000 followers! People were literally wrapping their arms around us through Facebook. While I was in Little Rock helping our little fighter recover, our Northwest Arkansas family and friends went above and beyond coming up with fundraisers and spreading the word. Remington’s recovery from brain surgery was difficult. He had to undergo physical therapy and have fluid removed from his brain. To be able to eat again, he needed both respiratory and speech therapy. While on the road to recovery, we waited to hear back from the pathology report that was sent to John Hopkins Hospital. On October 8th, my husband, parents, and sister made a mad dash to Little Rock because the results were in--Remington had anaplastic astrocytoma,

grade III. After that, our family concentrated on trying to help our little fighter recover from surgery and regain the use of his right side. We were already worried about an upcoming MRI scan, the results of which would determine if the tumor was fully removed; however, we had now added oncology and tumor boards to our plate. On October 14th, Remington’s MRI still showed remnants of the original tumor, so Dr. Cai went back into surgery to try to remove what remained. His recovery from the second surgery was amazing! He bounced back very quickly, which was like a breath of fresh air. On October 24th, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital tumor board sent Remington’s case to other hospitals to get recommendations. His tumor was adult grade, thus extremely rare in children, especially babies. At this point, Remington was 11 months old. My family can never express enough thanks to Arkansas Children’s

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Our Superhero Remington Hospital. They went above and beyond to make Remington and I feel as though we were at home when we really, really weren’t. While still a patient, Remington turned one on October 28th, and the staff threw him one of the best first birthday parties I have even seen! His neurologist, Dr. Cai, even came to the party! The next day, October 29th, we learned we were going to St. Jude’s to start the next part of our journey “fighting the fight.” Remington and I were able to go home for four days to regroup, see my other children, repack, and celebrate a couple of birthdays. While I had been in Little Rock, my other little man turned five years old... and I missed it. Many things about this journey have been hard. As a mother, I have to be strong and available for Remington. After all, he has recovered from a brain bleed, which caused the loss of normal movement for his right side, required two brain surgeries, and now fights for his life via chemo--but I still have four other children in Springdale. Children who ache and long for me as much as I do for them. On November 5th, Remington and I boarded a plane to Memphis, TN...which was the first time on an airplane for both of us. That, as you can imagine, was an experience in itself, but I don’t think we have enough space to go into all that air travel craziness! What could be called our official “Fighting of the Fight” started the next day, on November 6th, bright and early. We had labs, chemo plans, scans, and appointments galore for the tumor as well as various therapies. On November 7th, we received the best news possible and definitely the best news yet. Dr. Cai was actually able to remove ALL of the tumor! Today, Remington’s chemotherapy plan consists of six months with four different types of chemo per month. Due to his type of tumor being so aggressive and fastgrowing, it must be hit hard from several different

I had never had to sit in a chair in a waiting room for six hours while my baby was having surgery to remove a brain tumor. During this time, my husband, children, and family were my rock! angles. Unfortunately, it’s a smart tumor that works pretty hard to survive. Of course, so do we, and we have a team of specialists to support us. After the first round of chemo, we then go through six months of oral chemo from home with MRI scans scheduled to occur every other month for several years. The scientific and complicated definition of chemotherapy can be, at least according to me, summed up as follows: a downright mean word, but one that for us, is necessary in order for Remington to live a long life! I have seen chemo make our superhero so sick that he doesn’t eat for days but still manages to throw up. Chemo gives him mouth sores, a fever, and requires him to take pain medications to alleviate the pain of locked up joints and muscles. He has sleepless nights, cries like he has never cried before, hair loss, and changes skin color, but when he smiles and looks at me with those big blue eyes, I know I will hold this emotional roller coaster ride together for him because it is something he needs me to do so badly.

Currently, it is February 17, 2015. As of today, we have finished three whole rounds of chemo and have just started round four. We will then have two more rounds of consolidation therapy after this one. Halfway there...livin’ on a prayer. Many have asked how I do it, and when I answer, three things come to mind--my faith in God, my family, and Remington. I have seen so much heartache and pain in the hospitals we’ve visited. Some children, sadly, lose their battle with cancer, and I’ve seen their doctors and families. Nobody should have to see children hurt and go through such terrible illnesses, but, at the same time, I am so thankful for a place like St. Jude’s. Because of them, I know I have a future with Remington and, through the Grace of God, He has used this journey as a testimony of love, prayer, grace, family, and mercy. I am often asked how people can help and I always say, first and foremost, we can use the power of prayer. Other than that, please continue to follow our journey on Facebook (Remington #P4R), or, if you feel moved to help our little superhero in even more ways, you can-Purchase a “Remington superhero” shirt Donate to the Arvest account set up to help Remington called “Remington Special Account” Check out our GoFundMe page for “Remington #P4R” Mail something awesome to me, Tina, Remington’s mom! We are in Memphis with nothing but a few dollars, some gift cards to Walmart, Target, and some gas stations. We are here alone, so we love receiving surprises in the mail! Even just a little note really makes our day. Our address is: Tina and Remington, 1811 Poplar Ave., Apartment 210, Memphis TN, 38108. ...and, of course, pray, pray, and pray some more. Remington and I have two to three more months here at St. Jude’s, if everything continues to go well. When we get home though, our journey doesn’t stop. He will receive two different oral chemos at home, with weekly blood level checks. Plus, every 3 months we’ll be coming back to St. Jude’s for MRI’s and a lumbar puncture. We will also have therapy two to three times a week. Even before then, a lot must be done in order to make our home ready for Remington’s return. Despite how much we long to be there, we still have a ton to do! You never realize how germy your life is until you must keep a child with cancer completely away from germs. Seems impossible, right? After all, Remington has three sisters and a brother waiting for him at home. My husband is the only one able to work while I take Remington to his appointments and to and from the

hospital, so we have had to go from a two income home to surviving on only one. Times are incredibly tough, but we believe in the grace of God. His timing is always perfect...we will make it through this. Last but not least, the thought of all the catching up Remington must to do once we return is pretty daunting. Remington is developmentally delayed due to his brain bleed. Because of all he’s been through just trying to survive, his body and brain haven’t been able to devote themselves to their own development. He isn’t walking, talking, or able to drink anything out of a normal cup because everything has had to be thickened. Also, his right eye experienced damage, so he now has to wear a patch...and the list goes on and on. However, at the end of the day, we have Remington’s sweet self in our lives, and that’s all that matters. Our superhero cannot be stopped!

It’s Northwest Arkansas

Picture this: It’s a beautiful, sunny Saturday in early May and, as you run your errands around town, you keep noticing smiling children with lemonade stands everywhere you go… the bank, the town square, and outside the office on a busy corner. Flavored lemonades. Brightly decorated stands. Little kids in costumes. Big kids. Brownies in their uniforms. Boy Scouts. And these kids aren’t just casually selling lemonade; they are entrepreneurs strategically marketing their individually produced and priced product to consumers. What’s going on? It’s Lemonade Day in Northwest Arkansas! Lemonade Day is a free community program that teaches youth how to start, own, and operate their own business by using a core curriculum, educational workshops, and a simple lemonade stand. More than just squeezing lemons, each child works with a mentor to seek an investor, compare cost of goods, create a budget, set profit goals, serve customers, repay investors, and reap the rewards of their efforts. The Lemonade Day curriculum is approved by the Department of Education and meets Common Core State Standards. Lemonade Day was brought to the region by Big Brothers Big Sisters NWA. The organization’s Executive Director, Sarah Heimer, is very familiar with the program, as she ran it for three years in Bloomington, Indiana. “We are thrilled to be able to bring Lemonade Day to Northwest Arkansas!” Heimer enthused. “The kids learn so much about business and financial literacy from the program, and it is so empowering for them to succeed in their very own business venture. It is a great way for kids to learn not only where money comes from, but also that it takes planning and hard work to generate revenue in order to enjoy the rewards! In Bloomington, after the first year, the adults all learned to go to the bank the day before and take out lots of one dollar bills so we could support the kids.” Heimer’s initial interest in Lemonade Day for the region was to provide an educational activity for

22 March 2015

matched “Bigs” and “Littles” to enjoy together, but she also knew the program would benefit additional regional youth organizations as well. These groups include the Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts, as well as both local schools and homeschooler groups. This first year, Heimer anticipates having 500 young entrepreneurs operating lemonade stands with their mentors in Washington and Benton counties and then expects it to grow every year thereafter. Predicted Heimer, “Lemonade Day is going to become part of the spring ritual in the region… baseball, daffodils, and lemonade stands!” To participate, youth are registered by an adult mentor. Each participating youth receives a free Lemonade Day backpack, complete with educational materials, including the 14-lesson Entrepreneur and Mentor Workbook. Lessons can also be found online in English and Spanish. The final lesson in the Entrepreneur Workbook centers on banking basics and philanthropy, by educating children on both the value of a savings account and how giving can impact their community. Each child is then encouraged to make a donation to the charity of their choice. The program can also be taught in a group or school setting.

According to Sarah Van Vleck, Development Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters NWA, “We are able to bring this exciting program to the region and offer it at no cost to the children because of our generous supporters. We are especially thrilled to have the Walmart Museum as our Presenting Sponsor, which is so appropriate since Sam Walton is the ultimate entrepreneur success story! Other sponsors include Signature Bank, The Right Solutions, Startup Junkie, America’s Car-Mart, and Bear State Bank. We are also so fortunate to be working on this project with Rita

Littrell, the Director of the Bessie B. Moore Center for Economic Education of the Walton Business School at the University of Arkansas.” It is not too late to sign your kids up to participate in this year’s Lemonade Day! We are also looking for busy and visible sites for the stands, volunteers, investors to front $50 to $100 for the kids’ initial costs (all loans should be repaid), and additional corporate sponsors to enable the program to take place. For more information, to volunteer, or to sign up, please visit nwa.lemonadeday.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas Since 1993, Big Brothers Big Sisters NWA has been offering free-of-charge mentoring services to the region’s young people living in poverty, with an incarcerated parent or from a single parent home. Through our one-to-one mentoring programs where the child (the “Little”) is paired with a caring adult volunteer (the “Big”), we can help ensure success for at-risk children. This mentoring has been shown to improve the child’s school attendance, create healthier peer relationships, make them less likely to use drugs or alcohol, improve their ability to avoid physical violence, and enhance their self esteem and outlook on the future. Our programs are 100% funded locally through philanthropic support.It costs approximately $1,000 to conduct interviews, run background checks and match a Big and Little, and then monitor the match for a year. There are over 40 children on our waiting list, and we encourage you to support BBBS NWA either financially or by becoming a Big, Big Couple or Big Family. Please contact svanvleck@bbbsnwa.org , 479-966-4633 or visit www.bbbsnwa.org for more information.

Zane’s Story Z

By Janelle Paquette

ane Johnson was born at 5:50 PM on May 5, 2005, premature and oxygen-deprived. His family was overjoyed beyond belief, but soon received a shock that would change their lives forever. Zane had had a pediatric stroke before he was born. Children have pediatric strokes, also known as perinatal strokes, in-utero more often than many people realize. Research has show they can happen in as many as one out of every thousand live births. Zane’s perinatal stroke was due to a lack of oxygen before he was born. “We were not told at his birth that he had suffered a stroke before delivery, and it took nine long months of numerous diagnoses before an MRI confirmed our worst fears,” said Zane’s mom, Beth. Zane has Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy (HCP), which means he suffered a stroke in his left frontal lobe that affected his motor skills and the use of his right side. As a baby, Zane had to wear a helmet 23 hours a day to reshape his head. Due to his perinatal stroke, he would always lie on his left side. No matter how many times he was turned, he would always turn back to his left side. At a year old, Zane was still unable to crawl or sit up. He rolled everywhere he wanted to go. “I remember too well sitting through hours of physical therapy just trying to get my baby to sit up, and watching him fall over, time and time again. I would go to our van and just break down and cry. The fear of the unknown, wondering if Zane would ever be able to sit or walk... it was all overwhelming, but God was faithful,” writes Beth. Zane began to pull up with one arm at fourteen

24 March 2015

months. He started walking at seventeen months with the help of a leg brace, and from there, you couldn’t stop him! When it was time for Zane to go to school, his parents decided he needed a second year in kindergarten to try and learn his basics. They celebrated as Zane learned to write his first name, his numbers, and memorize sight words. It was Zane’s greatest year of progress! However, challenges soon began to emerge in Zane’s health. He began to have seizures in first grade. At first, his parents thought they were due to viral illnesses because he was very sick that fall. Soon, though, they were rushing to the ER several times a week. He was put on a seizure medication. His school schedule was changed to half-days because the medication made him sleep a lot, and he could no longer tolerate a full day. Slowly, he began to decline in motor skills, and then, as they raised the medication, he became violent and uncontrollable at home and at school. That spring, his seizure medication was changed, and, for a short while, they had their loving, fun, and energetic boy back. However, by the next fall and start of school, Zane had remembered less and less of the information he had learned the year before. Some days, he would wake up and not remember how to use the bathroom. He began doing repetitive things, and his family grew increasingly worried. Multiple EEG’s and visits to a neurologist only led to an increase of medication. As the dosage increased, the more aggressive he became. “It broke our hearts to see him lying on the couch during his ‘zombie’ days when he couldn’t hardly talk,” says Beth. His parents knew something more was going on than the seizures they were catching during the day. Zane was moved from his special education class to a self-contained classroom where he could have one-on-one help. It became more difficult to discipline him and even harder for him to learn. He lost knowledge of his alphabet, numbers, and was unable to write his name. Everything he had worked so hard on had been wiped away. “The regression was very hard to take, for us, as parents, and for his teachers, who had so lovingly poured their time into him,” writes Beth. His seizures began to increase and become more involved. He began to have drop seizures, falling to the ground both at school and at home. After that, his parents decided to get Zane a seizure alert dog. The kennel owner heard Zane’s story and donated a Labradoodle puppy named

