Birth control as it relates to the Gospel

I have gotten a lot of questions recently about birth control.  I taught a women's health class at church last summer about birth control, menstrual cycles, and sex as it relates to the Gospel.  I got great feedback on the course and I'd like to share the birth control handout from the class.  I freely disclose that these are my views and aren't the "end all, be all" by any means.  However, I hope they are helpful.  E-mail me at laura.strebeck@gmail.com if you have any questions.


To see the document, click here.

First baby hat/some more burp rags

For Stephani's baby shower I made three burp rags (this has become my thing for baby showers - fun, cheap, easy) and a baby version of the hat I made Wes.  To make the hat I used the same instructional video that I used for Wes' hat, but I didn't add anymore links after my round of 40 and of course I didn't make it as long.  It amazed me what a fast project it was!  I used the 6.5mm crochet hook again.

Cloth diaper with fabric down the middle - I hand stitched and did not go all

the way through so that the blue thread did not show on the back side.

Keaton's hat!

Keaton's hat next to Wes' - Stephani and I want to

get a photo of them wearing their hats together!

My first crocheted hat!

So I was a little intimidated to attempt a hat...but with the instruction of YouTube, I did it (link included below)!  The first part is challenging and it took me three tries to get it right.  Once I finished adding stitches, it got a lot easier.  Although I am proud of my hat, I learned how much more fun it is to learn from a friend (like I've done for all my previous items) than from "Crochet Geek" on YouTube.  Once I got it right, it took about two hours of total work.  It was one of my Valentine's Day gifts to Wes, but I just couldn't wait to give it to him!  I used at 6.5mm crochet hook.

Wes relaxing at home with his new hat.

Close-up

View from the back

Instructions for a large beanie for a man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KobDydvvmmU

Crocheting...my new obsession

My friend Anna taught me how to crochet a few weeks ago.  I enjoy it because I can take it anywhere with me.  I crochet while Wes is driving, when we're watching a movie, or when I'm waiting for something or someone (an appointment, a friend, etc.).  I love arts and crafts of all forms, but some of them are really pricey.  Between that and my previously busy nursing school schedule, I have not done much crafting the last couple of years.  I have made baby blankets and burp rags and have done several alterations, but that's about it!  I found that crocheting is very inexpensive.  The yarn for Wes' scarf cost me $2!  The crochet hook cost me $1, and I can use it as many times as I want.  Anyways, here the things I have made so far:

This is the scarf I made for Wes.  I used the single crochet stitch, but I 

just went through the top part of the chain, not the whole thing.

That's why the scarf has lines.  I used the 5.5mm crochet hook.

Here's a close up on Wes' scarf.

This one I made for a little boy.  I used the double crochet

stitch on this one and went through the whole chain. I

used the 5.5mm crochet hook on this one too.

This one is for a little girl.  I used the double crochet stitch on this one too, but I only

went through the top part of the chain.  As you can tell, this scarf is a lot looser.  I love 

the tightness and precision of the other two, but they are not very soft.  I used

the 6.5mm crochet hook on this one and I didn't pull my stitches so tight.  I like the

result: it's soft an it took me half the time!

How to: start any scarf with the chain stitch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtC1s4dlN5g

How to: scarf with single crochet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i2b3me__Yk

How to: scarf with double crochet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=875obcDOLgY

Laura's chicken taco recipe

I have been asked for this recipe so many times, so I thought it would be a good one to post.  Next time I make it, I will take some photos to include with it.  Original credit goes to Seth Loh.  However, he said I should start calling them "Laura's chicken tacos" now because I have made them many more times than he has.  Enjoy!

Laura’s chicken tacos
Prep time:  15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
4 medium boneless skinless chicken breast
Frank’s original hot sauce (I buy the biggest bottle and save the rest for later)
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
8 tortillas
cheese
lettuce
tomato
avocado
cilantro
paprika
chili powder

1. Cut up chicken in 1" cubes and put in skillet.  Saturate chicken in Frank’s hot sauce.  Cook on medium heat until chicken is cooked through out.
2. While the chicken is cooking, cut up enough cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and cilantro for the people you are serving.
3. When the chicken is cooked through out, drain the excess Frank’s hot sauce.  Add the paprika and chili powder to your taste.  Let the chicken cook two more minutes or until slightly browned.  While this happening, heat up your tortillas and microwave your butter and brown sugar until melted.  Pour mixture over chicken.  Cook for one more minute.
4.  Serve chicken in tortillas and top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado and cilantro.