From the time I was a teenager, all I wanted was to be a mama. Not just a momโbut a stay-at-home mom. I didnโt know exactly how it would happen, but I knew that was my calling.
Now, Iโll admit, I also dreamed of being a rock star (and yes, I still love to grab the mic or jump on a dance floor any chance I get). But deep down, home and family were always the dream that never left me.
I was blessed with four amazing kids, and I couldnโt have lived that dream without Quintin. We were junior high sweethearts, married young, and knew early on that family would be at the center of our lives. When I was only 16, I told him, โIf weโre gonna move forward in this relationship, I need to know youโre okay with me being a stay-at-home mom someday.โ
He loved to retell that story, shaking his head with a smileโโShe was only 16, already planning it all out loud. But that was Lori. She knew what she wanted. And I knew I wanted to be the one to help make it happen.โ
For years, we followed the traditional pathโcareers, kids, responsibilities. I stayed home with the kids, and Quintin dove into the banking world, working 60+ hours a week to provide for us. We were survivingโฆ but we werenโt really living.
I slowly lost myself in the daily roles of motherhood, and Quintin, though doing what he thought he was โsupposedโ to do, was exhausted, disconnected, and missing out on the very life he was working so hard to support.
Everything began to shift when I found an opportunity that allowed me to work from home in social media. At first, I didnโt set out to build a businessโI just wanted to rediscover myself. But filling my own cup began to overflow into our marriage, our family, and eventually gave Quintin the courage to step away from the grind and come home.
Together, we started something new. Not just a business, but a mission:
Reclaiming the Table.
We realized what weโd been missing all alongโtime together. Conversations over dinner. Laughter with our kids. Those meaningful, ordinary moments that donโt just happenโyou have to choose them.
So, we reclaimed the table.
Dinner became sacred. Family time became a priority. Our work revolved around our life, not the other way around.
Thatโs the legacy Quintin leaves behind: a father who showed up, a husband who came home, a man who believed that no paycheck was worth more than presence. He used to say, โYou donโt have to be a cranky banker. Thereโs a better way.โAnd we found it.
We built a life where both of us had our identities, our purpose, and our partnership intact. And we built it around our tableโwith our four kids at the heart of it all.
But in 2024, right before our 25th wedding anniversary, Quintin went home to be with the Lord. Thereโs no way to prepare for that kind of loss. Some days it still doesnโt feel real. But what comforts me most is knowing we lived with intention. We chose each other. We built a life that truly mattered.
And thatโs why I continue forward with what we began.
Today, Crazy Busy Mama carries our story and our mission into the lives of others. Itโs a space where I share recipes, cookbooks, kitchen hacks, and fun merch like mugs and tees. But itโs also where I show up for my โcoffee chatsโโsharing my heart, my faith, and the lessons God is teaching me as I walk this journey of motherhood and now this journey of grief.
Crazy Busy Mama isnโt just a business. Itโs the continuation of what Quintin and I built together: a reminder that love is found in the ordinary, that the table is where connection happens, and that even in the chaos, family is always worth fighting for.
Quintin may no longer be physically here, but his heart is in every meal we share, every bedtime story, every walk with our kids. And through Crazy Busy Mama, his legacy lives onโencouraging other families to slow down, reclaim their tables, and build lives that truly matter.
So this is us. This is our story. And this is why I keep going.
For him. For our kids.
For every family out there longing for more time, more peace, and more connection.
Because there is a better way.
Every morning, I wake up and share a bit of my heart on my socials. If you are not following me on instagram, you can do so HERE and in this season specifically I am sharing my grief journey. Praying that I can share hope in the midst of my pain and how you too can find purpose in the midst of your valley by remembering Whose you are and who holds you! For those who would like to take a listen you can do so below.
So thankful for your encouragement each day!
your support means the world to me.
Also, I'd love to know how long you have been following our story! Please let me know in the comments below!
Much encouragement and love- Lori โ๏ธ
My hearts passion of how to #ReclaimTheTable – I appreciate each of you who take the time to help me build this blog full of recipes that help you and your family spend more time together as a family!
Grab your mug as a reminder: “ALL GREAT CHANGE BEGINS AT THE DINNER TABLE” HERE
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I been follow for about six years my husband got Covid and lost his memory in a matter of two hours completely wiped his memory. The tenth day you were supposed to feel better well it went the opposite. Not one memory or name was left he also develop the same heart condition as your Q and still today I get the same things from doctors as they told you about the continuing. Ambulance an ER visits once a month a loop recorder put in etc to make this short. But how he lost his memory I lost him also in July of 2020. So your stories and seasons have help me get through my seasons. I have shared so e of the comment with my doctors about what you went through with Q so I am very scared when the heart rate drops and that stare and out to lunch look comes on his face. The ice packs the cold water the massaging of the heart till the ambulance gets here. So CBM I know how hard it was for you to get those doctors to understand you I still am. Thank you for sharing life we all are not alone we are in the same season just at different time.