Gus. Unfortunately, Zane continued to regress and his seizures continued to increase. His parents had tried a few times to change neurologists, and on December 31st, 2013, they finally had an appointment for a second opinion at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. They scheduled an overnight EEG for February 19th, 2014, where the lab would record Zane while he slept. During the second hour of his sleep, the technicicans rushed into the room and told his parents to wake Zane up. Zane had been in “status,” or a continual state of seizing. To the human eye, he was laying on his mom’s chest

[ ] “I remember too well sitting through hours of physical therapy just trying to get my baby to sit up, and watching him fall over time and time again... The fear of the unknown, wondering if Zane would ever be able to sit or walk, but God was faithful.” Beth Johnson

peacefully sleeping, never convulsing, and never moving. He was given emergency medication to bring him out of a seizure state, but, as the night wore on, his EEG waves were off the chart. By the next morning they were given the news that Zane had Epileptic Encephalogy with Continuous Waves and Spikes, or EEWCS. It is a rare epileptic disorder that affects less than 2% of all epileptics. Zane was put on two additional seizure medications and was scheduled to meet with the neurosurgeon for an evaluation to see if he was a candidate for a Vagus Nerve Simulation (VNS) implant. It involves implanting a pacemaker-like device that generates pulses of electricity to stimulate the vagus nerve. As they waited, his seizures increased and his balance began to rapidly decline. On March 11th, 2014, they met with the neurosurgeon at ACH, praying they would quickly schedule surgery

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Zane’s Story to insert the VNS implant. The entire neuro team at ACH and at UAMS Little Rock met over Zane’s unique and complex case. It was their unanimous opinion that a VNS implant would not work for Zane. His only option was a hemispherectomy, a surgery to disconnect the “dead” part of Zane’s brain from his right side. As long as his brain was continually spiking in waves during his sleep, Zane would continue to decline. He could decline down to a vegetative state, or, worse, die from a seizure. Zane was scheduled for another recorded EEG on March 27th, in hopes that one of the new medications would have calmed the seizure spikes and he wouldn’t have to have the surgery. As the week went on, the more off-balance Zane became. His seizures tripled. His parents were afraid to even lay him down to sleep, knowing his little brain was like a time bomb, spiking and seizing as he slept. After several nights of not sleeping, and watching Zane for any signs of a seizure or distress, Beth was exhausted. She then relied on her faith to get her, her son, and her family through this crisis. She trusted God and surrendered her control. Beth said after she did that, “Peace flooded over me as I crawled back into my bed.” Zane’s EEG was moved up to March 19th. His parents began to decrease the new medication, thinking perhaps it was to blame for the increased seizure activity. After two more days of seizures and no relief from his current dose of emergency medication, his parents drove him to ACH. The next day he went into “status” and was rushed to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Zane spent the next two weeks in the PICU in a medically induced coma. He continued to seize. After the second week and the third time Zane went into “status,” the hemispherectomy was quickly scheduled for the next morning. On April 1st, eightyear-old Zane had major brain surgery. The team of doctors called their family to come down and his parents left for a few hours to try and rest, but all they could do was cry. They soon returned to Zane’s bedside and began praying for a miracle. Beth picked

up the Bible in the room and began talking to God. She said, “I knew God was in control and I need not fear.” They were surrounded by prayers from so many, and felt peace as they waited during the sevenhour surgery. After, they were told Zane was doing well, Beth said, “[We] all praised God and wept with relief and joy.” The surgery was a risk, and he would need extensive rehabilitation to recover to his normal capacity. The next few days of recovery were a waiting game. Zane struggled with fever spikes, blood pressure issues, and at times breathing problems. On the third day in recovery, Zane moved his right side, first just moving his leg, and then surprising everyone by lifting his right arm. They rejoiced! In the days to follow, Zane began to stabilize and the breathing tube was removed. Today Zane is continuing to recover and amaze the neurosurgeons and neurologists. He is able to walk, climb, and be a typical boy, but has to wear a leg brace on his right leg. His leg does drag a little, but that does not stop him. We are thrilled to be able to honor Zane Johnson this year at Strides for Strokes 2015! Our first year we honored Bella Paquette, our inspiration for Bellaflies, and last year we honored Ryley Williams, who had a pediatric stroke due to endocarditis, an infection that attacked his heart, on July 8, 2013. Pediatric strokes are the #6 cause of death in children 18 and under, and we want to change that! Every May, during pediatric stroke awareness month we hold Strides for Strokes. We want to educate the NWA community about pediatric strokes and provide a

family-friendly event for everyone who wants to come out and support Bellaflies! We cherish every single memory we had with Bella, and want to provide opportunities for other families to have wonderful memories, too. Every year, all proceeds go towards Making a Positive! The proceeds from Strides for Strokes 2013 went to Arkansas Children’s Hospital--specifically, we were able to help fund an infectious disease protocol lead by Dr. Jose Romero. This protocol has the opportunity to be implemented nationwide and save many children’s lives. The proceeds from SFS 2014 went to pediatric stroke research at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Heather Fullerton heads the team of researchers who are working on understanding early childhood arterial ischemic strokes. They are currently analyzing their Bellaflies research, and have discovered there is indeed a difference in younger and older children who have strokes. That information can change the way children who have strokes are treated and really is an incredibly beneficial discovery. We also donated to pediatric stroke education called Brendon’s Smile which, in conjunction with Washington University School of Medicine, holds a pediatric stroke lecture series every year. They fly in pediatric stroke experts from around the world to educate the physicians at Washington University and now are able to upload the lecture series online for everyone to see. This past year has been an amazing one for Bellaflies, and we are incredibly thankful for all of our supporters, our Team Bellaflies! Bella Paquette was named a Stroke Hero by The American Heart Association/The American Stroke Association, and her stroke story was shared nationwide! Bellaflies joined the International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke, and we are excited to team up with other organizations to fight this terrible affliction. We started our Making a Positive campaign and were able to spread kindness worldwide during Bella’s angel week. Bellaflies donated $6,000 to pediatric stroke research at University of California, San Francisco and donated $500 to a pediatric stroke lecture series at Washington University School of Medicine. We were honored to be named a pediatric stroke resource by The American Heart Association/ The American Stroke Association! We handed out hundreds of free “Act F.A.S.T.” cards as part of our pediatric stroke awareness campaign. The Bellaflies Foundation received a plaque at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for our continued support of their wonderful facility. Bellaflies represented the pediatric stroke category during #StrokeChat on Twitter, which engaged thousands! We partnered with other organizations and took part in #WorldStrokeDay and donated thousands of dollars worth of new books, Barbies, DVDs, robots, and toiletries to ACH as part of our “Books, Barbies, ‘Bots and Bella’s Blessing Baskets” drive. All of that was made possible because of the people who believe in Making a Positive with us.

Please come out and join us for Strides for Strokes 2015 on Friday, May 8th at Rogers Regional Sports Park! We will have a professionally timed 5k, one-mile fun run, a large auction, obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, bubble station, massage, Panera Bread sandwiches and cookies, drinks, music, and more! All proceeds this year will go to pediatric stroke research. To register and find out more about our event, please visit: www. bellaflies.org/stridesforstrokes/ We can’t wait to see you and your family there!!

TheDalai Mama

Deep thoughts (well not that deep) on life as a mom, wife, and transplant in NWA by: Kristin Hvizda

Fostering Charity in Your Children I

magine, you’re at Walmart, with your kiddos in tow. Short on time, you’re rushing through the store grabbing items on your shopping list, maneuvering the cart through the aisles like you’re Danica Patrick… You’re almost done. The finish line is within sight. Suddenly, without warning, your kid notices (insert some overpriced item that’s NOT on your list) and they instantly begin begging for said item.

You explain to your child in as firm but soothing a voice as possible that, “We’re not getting that today.” They whine. You say, “You can’t get everything you want,” wondering why this isn’t obvious. They whine louder, and before you know it, you’re in the eye of full blown meltdown! You’re forced to abandon your cart full of items in aisle three and make a beeline for the car. As you struggle to buckle in your hysterical toddler, you think to yourself – Is it really only 10:00AM?

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Hard to imagine? Yeah, I wish it was too. For those of us raising children in the toddler sector, this experience (or something similar) is likely all too familiar. Sure, it may be par for the course, but it can make you start to question your parenting skills. Am I raising my kids to be materialistic? Do they realize how lucky they have it? How can I teach my privileged kids to give more and want less? How does one raise a “charitable kid?” “Charitable kids,” for me, means children that are empathetic, kind, generous, and have a sense of social responsibility. Unfortunately, our society has an obsession with “me”, “myself ”, and “I”. Self-absorption

seems almost innate. How else do you explain twoyear-olds spontaneously saying “mine” like a broken record? (Seriously though, where do they pick that up from?!) As parents, we have the responsibility to take the focus off the individual child’s wants and illuminate for them the needs of others. This can be a difficult task--especially when children, psychologically, don’t develop the ability to contemplate the needs of others until age 6. However, if we begin to foster a sense of social awareness from an early age, and model the type of behavior we want to see in our children, it will eventually click and we may succeed in raising the next generation to be a little better. I’ve found that when we shift our focus as a family, to the needs of others, we start to see ways to be charitable everywhere we look. Here are some practical ideas for busy families that will help to foster charity in kids (and you).

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BE A “DO-GOODER”. Your kids are watching you. They are acting off your cues and learning what is appropriate behavior in every situation. It’s like constant improv, and we have to be on our “A” game. Show them that even when we’re busy with our everyday activities, we can be charitable. Pull in your neighbor’s trash cans from the street. Pay for a stranger’s lunch when you’re out to eat. Let another mom cut in line when her kid is having a tantrum. Smile A LOT. Drop off dinner to the new mom on your street. Random acts of kindness will show your children that this type of behavior is normal and expected, and they will follow suit.

CLEAN HOUSE. You know you have an attic full of “stuff ”, much of which is destined for storage purgatory. It’s time to let it go! One mom’s trash is another mom’s treasure. Same for the kiddos--old clothes, toys, baby items, and household goods are all accepted at places like Goodwill, Helping Hands of Bentonville, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of NWA. Get your kids excited about giving to a family in need. Remind them of the happiness they will bring with their donation. (Fair warning: Many toys you attempt to donate, especially if it has been completely forgotten for the past two years, will suddenly be dubbed “their favorite toy”.)

CHARITABLE BIRTHDAY. If your house is like mine,

your toy closet is bursting at the seams. My children have accumulated enough things! So when my son turned four in January, we thought his birthday would be a good opportunity to encourage him to be charitable. In lieu of gifts, he asked his guests to make a donation to an organization called, Action Against Hunger. He had an amazing birthday party and he didn’t even miss the presents! (Don’t think your kid would give up their presents to help another? Ask them, they may surprise you!) There are an endless number of worthy organizations to

support. Birthday Wishes is a great one that will take your proceeds and throw a birthday party for a homeless child. (How sweet is that?!) Also check out: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Animal Humane Society, and FARE.

CHARITY DRIVES. Charity drives are a super easy way to get the kids involved and make a big impact. Last year, my son and I organized a coat drive at his school. We picked an organization that was in need of coats for children, coordinated details with his school, printed up flyers, and decorated collection boxes - set up was that simple! After the drive ended, we picked up the boxes and delivered them to the organization. We collected over 500 coats for children! Charity drives are definitely something anyone can do and a fun way to get the kids and your community involved. You could also do a food drive, toy drive, or one for Military Men and Women overseas. Also check out: Samaritan Community Center, Boys and Girls Club of Benton County, Toys for Tots, and One Warm Coat.

