My Story

My story is long. It is complex. It is filled with winding roads. It has lots of pain. It is unexpected. It is broken. Yet, it is so beautiful.

I am a woman who has struggled with infertility and can’t have her own biological kids. I am a foster-adopt mom of a sibling set of 3 who officially became ours this past August. Biological or not, they are not second best. They are our children, as though I gave birth to them myself.

I am a wife to a man who is truly my better half. I am a pastor’s wife. I love people deeply. I long to see myself and others continue to grow.

I am an ESFP on the Meyers Briggs personality test. If you know anything about that, you know it means I love creating things. I see beauty where others may not. I love taking something that is thought of as useless or trash and using creativity to make it into something beautiful. I particularly love spreading beauty throughout our home…whether that be in the form of food, crafts, or DIY projects.

This is my story…and these are all things that you will see me write about.

(updated Feb 2017)

188 thoughts on “My Story”

Posted August 3, 2014 at 12:29 AM by Martina

Hi Lori! I just wanted to let you know, that I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. If you’d like to accept the nomination you’ll find the details here http://wp.me/p4CjjA-8y

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- Posted August 3, 2014 at 8:30 PM by Lori
  
  Awe, so sweet of you Martina! Of course I will happily accept! Thank you!! 😀
  
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  - Posted August 4, 2014 at 11:15 PM by Martina
    
    Yay! And whoop whoop dor having you back!
    
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  - Posted August 4, 2014 at 11:23 PM by Lori
    
    You are such a sweetie Martina! Big smiles over here!! 😄
    
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Posted August 4, 2014 at 6:36 PM by Michelle

Hi Lori, hope you’re doing good and not too tired after your vacation!
Just wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! 😀 You can check it out here: http://giraffescanbake.com/no-recipe-2/inspiring-blogger-award/
Have a great day!
Michelle x

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- Posted August 4, 2014 at 10:29 PM by Lori
  
  You are very thoughtful Michelle! Thank you thank you thank you!!
  
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Posted August 12, 2014 at 8:02 PM by alzheimerswife

Lori, I don’t know how it happened, but I lost any contact info I had for you so I’m trying to reach you through your comments. Thank you again for nominating me for the Quintet award. I’ve finally posted my acceptance (and gratefulness) on a new blog. It took me so long because of my husband’s hospitalization. Nancy

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- Posted August 12, 2014 at 10:43 PM by Lori
  
  Glad you found me Nancy! So sorry about your hubby’s hospitalization. Praying for you right now.
  Congrats again on the award…I was so happy to give it to you!
  
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Posted August 12, 2014 at 11:12 PM by Shamim

Hey! how are you? I just nominated you for the WordPress Family Bloggers Award. Thanks

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- Posted September 11, 2014 at 1:58 PM by Lori
  
  Shamim- I am just now seeing this for some reason! Wow! Thank you so much! This is so sweet of you!!!
  
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  - Posted September 11, 2014 at 8:47 PM by Shamim
    
    Hey. No problem.
    I’m glad you got to see it now 🙂
    
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  - Posted September 11, 2014 at 9:45 PM by Lori
    
    Thanks for your grace Shamim!
    
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Posted August 13, 2014 at 4:49 AM by LeeLeeBot

Hey Lori, it’s me FixingMyFearofFlavor!! Although lately I’ve been blogging at LeeLeeBot.WordPress.com as I prepare for surgery tomorrow!! I wanted to stop in and see what you have been up to. WOW! You have really evolved. Your site is looking even better than ever. I am so impressed. I am happy to see you are still at it and doing a fantastic job. Keep up the good work my wordpress friend!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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- Posted August 13, 2014 at 7:29 AM by Lori
  
  It has been so long! So great to hear from you! I didn’t realize you were getting surgery and all about your pain disorder! Praying for you right now! Heading over to your site!
  
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Posted August 19, 2014 at 1:51 PM by sarahgiebens

Hi there, cooking and crafting lady! 😀
I nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award! 😀

Beautiful Blogger Award

xxx Sarah

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- Posted August 24, 2014 at 7:14 PM by Lori
  
  Sarah….you are so sweet! Thank you so much! i am honored! 🙂
  
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  - Posted August 25, 2014 at 9:59 AM by sarahgiebens
    
    🙂
    
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Posted August 24, 2014 at 9:06 PM by Ahila

Hi Lori, I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award (http://wp.me/p3Nc97-BL). Have a great week!

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- Posted August 25, 2014 at 10:30 AM by Lori
  
  That’s so sweet Ahila! Thank you so much!!
  
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Posted September 9, 2014 at 2:30 PM by Nancy

Lori, I’m re-gifting. ; I’ve nominated you for the Butterfly Light Award…no need to generate a post, I simply needed to share the light!
http://feastingwithfriendsblog.com/2014/09/09/butterfly-light-award/ ❤

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- Posted September 10, 2014 at 8:31 AM by Lori
  
  You are so super sweet Nancy! Thanks my friend! I am grateful for you and feel honored!
  
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Posted September 11, 2014 at 2:09 PM by Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy

What’s your email, Lori? I want to contact you!

