For the next generation...

When I was very small, my mother began keeping a journal, a practice she continues to this day. She recently reminded me that her purpose was to leave a record of God's faithfulness to her children. What a gift!

"...We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done" (Psalm 78:4).

Nurture: Just as my mother has done, you too can leave a legacy of the Lord's faithfulness to your children. If journaling isn't your thing, there are other ways. You could simply start a list of answered prayers. If your family enjoys visible symbols, you might start a collection of stones in a decorative vase, each one symbolizing a specific instance of God's faithfulness to your family. (You can write the date on it with a permanent marker). Better yet, come up with your own creative idea!

Create this easy-to-make accordion book to organize all those scraps of paper you have lying around...perfect for coupons, newspaper clippings, notes, etc... (instructions and supplies from PaperSource).

Save on restaurants with Restaurant.com! Enter your zip code to find participating restaurants in your area. You can purchase gift certificates at great discounts!

Today's sweet shoppe...

Concerned about the safety of her own personal care products, Stephanie Greenwood set out to create alternatives made from only the purest ingredients. Her background in chemistry, the help of others, and many hours of hard work led to the birth of Bubble & Bee. Today, the company offers a unique line of organic lotion, soap, lip balm and even deodorant! Get 15% off your first online order from Bubble & Bee Organic! (www.bubbleandbee.com) Just use promo code "mynest1" at checkout. (This offer will self-destruct on May 31st, 2008!)

~ my picks ~

Organic Sunflower Lotion Stick

Organic Unscented Lip Balm

~ to see previously featured shoppes, click below~

Walking in Truth

Understanding our identity in Christ is vital to our spiritual growth and to our personal relationship with the Father. If I am not purposeful about seeing myself through His eyes (as forgiven and righteous), I very quickly become discouraged. Even though I've been a Christian for a number of years, I am constantly having to renew my mind with this truth. Because of my own struggle, I am trying to instill these truths in my daughter at a very early age. If you have a daughter, I encourage you to pick up a copy of His Little Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd. (She has also written a counterpart for boys, His Mighty Warrior.) The book is laid out in the form of conversations between our Heavenly Father (the king) and little girls (His princesses) and it imparts of the truth of identity in Christ in a way that a child can grasp it. It has become a treasured part of our daily routine.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

Prepare: This vegetable steamer insert from the Macy's Martha Stewart Collection is one of my favorite things for the kitchen. It saves time because there are fewer pots to wash. You can pour all your veggies onto this handy tray and steam them together.

Save: Join the Welcome Addition Club from Similac and save on infant formula. (Membership is free.)

Create cupcake crayons with all those broken Crayolas! (Instructions provided at TysonLeavittFarm.blogspot.com...These are for coloring, not for eating!)

Today's Sweet Shoppe...

Owner, Bethany Balsis, is a mother of two and a lover of "all things baby". When you purchase from The Polkadot Platypus, a portion of the proceeds go to organizations dedicated to Down Syndrome awareness, research and education.

Add your favorite items from The Polkadot Platypus to a free online wish list and make holiday & birthday shopping a breeze for your friends and family. You can create a wish list for each of your kids at Wish2List and add items from anywhere on the web (a great alternative to department store shopping). Creating your list is easy! Get started now...

~ my favorite picks ~

Momma's Helper Play Smock
{Bella Tunno}

Cupcake Assortment
{Yellow Label Kids}

See more Sweet Shoppes...

Planting & Watering

Over the years, I've heard countless stories of faithful parents persevering in prayer for the salvation of their children. Some see immediate fruit. Others have been prayerfully waiting and watching for many years. Even though our daughter is only six months old, we are already making her salvation a matter of regular prayer. This morning, I was reminded that we are called to pray, to plant seeds and to water, but ultimately it will be God's gentle drawing on her heart that will lead her to Him.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase. So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. 1 Corinthians 3:6 & 7

Manage: Teach your kids about the value of money with these resources at Junior's Clubhouse, created by financial expert, Dave Ramsey. You can also use these printable bills from Free Stuff 4 Kids.

Create these tiny pincushions to give as a gift or keep for yourself! They look good enough to eat, which made me think they might also make fun toy cupcakes for the little chef. (Just a thought...) (Tutorial courtesy of How About Orange).

Move: Get in shape while giving your baby some fresh air! Enroll in a Strollerstrides or Strollercise class. Just enter your zip code to find a class in your area.

Simplify: Does anyone in your house have a birthday soon? Make gift buying easier for friends and family by creating a free wish list online with Wish2List! You can add your favorite things from anywhere on the web, linking them directly to the item for easy purchasing. Create a list for yourself, each of your kids or if you're expecting, create a baby registry. Registration is quick and easy. I created my account this morning.

Today's sweet shoppe...

See more sweet shoppes...

Sponsors for What I Know NOW...

The following sponsors
have generously donated
door prizes for the
Mother's Day Blog Bash!

The "April Give Away"!

All the details of the "April Give Away" are coming! The winner will be chosen by a random drawing. Contest registration begins this week so stay tuned!

Just ask...

I'm facing a decision...not a life-altering one, just of those "run-of-the-mill, what's best for my family" decisions that pop up frequently. Historically, I have just gone with my gut on these sorts of things but a few friends have really changed my thinking on this type of decision making. When it comes to making decisions that affect their children, they pray about everything...and I do mean everything! I've figured out they're on to something. It's amazing how much peace comes in resting in His care. If I give my decisions to Him, listen for his gentle nudging and obey, I'm learning that He'll take care of the outcome and that brings a lot of peace. If my child came to me truly seeking wisdom, and I had it, would I withhold it from her? How much more eager must our all-knowing Father be to provide direction when we need it most.

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. James 1:5 & 6

Grow: A devotional from Beth Moore

Create: Check out these adorable little pillow case dresses from A Room Somewhere and make your own!

Today's sweet shoppe...

A Baby Boutique that is Fun, Fashionable & Innovative!

See more sweet shoppes...