VOLUNTEER. Time is our most precious resource. To give your time is a generous gift, and one that has an enormous effect on those receiving it. Volunteering may be the most influential charitable activity we can teach our children- to give away not just their money or their possessions, but themselves. Volunteer at a Nursing Home, bring donations to a family in need, or help out at a local food bank. Check out Elder Helpers, First Presbyterian Church Food Go to Volunteermatch.org Pantry, and Youth for other volunteer Bridge Inc. opportunities in your community and check Ultimately, the with your local church for most important ways to give back. way to nurture empathy, kindness, and generosity in a child is through what we say and do. Kids are sponges; they soak up everything around them. If we have a spirit of disdain for those in need or are preoccupied with the “getting” and too busy for the “giving”; our children will follow our example. It’s our job as parents to objectively examine our biases and the spirit in which we live, and determine what message our actions are sending. Hopefully in doing so we can give our children the opportunity to give freely of themselves and we can learn to do the same in the process. “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if we can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” The Dalai Lama

Namaste

A Tale of Paint & Tutus The Art of Creation by The Pineapple Tree Dance Company

n a brisk Sunday evening in late October 2014, four ballerinas tentatively step into an airy, spacious warehouse on the east side of Springdale. The space, w h i c h is normally used for hydraulic works and mechanical repairs on large industrial equipment, smells of metal shavings, hydraulic lubricants, oil, anti-freeze, and hard labor. But for tonight’s work, it has been transformed. All the equipment and tools have been pushed out of the smooth concrete space. The floors have been power washed and dried. White tarps and cloths drape from every surface, and a director’s chair, complete with megaphone, sits in the far corner. Nearby, Jordan Rayne, local photographer and videographer, is setting up lighting equipment and cameras. She’s excited because she knows what she is about to capture on film is going to be magical. The ballerinas--Erin Basnett-Kennedy, Anna Buck, Lanie DeJarnatte, and Celine Siahmakoun--excitedly examine their costuming area, which has been carefully laid out for them. A full length mirror rests upright against a 6-foot ladder. A basket filled with items such as hairspray, makeup, brushes, hair pins, and Advil rests on the top rung. Each dancer has a pristine white tutu and bodice, accompanied by pink tights, safety goggles, towels, and a personalized message awaiting them in the dressing area. Joshua Paul, the male dancer, makes quick work of locating his dressing area as well and commences warming up on a mini trampoline he has brought along with him to ensure his ankles are up to the task ahead. 5 cans filled to the brim with brightly colored Tempera paint sit quietly on the periphery of the scene. It’s going to be a long evening full of surprises. The ballerinas dress excitedly in their white tutus. They are very careful to not get even a slight smear or smudge on the white fabric. Each ballerina has her hair pulled up in a bun, but all leave a few natural wisps to frame their faces. The male dancer looks very put-together, in white painters jeans, a crisp white tank top, and white ballet slippers as well.

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Photos by Canyon Taylor

The director settles into her chair promptly at 6:50PM and starts running the dancers through the playby-play for each scene. First, the choreography, set to Mozart, must be run perfectly 5-6 times so the videographer can capture both distant and close-up images of the dancers. The ballerinas are instructed to perform the choreography as if they are having tea with the Queen. Noses in the air, pinkies in the air, and most of all, as if all they know how to be is perfect. This poses very little challenge for five classically trained ballet dancers, and they perform flawlessly. Soon, though, it’s time to bring the paint onto the scene. Everyone feels a little anxious now. Once this begins, there is no turning back! One by one, the dancers, according to the carefully written and rehearsed choreography and script, discover cans of paint with brushes. Excitedly they start to add color to their costumes! Then their bodies! Even their hair and pointe shoes. The scene before the camera becomes a wild and splashy whirl of color and fun. The dancers share their paints, paint one another, fight with the paint, and ultimately dance again in their bright new colorful costumes...and their world seems to have changed for the better because of the colors they’ve found and added to themselves.

The shoot is a wrap, and the dancers are laughing at themselves as they towel off--they are a dripping, wet painted mess. The beautifully, wildly painted tutus are collected and laid in front of industrial fans to dry and the dancers leave to shower and clean up. The videographer is pleased with the outcome and excited to start editing. The director folds up her chair, and she and her husband go about the task of power washing the space and taking down the white tarps and fabric. Every drop of paint is cleared away, and any sign that a painting frenzy occurred is wiped up. It’s nearly midnight when they leave the warehouse. And with that, the first section of the Pineapple Tree Dance Company’s Spring Production, The Art of Creation, is underway.

Mary Trulock is developing a piece using the concept of reflections called Splendid Mirrors. The work will feature six dancers performing together and three couples, also set to Bach. Alaina Sims is choreographing a contemporary piece set to spoken word and music, called The Process of Creation. Her work will include interesting on-stage elements as well, such as light bulbs--the icon of the spark of an idea.

The Art of Creation, presented by Pineapple Tree Dance Company, will feature original choreographic works created to explore the concepts of creativity and artistic creation. The show will be at Starr Theater at The Walton Arts Center on March 27 & 28, 2015.

The show finale will be a choreographic collaboration developed by Sally Ashcraft, Lanie DeJarnatte, and Cynthia Benson called Emergence. The work is contemporary, and will include very unique ideas and music. We don’t want to give away all the show’s surprises, so you will have to attend to see what Emergence is all about!

Choreography will include The Paint by Sally Ashcraft, which will include not only the video described here, but the action will also continue onstage with music by Bach--plus a few more surprises!

To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit us online at www.PineappleTreeDanceCompany.org. You can also purchase tickets at www.WaltonArtsCenter.org or by calling the box office 479-443-5600.

Feelinssged? Stre see ad next page..

(479) 444.1400

s adults, we face stresses on an almost daily basis. Sometimes it is easy to forget that children face stressors, too. Children have increased demands at school, along with weeks of testing and test preparation this time of year, plus peer relationship building, bullying issues, and expectations in extracurricular activities. Children and adolescents exhibit their stress in different ways. Children often change their behavior.

“

Common changes can include acting irritable or moody, withdrawing from activities that used to give them pleasure, routinely expressing worries, complaining more than usual about school, crying, displaying surprising fearful reactions, clinging to a parent or teacher, sleeping too much or too little, or eating too much or too little.*

”

Teenagers often confide their peers and have conflict with their parents, but a strong indication of excessive stress is when the teen avoids parents more often than not, gives up long-time friendships for a new set of peers or expresses excessive hostility towards family members. The language children use to express their distress is also different than adults. Children often use words such as angry, worried, confused, or annoyed. Teenagers often begin to state negative things about themselves such as “I’m stupid” or “Nobody likes me”. Not always are children under a lot of stress when these phrases are used, but, be aware of how frequently your child is using these phrases or how often they are expressing only negative feelings. Stress can also present in physical ways, such as illness. If your child consistently reports such as an

upset stomach, headache, or is constantly tired, you may check in to see if there are new or overwhelming stressors in your child’s life. These symptoms may increase before a test, sporting event, or change in the child’s life. Changes in how your child interacts with peers can also be an indicator of stress in his/ her life. Be sure to speak with the parents/guardians of your child’s friends. Stay in contact with school officials. Check in to see if there are differing behaviors in those settings verses how your child behaves at home. Finally, be aware that your actions affect your children. They pick up on your tension and stress. Be cautious about discussing finances, negative relationship issues (in general), fears you have as an adult, health concerns, and other “adult” issues in front of your children. Also, the way you handle stress as an adult sets a precedent for your child. If you often turn to alcohol, yell, or make statements about being helpless in front of your child it teaches negative coping. This doesn’t mean that you will never express any type stress in front of your children, but, most things are better in moderation! The best way for your child to deal with stress in their life, is to have an open line of communication with the most important person in their life; you, their parent. Make a habit of communicating often and in a positive way with your child. Let them know that you are a safe place, even when they tell you something “bad.” If they have a safe line of communication with you, they are more likely to tell you when something is bothering them, and even allow you to help. Keep in mind it’s just as important for them to be able to talk about their problems as it is for you.

Hollie Weber is a Licensed Professional Counselor for the Center for Psychology and Counseling.

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*http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-children.aspx

nspiring thousands of youth each year to reach their full potential

by: Kyla Berry

or the past 24 years, Boys & Girls Club of Benton County has been on the forefront of youth development. The Club serves more than 3,500 children in the community through regular after school and summer programs. Boys & Girls Club of Benton County enables and inspires youth to realize their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment. While in attendance, members are engaged in developmental programs designed to foster good health, encourage academic success and build strong character. The Club promotes physical fitness and nutritional education through a variety of activities. Since 2014, members have completed a total of 25,487 fitness challenges and 83% of membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; parents agree they are more active since joining the Club. Programs facilitate academic success with daily homework support and engagement in ageappropriate learning activities. Because of this, 99.4% of Boys & Girls Club youth complete their grade on time and yield a higher commitment to school than their Benton County peers. Furthermore, members are encouraged to build strong character and leadership skills through a variety of programs. For youth who had previously been suspended from school, Club members show a 58% reduction. Children who had partaken in substance abuse prior to attending Boys & Girls Club showed a 56% reduction in drug usage and a 64% reduction in alcohol usage. The Club seeks to develop honorable, youth who will lead us into the great futures of tomorrow.

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To celebrate the accomplishments and exemplary character of members, Boys & Girls Club hosts a program called Youth of the Year. This is the highest honor a Club member can achieve. While several may apply, selected members will undergo a rigorous application and interview process, including numerous essays and oral presentations. Candidates are selected based on academic achievement, community and Club involvement and overcoming hardships. We are proud to announce that Joselin Martinez, a senior at Rogers Heritage High School, is our 2015 Youth of the Year. In addition to this title, Martinez has brought great honor to our community, as she was recently named the 2015 Youth of the Year for the entire state of Arkansas. She will move on to the regional competition in June. The far-reaching, positive impact Boys & Girls Club has on the youth of Benton County would not be possible without the dedication and support of our community. Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers donate their time and resources to governance, maintenance, mentoring and more. In addition to individual volunteers, Boys & Girls Club of Benton County is able to expand outreach through partnerships with socially responsible companies with a passion for our community. This year, the Club had the opportunity to team up with Kraft Foods for the annual Youth of the Year celebration. Thank you, Kraft Foods, for being a visionary leader in Northwest Arkansas. Join us during March for Boys & Girls Club Month, as we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our Club members and volunteers. Each of our locations will dedicate weekly events to academic success, performing arts, character, leadership

and healthy lifestyles. You can get involved by volunteering at your local Boys & Girls Club, donating resources or attending the Youth of the Year Banquet, sponsored by Kraft Foods on April 2. For more information, please contact us at 479273-7187 or info@bgcbentoncounty.org.

Joselin’s Story from Boys & Girls Club of Benton County: Joselin Martinez moved to Rogers, Arkansas in December 2004. She and her two brothers looked forward to a bright future in their new home. Just a few weeks later, her father was killed in a car accident. In an effort to keep their family afloat, Martinez’s mother took up three jobs. In a sense, “Not only had I lost my father but I had lost my mother as well,” she recalls. Like many children faced with adult situations, she sought comfort in negative behavior. It was not until her aunt introduced her to Boys & Girls Club in Rogers that she began to see light through the darkness. “The

Club started off as a safe place for me and my brother to go after school every day but it became my second family.” Martinez had the opportunity to participate in several programs at Boys & Girls Club where she developed positive life skills and goals for her future. She now plans to attend college and become a pediatric nurse, hoping to become an everyday hero like those that have positively influenced her at the Club.

CALENDAR

2015

march Weekly Activities: monday:

Little Gigggles Every Monday 10:30AM Enrichment Monday Class Free with admission: Ages 2+ Monthly themes and weekly subjects explored in an interactive, play-based learning environment.

tuesday: Little Giggles Every Tuesday 10:30AM and 3:45PM: “Little Artist” art class with Crafty Cottage $8 for the class, discounted entry into Little Giggles if you stay to play, $5.50 (+tax)A fun 45 minutes with 2-3 art projects completed, taught by Miss Gigi

wednesday: Preschool Art Class » Art and Emotion Crystal Bridges 1-2:15pm Wednesdays, March 4,11,18 (For ages 3 to 5 with an adult.) Parents or caregivers participate with their preschoolers in gallery conversations and art-making activities each week to exploreVan Gogh to Rothko. Session includes three consecutive Wednesday classes. All materials are provided. $30 (24 for members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

thursday: Storytime Fun - Siloam Springs Public Library 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Preschool Program – Storytime with Ms. Laura

friday: Little Giggles Fridays (new!!!) Music with Ms. Megan!! 10:30am Free with admission!!! Singing, dance party and instrumental exploration!

saturday: Storytime at Barnes and Noble, Rogers and Fayetteville 11:00 AM

Library storytimes: Bentonville Public Library: bentonvillelibrary.org Fayetteville Public Library: faylib.org Springdale Public Library: springdalelibrary.org Rogers Public Library: rogerspubliclibrary.org

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Special Events: Sunday

The Ugly Duckling and The Tortoise and the Hare Walton Arts Center One District One Book 1-4pm Join Crystal Bridges for this wrap-up celebration for the city-wide One District, One Book reading program with a fun party full of music, art, games, and more! Sponsored by Rockline Industries. Free, no registration required.

