Proudest Moment #bloggerchallenge #day11

There are a few moments in my life that I look back and I’m like ‘Wow, I can’t believe I did that’. Giving birth to my children, going back to school and being ordained, to name a few. However, the one moment that I am the most proud of has to be my wedding day.

For those of you who know my husband and I, you know part of our story and the years leading up to our marriage. For those of you who don’t, I will keep it short and sweet by saying we are high school sweethearts and we’ve been through a lot {and I mean, A LOT}  together.

Leading up to our wedding we had drastically changed our lifestyles and we were committed to one another in a way we had never experienced before. After a whirl wind romance and 24 hour engagement {you can read more about this story here; My Best Yes } my husband and I got married.

I remember knowing that this was the biggest decision I would ever make. I believe that your spouse has the power to add value to your life or take it away. They will either build you up or tear you down. They will lead you into the fullness of your destiny or they will drag you away. I was young, but I was not naive to the repercussions of saying ‘yes’ at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons, to the wrong person but deep in my soul, I knew this was right.

My husband asked me to trust him and I did and I still do. Walking down that aisle to meet him at the other end was probably the best moment of my life. Marrying him opened my heart in a way I never knew possible, he has encouraged me and inspired me to be the best  ‘me’ I could ever be, he’s made me a mother and he’s opened my love for him in a new way because of the way he loves our daughters.

I’m not sure that there is any decision I’ve ever made that compares to this one. He was and still is my best yes. I’m so incredibly thankful for the home and family we’ve built together. I wake up daily wondering how this could be my real life, how could I be so blessed?

There were people who thought we shouldn’t get married, that we were too young, that it was too fast or others who thought this shot gun marriage was to cover up an unexpected pregnancy, all of which was wrong.

My proudest moment was looking past all of that. Every naysayer, every opinion, every statistic and believing in love;  genuine love.

I’m so thankful for my husband. I can’t imagine my life without him. He has been amazing to me and he’s a superhero to our daughters. He is my most proud moment, that day, today and every day!

First Celebrity Crush #bloggerchallenge #day10

This is tough and I think it's a tie between JTT from Home Improvement and Will Smith from Fresh Prince of Bel- Air. I had a huge crush on both of these guys growing up. Oh and possibly Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell!

Now, I'm kind of meh about all three. It's crazy how your feelings change overtime!

Piercings and Tattoos #bloggerchallenge #day9

Piercings and Tattoos!

I am not completely boring, I actually have one of each. I got my belly button pierced when I was 16. That was .... painful! But I really wanted it, so it was totally worth it. Now over a decade later, I still have it!

Secondly, I have a tattoo of a cross on the inside of my left ankle. I love it. I wanted it for the longest time but since I have a commitment issue, I was totally afraid of getting it. I literally drew a black cross on my ankle for weeks, almost months, on my ankle every single day until finally I was like OK I really want this. When I got it done, it was semi painful, but more annoying then anything. It didn't take too long but I honestly couldn't have sat much longer.

Now, I really want a couple more (3 to be exact) but I'll wait on it a bit until I decide for sure.. .We shall see!

Old Photo of Me #bloggerchallenge #day8

Because these pictures line up with some of my previous posts, here goes!!!

I told you I love food!! This is me, killing cake. Like a boss.... LOL Now I know where my girlies get it from.

 

Maybe this is where my dreams of working for the DEA or SVU started. My 'Uncle Tom' was a Norwalk Detective when I was a kid... I believe this was Halloween and I traded my Tiger outfit for his. 

This is me and my grandparents (from my Dad's side) on my birthday. This was basically EVERY birthday, cake, balloons and PICTURES!

My 10 Favorite Foods #bloggerchallenge #day7

I just have to say, the following post will explain why I will never have a 6- pack.. I LOVE FOOD. Here are my top ten choices!

1.       NACHOS. But not just any nachos, NACHO NIGHT NACHOS, covered in bacon grease. YUM.

2.       French toast. Regular French toast OR French toast bagels, muffins or toast (like cinnamon swirl).. I just love french toast.

3.       PASTA. I love pasta. Particularly aioli or alla vodka.

4.       Beverly’s Pizza. I really love all pizza, and I don’t discriminate but this is a list of FAVORITES.

5.       Mac and Cheese bites!!

6.       Buffalo wings, tenders and/ or dip. I love buffalo style stuff!

7.       Monfongo. My favvvvvvvvvvvvvvorite Spanish food.

8.       Avocado. This isn’t really a food, it’s more of a side but I put it on the side of basically everything. OR guacamole.

9.       LOADED anything. Baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc. Anything covered with cheese and bacon with ranch dipping sauce is heavenly.

10.   Burgers. But not just any burger, a good, juicy burger cooked med- rare (if it’s well done I’m not into that) I ate my first burger in life {EVER} about two years ago, and now I’m a believer.

