Happy 1st Birthday Greta

Today was Greta's first birthday. Hard to believe. We had a small (family only) birthday party with a balloon theme.

Here are a couple of pics of her birthday outfit. Stevi was pretty pumped about this one.

Oma made Greta some cake balls that looked like balloons. They were yummy.

Greta and Jude love balloons, but they do not like popping balloons, so they didn't enjoy the trampoline that we filled with balloons as much as the rest of the cousins. Here is a video of the trampoline.

August and other stuff

Well, August is almost gone. We've been very busy getting ready for Troy's fourth year at Veritas to start, and enjoying time with friends and family. We spent a long weekend in San Antonio. The day after we got back, some family from Spokane came to visit (my mom's brother and family). We packed as much fun as possible into four days! Other than our dog trying to eat theirs, and the 107 degree weather, it was just about perfect!

Here are some pics:

Greta climbed in our suitcase in San Antonio...sadly, this is the only pic. I took the whole time.

Back in Austin...

Everyone enjoying one of our favorite Burger joints: PTerry's

The bats flying out from under the congress street bridge. Austin has the largest urban bat colony in the world...over 1 million bats live under this bridge!

My cousins, Seth and Hannah, on the Congress St. Bridge

Their dog, Lucy.


Troy, Jude, Seth, and my Uncle Paul

Did I mention it's 107 degrees?

This is an older pic of Greta and me. I think maybe mid-July...

This is another older one...Greta now takes a few steps, but this was what she did for a LONG time.

Other news...(don't get too excited). We just started school, well technically, Troy is the only one who started school...but we all feel very invested. The start of the year is always crazy. Like I said, Greta has started taking a few steps. She doesn't really fall into the "walker" category yet, but she'll take about 10 steps between two people. Her first birthday is coming up on Sept. 10th. I can't believe she's already almost 1. Jude is 3 1/2, and currently most passionate about Monster Trucks.

We got a bout 2 minutes of rain yesterday...it felt like heaven. Then it stopped. Bummer. The drought is pretty bad here. I am so thankful we have food sources, etc. that don't depend on this immediate area. I often think about the pain of those who really suffer from drought, where they actually pray for rain just to keep them alive. I don't fully understand, but even here, people are starting to be a little fearful. It makes me pray often for rain, and for others who need it.

I guess the other thing in our life this summer is that we've been really praying for a few particular people and families of those who have been impacted by cancer. One family member, one old friend (who actually just passed away, so we're praying for his family...we're so thankful he's in heaven with the Savior who he dearly loved), and others we know more distantly. But it seems to be a theme, that God is reminding us that this life is unpredictable, and even sometimes cut short. We trust in His goodness and His timing. We are sobered by the heaviness we feel for those who are suffering, and praying above all that God would show his love and grace to them in very tangible ways...and that they would know His love more deeply. Though His plans aren't always easy, we know He loves, comforts, and walks through darkness with the needy. He can give peace that surpasses comprehension, even in the lowest valleys. I encourage you to pray for those you love who need His comfort most right now.

We love you all!

The Schuknechts

New Pictures

Hi everyone! Here are some recent pics...more to come!

Greta chewing on a foam dart...



Jude wearing Uncle Peter's hat.

We have this game called "Elephun" where you catch butterflies out of an elephant's trunk in these nets. They also make great hats.



We found Jude reading in our room...on our bed pillows...and no, he's not wearing anything under that book!


Jude and I made turtle bread, and Troy cooked it on his new Big Green Egg (birthday present).

Romans 7

In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul writes, "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate." and later, "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.."
He's referring to the war of the two natures within us -the Law of God (or Spirit), and the flesh. I feel this battle every day, as I know who I desire to be in Christ, and yet it's so HARD to actually exercise self-discipline and DO (or not do) certain things.

But Jude is feeling the battle, this week...and it's making all the more poignant for me. He said a couple days ago, "Mommy, I know it's bad to do naughty things...and I don't know why I do naughty things!" and he also said on Wednesday, "I just don't know why I disobeyed Opa! I don't want to disobey."

Wow! I am glad he's listening to his conscience, and that he's seeing his inability to be righteous on his own. Maybe his heart will soon see his need for a Savior who loves him, forgives him, and gives him strength to do the good he wants to do.

Isn't it amazing that the truth of the Bible practically flows out of his three-year-old heart? He knows the truth about his nature. It reminds me of the truth about mine. Oh, how we need His grace....I am so thankful He loves us, and offers His forgiveness when we fail.

Do I have to admit it?

There's a cardboard spaceship in my living room,
A stool in each bathroom, and locks on my cupboards.
In the ceiling fan dwells a tangled grocery store balloon.
Next to our couch: baseball bats and swords...

There are blue Crocks in the dishwasher,
There's a rainbow of chalk on the front walk,
My makeup is war paint, dishtowels: burp rags
The window: a yogurt finger-painting masterpiece.

In my stereo: Veggie Tales. On my Netflix: Thomas.
I am seriously considering a swimsuit with a skirt.
I am an expert on the playgrounds in my town.
I know how different brands of diapers"fit."

My room, once a romantic retreat, is headquarters of
a massive laundry processing enterprise.
I have Costco-sized goldfish and fruit leather boxes in the pantry.
I think I am officially....a mom?

(Of course I love every minute of it...I just had a moment of realization.)

Cute

Owies...

Today Jude started crying when he bit his tongue while playing. I ran over to see if he was ok.

He stuck his tongue out and said, "Kith it, Mamma, it hurths."

Hmm.....