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- Posted September 11, 2014 at 2:17 PM by Lori
  
  Hi Linda- It is
  creatingbeautyinthekitchen@gmail.com
  
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Posted September 15, 2014 at 11:31 AM by lightthelie

Lori, I nominated you for the Liebster Award 🙂 You are such a light in the blogging world! I have one of your recipes in our dinner rotation this week, yay! You can see the post here: http://lightthelie.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/i-am-so-honored/

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- Posted September 15, 2014 at 3:36 PM by Lori
  
  Thank you so so much Emily! I really desire to be a light, so your words are encouraging!
  I’m so curious which recipe it is! I soooo hope you like it! 🙂
  
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  - Posted September 15, 2014 at 4:28 PM by lightthelie
    
    It’s your chicken with red sauce one… Looks delicious.. Sticking to the recipe 😉 I’ll let you know how it turns out!
    
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  - Posted September 15, 2014 at 5:12 PM by Lori
    
    Okay, fun!!
    
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- Posted September 30, 2014 at 10:12 AM by lightthelie
  
  Here is my THANK YOU! 🙂 http://lightthelie.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/you-are-too-kind/
  
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Posted September 22, 2014 at 5:16 PM by Emily Rose Lewis

I REALLY need to start cooking healthier! As a single working mother it is hard to find the time to cook but this last year I have been trying out more and more recipes…and putting on weight! My 18 year old is a full time ballet dancer and so I am always trying to fix high calorie foods for him. I will definitely be checking out some of your recipes, especially the deserts. Your story is inspirational. I think I need to pray that God would help me to enjoy healthier foods. THAT would take a miracle.

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- Posted September 22, 2014 at 5:41 PM by Lori
  
  Hi Emily Rose- so happy you stopped by! I can imagine how hard that would be to cook…not a whole lot of time for that huh? That’s neat that your 18 yr old is a full time ballet dancer.
  I have loved eating the way we do now…not using refined sugars and keeping it low glycemic. And it really does taste great! Hope you find some things you like!
  
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Posted October 16, 2014 at 10:56 AM by lightthelie

Hey pretty lady! I have nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! http://lightthelie.wordpress.com/2014/10/16/receiving-encouragement-to-give-encouragement/ You so deserve it.

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- Posted October 19, 2014 at 1:52 PM by Lori
  
  You are sooo sweet! Thank you my friend! I’ve been away at a pastors wives retreat…so that’s why I’m so late at replying. Thank you for your continued encouragement!
  
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  - Posted October 21, 2014 at 9:52 AM by lightthelie
    
    That sounds awesome! I hope it was extremely life giving and refreshing 🙂 I’m sure it was. And don’t ever worry about taking a while to get back to me.. I know how life gets! 🙂 ❤
    
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  - Posted October 22, 2014 at 11:36 AM by Lori
    
    Thanks Emily! It was….it was so great!! ❤
    
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Posted November 20, 2014 at 5:58 PM by Arl's World

Hi Lori! Haven’t seen you at FF in awhile …just thought I would say hello 🙂 Miss your wonderful recipes and funny stories. Hope all is good with you. Arlene

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- Posted November 25, 2014 at 9:02 PM by Lori
  
  Thanks Arl! I miss you and the others too! And FF! I have been so busy so I’ve been taking a break from blogging for a while. I don’t like taking the break though. 🙂
  
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  - Posted November 26, 2014 at 9:01 AM by Arl's World
    
    I understand, sometimes we need the break though. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
    
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Posted February 13, 2015 at 9:59 AM by Victoria

What an awesome blog you have Lori!!

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- Posted February 13, 2015 at 10:19 AM by Lori
  
  Thank you so much Victoria!!
  
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Posted February 13, 2015 at 10:22 AM by Lili

It’s a beautiful blog Lori and I’m really looking forward to trying out your healthy recipes! Love your header too! 🙂

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- Posted February 13, 2015 at 10:25 AM by Lori
  
  Thanks Lili! Sweet of you! I drew the header, and I’m so glad you like it!
  
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Posted March 7, 2015 at 6:05 AM by peeledwellness

I think it’s awesome that you open with the toilet comment, it definitely made my curious to keep reading. Your voice in your writing comes off as so real and down to earth, I’m happy I found you!

Xoxo K
http://peeledwellness.com

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- Posted March 7, 2015 at 8:22 AM by Lori
  
  Wow! What sweet words of encouragement! Thank you so much K!! I just took a quick peak at your blog and am going to enjoy following it!
  
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Posted May 12, 2015 at 2:59 AM by Alexandra (www.healthycookingjar.com )

You have a beautiful blog 🙂 I was just scrolling through your articles now 🙂

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Posted June 28, 2015 at 6:23 PM by Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser

Hi Lori you have not blogged in months I want to make sure you and hubby are well? How are the proceedings going with adoption and classes, etc? Hope to hear frm you SOON! Cheryl

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- Posted November 19, 2015 at 6:59 PM by Lori
  
  Hi Cheryl! You are so sweet! Thank you! We have been soooo busy. We were placed with a sibling set of three in August, thus the busyness! 🙂
  
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  - Posted November 19, 2015 at 7:03 PM by Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
    
    Oh Lori that is such wonderful news my friend! So excited for you both! Having 5 of my own I know how hectic it can be. So good to hear from you! Hugs and Love, Cheryl
    
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  - Posted November 19, 2015 at 7:24 PM by Lori
    
    Thanks Cheryl! I really appreciate you checking on me!
    
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  - Posted November 19, 2015 at 7:27 PM by Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
    
    I’ll be thinking about you all!!! Happy Holidays they’ll be merrier!!!
    
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