Friday

10:30AM Kids Yoga with Jennifer Creel (ages 2-8 with parent) Fayetteville Public Library TerraFit YogiKids introduces children to fitness and movement through 30 minute fun yoga flows. Please brings your own mats! Homeschool Friday Fun » Why Make Art? Friday, March 6, 13, and 20, 2 to 3:30 pm Crystal Bridges (For ages 5-8 and 9-12) Discover new artists and works in the exhibition Van Gogh to Rothko and think about why they (and we) make art. Through gallery conversations and accompanying studio projects, we’ll look at one artist each week and consider his or her reasons for creating. $45 ($36 for Members)/3 classes. Register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. NWA Beautiful Girls Retreat - March 6-7 www.nwabeautifulgirls.org Dig In Food and Farming Festival March 6-7th 2015 The Jones Center, Springdale diginfestival.com

Saturday

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Event: Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) Masterworks III Concert www.sonamusic.org The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) continues its 60th Anniversary Season with the Masterworks II “Fairytales” concert under the baton of acclaimed SoNA Music Director Paul Haas. Entitled “Fairytales,” this concert features works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Khachaturian and Stravinsky that tell classic stories in a dramatic and compelling way. Ticket holders are invited to a Creative Conversation with Maestro Haas in Starr Theatre, 45 minutes prior to the concert. Starlight Gala John Q. Hammons Center, 3303 South Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers Family Bowling Arkoma Lanes, 1490 Highway 412 Siloam Springs

Tuesday | 10 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Walton Arts Center Ozark Montessori Academy Information Meeting 7pm Jones Center Chapel, Springdale

Thursday

Mingle With a Mission: a Girl Scouts FUNdraiser Join the friends and supporters of Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas for a FUNdraiser evening of Painting Fun! Girl Scouting builds girls of courage,

confidence and character who make the world a better place. Join Us and paint your very own “Starry, Starry Night” masterpiece to support a great cause! Because giving back is good for you! Mimi’s Cafe in Rogers, AR NWA vs HUNGER 2015 Hosted by The Pack Shack, NWA vs HUNGER 2015 is a crazy fun Feed the Funnel party that will take place March 12-14 in Rogers. The goal is to engage 3,500 people to pack 1,000,000 delicious, healthy, easy-to-prepare meals that will be given to hunger relief groups in and around northwest Arkansas. Get a team together and join us! There are important jobs for everyone ages 3 and up! Cross Church in Rogers, AR Preschool Playdate » V is for Van Gogh 11:30-2pm Crystal Bridges This Preschool Playdate features a live performance, art projects, and creative play inspired by the exhibition Van Gogh to Rothko. Activities are geared for children ages 2 to 5 with an adult, and begin with a live performance in the Great Hall at 11:30 a.m. Free, no registration required.

Saturday

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Saturday

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Rogers Historical Museum A Victorian Wedding theme tour of the Hawkins House begins

10:30AM Where Our Animal Friends Live: Hobbs State Park Mother Nature visits the Park to excite the imaginations of all the children around her. Story time will be followed by the “hands-on” nature-craft activities. Children of all ages are welcome, however most stories will target children 3-6 years of age. Meet Mother Nature in the lobby of the Hobbs State Park- Conservation Area visitors center. Cost: Free,

9:00AM World’s Largest Baby Shower -- Washington Regional World’s Largest Baby Shower, Saturday, March 28th, 2015 from 9am-2pm at the Northwest Arkansas Holiday Inn and Convention Center. Bringing education and excitement to maternity! During this one day event, you’ll enjoy educational workshops, seminars, and learn more about new-mom organizations, the Maternity to Toddler fashion show and of course there will be lots of shopping for you& your new little one! Best of all it’s only $3 and the admission benefits The March Of Dimes

Thursday

Family Tour Crystal Bridges 1-2pm Join this drop-in family tour and get to know some of the favorite artworks in Crystal Bridges’ galleries. Our experienced Gallery Guides will lead you on a fun, interactive experience suitable for all ages! Children will receive complementary “I Spy Gallery Glasses” as well! Meet in the lower lobby about 5 minutes before 1 p.m. Free, no registration required.

Girls Night Out Downtown Siloam Springs - 5 to 8pm Music, refreshments, specials and door prizes highlight downtown merchants and provide a fun way to get extra downtown shopping time!

Friday

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10:30AM Kids Yoga with Jennifer Creel (ages 2-8 with parent) TerraFit YogiKids introduces children to fitness and movement through 30 minute fun yoga flows. Please brings your own mats! Fayetteville Public Library

Saturday

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Imagine A New Rogers Historical Museum Rogers Historical Museum An exhibit to show how the new Rogers Historical Museum will look.

Thursday

La Leche League - “North Meetings” 11:00AM -First United Methodist Church at 307 W Elm St. in Rogers.

25th Annual Eureka Springs Kite Festival 10am - 4pm Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Location: 7 miles south of Eureka Springs on scenic Hwy. 23 S. The kites adorn the beautiful mountain side from competition level to beginners. Bring your favorite or let us help you build one. It’s always a treat for the whole family. For more info : 479-253-6596 or email zizirogers@gmail.com.

Spring Break: Spring Break Specials Crystal Bridges March 22-26 1-4pm Spend some family time at the Museum while school’s out! We’ll have fun, drop-in Spring Break activities daily. Visit the Museum website for a schedule of events and activities. Free, no registration required.

A Free K-8 Public Charter School

Opening August, 2015 in Downtown Springdale

First Year Capacity: 120 seats Lottery Application Deadline: April 10, 2015, midnight Lottery Event: April 23, 2015, 6:00 p.m. • • • • • • • • •

American Montessori Society Member School Open to any Arkansas child entering grades K-6 Child-centered philosophy Hands-on, one-on-one instructional model Mixed-age classes Foreign language instruction Practical living skills including gardening & food preparation STEAM projects (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) Social skills development

Public Information Meeting:

March 10, 7:00 p.m. at the Jones Center Chapel 922 E. Emma Ave., Springdale

www.ozarkcca.org Or, contact for an appointment: phone: (479) 935-9992 | email: ozarkcca@gmail.com

Blessed

t by

Love by: Erin Morrell

hen my husband and I got married back in 2006, we knew we wanted to start a family immediately. When, just before our first anniversary, we found out we were pregnant, we couldn’t believe our good luck! I had a mostly uneventful pregnancy, with just a bit of morning sickness and occasional high blood pressure. I was very tired, however, and soon cut my work hours to compensate for my lack of energy. Our baby seemed pretty laid back, never really kicking, just fluttering around in my tummy. At times, I would get a little concerned because I hadn’t felt her move in a while, but, just when I was getting ready to call my doctor, she’d move enough to make me think all was well. The morning of my due date, I really wasn’t feeling well. I went to my already scheduled OB appointment, and my doctor found that my blood pressure was elevated again, so she decided to induce. Our Elizabeth came a day and a half later! She was beautiful and perfect in our eyes. Things started out normally enough, but she had a very hard time nursing. I was disappointed because, as I thought at the time, all babies are

44 March 2015

supposed to know how to nurse, right? That’s what the experts were telling me, at least. We soon switched to bottles and formula, but she still struggled. It took her an hour to finish a three ounce bottle. She was also super fussy and was only content if she was wrapped tightly and being held. Because of her fussiness and need for attention, my husband and I decided I would stay home full time with Elizabeth. At Elizabeth’s two-month check up, her pediatrician was concerned that the back of her head was too flat. He had us start laying her on her side to sleep to try to correct it, and it did. At three months, we saw another pediatrician because Elizabeth was constipated. We were told she was just colicky, that her poop would normalize, and sent on our way. I had started noticing Elizabeth wasn’t meeting the milestones listed in baby books. I didn’t share my concerns with my husband because I was scared and didn’t want to make it real. The morning of Elizabeth’s four month checkup, though, I was prepared to talk to our pediatrician about my concerns. Within a matter of hours, our world was turned completely upside down.

The appointment started with all of the normal checks…weight, length, and head circumference. Then, Dr. Youngblood asked me if I had any concerns, and I launched into my list. He was so patient and listened intently to me. He then started a more intense exam of Elizabeth and could see my concerns himself. Elizabeth was significantly delayed. She had very low muscle tone, and her eyes weren’t reacting like they should. He ordered a ton of lab work, a CT scan, and an EEG. He also referred her for physical and occupational therapy. I was able to keep my emotions in check until I got out to my car and called my husband and mom to let them know what was going on. Thankfully, my husband worked nearby and was able to come over to calm me down and hear about what the doctor had said. We were in shock. Within the week, the CT and EEG were completed. The results showed that there was a 7-millimeter abnormality in Elizabeth’s brain. In the doctor’s opinion, it had most likely been caused by a stroke in-utero. He hoped that, with therapy, we could retrain her brain to work around the damaged area. In the meantime, he would refer us to a neurologist and several other specialists. He warned us that this would be a long, hard road and there was no way to know how Elizabeth would progress.

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Elizabeth started therapy within the month. We went to many specialists to try to narrow down Elizabeth’s diagnosis. Our neurologist ordered an MRI that showed us that there were more brain anomalies than those found on the original CT scan, and there was no evidence of a stroke. As time went on, the diagnosis list grew longer and longer, but nothing seemed to fit together as to a true cause. Her neurologist wanted

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Mitochondrial Dysfunction disease is a new thing in the medical world, and no one can give us any idea of a prognosis for Elizabeth. I don’t think I want to know what the prognosis is or worry about it. I simply want to enjoy her and take her to see and do the things that make her happy.

us to do a muscle biopsy, but my husband and I were hesitant to put Elizabeth under general anesthesia because of her age and sensory issues. We decided to wait. In the meantime, life and time moved on. Elizabeth had trouble tracking objects and using her hands.

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So, we were excited when, at seven months old, she reached out for a toy. Such a simple thing seemed like a huge milestone to us. Elizabeth was even able to sit up on her own by her 1st birthday. We added speech therapy to our routine at 15 months. She learned to crawl on her own just before her 2nd birthday, and she started to walk with the assistance of a walker at Thanksgiving of her 3rd year. She started pulling up to stand on her own the summer she turned four and took her first amazing steps without holding on to anything two days after Christmas in 2012. Progress was slow, but at least she was progressing! Our biggest challenge during this time was that Elizabeth was sick often, and she had a hard time getting over it. You don’t realize until you have a child with low muscle tone just how much muscle effects your whole body and immune system. We then discovered she was lactose and gluten intolerant, and taking gluten out of her diet worked miracles. She wasn’t as fussy, and we actually had a happy girl consistently!

In the summer of 2010, we welcomed our son, Ethan. I knew from the beginning of my pregnancy that he was fine. I felt good and he moved around like a wild man from the moment it was possible until he was born. It was only after being pregnant with Ethan that I realized my pregnancy with Elizabeth had been abnormal. How was I supposed to know, though? She had been my first. Ethan hit all of his milestones right on time, if not ahead of schedule. I’ve told many people I am glad I had Elizabeth first because I didn’t know how easy it was supposed to be. Don’t get me wrong, I knew Elizabeth was a handful, but I think if I’d had my “normal” child first, I would have been more devastated by all of it. Instead, it was just “our normal.” I think most people thought we were crazy to have another baby, but I just knew it would be all right. Besides, who would love Elizabeth more than a sibling? I believe she has been spurred on to do more and try harder by watching him. He’s been such a blessing to our family and such a loving and gentle brother to Elizabeth. He brings joy and vibrancy to all of us! In the spring of 2012, we agreed Elizabeth could handle the muscle biopsy and moved forward. The procedure was quick and easy, thank goodness. It took several weeks for the results to come back, but we finally had

an answer to the cause of her seemingly unrelated list of diagnoses--Complex 4 Mitochondrial Dysfunction. The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cells, who turn oxygen into energy to power your body. Elizabeth’s mitochondria don’t do this properly, so she never has the proper level of power to run her body at full capacity. Elizabeth started a special cocktail of vitamins to try to help her body compensate for the lack of energy from her cells. We are very lucky she is among 20% of patients who are actually helped by using this method. She was making progress, and we were happy. Then in October of 2013, we woke up one morning to find Elizabeth having a seizure. We had made several trips to the ER with her before, but this was the first time we went in an ambulance. She had never had a seizure before. She was admitted and didn’t wake up again that day. We were watching her closely for signs of another seizure, and, at about 3:30 AM, I noticed she had started shivering. This was unusual, because Elizabeth can’t control her body temperature. I alerted the nurse, but she didn’t think much of it. I was uneasy about it, though. Just before 6:00AM, Elizabeth started seizing again. After 13 minutes, they gave her rescue medication to stop it, and it finally did after 17 minutes. It was the worst 17 minutes of my life. I was scared and horrified that she had gone through it by herself the morning before, but the pediatrician on duty didn’t seem concerned. I was in shock, but I knew the pediatrician coming in next knew Elizabeth better and had a better idea of her baseline. He came in after he talked to the neurologist on duty at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and told us they had decided to keep Elizabeth at Mercy and to give her a loading dose of the seizure drug, Keppra. In talking to the other doctor about what was happening, our pediatrician had learned that Elizabeth had never regained consciousness after the first seizure and had yet to wake up from the second. He called the neurologist at ACH again, and we decided to transfer her there. They sent the helicopter for her, and, within a few hours, Elizabeth and I were in the Intermediate Care Unit at ACH. I talked to several doctors and nurses, giving them Elizabeth’s extensive medical history and the facts of the last few days. Another round of tests were ordered, and one of the first things they found was that her blood sugar was extremely low. They worked to get that stabilized, and Elizabeth woke up by 9:00AM. She was transferred to the neuro floor within a few hours of waking and