Oh my goodnessโฆ ๐ค I am so deeply sorry. I can feel the weight of everything youโve walked through just reading your words.
To lose your husband in that wayโwhile he is still physically hereโthereโs a grief in that that so many people donโt understand. Itโs a different kind of loss, but it is still a loss. And then to carry the fear on top of itโฆ watching his heart, the ambulance calls, the uncertaintyโฆ that is so heavy.
I hear you when you say you lost him too. That matters. Thatโs real.
And I also hear the strength in youโthe way you show up, the way you care for him in those moments, doing everything you can while waiting for help to arrive. That is love in its purest, most sacrificial form.
I know how frustrating and scary it is trying to get doctors to *listen*โฆ to really see whatโs happening right in front of you. You are not crazy for advocating. You are not wrong for feeling what you feel in those moments. Keep speaking up.
Thank you for sharing this with meโฆ truly. And thank you for letting me be a small part of your season. You are not alone in this, even though I know it can feel that way in the middle of it all.
Iโm praying for youโfor peace in those scary moments, for protection over his heart, and for strength for you as you keep showing up every single day. ๐ค๐
I’ve been following you for about a year.
Ms. Lori. Could you send me a private message. I am not good with technology. Im 72 and no young people around to ask about these tech things. I lost my Previous Drew three months before our 25 wedding anniversary as well. May, 17th 2025, He went to be with Jesus. I try so hard, but I am truly crushed, emotionally, spiritually and physically. One of the worst is when my Faith falters..but is Good, gracious and patient with me. If you can, I want to figure how you can hear some beautiful words my husband wrote..I think it would resonate with you and your family. Thank you so much and God bless and protect you and lovely family. In love and Christian Faith, Mrs. Sherrie Lynm Thomas
Ms. Sherrieโฆ thank you so much for sharing your heart with me ๐ค
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your husbandโฆ especially so close to such a meaningful anniversary. That kind of loss touches every part of you, and everything you describedโฆ the emotional, spiritual, and physical weightโฆ I understand more than I wish we did.
And your faithโฆ the way you said it falters at times but God is still good, gracious, and patientโฆ that is so real. There is so much grace for you in this season, even in the moments that feel shaky.
I wish I could personally message each and every person, but Iโm not always able to do that. However, I would absolutely love for you to share the words your husband wrote right here in the comments if you feel comfortable. I know I would be honored to read them, and I truly believe they could touch so many others here too.
You are not alone in this, Ms. Sherrie. Iโm so grateful you reached out and shared this with me.
Praying for youโฆ for comfort, for strength, and for God to hold you especially close in the hard moments ๐ค
Hi! I live in Montana near Glacier Park. Have followed you since long before you lost Quintin& always loved how you are such a natural with what you say & what you do. I joined this awful never ending grief club in August, 2023, when my only son died. Even when I wasnโt aware of it God was guiding me to this place today where I think I just might survive this. I am so sorry for your loss of your forever man. So thankful you have faith but even that falters at times. May His grace go with you wherever your journey takes you. Grief has no exit door or no expiration date but through faith and tons of prayer those ole feet just keep putting one in front of the other , even on the rockiest of paths. He is with us every step , even& uneven. So keep on going forward. He already knows where you are going. Prayed to you & your beautiful kids. Thinking about you today!๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ
Thank you so much for sharing your heart with me. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your son. There are no words big enough for that kind of pain. My heart just aches for you.
It means so much that youโve been here for so long, even before everything changed. And hearing you say that you feel like you just might survive thisโฆ that is not small. That is everything. I know how hard it is to even get to that place.
You said something so trueโฆ even our faith can falter at times. And I think thatโs something people donโt always talk about. But Iโve learned that even when our faith feels weak, God is still steady. He doesnโt move even when we feel like we are.
Grief really doesnโt have an exit door. Itโs something we learn to carry, step by step, just like you said. Some days those steps feel steady, and some days they feel like weโre walking on the rockiest ground. But we keep going.
Thank you for your prayers for me and my kids. That means more than I can say. Please know I am praying for you too. For strength, for peace in the middle of the ache, and for those small moments where you can feel Godโs presence carrying you through.
You are not alone in this. Iโm so grateful youโre here. Sending you the biggest hug all the way to Montana. ๐
I started following yall in 2016 and still following love all the videos and all the recipes
Sweet of you thank you!
I have been following you since you came into Facebook. I looked forward to your simple quick meals and I have been with you since. I lost my daughter during COVID and I didn’t think I could go on, so I know what you have been going thru. Every morning you make me realize it’s ok to not be ok and that tomorrow will be a better day, hopefully..I will be with you as long as you are here giving each of us a little hope….
About three years ago a friend told me about a crazy high-energy lady on FB who shared great recipes. Iโve followed you ever since!
