Only YOU can prevent forest fires!

[author's note: thinking of post titles is my favorite part of blogging]

I have been so saddened today with the failure to pass SB5, which would ban abortions in Texas after 20 weeks gestation. Lately I have become more and more aware of the issue of abortion and what it means scientifically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, both for individuals and for the nation. I have learned so much. And I have done nothing. I pray sometimes. Once a month or so. And I get sad about it every few weeks. I think more so since my miscarriage. But I haven't done anything. I don't think you can tell someone to go and stop sinning without introducing them to Jesus, so I need to call a pregnancy center and ask if I can help. I'm not sure if I can volunteer with Abigail in tow, but I won't know unless I call and ask. I can definitely pray faithfully though. There's a lot that can be changed in prayer. Internet, you can be my accountability partner. I need to call a local pregnancy center this week and ask if I can help. Please ask me if I did it.

Tuesday Quickie

I'm knee-deep in tax homework, so this will be short, but I wanted to give an update after my last post. After talking to some smart ladies and the internet, I found an herb that I can only describe as magic. It's called Vitex, although it's also known as Chasteberry. It's an herb to help balance estrogen and progesterone, ie the crazy hormones. It cleared up all the physical issues I was having after only two doses and the emotional issues seem clear too. I at least feel like I'm at a much more peaceful state of mind. So thank you for your prayers, and thanks to an incredibly creative God that made plants that fix all manner of problems.

Hell Hath No Fury

Hey Everyone. Today's lesson is about hormones. It's a short lesson, so listen up! Hormones do not pop back to normal after a miscarriage. You might think they would, but they don't. Actually, you might think they wouldn't. Apparently when the body goes through all the changes that come when you're pregnant, then something goes horribly wrong, and the body goes through all the changes of ending that pregnancy abruptly, it can take time for everything to get back to normal. It makes sense that this process would take time and have some bumps in the road, but the human body is normally so incredibly efficient that it's always a surprise when it doesn't all go smoothly. I am not going to go into more details here, but suffice it to say that we all know how much fun it is to be/be around a woman whose hormones are out of whack. Basically, we're all learning to pray for patience and grace in the Nipp household these days. Well, except for Abigail. She's just mad we won't keep our shoes on. She keeps bringing them to us when we take them off and cries if we won't put them back on. Strange kid.

Here's hoping that some balance comes back soon.

Milestones

A life with a baby is a life of celebrating new milestones. Yesterday we had another one - throwing a temper tantrum. I didn't even know she was old enough to have one (she's 14 months). Abigail now has definite opinions about what activities she would like to do. Her most common one is to go outside for a walk. Normally we try to take her, but yesterday she wanted to go right as I finished cooking dinner. I told her "Not now, but after dinner" at which point she lay down on the floor in front of the door and wailed. I'm sure it will be frustrating later, but as her first-ever temper tantrum, it was hilarious! My little baby is growing up, and I am so proud. After an uneventful dinner we went on a family walk, and it was lovely. Abigail's next activity of choice? Bath time. That girl has good taste.

In other news, I happened upon the website for an organic, grass-fed, free-range, happy happy animal CSA. The prices are really cheap and they deliver! I think I've found my new best friends! The website is jolievuefarms.com if you are interested in checking them out. I'll get my first order in on Sunday, so I'll try to let you know how it goes. I have very high hopes for eating organic, grass-fed steak next week.