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had a video EEG that showed no signs of change from her previous EEG’s. We were given a prescription for Keppra, a rescue medication to give her if she had a seizure that lasted more than five minutes, and were discharged by 5:00PM. It was such a whirlwind. When we got home, we saw our pediatrician and neurologist to go over test results. Elizabeth just wasn’t quite right, though. She wouldn’t eat, and we were in a battle to keep her hydrated to get her medications in her. The problem is, when she is sick, all cell power goes to fighting off the sickness and she physically cannot eat or drink on her own. My husband and I were convinced that the liquid Keppra was the culprit but were having a hard time convincing others. It’s glutenfree, so it shouldn’t bother her stomach, but, for some reason, it did. We finally got it changed to a pill form, and she immediately started to improve. She’s only had a couple of seizures since then, each lasting less than 30 seconds. Another one of Elizabeth’s doctors suggested we consider getting a g-tube for Elizabeth, so we would have a way to keep her hydrated and medicated when she was sick. We were flabbergasted. We had no idea it could be done for occasional use. After the month we had just had, we agreed to do the surgery. Elizabeth got her g-tube in January of 2014. We stayed the night in the hospital and learned how to care for and use the tube. It is one of the best decisions we have ever made for our daughter, medically speaking. Being able to feed and medicate her through the tube has shortened the length and intensity of her illnesses and has helped to lessen her hospitalizations. We made a decision at some point that our family comes first and to show Elizabeth as much of the world as we can. Because she gets sick so easily, we avoid stores and indoor activities in public during flu

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season. We go to therapy and doctor’s appointments, but, other than that, we are pretty much at home. We enjoy the time we get all cozy together playing with toys, games, watching movies, and reading books. When the weather turns nice, though, and flu season retreats for the year, we get out as much as possible. Elizabeth loves the water, so we go to the beach once a year. She loves riding the rides at Silver Dollar City, and the smile on her face and her giggle makes the hassle of getting there worth it! Our family time is precious to us. I know this seems overwhelmingly bad, but, I’m telling you, it’s not. Things could be much worse. When you’re pregnant, you don’t dream of having a child with special developmental and medical needs. Elizabeth is six years old now but functions like a 15 to 18 month old. Since she is nonverbal and lacks the fine motor skills to try to use sign language, communicating is a challenge. Most people assume she is autistic. But, it’s not the end of the world...I have my sweet girl with me. That is a miracle in and of itself. She loves to read books and watch The Wiggles and Thomas the Train. She loves to cuddle and swing, and at night she wants her mommy to rock her to sleep. Honestly, I think it is a matter of changing your expectations of how things are supposed to be. Birthdays and Christmas are the hardest because you have to let go of what should have been and embrace the reality of what life is now. I have learned an abundance of patience through this. We have been blessed by so many around us--whether it be my special needs mommy support group, NWA Mom 2 Mom, who gives me the support and sounding board I need, or my husband’s employer, who has been gracious when it comes to doctor’s appointments, hospital admissions, and allowing Sean to work from home on days when I or both kids are sick and need extra help, or our family and friends who help us with child care and with their prayers, or even by the many therapists who have helped Elizabeth gain the skills that come so easily to the rest of us. Last, but not least, by the doctors and nurses who have taken care of our angel when she is sick and help us plan for her needs. Mitochondrial Dysfunction disease is a new thing in the medical world, and no one can give us any idea of a prognosis for Elizabeth. I don’t think I want to know what the prognosis is or worry about it. I simply want to enjoy her and take her to see and do the things that make her happy. Her smile and laugh melt my heart. I’d do anything for her. She is my heart, and I love her more than life itself.

A Look Inside

What is Unitarian Universalism? by: Jeffrey Tate

nitarian Universalism, a liberal spiritual movement with roots in Christianity, has gotten more more popular in recent years, especially as the Information Age has some people struggling to reconcile long-held religious beliefs with more recent scientific conclusions. Members get inspiration from deep searches for truth within all religions and possible sources of truth, and value intellectual curiosity and inclusive love, across the board. Though this group’s ideas may sound fairly newfangled, interestingly enough, Unitarian Universalism has actually been around for hundreds of years, and, with that in mind, is no ‘new’ way of engaging religion. In America, Unitarian Universalism evolved from one of the most popular churches among our founders, the Congregational Church, in the 1700’s and 1800’s. To that fact, some famous Unitarians include: Abigail Adams, President John Adams, President Thomas Jefferson, President John Quincy Adams, President Millard Fillmore, President William Howard Taft, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes; Roger Baldwin, the founder of the ACLU; Charles Dickens; Ray Bradbury, the science fiction author; e e cummings, the poet; Ralph Waldo Emerson; Buckminster Fuller, the inventor; Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick; Linus Pauling, the Nobel laureate; Joseph Priestly, the scientist; Paul Revere, the revolutionary hero; Albert Schweitzer, Pete Seeger, Kurt Vonnegut; Paul Newman, the late actor; Frank Lloyd Wright, and many more famous persons.

more liberal side of a particular religion or worldview. Anyone who already has a faith system, or doesn’t, for that matter, can join and gain acceptance from a Unitarian Universalist community. There are ‘official’ groups of UU Christians, UU Buddhists, UU Jews, UU Humanists, and more. There are local chapters that vary widely from one another, because the search for truth depends on the experiences of their members. UU attempts to be a truly equal ground for a meeting of the minds, where members try to uplift each other, and leave any kind of traditional religious and scientific infighting at the door. UU maintains that it is for all those who have come to a point where they wish to develop beyond any singular dogma-whether it be science, a specific religion, atheism, or anything else--about what is true and what is good. Unitarian Universalism, according to their tenets, is for those who are want to learn from all sources of knowledge and wisdom. UU is for people who feel dissatisfied with the seemingly singular set of answers that disparate sects maintain. Members seek coherence among their understandings of science, philosophy, and spirituality, and hope to come to a higher plane of understanding by combining all three. According to members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Benton County, anyone who walks through the doors will find friendly, progressive people eager to make new friends, as well as uplifting music, engaging discussion groups, fun social activities, classes for children that focus on the principles of Unitarian Universalism, and, hopefully, inspiration.

So, what were all these folks drawn to? What is Unitarian Universalism, and what does it preach, so to say? Unitarian Universalism is a religious denomination tied to no one religion, valuing inclusivity UU looks to all religions, philosophies, literatures, and sciences as sources of knowledge and wisdom

Once you go to UU for the first time, you’ll notice that, despite its rejection of any specific religion or dogma, it is governed by ‘principles’ that set up its members for truth-seeking.

Each Sunday morning, the UU members light the Unitarian Universalist chalice, the most widely UU looks to human and individual spiritual experiences of used symbol of the UU faith--or, expansive love, beauty, and oneness with Nature for the truth interfaith, as it were. The congregation sees it as symbolizing the image of Because of this, there is no need to renounce any Beauty, the light of Truth, and, finally, the warmth of religion to become a part of UU, which makes it very Goodness. Beauty, for Unitarian Universalists, is the attractive to anyone who feels that they are on the harmonious integration of parts into a greater Whole that is better than its parts. The highest purpose of a Universalist’s life is to make life more harmoniously organized, and more beautiful. Truth, to UU, is 52 March 2015

The Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism, which are the official guidelines, so to say, are:

1 2 3

Belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

4 5

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

6 7

The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

understanding our world through reasoned study, so that Universalists can use skillful means make life better, both for themselves and other people. Their highest purpose, within the context of the Seven Principles, is to use their reasoning and intelligence to increase and witness the truth. Goodness is the primacy of compassion over aggression in dealings with all sentient beings. The highest purpose is to increase nurturing compassion for the self, oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family, our society, and for all humanity. Today, there are about 100,000 UU members in the United States, in about 100 UU congregations. In Northwest Arkansas, we have UU fellowships in Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Eureka Springs. You can find your closest UU congregation on Meetup. com, at www.uubcar.com, and on Facebook, and you can learn lots more about Unitarian Universalism by visiting www.uua.org. The mission of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Benton County is to be a vibrant spiritual community, free of limiting dogma and guided by love, reason, and conscience. Their intention is to be a fellowship that seeks knowledge, expresses care, provides service, and builds community.

Abbey ’s Story

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by: Kristie Hendricks

I am that Mom.

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I have that child. You know us. We are the ones that cause issues when it comes to class parties and snacks for the soccer team. It has taken years, but we are comfortable with that. We are comfortable because it means my daughter’s health issues are being acknowledged and supported.

It all started in January 2006. I knew I was carrying this tenacious little soul before I could even prove she existed. I eventually was able to tell my husband, parents, and family. We were all ecstatic! My pregnancy was fairly normal, with the exception of gestational diabetes. I was induced on September 11, 2006. Twenty-three hours and a C-section later, my little Abbey made her debut.

I did all the things I was “supposed” to do as a new mother. My OCD kicked into overdrive. I breastfed, I hovered, I lost sleep and everything else that was recommended. She was perfect in every way. Well, it was almost every way. She was born with a hole in her heart. I researched. I cried. Eventually that hole healed itself. I was thankful. We clicked along for months. She suffered from eczema. That was fine. We dealt with it. When she was about 10 months, IT happened... the one issue that wasn’t going to go away. We were working on my cousin’s wedding, and I made a run to the craft store for supplies. I returned and my tenacious little girl was covered in hives! Needless to say, freaking out was an understatement! We immediately found the source to be a peanut butter cookie someone had slipped her. She had not had a peanut product up until this point. I went out for Benadryl and the hives subsided. I had been so cautious. I had followed the suggestions of no peanuts or eggs

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for the first year. The following Monday, I took her to the pediatrician with my newfound issue. He told me to continue to avoid all nuts and eggs as recommended. I was assured that an allergist wouldn’t see her at such a young age. Fast forward to November 2008, and Abbey had turned two. She had respiratory illnesses just like most children do, but this time was different. Her breathing was labored. She crackled when breathing, she was lethargic, and she was bad. Her pediatrician was booked so I took her to my primary care doctor. He sent us to the emergency room immediately. She had pneumonia. We spent that Thanksgiving in the hospital. After she was discharged, we were referred to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Pulmonary Clinic. She was diagnosed as asthmatic and began a regimen of medications. Soon after Children’s, we were referred to an allergist. We found ourselves doing allergy testing. This is where things got very real for our family. Abbey was allergic to eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, dog dander, cat dander, mold, dust mites, and the list went on. I cried. I cried for my baby. I cried for myself because I knew our lives were forever changed. First of all... Nuts! Well, I was familiar with peanut allergies. My step-daughter, Claire, had recently been diagnosed with a peanut allergy. Luckily, and I mean luckily, both of them have to actually ingest the nut. Plus, nut products are somewhat easily identifiable... or so I thought. I had managed to keep Claire safe. I was so naïve. Claire was with us such a minute amount of time that I didn’t feel the full

impact of food allergies. I delved into my cabinets to identify my newfound enemies. Eggs are used in everything, or so it felt. Nuts hide in the craziest places! It sank in. The true dangers sank in.

infection, a newly discovered heart arrhythmia and the anaphylaxis. The anaphylaxis taught my entire family, extended family included, about the dangers of her allergies and how especially important the food allergies and Epi pens were.

We began allergy shots. Allergy shots do not address food allergies or pet dander allergies. They are designed to help desensitize the body to environmental-type allergens. Think oak trees and grass…. Abbey seemed to be sick all of the time. After too many rounds of antibiotics in a six month time period, immunology testing was ordered. At age three, Abbey was diagnosed with Selective Immunoglobulin A Deficiency. This meant a daily, low-dose antibiotic to help her fight respiratory illnesses. She couldn’t fight them like everyone else.