I’m pretty sure this isn’t everything.. I didn’t add hibachi noodles, cake pops, baked mac and cheese, empanadas, cones, butter popcorn or coffee… But I guess that’s technically a drink.  

3 Personality Traits I am proud of... #bloggerchallenge #day6

Well. Just when I thought this was going well, this question has me stumped. 3 personality traits I am proud of?... I'm not sure! I'm really not. Let me think.

Ok, I guess if I had to choose, it would be... 

1.) I'm discerning. I have an incredible intuition. I typically 'just know' about certain things and I love that! I love that I don't experience a whole lot of confusion about things, deep in my soul, I just get it. 

2.) I'm loyal. I'm not a completely sucker but when it comes to friends, family or commitments, I'm loyal! It takes a lot for me to turn away from something or someone, and when I do, it's typically reactive not proactive. Meaning, if I 'walk away' it's because I've been forced to do so.  I'm not the type to bounce through friends or jobs, I might be slow to commit but once I do, it's for the long run! 

3.) I'm trustworthy. You would be amazed by the things people tell me. For some reason people can talk to me and it works for them. I've had people close to me and even those I barely know call me just to talk or ask to meet up to talk. People I KNOW and people I'm aquatinted with, people younger, older and my age, people married or not, from my faith background and not, and the list can go on..... I love that people can confide in me. I love that I can be trusted with the depths of someone's soul. I love that God can and has used me in that capacity. Everyone needs someone to talk to and I'm thankful I can be that person to many people.

Well that wasn't so bad! What started off hard and awkward ended relatively well. Sometimes it's hard to see the best in yourself but if you don't, who will? 

My Guilty Pleasure #bloggerchallenge #day5

NETFLIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is my one and only mindless, useless, waste of time guilty pleasure. I absolutely love it. When I’m doing stuff, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. I really like to have some kind of background noise. Sometimes I listen to preaching’s, sometimes I listen to audiobooks but other times, I just check out of reality and check into fantasy land and I just get lost in another world.

I love Law and Order SVU (Benson is my GIRL! And I’m so sad Stabler is gone…. *moment of silence for Stabler*) I loved Chopped and most recently, I’ve been OBSESSED with Breaking Bad. I’m half way through the last season (which I plan to finish this weekend in between homework) and I’m so sad to say good- bye to it!

For me personally, checking out is essential for my mental health. In addition, I find that it expands my mind! Like really.. I’ve learned a lot watching chopped and I now have a secret fantasy of being a Psychologist for the DEA or SVU.

I am all for guilty pleasures in moderation, ESPECIALLY if they help your overall productivity.

Thank you Netflix, you’ve been great.

My Earliest Childhood Memory #bloggerchallenge #day4

I have no idea! Is that horrible?.. Probably. But it’s the absolute TRUTH. I literally have the worst memory, ever. I barely remember last year, let alone 29 years ago.

To make things worse (or better depending on how you look at it) my parents kept a VERY good, detailed record of just about every day of my life. Literally. We have pictures GALORE so while sometimes I think I remember something, other times I could just be reflecting on a picture I saw.

To me, this is a great reminder of life and memory. Sometime it’s not always what has happened to you, but rather your perception of it. For example, I have seen pictures of me and a birthday cake from literally every birthday ever (that my parents have been responsible for anyways) throughout the years. Because I’ve seen these pictures, my assumption is that ‘I’ve always had a birthday party’. Now what the picture doesn’t show me is if anyone was actually there besides my parents and siblings, it doesn’t show me if I had any presents or decorations, it doesn’t even show me if I had a good day, but simply seeing a picture of me and a birthday cake leads me to believe that every single year my parents made sure my birthdate was a special day for me.

I’m pretty certain that my reflection is correct, but if it wasn’t, who would tell me? Life isn’t always about what happens to you, it’s about how you perceive the things that happen to you. YOU decide whether you reflect on the good or the bad, you decide whether or not you dance in the rain, YOU decide whether the glass is half empty or full.

Meaning of My Business Name #bloggerchallenge #day3

Well for starters, I’m not sure that this would be considered a business. A platform for expression? Maybe. But a business? I’m not sure about that. Not yet anyways.

One thing that many people do not know is the name/ brand of my blog. It’s something I came up with a couple years ago while writing.  I started searching for a logo design and even bought a domain name for my website but I have not yet implemented any of it. Come to think of it, as I’m writing now, I feel like what better time than now? Why wait any longer? Or procrastinate anymore?

Anyways, the name of my blog is ‘Forever Flourish’. The name to me is symbolic of all things lovely and all things beautiful, it represents our potential and purpose to continue growing and evolving into the woman (or man) we’ve been created to be throughout this journey called life.

A couple of my favorite definitions of ‘flourish’ are as follows:

1.       (of a person, animal, or other living organism) grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment

2.       (of a person) wave (something) around to attract the attention of others:

3.       a bold or extravagant gesture or action, made especially to attract the attention of others.

