on the minds of moms

www.onthemindsofmoms.com

PUBLISHER DS Communication, LLC

EDITOR Dani Parkos Fluge

COPY EDITOR Deb Uglem

ADVERTISING Sheri Kleinsasser Stockmoe p: 701.306.1624 e: sheri@onthemindsofmoms.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Ria Czichotzki – rialee photography

Sabrina Kliniske – rialee photography

Andrea Burner – rialee photography

Lindsey Johnson – rialee photography

Scott Thuen – thuen studios

DESIGN AND LAYOUT Scott Thuen – thuen studios www.thuendesign.com

AD DESIGN Casie Beldo

Scott Thuen

Tara Kessler

Lindsay Arneson Corwin

Stephanie Drietz

EDITORIAL CONTACT e: info@onthemindsofmoms.com

INFORMATION mail: PO Box 190, Fargo, ND 58107

SUBSCRIPTION www.onthemindsofmoms.com/subscribe

COVER PHOTO BY chad cline– premier photography

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.

OTMOM is a FREE publication available at all Fargo-Moorhead Hornbachers, Sunmart and Grand Forks – East Grand Forks Hugos grocery store locations. Distribution also includes all partnering advertisers.

Copyright 2013 All

Bev Gravdahl

west fargo | nd

A Thompson, ND native, Bev has used her nursing degree in a variety of settings. Currently employed at Dakota Medical Foundations as the ND Healthy Steps Outreach Manager, Bev also serves as a volunteer Parish Nurse at Olivet Lutheran Church and Sanford Health in Fargo. Married to her high school sweetheart, Dave, the couple have five kids, Jayce [16], Matt [15], Jen [14], Adam [12], Andy [12] and Charlie the family dog!

Vicky Westra

moorhead | mn

A stay-at-home mom to two active boys, Colton [10] and Nolan [12], 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. Eighteen months after being diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer she is undergoing treatment at Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo. She chronicles her daily life adventures at http://thewestraworld.blogspot.com.

Deb Uglem

moorhead | mn

Raised in Finley, ND, Deb has called Moorhead her home for the last 11 years. She graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, IA with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She is currently Communication Director for Wanzek Construction. She welcomes the pleasant distraction that writing brings and thanks her children Jake [19], Tony [18], Nick [18] and Emily [15] for inspiration. Deb and her husband Tim like to spend their free time running in several directions with kids and on the golf course.

Patricia Carlson

dilworth | mn

What do you get when you mix a full-time, freelance writer with a 1-year-old girl, two cats, a dog, a husband who works evenings, a house that needs picking up and nearly a dozen publications and clients who need their deadlines met? Welcome to Patricia Carlson’s life. She is an award-winning journalist whose work spans magazines, television, radio, newspapers and the internet. She has produced, written, edited and directed programs for ESPN Radio, History Channel and Hallmark Channel. And she hosts customized media training workshops for groups like the North Dakota National Guard. You can view her work at www.patriciacarlsonfreelance.com

Dawn Hoffner

fargo | nd

A lifelong North Dakota resident, Dawn has over 25 years of health related communication and education experience. She has a child development associate credential and has been with Prairie St. John’s since 2007, where she promotes behavioral healthcare services as a member of the executive leadership team, director of business and the community liaison department. Prior to joining Prairie, Dawn did consulting and was a full time faculty member responsible for the community health major at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Dawn resides in Fargo with her two daughters and her son.

12,500 the average number of people who are treated in the emergency room for holiday lights and decoration related injuries sources: usaa magazine | parenting | good housekeeping | about.com

Give the gift of a relaxing facial, microderm spree in our boutique of pharmaceutical products available only through us.

26 percent of women are more likely than men to be charged a late fee on their credit cards because of the lack of financial education among ladies Talk to you kids about money early and often

Growing up in the small northern town of Drayton, ND, Debby Henrickson was one of four siblings [older sister Jenny and younger sister Emily and brother Alex] She is a University of North Dakota Alum earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Sociology and currently works in Marketing with The Avalon Events Center in downtown Fargo When not busy attending the many different events for her three boys, Ben [11], William [10] and Teddy [7], Debby volunteers her time at Washington Elementary School in north Fargo, enjoys decorating, entertaining friends at home and makes time for running and exercise daily biggest challenge of being the sole parent… trying to be both parents to three busy kids is extremely overwhelming and more chaotic than I’d like at times. Naturally, it’s my personal time that gets neglected and pushed to the side. favorite phone app… the Flashlight App comes in handy a lot. Otherwise I love to play Words With Friends. I’m pretty sure my friends enjoy playing with me because I’m an easy win for them. the show i dvr to watch after the kids go to sleep… one day i would like to finish… going through all the boxes in my garage that have been sitting there for almost three years. my food weakness… i’d be lost without… my family. When the boys lost their Dad in 2010, my parents and siblings were incredibly helpful, supportive and loving. my biggest flaw I embrace… is not giving my kids more jobs around the house to help me out. every woman needs… the kind of friends you can talk to about anything and everything. I have several and I wouldn’t give them up for anything in the world.

I watch the news and weather in the morning otherwise I don’t normally watch TV. i stay connected with my boys… by making good use of our time in the car. It’s the perfect opportunity to tackle issues that require their undivided attention. I know there are days when they can’t wait to get out of the vehicle!

I’m a Buffalo Wild Wings junkie. I realized how bad it was recently when the staff knew my “usual” and I didn’t even have to open my mouth.

what i know for sure…

When things look like they can’t get any worse… hang in there, hold your head up and know there is always something good right around the corner. our silliest holiday tradition…

Last year we re-established our Christmas Day talent show…something we always did as kids when all the cousins were together. We quickly realized that most of us aren’t quite as talented as we used to be. something i want my boys to always know…

That they’ll never regret sticking up for their brother. i’m not afraid to admit… the household tool/appliance i could be spokesperson for…

That I don’t feel bad about blowing off extra-curricular activities from time to time. Being scheduled to death gets old quick and sometimes you just can’t do it all.

The good, old fashioned corkscrew. the parent rule i can never break…

Be realistic that the time will come when your kid is at fault and will need to deal with the consequences.

my favorite bargain…

If I’m in the mood for bargain shopping, I always find it at TJ Maxx. I love that store!

three words to describe myself… Outgoing, Considerate, Thankful.

the boy hobby/activity I’m pretty good at… Shooting hoops.

i believe in… i once regifted…

Keeping things in perspective. Being good to those who have been good to you. Being proactive and responsible with my health. Writing thank you notes the old fashioned way. Organ donation. My Mom received a heart in July from a very special person who unfortunately lost their life, but thankfully saved her's.

I have never re-gifted anything. my specialty mom meal… in five years…

I don’t really have one but if someone has a “special day,” they get to eat on the Red Plate. It’s a family tradition from my childhood.

I want to travel more and make more time to enjoy the simple things in life.