Been following you for at least 5 years! I was so excited when I saw you lived in Kearney. Iโm in Liberty and I keep an eye out for you when I visit 3 Birdies Boutique on the off chance youโre there too lol
Lori I remember it like it was yesterday! My husband and I were in our last 9 days together before he passed, 5 years ago this past July 10, 2025! On July 1, 2020 he got home from the hospital and a day after I had gotten home from having surgery after breaking my ankle in 3 places! He had come to the hospital with my daughter so he could see me before my surgery! Covid restrictions were still at one visitor at that time so he came in and sat in his wheelchair and on oxygen! He had pulmonary fibrosis! I ended up calling a code on him with my button and they rushed him to ER because his heart rate was low! We would talk on the phone, when he was moved to a room on 6th floor and I was under him on the 4th floor! He was sad he didnโt get to come home when I did! When he did come home we laid beside each other all day and night! (I had my portable potty on my side and he had a urinal and walker on his side!) At the time,to be bedridden was like a prison, but now I cherish that memory like it was God making sure we had time together! Thatโs when I started following you! Those last days of my time with David! I would show him your Crazy Busy Mama videos and he would say that looks good and I promised him I would cook for him as soon as I could! Those last 9 days I think he knew he was going to die! He told me what a good wife and mother and Mimi I had been and I told him the same and we talked about how many memories we had with our marriage and our girls and grandkids! One funny memory during those 9 days was when I figured out how we could escape the bedroom because neither of us could sleep! I scooted down my side of the bed and got in the wheel chair and one legged it around to his side of the bed! He stood up like I was his walker and we went slowly into the living room and I dropped him off at his chair! Then I one legged it in to the kitchen and got us cheese and crackers and grapes! We stayed up watching American Pickers and felt like teenagers sneaking out! MY daughter upstairs had no clue! I told him it wasnโt Crazy Busy Mamaโs recipe but I would soon cook for him! That never happened but I vowed to cook for my family because they were by my side after David passed! When I called the ambulance on July 9th Covid restrictions had changed to no visitors! I watched him being wheeled off to the ambulance and I told him I loved him and his last words to me were โฆ..with faint breath โฆ.that struggled to get outโฆ โI love you too!โ He passed after 1am and they couldnโt revive him! He died alone with none of his family! I finally came to the realization that the reason he kept taking his mask off was he wasnโt aloneโฆ.. he saw Jesus!โ
<3 so heartwrenching yet full of hope. Thank you for sharing David's story. Prayers to you!
Lori, I usually say my pleasure when someone says thank you! It is hard to think that telling someone anything about their only love of their life since the age of 17 ( I always told him he robbed the cradle) could render such a response! But it was maybe more like a release or shifting grief for a moment in time telling part of mine and Davidโs love story! Your grief journal is a great idea and I will purchase one! I just wish my knee would cooperate so I could travel to your signing like I planned! Writing/journaling has helped me tremendously on my grief journey! ( I even wrote a song to my husband โMeet Me Where the Stars Meet Heavenโ! ) I may be 73 years old but I still have the heart of that 20 year old that walked down the aisle to marry my only love! I continue wearing my wedding ring because number one I donโt want some old man hitting on me and number two my season doesnโt want that! My grandkids and kids keep me busy! No matter how unthinkable that is for you right now, let time, God and your heart tell if and when it ever happens for you again! Thank you for helping me even though we are strangers yet walking on the same grief journey in different seasons of life and time frame of lossโฆbut both remembering all the love and memories we still have of our spouses! Karen
PS if you ever want to know about dreams anyone has, I have one to save for youโฆ.it is the one my granddaughter had the morning she woke up after David had passed a few hours before! (And my daughter was waiting to tell all the kids about their pawpaw when she woke up) sorry but not sorry this is so longโฆremember it is my therapy!
I started following in 2023. Crazy Busy Mama gave me recipes to start cooking again.
I admire your strength & courage. I enjoy your morning videos. Donโt let the haters discourage you. You are amazing!!
I’ve been following yall 3 years now. Was shocked to hear about your husband. I really enjoyed seeing you both together. I’ve been divorced 13 years and its just like a death. I can’t date or hardly laugh anymore. I had to go back to work and do everything myself. It’s tough . But I don’t have teenage children, my son is grown. But it hurts sooo bad. Hope to find laughter and smiles again one day for us all grieving. GOD BLESS US MAMAS
Keep going – you are a shinning example of how to go on with your life even though it did not follow the path you would have chosen. God bless you and your children. You are an inspiration to many.
I started following you just over 3 years ago. Your testimony through the loss of Q has been an encouragement to me. I know each day is challenging and even though we have not met, you and your family are prayed for. I lost my sister 2 months ago unexpectedly. My heart hurts for her daughters and her husband. Your testimony through your loss and your dependence on Christ to see you through has been a reminder that we will see our loved ones again. Thank you for continuing to share your faith and your struggles. You are a blessing to many.
Hey Lori, honestly, I canโt remember when I started following you! But it was before your precious Quintin passed away, I do know thatโฆ and I remember the shock of it all as wellโฆ I was so devastated for you and the kids, I was weeping right alongside yall! And now, Iโve lost my precious husband just a few weeks ago myself, so I feel your pain and griefโฆ ๐ญ