The Rue Family

If it was Dec. 31 right now, I think I would make a resolution to update this blog more often. But, since it’s not…I can continue in my slothful blogging skills.

There is, however, lots to update…

First, the baby is doing great! We went and had another appointment last week and learned that the baby is doing very well. He is (or at least, was last Monday, the 9th) at 11 ounces, that has probably changed by now. Julie has been able to feel him more and more. And then last night, I was able to feel him for the first time! It was incredible to put my hand over the baby and feel one strong movement! We are so excited to bring this baby into the world and introduce him to Jesus and what He has done for us and him.

What is his name you ask? Good question. We are still not sure. Down to two. At least the middle name is set.

Tonight we have our third birthing class. We have decided that we want to do a natural birth, so we have been going through the Bradley method. It is very eye-opening to how amazingly God has created us bring children into the world. It is also nice to be learning a birthing method from a perspective that believes having a baby is a normal activity and not some medical oddity. Oftentimes it seems as though people see the labor process (pain) as something that should be avoided at all costs, so medicine is pushed to make the labor, which is God ordained, over with artificially. It is also fun to take this course to learn more about ourselves, our baby and how God gets things done.

Another change for us is that I am leaving my job at the health and recreation center on SBTS campus to take a position with Cellular Sales/Verizon Wireless. I loved my time at the Rec Center. It was a great job - met many, many great people, and was able to study. But, this new job will be great as well. Most importantly, it will provide the needed funds to allow Julie to be home as much as possible once the baby is born.

Gloria is good. Last night we had to administer a dose of Frontline to get rid of the fleas that we found on her. She did wonderfully. She has been very talkative all day today and is currently participating in her favorite activity: sitting at the screen door, checking out the parking lot.

Well, hopefully the next post we will be able to share a name, but it is also very possible that we won’t. Hang tight.

Yesterday morning we went to A Woman’s Choice Resource Center, a crisis pregnancy center here in Louisville because Dr. Cutrer, one of my professors (and a very cool dude), who runs the center was gracious enough to be able to give us a free ultrasound - 4D style. Although the baby didn’t cooperate enough to get really good 4D pictures, we were able to see a lot. The baby is doing great! Everything is well and our due date is October 30 - the day that Julie had originally predicted.

So . . . on to the good stuff. Within about three seconds, Dr. Cutrer was able to say, “I can tell it’s a baby and I can tell you its gender. How’s that for skills?” So, what are we having? Julie and I are having . . . a . . . BOY! Yes, Julie and I have son on the way! How exciting!! We were a bit surprised, but overjoyed! I don’t think I have smiled that much since our wedding day!

We still have a long time and much to do until the baby is born. Please pray that the Lord would continue to develop this baby and that it would continue to be safe and healthy!

It has been a while since we last updated and there is much to talk about!

First, we had our latest doctor appointment and the baby is doing very well! The heartbeat is fast and we are very excited since we will find out what it will be in a couple of weeks!! Given how often we write blogs, that may be the next one that we have

Second, I am all done with school for the summer! Finals went very well (thanks to my Hebrew professor canceling our Hebrew final) and I am ready for a break. From fall to spring I took 11 classes, so I am ready to settle down for a couple of months.

I am in the process of finding a job. I will work at the Health and Rec Center on campus, which is a GREAT job, but when the baby comes, it will not be sufficient enough for our needs. I have a tentative serving position at the California Pizza Kitchen here in town, and a couple of other interviews coming in the next couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see how the Lord will show his might through this.

Speaking of the Lord and his blessings, He has been so good to us. Our friends, the Keys, are moving away to be missionaries. Because they are leaving the country, they needed to get rid of some of their stuff. Marshall, knowing our future need for another car, was incredibly gracious and have gave us his car (yes, I said gave, not sold). It is a pretty incredible thing to think about the goodness that God gives his people. I am very grateful to the Keys…they gave us their kitty and their car. What a blessed family! The Lord is soooo good

So the car is a 1999 VW Beetle. I never thought I would own a Beetle, but it is a fun car. It comes complete with a sunroof (which neither Julie or I have ever had), and leather seats (including butt warmers!). The most interesting thing about this car is that it is a manual. Neither of us have ever had a manual before. Marshall had taken me out a few times to get used to it, but it wasn’t until I had it for a week or so that it really felt comfortable with it (it took a number of stalls and stomach aches from nervousness to get it right). The first time that Julie rode in it was like an amusement park ride…now that may sound cool, but when you have a pregnant wife who has been sick quite a bit, it isn’t a ride that you want to take her on. I have gotten much better at driving it. I feel comfortable and really enjoying the thrill of a stick shift (minus the occasional stalling).

Finally, we are VERY excited for Wednesday because, in the words of Jar-Jar Binks, “Missa goin’ home!!!” Yes, Julie and I are heading back to Minnesota for the weekend. Two good friends of ours are going to tie the knot (literally: in the service, they are going to tie a knot). The bride, Rachel, is actually the girl that introduced Julie and I, so we are very excited to be there when she says, “I do.” Julie and I will also be providing some of the music for the wedding. Then…its the dance. I has been a while since I have broken out the break-dancing…

Pray for us as we travel. We will also be able to spend some time with friends and family, which we are very excited for.

Gloria is still cool. Hangin’ out. Meowin’ up a storm. She basically looks out the patio door all day. And if she isn’t doing that, she is giving “subtle” clues that she wants to play.

Anyway, unless we write a blog on our trip to MN, our next blog may be telling you whether we are going to be parents of a baby girl or boy.

We are very excited to announce that Julie is pregnant!! Currently, she is 11 weeks along and the baby is doing great! The baby is due on October 28 and we couldn’t be more excited! Yesterday, we were able to hear the heartbeat at the doctor’s office.

Please pray that the Lord would continue the development of this precious child and that he would be preparing us to be wise, discerning, loving and gracious parents.

Psalm 139:13-18

For you [God] created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you

When we adopted Gloria from the Keys, Marshall told us how much she loves to watch TV. He couldn’t have been more right. Though she will watch pretty much anything, she LOVES basketball. And last night she became a Kansas Jayhawks fan! She and I stayed up last night and watched the game together. Here are a couple of videos to show her excitement.

This first one is her pawing the screen and following the ball during the 2nd period - getting ready for the exciting climax:

This one requires you need to watch the screen and Gloria. With 10 seconds left in the second, Memphis shoots a free throw to get a 3-point lead. With only a few seconds left, Kansas shoots a three to tie the game and Gloria goes wild!

Now we just need to get to to watch a Gopher game!