The Rainer's » Striving to Live According to God's Calling

Welcome to our home on the web.

So glad you decided to stop by and visit us! Let me tell you a little about us. First, "I" and "me" refer to Stacey, wife and mother. This blog is a work of my heart and while there may be the rare post from someone else in the family, you can pretty much be assured that you are reading from my perspective.

We are a Bible believing, Christ following family. We live in Central Illinois but Tom and I were born in Kansas. I grow sunflowers as an homage to our childhood. Plus they are my favorite flower along with Gerber daisies.

The breakdown:
Stacey - maternal head of the house. Photographer, nurse (in a previous life), lover of birth, tree hugger. Favorite topics of conversation - photography and babies, both before and after birth, cloth diapers, baby wearing. My kids.

Tom - man of the house. Graphic designer, entrepreneur, all around geek. Favorite topics of conversation - Porsches (that's porsh-uh for the uninitiated), Apple, the computer, not the fruit; business networking and marketing.

Emily - oldest and off to college. Majoring in International Studies in prep for answering her call to missions to spread to love of Jesus. Favorite topic of conversation - doesn't really matter as long as it's in Spanish; well, she likes to talk Harry Potter, too.

Hannah - 8th grader. Loves to draw anime cats; reads Warriors. Loves cats. Looking toward a career working with animals. But not veterinarian because she can't handle performing surgery on them. Cutting them open is yucky. Maybe zoologist or vet tech.

Noah - 5th grader. Twin A. Yes, I label. He lives up to it. Happy go lucky who has lots of things come easily to him. Detrimental in the fact that when things aren't easy, he simply moves on rather than working to accomplish a task. True of home work as well as video games. The first of my two sons to be diagnosed with severe hemophilia.

Jonah - 5th grader. Twin B. Likes to be called Joe. Is also very much a twin b. Soft hearted, sweet souled. Helpful and giving. Most of the time. Artistic and creative. While things do not come as easily to him as they do to his twin, he is a hard worker and determined and often ends up being more successful at an objective than Noah is. They are quite a dichotomy.

Olivia - 2nd grade. Princess. Very quiet and unexpressive. You just never know what she's thinking or feeling. But she does feel very deeply. We just don't often see it. She's a tiny little pixie of a thing but has the personality of a first born. She's a leader and is most comfortable when she's in charge of things.

Ian - kindergartener. What he feels, everyone knows. When he's happy, he's on top of the world and when he's sad or angry, well, watch out. This kid wears his heart right out there for all to see. And hear. Unfortunately. When he's mad, he gets loud about it. His wife will never have to wonder what he's thinking or feeling. He is the most loving kid I've ever met. Snuggles are VERY important to Ian. Even in sleep, he will reach out to cuddle with someone. Which leads him to wake up at 2 a.m. seeking snuggles, or if we are already sharing a bed, throw leg and arm over the nearest available parent. He is a delight and I can always count on him for a hug whenever I need one.

Elena - age 1. The Baby. I really hope we can prevent the pitfalls of the birth order "baby." She really always wants to be around those who she loves. Not one for quiet, independent play. I suppose that will come. Favorite activities - being read to, nursing, snuggling in bed with mom. Least favorite activity - being in the van. For anything. For any length of time. Makes going anywhere a little stressful. The joy she elicits in my heart, though, is worth every single second of fussiness and clinginess.

That's us! Check back often for updates on what's going on in our lives. And there's always something.