Here we are, almost two years since her last health crisis. She takes seven prescription medications daily, with two more waiting in the wings for when they are needed. We still avoid nuts, and she is healthier overall for the most part. She is still my tenacious little soul! I now have a passion, a passion for both my girls’ allergies. I am still the homeroom mom because I still feel the need to have the ever present watchful eye. Arkansas Children’s Hospital and her allergist are staples in our lives. They love Abbey like their own. This was why Abbey’s story had to be told... food allergies continue to be on the rise. There is no known cure or medication. Research is our only hope. Arkansas Children’s Hospital has an Allergy and Immunology Research Department, and are a lifeline of hope for us and many other families. Their research is vital. Please join my family and many others for the Food Allergy Run for Research to benefit the ACH Allergy and Immunology Research Department. This will be a chip-timed 5K and a 1 mile fun run/walk event for families on April 12th beginning at 1 pm in Rogers, AR. Follow this link to register www.giving.archildrens.org/ run4research

I cried again! I had a “bubble baby”. For the next two years, she seemed to be one giant hive. I felt like I had single-handedly kept the makers of Benadryl in business. My purse became a plethora of medicines. I had inhalers, Epi pens, Benadryl, and just about any other medication Abbey would need. We eventually discovered she was allergic to her daily antibiotic. She still had hives after we changed it. I scoured everything she ate every day. She was re-tested for allergies. Nothing was new or different. In February 2012, the source of the hives finally reared its ugly head. She was reacting to her allergy shots. We reduced the dosage and frequency. She still reacted. She went into anaphylaxis five times in 2012. She was injected with epinephrine three of those five times. I am still not sure how I escaped that with my sanity. Later in 2012, Abbey started kindergarten, an entirely new fear of mine. How would I keep her safe in this germ-infested, peanut-ridden, egg-serving environment?? We had a teacher that cared for Abbey with love and diligence. We are still friends, and the school nurse also became my forever friend. Every day became a bit easier on my nerves. I volunteered for homeroom mom so I could keep an eye on the parties. I went on every field trip. Luckily, I own my own business, so this was possible for me. That fall we were overwhelmed with good news. She had outgrown the egg allergy! Her birthday had passed, but I bought cake anyway. We had cake and ice cream because they were now safe! It felt like a whole new world at our house. We still had that pesky nut allergy, though. Kindergarten proved to be a rough year, with walking pneumonia, a collapsed lung, a severe sinus

Running Moms

by: Sarah Hood

Northwest Arkansas is the perfect place to develop a running habit. The highly-decorated Razorback Track & Field Team is in our backyard, multi-use trails run through the heart of our community, the hills keep things interesting, and you just can’t beat the weather. It’s no wonder even the kiddos are getting in on the action! Meet a few of Northwest Arkansas’s next generation of runners — we hope these stories will inspire you and your family to lace up and give it a try!

Ready to give running a try? Here are a few upcoming races for kids: March 13 Cow Paddy Run March 28 Bentonville Half Marathon Fun Run April 11 Kids’ Hogeye Marathon

Aidan (age 9) & Zachary (age 6) Springdale These boys don’t remember life without running. Their mom and dad, Amy and Jake, have both been running since they were young — and Aidan and Zachary both caught the running bug early, too. For Aidan, running began in kindergarten when he trained for the Kids’ Hogeye Marathon with his parents. His elementary school now has a Hogeye Marathon training program and he looks forward to it every year. His favorite thing about running? “There is no time limit. You can take as long as you need to finish a race.” And Aidan credits his

parents with teaching him about running a steady pace instead of sprinting and getting tired. Easier said than done! Aidan’s brother Zachary, a six-year-old first grader, also couldn’t wait to join the rest of his family on a run. Zachary’s advice to friends thinking about running is to have fun! “If you train a lot and run races you can get a medal at the finish line!” He especially likes races like the Goblin Run 5K in Bentonville that encourages runners to dress in costume! For this family, running is an activity they all love. They cheer each other on, whether it’s a day at the park or from the sidelines at their favorite races. The family that runs together, stays together!

Grace (age 9) & Gideon (age 7) Fayetteville Though Grace was the first to try running, a little bit of healthy sibling rivalry motivated Gideon to try it, too — and soon they were both working harder during PE at school and following in the footsteps of their athletic mom and dad. Grace and Gideon have spent many mornings cheering mom and dad at local duathlons, marathons, and other races — and the whole family loved celebrating with Dad when he recently ran 40 miles on his 40th birthday! For this family, running is about working hard at something that is also fun. Also active outdoors by participating in hiking and bike riding, together they are learning about training, rest,

nutrition, and how running and exercise fit well into a busy lifestyle of school and other activities. Grace says, “Running is healthy AND fun to do.” And she plans to continue working hard to improve. Gideon reminds us that “everyone is a winner when you run a race”. If you put in the work, and you get out there — you’re a winner. Great reminder, Gideon.

56 March 2015

Ryan (age 12) & Brady (age 10) Fayetteville These girls started running in elementary school and have never looked back. Their parents, Shawn and Stephani, have been lifelong runners, and now give back to the running community in Northwest Arkansas by volunteering to organize the Kids’ Hogeye Marathon each year. Ryan and Brady agree that running can be a great stress-reliever and a way to take your mind off things at school or with friends. “It just feels good to be out running, “ says Brady. Ryan credits her dad with getting her into it. “He has taught me everything I know about running,” she

Caleb (age 9) & Kinley (age 5) & Ashton (age 3) Fayetteville Caleb will tell you running is fun, it gets you fit, and his favorite thing is getting to the finish line! “I just like crossing the finish line because I imagine a big, fat, juicy hamburger with no cheese and no onions!” Sisters Kinley and Ashton are “fastinistas” — loving fast shoes and dressing up for races. For this family of kiddos, running has become a special way for them to support a cause near and dear to them. In 2013, their parents Lance and Katrina created a non-profit called Butterfly Effect to raise money to help special needs children pay for genetic testing at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The annual Butterfly Race 5k - held each September - serves as both a fundraiser and awareness for their foundation. Caleb, Kinley, and Ashton are growing up seeing firsthand the impact the running community can have through service, volunteering, and spreading the word of a worthy cause. says. Both girls stay busy with races like the Kids’ Hogeye Marathon, the Chile Pepper, and Girls on the Run 5K each year, and they love sharing this passion for running with their mom and dad.

Colt (age 6) Fayetteville Colt has been crossing finish lines with his mom since he was three years old. Everything from 5Ks to marathons — he waits just before the finish line then runs across holding her hand. It’s all those Saturday mornings cheering her on that made him want to try it for himself. So Colt is training for his very first race this spring — the Kids’ Hogeye Marathon. He’s new to running and is learning about how to pace himself, and how to stay focused — but so far he’s loving it. Colt is active in other sports like baseball and basketball, too, and he’s excited about his new interest — especially since he can train with Mom, and now maybe SHE can join HIM for the finish line!

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Answers to Questions about Endometriosis 5330 Willow Creek Drive, Springdale (479) 582-9268 • www.creeksideobgyn.com

HE ALTH S YSTE M

Jason Hurt, MD is a board certified OB/GYN with Creekside Clinic for Women on the campus of Willow Creek Women’s Hospital in Johnson/ Springdale. He is trained in robotic assisted and laparascopic surgery.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue, similar to the tissue that normally grows inside the uterus, also grows outside of the uterus. The tissue inside the uterus is called “endometrium” and the tissue outside of the uterus is called “endometriosis”. The most common places where endometriosis occurs are the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the bowel, and the areas in front, in back, and to the sides of the uterus. Endometriosis is one of the most common health problems for women. Symptoms are usually experienced by women in their 30s and 40s, but can occur in anyone who has menstrual periods. The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, although there are many theories. What are the symptoms of endometriosis? — Some women with endometriosis have no symptoms. But most have pain in the lower part of the belly that can occur: Before or during monthly periods Between monthly periods During or after sex When urinating or having a bowel movement (often during monthly periods) Other symptoms of endometriosis can include: Trouble getting pregnant Growths on the ovaries that a doctor can feel during an exam All of these symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not endometriosis. But if you have any of these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse. Is there a test for endometriosis? — No. But your doctor or healthcare provider might suspect you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. The only way to know for sure if you have endometriosis is for a doctor to do surgery and look for endometriosis tissue outside the uterus. How is endometriosis treated? — Endometriosis can be treated in different ways. The right treatment for you will depend on your symptoms and on whether you want to be able to get pregnant in the future.

Doctors can use medicines to treat endometriosis. These include: Pain medicines Birth control medicines – Certain birth control medicines can help reduce pain symptoms. This treatment is not appropriate for women who are trying to get pregnant. Hormones that stop monthly periods – Most doctors do not recommend that women use this treatment for longer than 1 year, because it can have side effects. Also, this treatment is not appropriate for women who are trying to get pregnant. Some women choose to have surgery to treat endometriosis. Different types of surgery can include: Laparoscopy – In this type of surgery, a doctor will make a small cut in the belly and put a tube with a camera inside the body. Then he or she can see and remove endometriosis tissue. Laparoscopy is the gold standard for establishing the diagnosis of endometriosis, and provides an opportunity for conservative surgical treatment. Robotically Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery has provided better opportunities to treat women with advanced endometriosis and pelvic pain with minimally invasive surgery. This technology gives the surgeon the use of wristed instruments, better visualization, and more precise surgical technique, all which can allow for less operating time, less blood loss, and less postoperative pain. This technology ultimately allows more difficult cases to be performed with a lower likelihood of needing a laparotomy or “open incision.” The goal of Robotically Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery is to provide surgical treatment of complex gynecological conditions such as endometriosis with less time in the hospital and a faster recovery to normal activity. Ultimately, the treatment plan for endometriosis is determined by your symptoms, extent of disease determined by surgical laparoscopy, and your plans for future pregnancy/ fertility. Both you and your doctor should discuss all options and decide which best suites your individual circumstances regarding treatment.

Rituals of Life: Adventure and routines go hand in hand by : Eva Lebens

Nice eve - nice-eve.com

Eva interviews people from NWA about their family routines and rituals. Jason Suel shares his story with you this month. Jason is a creative director at Trike Theatre amongst a zillion other intersting things. He has two children, Pippi (7) and Felix (4), and is married to Jill.

Family dinners Eating has always played a central role in our family. We used to celebrate Christmas at my grandparents’ house with the whole family. We started at 8AM, because, unlike everyone else, we had Christmas breakfast. My mom always made pink ‘fruit fluff.’ I liked it, though I’m more an eggand-bacon kind of guy. This year, we celebrated Christmas with the whole family at my place for the first time. I tried to do everything the same as we had before, because I really wanted to recreate those memories for my own children.

Tuesday Ritual The children stay with me every Tuesday and on weekends. Tuesdays, especially, follow the same pattern. I pick them up from school and then we play - preferably outside. Both Pippi and Felix are quite athletic, and like to play basketball and soccer or ride their bikes. Afterwards I prepare dinner. They really like Mexican quesadillas. I used to make them the ‘dad-way’; I just heated everything in the microwave. I changed that habit, because it’s their favorite dish, so why rush it? Now, I even butter the tortillas!

Dinnertime Lately, Pippi helps me out with setting the table. We have plates with different fruits and vegetables printed on them, and she likes to decide who gets which plate. A year ago, we started playing ‘Family Time Fun’. The reason we introduced this was that I noticed that the kids had dinner as quickly as possible so they could

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Rootines - rootines.com

continue what they were doing beforehand. I also felt we needed to have better conversations. When I asked the children what they did at school, they gave me answers like ‘It was good’ or ‘I don’t really remember’.

The game When you push the button in the center of the game, a task lights up. You might have to tell a story about a rabbit, count or name things that end with a certain letter. Pippi likes the latter, I guess because it corresponds with what she does at school. Felix likes to make sounds, and of course they like Jill and I to do silly or difficult things. Often, the answer to a question leads to a story in which the whole family participates. It’s a fun game, and it definitely has made dinnertime a more valuable experience. It generates creativity, and, because they don’t notice that they’re eating, even that is more successful!

Creativity and routines I like playing games with my children that activate their brain and make them reflect on their behavior. I use those techniques in my work - I work with a lot of children - as well. But creativity doesn’t flow without an underlying process, without routines. You need structure to get things going, and you need to set clear goals to create a path to meet those goals... in work and in life. Yes, you could say I’m a creature of habit. If I try something and it works, I will probably do it again. I have to be out of the house by 10AM to feel productive--ha ha, yeah, I know, I’m hard on myself. It works though, and it makes me happy. Jason currently directs the play ‘Greek Mythology Olympiaganza’. It’s a fun play, suitable for audiences of all ages. Get your tickets now! March 12th - 15th, 2015

Dad’s View

Spexting by: Ben Lacy

No, the title of this article is not misspelled, and this article is absolutely rated “G”. Side note: did you know one of the most misspelled words in the English language is “misspelled”? Weird. Anyway, as usual, I digress. So, what is “spexting”? It is a newly invented word by moi (that’s French and hopefully spelled correctly)! I doubt it will reach the heights of “selfie” or “derp” or “hot mess,” but hopefully it will turn out better than “jorts.” Ok, here we go...

Spexting (speks-ting): frantic, The continuous transmission of tive rma info ng, confusi disjointed, een betw es sag mes t tex and ridiculous er oth or ne pho cell a g usin s spouse d wor ed form mobile devices. A newly and e” ous “sp ng bini developed by com “texting”.

