general conference

Husband and I are excited to watch General Conference this weekend. It's a combination of all the best things - family, good food, and good words! Will you be watching conference?

Why you shouldn't be scared to watch.

gratitude

the gospel - husband - parents - siblings - in-laws - cousins - grandparents - friends - apartment - food - scriptures - prayer - school - clothes - movies - husband - shoes - blankets - heat - ice cream - nail polish - husband - mascara - babies - anatomy - husband - fruit - cell phones - skype - art - music - bed - talents - church - temple marriage - nature - rain

These are just a few of the many wonderful, important, and silly things I've been blessed with. I can't wait for this Thanksgiving holiday, to be with my family, to eat great food, and celebrate what a great life I've been given through lots of my favorite family traditions.  

"No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

charity

This short film has been floating around Facebook and the internet for a few days now and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It really touched me and reminded me of this quote:

"As you love His children, Heavenly Father will guide you, and angels will assist you. You will be given power to bless lives and rescue souls... To minister means to love and care for others. It means to attend to their physical  and spiritual needs. Put simply, it means to do what the Savior would do if He were here." - David L. Beck

the best weekend of all

I'm interrupting my usually scheduled 'tying the knot' series to talk a little bit about one of the best weekends all year. This weekend is General Conference, which comes only twice a year - on the first weekend in April and October. I just love General Conference. I love being able to listen to the Prophet and the Apostles, I gain such strength from those wonderful men and their testimonies. I love being able to hear what it is Heavenly Father would have me hear. I always come away from this weekend feeling renewed and wanting to do better and be better. I know I'm going to have a great weekend, I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too!

all images via Pinterest

today is happy

Today is happy because yesterday was Easter, one of my favorite holidays. We had a pretty great Easter weekend. On Saturday fiancé and I got our wedding invitations all designed and ordered { can't wait to see the proofs! } and then we dyed some eggs with one of our favorite couples. Sadly, I completely spaced it on documenting our festivities, so I have zero pictures of our cute eggs. On Easter Sunday we went to church as usual and then I baked dessert for a family dinner we had that evening. I made homemade oreos - one batch chocolate, and one batch red velvet { also forgot to take any pictures of these }. We had Easter dinner at Andrew & Lauren's with a few of the future cousins in law. There was delicious food, good company, and overall it was quite a good night. Below is just a short Easter message I love. You can find more here.

Today is happy because it's April, one of my favorite months. Spring is here and the sunshine and flowers are finally beginning to show their faces.

Today is happy because this upcoming weekend is General Conference, which is always a highly anticipated and wonderful event in the Siddoway home. This upcoming weekend there is also a baby shower for one of my cousins, and it's sure to be a darling event.

Today is happy because the date April 1 means that we get married in just two more months.

Can't wait to spend forever with this guy

I hope today is happy for you too.

thoughts

Just a quick thought for the day. There isn't a single person out there that isn't odd or imperfect in their own way - but it's our differences, our uniqueness, that make us beautiful. Life is so much better when we are being true to ourselves, and have the confidence to love ourselves. I'm slowly learning that life is happier when I am grateful for myself, my body, all my imperfections. Instead of constantly wishing I could change things about myself, I am finally learning to embrace every part of me, (and work on the things that I can change) and it has really made all the difference.

via

inspired

inspiration by riley-siddoway on Polyvore

This is a great little video about refraining from judging and treating people right. I love what the homeless man says about there being more ways to do good than bad. Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in our own lives and our own worries that we forget to stop and take opportunities to do good. I am so thankful for all the people in my life that show me kindness each day. What a lucky girl I am. I hope you all have a lovely day & don't forget to be kind!

via

  

think big

When I was in high school I read a book called Gifted Hands, which told the story of Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He grew up with a single mother who pushed him to be all that he could, and he became the first surgeon to successfully separate craniopagus (conjoined) twins that had been connected at the head. His story is an amazing one and this is a must read book.


Last year in February Ben Carson came to BYU to speak in a forum as part of BYU's observance of Black History Month. I was excited to go hear him speak after learning of his amazing story in high school.

His lecture was incredible, he is such a wise and humble man. One thing he shared really stuck with me. He shared with us his acronym THINK BIG that would help us to be successful in life.



       T : talent - everyone has a talent, we must recognize ours, this includes intellectual talent

       H : honesty - we must be honest and have integrity in all that we do, no matter what

       I : intellect - we should follow the people that came before us and learn from their mistakes

       N : nice - be a gentleman/lady, we will get farther in life if we are genuinely nice to people

       K : knowledge - "develop your God-given talents to help those around you"

       B : books - we must exercise our brain and continue to learn our entire life

       I : in-depth learning - we shouldn't superficially cram but spend time with learning

       G : God - we must make Him the center of our life