The first definition talks about ‘growing or developing in a healthy way ESPECIALLY as a result of a particular favorable environment.’ I personally believe no matter who you are, where you live, what you do or what season of life you’re in, it is God’s desire that you flourish there. Often times we believe that when we get to a certain place; ‘when I have a house’ or ‘when I get this job’.  For others, it’s about a marital status or when you have kids or when your kids grow up and for others it’s when you graduate school. 

While these things are important and life changing,  it’s my personal belief that you were created to flourish wherever you are with whatever you’re doing. The ‘favorable environment’ you’re looking for to flourish in, is the one right around you. The one you’re sitting in, the one you’re living in. Where you are, right now, with what you have. This is YOUR FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT simply because it’s yours.

Like a fish in a dog kennel or a dog stuck at sea, it’s not about where you are but rather being where you were meant to be. Finding your own rhythm in life, finding your own place and knowing that wherever that is, it’s better than any other place you could find.

As a married woman with two kids, full time ministry, full time employee and part time student, I have my days when I feel like ‘when they get bigger it will be easier’ or ‘once I graduate, things will slow down’ or ‘if I had a maid, things would be better’ but it’s truly my heart’s desire to flourish right where I am, with what I have during the specific season I’m in.

My blog is about living that journey out loud and encouraging as many people as I can to follow. Maybe your story isn’t like mine, maybe you don’t have children or a spouse, maybe you aren’t in school or employed, but I can assure you, like many of us there is something that makes your heart leap and there are things around you that make that ‘thing’ seem in possible to attain.

Deep in my soul I hear, ‘What if it’s not impossible?  What if I can do it? What if I can make it? Surely there is enough grace!’

I believe that we were created to flourish, indefinitely and independent of our circumstances.  My blog is documentation of that process.

20 Facts About ME #bloggerchallenge #day2

Today is DAY TWO of my #bloggerchallenge !! Today's challenge is to list 20 facts about myself.
Here goes :)

1.       I’m the middle child

2.       I have a sister 9 years older and a brother 9 years younger

3.       I grew up in Norwalk, CT

4.       I took Japanese for 3 years (however I only remember how to count to 10)

5.       I married my high school sweetheart after a 24 hour engagement

6.       I talk in my sleep (haha!)

7.       Despite never really being good at reading, I really like to read.

8.       I’m a Psych major which means I have to be intentional about NOT psycho analyzing you (everyone becomes my case study! Bahahaa!)  

9.       Before majoring in Psych I really wanted to be a Speech Pathologist

10.   I worked in a restaurant for several years as a waitress (and I actually really miss it)

11.   I love nachos and tacos, I could eat it every single day!

12.   I had ZERO input on my wedding besides picking out my wedding dress, every single other thing was done for me!

13.   I have two little girls, Sav who is 3 and Rylee who is 1.

14.   I would love a big family.

15.   I went to Australia with two of my best friends!! It was AMAZING.

16.   I get insanely delusional after 9pm (ish)

17.   I’m pretty convinced ANY DIY project can be done!  

18.   I’m terrified of the dark, something to do with an unreasonable fear of being kidnapped (although I’m not a kid)

19.   I almost failed out of public speaking, it has always been terrifying to me!!

20.   Until my pregnancy w/ Sav, I couldn’t even tolerate pepper, now I LOVE SPICY. I guess you can say my first born ‘spiced up my life’ :) 

Intro :) #bloggerchallenge #day1

My name is Lori Burgos and I love to write!

I’ve had a passion for writing for quite some time now. I can still remember the first time I realized ‘Hey, I can do this!’

I was in the 7^th grade and our class read the book ‘The Giver’.  At the end of the book, my teacher assigned us all with the task of writing an essay about what memory we would want to have given the choice to have one and only one.

I wrote about the memory of grandparents. In my essay I talked about my grandparents, my experiences with them, our adventures and how all of those things impacted my life and made me feel. It was the first time that I realized I could really share my world, my heart and my thoughts through my words in a way that others could understand.

Since then, I’ve enjoyed doing it more and more as the years went on.

In 2013, right before the birth of my first born, I decided to start a blog. I still remember waking up early, early, early one Sunday morning and posting my first ever blog. It was great! I felt awesome! I wasn’t sure that anyone would read it, but putting it out there made me feel accomplished.

Since then I’ve done writing in several different capacities, including my blog but I have yet to find a consistent rhythm in my writing. My hope is through the next 31 days, I will write past my ‘writers block’ and find a good routine for my writing.

In addition to writing, I’m obsessed with my family. I’ve been happily married for almost 8 years now, I have two daughters, Savannah (3) and Rylee (1). They are just about the cutest kids a person could ask for! Being a mom has absolutely changed my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s definitely challenged and stretched me more than I ever knew possible.

Aside from writing, I am working on my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Bridgeport, I work for a Re-Entry program in Downtown Bridgeport AND I’m a Youth Pastor at our local church. My life is FULL to say the least but I love every minute of it. My hope is that I can encourage my readers through my stories and experiences on this journey called life!