breaking news

Bentonville Dad Sees Son's Birth From Overseas

By: Tyler Thomason

Updated: March 21, 2013

"So, every time I had a doctor's appointment, I was able to just kind of keep him updated," says Bentonville mom Kembra Mathis.

Her husband Jason left for Afghanistan last summer when the couple had just found out their second child was on the way.

So as far as the pregnancy process goes, Jason, who serves in the National Guard was basically MIA.

"He missed out on the whole thing, I will look the same when he comes home as I did when he left," Kembra says.

But when it came to the birth of little Tucker, Jason had a front row seat.

We decided that Skype might be our best option, if we could get it to work," Kembra says.

To be sure it worked, a 50-foot Ethernet cord was stretched through the hallways of Northwest Medical.

One of Kembra's friends controlled the camera, as a father welcomed his son into the world while on the other side of it.

"And, I could just see in his eyes how hard it was and he couldn't do anything about it, and the next thing I know he had just tears streaming out of his face," Kembra says.

Instant emotion.

Kembra says Jason actually hasn't seen Tucker since the March 8 delivery.

But thanks to other forms of technology, photos have kept him in the loop.

"We just try to keep Jason a part of our everyday life," Kembra says.

"It's really about keeping his spirit with us."

Pictures surround the home and Kembra keeps Jason's tags around her neck, wearing them until he comes home in June.

Then, he and Tucker can meet for the first time --in the same room -- without a webcam.

"I think it will be just sheer joy," Kembra adds.

"It will be the most amazing feeling ever, I cannot wait to have him home."

911 Tapes Released From Oklahoma Boating Accident
TULSA, OK--Multiple callers dialed 9-1-1 Tuesday evening when a boat carrying eight young adults, including two University of Arkansas students smashed into a houseboat at Arrowhead Yacht Club on...
Read More»
Arkansas evens series with 1-0 shutout win
Ryne Stanek, Jalen Beeks and Colby Suggs combined on a six-hit shutout as No. 13 Arkansas evened its series at Auburn with a 1-0 win...
Read More»
Fayetteville Recycling Program Insulates Habitat Homes
The city of Fayetteville's glass recycling program paid off for a local non-profit Friday.
Read More»
Beasley leads No. 24 Arkansas past Fordham in NCAA Regional
The No. 24 University of Arkansas softball team downed the Fordham Rams, 5-1, on Friday in Norman, Okla.
Read More»
Razorbacks Vault to Top of Leaderboard
The Razorbacks, the only team to shoot under par on Friday, shot a combined five-under par as a team to take their team total...
Read More»