on the minds of moms

www.onthemindsofmoms.com

PUBLISHER DS Communication, LLC

EDITOR Dani Parkos Fluge

COPY EDITOR Deb Uglem

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Karan Burley Ambuehl p: 701.367.5647 e: karan@onthemindsofmoms.com

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PHOTOGRAPHY Ria Czichotzki – rialee photography

Sabrina Kliniske – rialee photography

Jaci Kulish–rialee photography

Andrea Burner–rialee photography

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AD DESIGN Casie Beldo

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Tara Kessler

Lindsay Arneson Corwin

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EDITORIAL CONTACT e: info@onthemindsofmoms.com

INFORMATION mail: PO Box 190, Fargo, ND 58107

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OTMOM MISSION STATEMENT

On The Minds Of Moms Magazine is dedicated to providing parents of all ages a bi-monthly resource they can trust. A fresh approach to traditional parenting publications, we are modern and inspiring while offering a community of local support and real-life advice for today’s family.

On The Minds Of Moms contains views from across the parenting spectrum. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All activities listed in these pages are at your own risk and require appropriate supervision. Copyright

renae m. reinardy, Psy.D., LP fargo | nd

As president of the Lakeside Center for Behavioral Change in Fargo, ND and Co-Founder of OCD Twin Cities, Dr. Renae Reinardy specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania and related conditions. She has been interviewed on Good Morning America, the Joy Behar Show and has also had her treatment techniques featured on Dateline NBC and A&E’s Hoarders. Currently pregnant with their first child, Renae and husband Chad, reside in Fargo with their cat, Norman. Away from her profession you can find her reading, meditating and learning how to crochet.

Deb Uglem

Raised in Finely, ND Deb has called Moorhead, MN her home for the last 10 years. Deb has been a stay-at-home mom since returning to the Fargo-Moorhead area. She graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She is excited about her newfound time to write and finds it a welcome distraction to her daily activities. Most daily to-do’s center around her four children’s sport and school activities. Jake [17], Tony [16], Nick [16] and Emily [14] keep both her and husband Tim running in several directions. During her free time you can find her putting in some road miles, spending time with friends, or on the golf course.

Mike Gjesdahl

A UND Law School alum, Mike and his five-lawyer firm, Gjesdahl Law, located in Fargo, ND, are devoted entirely to divorce, custody, and other family issues. Mike and his wife, Sara, live in north Fargo and are proud that on occasion people tell them they are doing a good job raising their three kids, ages 13, 12 and 10—it’s the family’s 6-month-old Springer spaniel, Dan, who needs some work.

kelly smith grand forks | nd

As a professional children’s entertainer and owner of Piles of Smiles, Kelly has worked all over the world as a guest entertainer on some of the largest cruise ships imaginable. She has received training from the country’s top clowns, magicians and artist and currently shares her talents with adults and children of all ages right here in the Red River Valley. Kelly and her State Trooper husband, Greg, enjoy following and debating politics, entertaining friends in their home and raising their five daughters, ages 16, 12, 11, 10 and 1.

Patricia Carlson

dilworth | mn

Patricia Carlson is an award-winning journalist whose work spans magazines, television, radio, newspapers and the internet. She's produced, written, edited and directed programs for ESPN Radio, History Channel and Hallmark Channel. Patricia has worked as a television news reporter and currently is the Sunday morning news anchor at KFGO AM 790. She also is a regular contributor to several magazines based in the Midwest. When she's not writing, Patricia loves spending time with her baby girl and husband. You can view her work at www. patriciacarlsonfreelance.com

Vicky Westra

moorhead | mn

A stay-at-home mom to two active boys, Nolan [11] and Colton [9], and the wife of Rick, Vicky spent her childhood growing up in Moorhead, MN. She graduated from Concordia College with a BS in Psychology and earned her MS in School Psychology at MSUM. After following her husband to Idaho for 10 years where she worked in Adolescent Psychology, they moved back to Moorhead in 2003 to raise their boys. When not hauling boys to the hockey arena or the golf course, Vicky loves to read, take photos and write. She was recently diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer and is currently undergoing treatment at Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo. She chronicles all of her daily life adventures at http://thewestraworld.blogspot.com

1 in 4 school-aged kids have a vision problem

Don’t look away from frequent headaches, head tilting, eye rubbing or reading fluency Be vigilant with regular vision exams

$1,341 estimated first year cost of owning a small dog Before saying ‘yes’ to a pet, know the expense sources: realparentsrealanswers.com | good housekeeping | parenting.com in 5 high school seniors are currently a smoker Put the smack on the pack! the number of minutes homework should take per grade

ACarrington, North Dakota girl and the oldest of three [she has a brother and sister], Rhonda McCrory, grew-up active in sports, loved her horses and the many pets she accumulated through the years After graduating high school, she attended NDSCS in Wahpeton, North Dakota and received a degree in dental hygiene, which she has been practicing for over 20 years Rhonda and husband Kevin keep busy with their four daughters, Makenzie [17] and Makayla [15] Reutter and twins Shai and Ashlyn [5] McCrory Rhonda likes to read, swim, hunt, hike, and bake A self-proclaimed “baking fanatic,” when working in the kitchen Rhonda is quick to say, “If you’re in the ‘work zone’, you’d better be doing something productive or move out of my way!” my parenting style… flexibly-structured. With the girls in two completely different age groups, there’s no choice but to be flexible. in my fridge i always keep extra… butter. When the baking mood hits me it needs to be there. last parenting decision i regret…