Usually my hatred of anything invented after 1987 profoundly permeates these pages, but even my indignation with the iWorld has forced me to bow to spexting. Without spexting, it is quite possible that Child #1 could spend the weekend trapped in school, or Child #2 might end up endlessly circling a gym trying to find our car after basketball practice, or Child #3 could end up with the pack of wolves that must have partially raised him (Kid III is a bit of a wild child). Yes, without spexting there is a 100% chance one of our offspring would end up lost somewhere out there and end up full-on feral. Ahhhh... remember sitting in class, painfully watching the second hand slowly tick around like it was stuck in syrup, about ready to lose your marbles as you waited for the clock to hit 3:00? That innate joy of hearing the bell ring and the mad dash to get out of Dodge as fast as possible? Racing out the door to be released back into the wild, away from the four walls of school? Now, as an “adult” we’re on the other side. The race still starts at 3:00, but now we’re the ones trying to assemble the minions, sort of like one of those rodeo contests where you try to catch a greased pig. Only, for us, and maybe for you, there are now multiple greased pigs, three to be exact. Your job is simple--get the three of them to three different destinations that are 20

minutes apart from each other in the next 10 minutes. But first, you have to go by your home and pick up the dance shoes, basketball shorts, and baseball cap they forgot when they packed their bags. An impossible feat without the aid of spexting. Sometimes, you just gotta call in support! Think back to the 80’s. Remember The Dukes of Hazzard, Smokey & the Bandit, or Cannonball Run? All of these shows were based on car chases where

3:30 PM Spexting example: Me: Ask Child #2 if he wants to go to the game tonight. Wife: WHAT? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PICK UP THE BOYS! Me: Crud. Forgot. My bad. Wife: I’ll get them. Parents on way. Low tire warning on. Me: Yours or mine Wife: Mine. Can you take Child #1 to dance tomorrow morning? Me: What time? Wife: 6 Me: 6 AM? What the?

the protagonist could easily outpace a police car, but not the CB. Radio Waves > Horsepower. Same thing now--we can’t possibly keep up with the kids and their schedules, so, in order to level the playing field we rely on spexting--continuous parental communication to make sure one of the herd doesn’t get lost or loose. Thank the Lord for technological evolution to even the odds! Still unsure of what spexting is--ok, here is an example:

Wife: Says 28

Me: Yes Wife: 28 is ok? 6 PM Me: At night? Wife: Yes, they’re here to have dinner. Me: It’s at night? Wife: Yes. Me: I wanted to watch the game.

Wife: Tonight? Me: No, tomorrow. Wife: You can. Dance at 9 AM Me: Huh? You said 6. Wife: 6 dinner with your parents. Me: You said your parents. Wife: My car says 28. Your parents Me: 28?

You know what happens next. Nobody picks up the boys, the wife is stranded with a flat tire and my parents are sitting at a restaurant waiting for us. Spexting: It’s not a fullproof – or fool-proof --system.

was utterly terrified when he saw Jax having his first seizure. There was no way for us to stop it, to make the pain go away for our child. He started zoning out, and got super stiff, and then he jerked his arms out with this horrified look on his face. He started shaking and twitching, and it seemed to last forever. When the seizure finally stopped, he cried so loud, like he didn’t know where he was, or what had just happened. I felt helpless. A parent is supposed to be able to protect their babies from pain, and there was just nothing I could do. I couldn’t even talk to him about him, comfort him that way, because he was too young.

t may sound extreme, and maybe like an odd way to start out a story, but... I gotta get it off my chest! UGH! I really, really hate seizures! Why, you ask? Because... they have taken over my youngest son’s life.

Jaxon was having these little seizures about 50 times a day. I’ll repeat that... fifty. Desperate for answers, and to make the seizures stop, we made an appointment with a neurologist. In order to better monitor what triggers Jaxon’s seizures, and to hopefully figure out their cause, he set up a 24-hour EEG. After observing Jaxon and his vitals, the neurologist told us that Jax had what was called LennoxGastaut Syndrome, or LGS. LGS is an especially difficult-to-treat form of childhoodonset epilepsy. It most often appears between three and six years of age, and is characterized by both frequent seizures and different seizure types. Because of this, LGS seizures are often treatment-resistant. Our hearts were absolutely broken by this news. Our neurologist then put us on our first seizure medication, hoping to at least curb the frequency, and gave us rescue medication for longer-duration seizures.

Of course, we didn’t expect this. With our first son, Adrian, we had a completely normal pregnancy, and he was born healthy and happy. My pregnancy with our second son, Jax, was completely normal as well. The only hiccup was that the doctor said that he couldn’t see Jaxon’s brain stem on the ultrasound, but he didn’t seem concerned. No health issues run in our family, so we had no worries, really, that everything with Jax would be just fine... which means we were even more blindsided when things weren’t fine.

Since that dreadful day, seizures have taken over our little boy. He used to smile and laugh when I tickled him, kick his feet and coo at us. Now his seizure medications, which are intended to help him, leave him limp and tired all the time... and still haven’t controlled his seizures. Smiles and laughs are now few and far between for all of us.

My little boy was seizure-free for over a year, until he was 15 months old. We were told when Jaxon was four months old that there was an 80% chance that he would experience seizures because he had, and still has, polymicrogyria. I spent days and days doing research, trying to “prepare” myself for what was to come, but all the research in the world would not have prepared me for the first time I ever watched my little innocent baby boy have a full-blown seizure. It was the most painful moment in my life. My husband, Jon,

Our life revolves around Jaxon’s seizures. So, so many things throw him into seizures. His own crying, loud noises, sunlight, some people’s voices... and the list of unavoidable occurrences goes on. A simple trip to Wal-Mart can be an absolute nightmare. With so many noises happening around him, Jax gets overwhelmed, and will have one of his seizures right then and there. His

Meet Jaxon by: Tosha Lands

66 March 2015

brother Adrian, who is 7 now, doesn’t even want us to come watch his soccer and baseball games because Jax might have a seizure when the crowd starts screaming. He says, “Mom, I will tell you about the game afterwards. Just watch my brother.” I know that it’s difficult for Adrian, since he has to put his needs and wants second to his brothers. It’s disappointing, and difficult for a child of his age. Here is a poem I wrote for him, to read to him and remind him of how strong we both are.

“My Superhero!!!” My little boy is a fighter; that is a promise. He’s only three, and his name is Jaxon Thomas. Seizures and a brain disorder have stolen precious times no one can replace We had to find a way to weather the storm our baby had to face. He has things to say, but cannot talk. He has places to be, but cannot walk. We can never tell when a seizure will strike Not all these demons look alike. The seizures make him feel lousy But the medications leave him drowsy. Seizure, you are his Kryptonite So, I’m begging, please stay away tonight. He may be trapped in this broken body, but he is a fighter. He has that smile that keeps getting brighter and brighter Don’t look at him and be sad. We can’t always look at the bad. This is the only life he’s ever known, But this is a battle he can’t fight on his own. Please join me, and say a prayer That those seizures will not always be there. You can join his team of family, friends, therapists and doctors Together we can fight each and everyone of these monsters.

Sometimes Jax’s seizures are only a few seconds, but sometimes they last several minutes. He can come out of a seizure frightened and screaming, and sometimes tired and sleepy. There are even times where he is happy and giggling afterwards. We simply never know what to expect with this, ever. After trying multiple medications, we decided to try the ketogenic diet, which I had heard about from Cooks Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Miraculously, when we first started the diet, he was seizure-free for an incredible 62 days. Unfortunately, after that, the diet

stopped working, so we stopped the diet. We are now on our fifth seizure medication. At this point, we are faced with the decision to either keep him on these medications that have horrible side effects, that just might be helping somehow, or have a little boy with a personality. Either way, Jax still experiences seizures, and we just want to wean him off of his medications. During this journey with Jaxon, there have been many times that I have wanted to give up, but, no matter what challenge we are facing, Jaxon has never given up... and neither will I. He has taught me that being “normal” is overrated. This fight is our normal. We will fight the seizure battle like we do every other battle that comes our way. My one wish for my little boy is that I wish he could talk to me and let me know what is going on. Every time he cries, it’s a guessing game. Is he just wanting to be picked up, or is he hurting? It is agonizing to wonder this. Every time we go to the doctor, the team has to run a huge number of tests, because we just don’t know where it hurts. Seizures give you muscle aches, headaches, and leave you sore, but we don’t know if he’s just sore from the seizures or if he’s hurting elsewhere. I just want him to be able to tell me what’s going on, but the seizures have robbed him of his ability to talk. You can follow Jax’s journey at facebook.com/ jaxonsprayerangels11

Simple Steps for Bedtimes without Battles

ou’ve buckled your helmet, covered yourself in battle gear and are now in fullon search mode for your toddler. Bedtime battle has only just begun! Needless to say, edtime can involve many challenges, draining energy from parents.

Research by the Baby Center suggests that unhealthy sleep patterns reveal parents’ frustration and can affect “everything from speech to decision-making.” Bedtime can be made easier using these simple steps to eliminate the nightmare.

Every Hour Counts

Healthier sleeping habits lead to healthier toddlers, as suggested by The National Sleep Foundation. “Sleep is especially important for children, as it directly impacts mental and physical development,” on the NSF website, parents have access to a tool suggesting sleep time most beneficial to your toddler’s development. Including naps, your toddler should be getting 11-14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. Having a talk with your childcare provider about your toddler’s daytime napping habits will help plan your nighttime routine.

Have a Routine

Skipping bedtime routines can be a huge mistake for parents. Consistency helps develop healthy sleeping patterns. Set a specific time to go to sleep, guaranteed to stay the same. Once your toddler picks up the pattern, she will start getting prepared for bedtime on her own. When you notice bedtime approaching, some experts suggest giving your toddler a bedtime option can serve as a useful tool. One simple option: “Would you like to go to bed now, or in five minutes?” Allowing your toddler to have a choice will make her feel involved in going to bed, rather than being ordered to do so.

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Pre-bedtime activities, such as reading or singing to your toddler, can help set a calming tone. Bedtime is

a time for winding down, which is why a routine will help your child understand the importance of going to sleep. Encourage a stuffed animal or sleeping aid, as suggested in tips for a good night’s rest. If your toddler wakes up during the night, the stuffed animal acts as a soothing aid, making him feel at ease with falling back to sleep on his own. See the Better Beginning’s resource page for additional ideas.

Earlier is Better than Later

While starting to wind down, you happen to see your toddler rubbing her eyes and yawning. You ask if she is tired, but the immediate response is “No”. Often, toddlers want to stay awake with parents or older siblings. One Little Rock mother of two says, “Bedtime usually involves one of my toddlers, or me,

crying.” The National Sleep Foundation suggests that a deeper, more peaceful rest is created by starting the bedtime routine before your toddler is sleepy. If your toddler has trouble going to sleep, remain calm. The atmosphere created by emotional frustration can be disruptive to your routine, only making situations worse. Talk with your child about the importance of sleep and set a bedtime routine together. Bottom line, know how much sleep your toddler should get, set and maintain a routine and avoid temper tantrums caused by waiting too long. Feel secure with putting your heavy armor away tonight, by trying these tips for a successful bedtime without battles.

Visit www.ARbetterbeginnings.com for more information.

Tips for Helping the New Baby Sleep Like a Baby. (n.d.). Retrieved December, 2014, from http://sleepfoundation.org Resource Library. (n.d.). Retrieved December, 2014, from http://www.arbetterbeginnings.com/parents-families/ resource-library. Fay, J., & Fay, C. (2000). Love and logic magic for early childhood: Practical parenting from birth to six years. Golden, Colo.: Love and Logic Press.

d rwar o F It l a d e P By Marisa Lytle

Getting kids on bikes is goal of new non-profit group Transportation, sport, freedom, exercise, exploration, entertainment, responsibility — a bicycle can mean all of this and more to a kid. But for many children in Northwest Arkansas whose families lack the necessary funds, owning their own bicycle can seem like an unattainable dream. A new non-profit organization is working to change that. The founders and team members of Pedal It Forward NWA are a group of cyclists passionate about giving bicycles to kids in Northwest Arkansas who would not normally have access to one. Having been in the works since early last year, Pedal It Forward hosted a big launch around Thanksgiving of 2014, in which they collected more than 200 used bikes from donors, fixed them up, and were able to give away 96 of them by Christmas. They are now working with Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Arkansas and local schools to put bikes in the hands of kids who could use them. “Too many kids live in stress, in families that struggle every day to meet basic needs,” says Elaine McCool, secretary and treasurer for Pedal It Forward. “I see too many kids who are doing poorly in school, who are getting in trouble with the law, who are overweight and unhappy. While a bike can’t solve these problems, it is definitely a tool that can help. A bike can be a great equalizer, as kids who were previously left out are now participating.”

Additionally, she says, kids who have access to bikes are able to participate in activities like biking clubs and bike trail maintenance programs, which can fulfill kids’ needs to be mentored and to be a part of their community. It also gives the community an

70 March 2015

opportunity to step in and become part of the lives of these kids in need. Team members Justin Tubb (president/co-founder/ mechanic), Gary Vernon (co-founder/mechanic), David Tovey (co-founder/mechanic) and his wife, Elaine McCool (secretary/treasurer), Kevin Ruehle (cofounder/mechanic) and his wife, J. Cné Breaux (inventory manager), and Jim McClendon (mechanic) each have varying personal histories and experiences with bicycles. Tubb, for instance, began racing mountain bikes in St. Louis as a teenager in the mid-’90s and trained as a mechanic in a bike shop throughout high school. Vernon, meanwhile, is a member of FAST (Friends of Arkansas Singletrack) who began riding a bike at age 4, got into BMX bike racing at age 12, and spent time with his friends exploring their hometown of Joplin, Mo., and performing stunts on their bikes in imitation of popular daredevil Evel Kneval. Ruehle has raced all over the country and competed in national and world championships, and he and Breaux now produce the Lake Leatherwood Festival in Eureka Springs, comprising trail runs and off-road triathlons. McCool, on the other hand, used to ride a bicycle everywhere she went with her friends while growing up; she later rode with own her kids when they were younger and now rides recreationally simply to enjoy the beauty of Northwest Arkansas. One trait they all share, however, is the mindset that cycling provides kids with far-reaching benefits that begin now and can last throughout their entire lives. “[Riding a bike] is about the freedom you felt as a kid when you were able to get on your bike and ride anywhere you wanted,” Breaux says. “It was the pride of ownership and responsibility that came along with your own bike and

learning how to take care of it. It had the power to open up a world of possibility that reached beyond your yard or block.”

