Rains Family Update

Four of the children in swimsuits, just back from a swim during vacation (little Thomas was probably asleep then):


Dear family and friends:

Many experiences have enriched our lives recently.

We grew a garden, and I have wanted to ask Grandpa Nelson, our expert agronomist, how to know when the ears of corn are ready. We ended up looking on the Internet, and we picked them at the right time. We enjoyed them one night…even one that had a worm in the top was just fine underneath, once we had shucked it… reminds us that people who appear wormy on the outside are really sweet and good on the inside. Isn't that a corny analogy?? Here it is:


Our neighbors’ garden has cantaloupe and even a peach tree, so Chris is getting some more ideas…

We had a family soccer game recently. Those Monday evening activities are fun (but not on Chris’ knee). Also, all the children are learning to do head stands---that’s been exciting. But they need to remember to tuck and roll… we’ve had some sore bottoms in the Rains household.

Christopher’s foot has gone through the ringer lately… it has been stung by a yellowjacket (stinger was left in until Holly courageously battled it out of him), run over by a car (remote control toy car, but it broke skin!), and run over by our heavy front door. This all happened on the same foot (the foot looks rough right now), within two weeks. Now, we call him “Hobbles.” Just kidding about the name… and he’s walking fine. Here he is doing a headstand:


Emma has been making up more songs lately. She memorizes songs mostly, but then when she forgets a few lines, she simply inserts something she makes up and makes up her own parts. It’s great to have her singing. One other thing---she’s a big girl, but since we began feeding Thomas, she has grown to love eating baby food---especially bananas. Emma and I danced in the Greenway Park Talent Show late Spring. Practicing for the show grew more and more fun as time went on.


Hunter has grown a lot, and he has slimmed out. We had to raise his bike seat recently as well as buy new church pants. He’s entering kindergarten soon, and he can now read the word “the,” “red racer,” and “a” and “I”.

Eliza, Emma, Hunter, some of Thomas, and also our dog, Shelby, all playing costumes... Hunter in the unicorn / pegasus costume cracks me up!


Eliza has been learning words galore. She is still attending speech every Friday. She really has mastered the word “NO” as well as “Mine”. She can say several other words as well. The other day, we went roller skating, and she went by herself---at less than two years old! She also mimics others often, and she has the cutest giggle when she’s tickled. She gives Thomas great zerberts on his belly, and she hugs Emma when Emma is crying. She also tells Emma "sorry" if Emma is hurt.

More of the festive costume throng...


Thomas is still growing and getting heavier. He smiles a lot, particularly if you smile at him first. People at church take him and hold him often, which is really helpful when Chris and Holly are working in their callings. Today, the Bishop took one of Thomas’ chubby legs and pretended to eat it. Chris joked that we intended to take Thomas home and cook him and eat him for dinner (since he’s fattened up). Thomas must have understood, because he immediately began to cry. We didn’t eat Thomas... the thing that looks like a football helmet is to help shape his head.


Holly has been such a support to our family, especially since Chris has been quite busy at work lately. Somehow, mom manages to comfort our children so well… this is because she is gifted in working with children.

Chris has been called to serve as the Young Men’s president, so he’s no longer working with Holly in Sunbeams… so we’re sad we don’t get to work together, but it should bring great new opportunities for service. Maybe Chris can call brother-in-law Jeremy for advice!

We miss our family and friends, but we're enjoying our life in North Carolina, and the Lord is blessing our life here.