Vernon credits competitive cycling with keeping him away from the drugs and alcohol he saw other kids abusing while he was growing up. Racing kept him focused on being fit and granted him a healthful outlet for entertainment and fun. “There are a lot of things tempting kids to not be outside and be healthy,” he explains. “There are a lot of reasons they have to sit around and, to put it bluntly, get fat on the couch. But, why ride bikes on a video game? Why not get out and go ride the real thing instead? It’s important for kids to be active outside.”

As the Pedal It Forward team points out, Northwest Arkansas is blessed with numerous parks, bike paths and mountain bike trails surrounded by beautiful natural scenery that they hope every kid can have the opportunity to get out and explore. “Northwest Arkansas is blessed with amazing natural resources, a large and growing cycling community and a world-class cycling infrastructure,” Ruehle says. “The area is also fortunate to have companies such as Walmart, JB Hunt, Tyson, etc., that have brought a great deal of financial benefit and opportunity. We recognize, however, that there are many in the area for which a bicycle is a significant investment, and one which may not fit within their financial priorities. Being among those who are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy all that cycling has to offer here, we wanted to make that opportunity available to everyone, regardless of financial means.”

Having such an opportunity at a young age can have lasting benefits, too. “My husband [Tovey] is an avid cyclist and sees it as a lifelong sport — which it is,” McCool states. “Get a kid on a bike today and you have an adult tomorrow who will understand the value and enjoyment of cycling throughout his life. And will be healthier as well.”

Tovey and McCool’s two kids, now young adults, relied heavily on their bikes for basic transportation throughout high school and college. Cars and gas are expensive, McCool says, and they learned early on that their bike gets them where they want to go. “For them, turning to a bike for transportation is normal, and I think with the bike trail system we’re investing in here in NWA, that’s going to become the norm for a lot of kids — if we get them on bikes today.”

Volunteers and donors are key to helping Pedal It

Forward attain this goal. Tubb emphasizes that volunteers need no previous bike maintenance skills, but rather just the ability to clean bikes, man the shop, and pick up and deliver bikes. Donations of used or new bicycles and bike parts (tubes, tires, chains) may be dropped off at Phat Tire in Fayetteville or Bentonville, Good Bikes in Fayetteville, or GPP in Rogers, or at the Pedal It Forward shop located at 3902 NW Wishing Springs in Bentonville (across the street from Walgreens). Financial donations may be made securely online at www.pedalitforwardnwa.com. Those wishing to recommend a child to receive a bike may do so by sending a message through the group’s Facebook page (“Pedal It Forward NWA”) or website.

Volunteers may also sign up and request more information through those channels.

NWA Heart Gallery coming soon by: Michaela Montie

ave you ever imagined life without your family? That simple thought is terrifying for most of us. What would it would be like not to have a place you call home or someone to call Mom or Dad? Unfortunately, this is the daily reality for nearly 600 children in Arkansas, and over 100,000 kids across the United States. That statistic, though overwhelming, doesn’t put a name or a face to each of those 600 children. How can they be found if they are nameless and faceless? Enter, Project Zero. Project Zero is a nonprofit organization that works to raise adoption awareness in Arkansas and helps connect waiting kids with their forever families. Partnering with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Heart Gallery is a traveling photo display of the children available for adoption. This is made possible by passionate state adoption specialists, 98 photographers across Arkansas, and countless volunteers willing to transport and display the gallery. With the gallery, you can meet kids like Xavier, a 14-year-old boy who loves music and would love to have two parents and siblings. Taylor, a 13-year-old girl, is a very talented singer, loves to play video games, and skate. Chase is a 9-year-old boy, who loves going to school, getting good grades, playing with trucks, and going camping. These, and many more are the faces, names, and personalities of children waiting for a family to call their own. A little-known fact about adopting through the foster care system is that the process is free. Yes, that’s right, free! No heavy costs to deter a family who has enough love to give a child that is simply searching and hoping for a sense of permanence and belonging. Once a family is certified through DHS, Project Zero works to connect an interested family to the adoption specialist representing that specific child. They host events for

families and waiting children throughout the year to provide them with the opportunity to meet and get to know one another in a fun, relaxed environment. Their largest event, The Disney Extravaganza, which is held in May, enabled 178 kids last year to experience an action-packed afternoon of Disney fun while also being able to make connections with over 90 families hoping to adopt. Last year alone, through the gallery and various connection events, Project Zero helped to connect 78 children with their families. The hope is that in 2015, they’ll help see over 100 more children find their forever families. The Heart Gallery has become so popular that Project Zero is duplicating one to travel solely in the Northwest Arkansas area. On Friday, April 10, Cross Church will be hosting an awareness and fundraising event featuring Project Zero to unveil the NWA Heart Gallery. The event will feature keynote speaker Susan Hutchinson, a silent auction and a performance by music artist and TLC personality Amy Duggar. If you are interested, you can register under the events section at crosschurch.com. In coming issues of Peekaboo, we’ll feature children waiting for their forever family. If you’ve read this and thought you could be that family, you can find out more about how to become a certified foster or adoptive family by submitting your information on the DCFS website or by contacting The Call of NWA. If you’d like to know more or donate to Project Zero, visit us at theprojectzero.org or find us on Facebook.

Come grow with us! full-time classes serving ages 6 weeks to Pre-K! Open 7:30a-5:30pm M-F Established programming • Christian environment • Great curriculum Approx 9,700 SqF with 10 classrooms • Two indoor gross motor rooms • Two age appropriate outdoor play areas • Large covered play porch • State of the art webcam system • Full kitchen for healthy, tasty meals

Let us provide a safe and loving learning environment for your child.

Classes are already filling fast. Call us or email us today! kindergrove@gmail.com • 479-633-8585 Like us on Facebook for details Better Beginnings Accredited Experienced, educated and Passionate Staff

Check out ou r awesome Summer Scho ol Age program SUmmer of 20 15. Call for more details!

At a Glance ARTS and MUSIC

At a Glance

BANKS

CAMPS

Crystal Bridges (Pg. 11) (479) 418-5700 crystalbridges.org Imagine Studios (Pg. 14) (479) 619-6085 imagine-studios.com Trike Theatre (Pg. 63) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org The Walton Arts Center (Pg. 20) (479) 443-5600 First Security (Pg. 68) www.fsbank.com; www.onlyinark.com

ABC Happy Kids (Pg. 49) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com Better Beginnings (Pg. 75) (800) 445-3316 arbetterbeginnings.com The Kid’s Studio (Pg. 67) (479) 268-6675 www.thekidsstudio.com Kindergrove (Pg. 73) (479) 633-8585 Mary’s Little Lambs (Pg. 69) (479) 273-1011 Peace Kids Learning Center & Preschool (Pg.55) (479) 621-5683 WeeCare Christian Preschool (Pg. 46) (479) 442-5312

CLOTHING & CONSIGNMENT

DANCE/CHEER/TUMBLE/STRETCH

The Little Gym (Pg. 30) (479) 636-5566 tlgrogersar.com The Pineapple Tree Dance Company (Pg.33, 41) (479) 443-5600

DENTIST

Smile Shoppe Pediatric Dentistry (Pg. 4) (479) 631-6377

DERMATOLOGY Fort Rock (Pg. 27) www.fortrock.org (479) 633-3136

CHILDCARE/NANNY SERVICES

Unitarian Universalist (Pg. 53) www.uubcar.com

Rhea Lana’s (Pg. 8) (479) 799-7335 nwa.rhealana.com

CHURCHES

Cross Church (Pg.61) www.crosschurch.com

NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Aloha of Bentonville (Pg. 19) (479) 426-3419 alohamindmath.com Larson’s Language Center (Pg.18) (479) 633-9900 The New School (Pg. 15) thenewschool.org Ozark Montessori Academy (Pg. 43) (479) 935-9992 ozarkcca.org Shiloh Christian School (Pg. 51) (479) 756-1140 Walnut Farm Montessori (Pg. 79) (479) 271-9424 walnutfarmmontessori.com

FAMILY FUN / ENTERTAINMENT

Brick by Brick (Pg. 37) (479) 582-5346 razorbricks.com Fast Lane Entertainment (Pg. 12) (479) 659-0999 www.fastlanebowl.com Fort Rock (Pg. 27) www.fortrock.org (479) 633-3136 GirlScouts (Pg. 41) (800) 632-6894 girlscoutsdiamonds.org Little Giggles (Pg. 45) (479) 268-4949 Rogers Historical Museum (Pg.65) (479) 621-1154 Starlight Skatium (Pg. 23) (479) 444-STAR The Walton Arts Center (Pg. 20) (479) 443-5600

TCBY (Pg. 3) (479) 636-8229 (TCBY)

FOOD / DRINK

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Ginn Foot & Ankle (Pg. 64) (479) 254-1975 nwafoot.com Northwest Primary Care (Pg. 13) nw-physicians.com Tate HealthCare (Pg. 53, 77) (479) 271-6511 www.tatehealthcare.com

76 March 2015

JEWELRY AND GIFTS

David Adams (Pg. 49) davidadams.com

LEARNING CENTER

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 49) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Aloha of Bentonville (Pg. 19) (479) 426-3419 alohamindmath.com Larson’s Language Center (Pg.18) (479) 633-9900

MARTIAL ARTS ATA (Pg. 39)

Bentonville: (479) 273-1212 / Fay: (479) 443-5425

OPTOMETRIST

Pediatric Vision Development Center (Pg. 71) nwavisiontherapy.com (479) 795-1411

PEDIATRICIAN

Best Start Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 25) (479) 575-9359 Bentonville Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 42) (479) 273-5437 The Children’s Clinic at Springdale (Pg. 9) (479) 751-2522 MANA NWA Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 38) (479) 443-3471

PLASTIC SURGEON

NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 www.nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com

PRESCHOOL/ PRE-K

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 49) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Ozark Montessori Academy (Pg. 43) (479) 935-9992 ozarkcca.org The Kid’s Studio (Pg. 67) (479) 268-6675 www.thekidsstudio.com Kindergrove (Pg. 73) (479) 633-8585 Mary’s Little Lambs (Pg. 69) (479) 273-1011 The New School (Pg. 15) thenewschool.org Walnut Farm Montessori (Pg. 79) (479) 271-9424 walnutfarmmontessori.com

SPORTS AAO Basketball (Pg. 57)

aaoteam.org Hogeye Marathon (Pg. 63) www.hogeyemarathon.com

TALENT

N.C.K. Talent Academy (Pg. 59) (479) 445-6000 thenck.com

THERAPY

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 49) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Dr. Thomas Terry Lawson (Pg. 35) (479) 444-1400 www.terrylawson.com Sweet Emotions Counseling (Pg. 47) (479) 770-4673 se-counseling.com Tate HealthCare (Pg. 53) (479) 271-6511

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Birth Center NWA (Pg. 78) (479) 372-4560 bcnwa.com Life Spring Women’s Health (Pg. 17) (479) 271-0005 lifespringhealthcare.com Northwest Breast Imaging Center (Pg. 21) (479) 553-4253 Northwest Primary Care of Springdale (Pg. 13) (479) 927-2100 Northwest Women’s Health Associates (Pg. 7) (479) 503-2525 Northwest Willow Creek Women’s Hospital (Pg. 5) (479) 684-3000 Parkhill Clinic for Women (Pg. 73) (479) 521-4433 Siloam Springs Women’s Center (Pg. 74) (479) 524-9312 siloamwomenscenter.com

Experience. Discover. Grow.

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Walnut Farm Montessori School Building a Foundation for Growth

Montessori Toddler Program 18 months-3 years old Walnut Farm offers flexible 2, 3, and 5 day toddler programs available in half day and full day options.

• Well prepared, peaceful environments that support learning and development • Dedicated, nurturing, trained teachers • Developmentally appropriate curriculum that fosters cognitive development, speech and language development, fine and gross motor skill enhancement • Nutritious meals prepared onsite daily for full day students • Before and after school programs offered Walnut Farm Montessori School is the first and only school accredited by the American Montessori Society in the State of Arkansas and the first school to offer a natural playscape environment for exercise and exploration. Our school provides an authentic Montessori education for children ages 18 months to 12 years.

Enrolling Now Contact us today to schedule your tour of our enriching toddler program 479-271-9424 • info@walnutfarm.org