back at it

I'm just going to ignore the fact that it's been over a month that I haven't blogged...

I'm sorry.

Life just happened.

But good news! My online class is done and I honestly miss blogging.

I've been messing around with a new website I found. I also had been going through my wedding photos. Guys, I really do not know what to do with the wedding photos. I can imagine a gallery wall, but in a rental I'm not sure I want to put that much effort forth.

This will do for now.

Let me tell you something that no one else tells you... there are so many details in a wedding.

I literally had no idea what I wanted on half the details involved. I just found my dream bouquet on Instagram. Um... can you say 9 months late? Maybe "Dream Wedding" Pinterest boards are not a bad idea after all.

During my trip to Arizona we had about a two hour meeting with the event coordinator. She was amazing. Me, totally unaware of what I wanted, changing my mind three or four times, and picking the most expensive options.

So to new brides: know what you kind of details you want. and stick to it.

Also, have the photographers take picture of all those wonderful details you worked so hard on. There is a good chance you won't notice them on the big day.

dying art

I still remember the day that my mother sat me down and told me how to write a thank you card. We had just celebrated my birthday and I had a lot of people to thank.

Now I get to thank her for the traditional value that hasn't left. I have had my fair share of reasons to write thank you notes this past year. My husband and I have been blessed with so many gifts through the wedding, bridal shower, and new marriage. Even when we thought those days were over we've had a check sat in our mailbox and a gift show up at Thanksgiving dinner. We have been continually blessed.

It is so easy to write thank you notes after a big event like birthdays or weddings. But have you ever sat down and wrote a thank you note after a visit? Or after sharing dinner together? I have made a personal goal to myself to develop my mother's teaching. Going into someone's house and eating food might seem like a small gesture to some people. But I know that if I was the host I would be nervous! I know I would appreciate any small token of their appreciation. Maybe that is my love language of "appreciation" working inside me. And maybe most people wouldn't think twice about it. But, maybe just maybe writing that thank you note encourages them to be thankful too.

Admit it. It's a bummer only seeing bills and junk mail in your mailbox. I love finding a piece of handwritten mail addressed to me. I love knowing that someone took time to write those words with me in their thoughts. I love being able to return the gesture. Sitting down to write a thank you note doesn't have to be a huge project. But man does it really bring a simple joy to my heart. I love getting out my pen and paper, writing a few words, stamping it with my VH stamp*, sealing and sending. I send hoping a simple act inspires others to do the same.

Plus, how easy would it be to write thank you notes when you could have something like this to write on? I love beautiful stationary.

When was the last time you wrote a thank you note? Do you think it's a dying art?

*VH stamp created by Monomyth Studio who did all of our wedding invites and are awesome at it. 

Idleness.

Where do I get my ideas of a traditional wife? I often write about my mother's example. The person she is widely influences my idea of how to be a wife. But more importantly, I look to the Bible: God's words to influence my ways of wifehood.

Many Bible believing people know the common scripture Proverbs 31 (The Wife of Noble Character). It's common yes, but it never fails to influence me. No matter how many times I read it I find something more relatable. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I read it as Mrs. Hamstra. It guided my thinking even while I was single. Now, here I am, married, with only six months of experience and soaking up every word about wifehood. Within those six months I feel I can relate to more of that scripture that I thought possible.

Today as I sat down to read verse 27 stood out to me:

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Keeper of the laundry

I hope you enjoyed your weekend! Hopefully you feel rested and motivated for the week ahead. We kept it low key this weekend since my husband worked on Saturday. His Saturday work days are not my favorite because it takes away our quality time, but holy cow do I get a lot more done in the house! 

On Saturdays I normally do our laundry. I'm not really a huge fan of laundry. And to be honest, I'm terrible at it. Need something to fit smaller? Send it to me; I'll find a way to shrink it. Need something stained a wrong color? Don't worry I got your back. Seriously, I've done both of those things a handful of times. I've even done both of those things on one of my favorite shirts! Talk about a sad moment. 

traditional wife in a modern world

Hey there! Have you noticed the new look? I'm excited to announce that I have been re-inspired for this blog. From here on out you'll be getting a look into my dutch story while being a traditional wife in a modern world. I want to bring you better content and more frequent posts. Exciting right?!

You see, I've grown up in a very traditional lifestyle. Now here I am 22, married, and still holding onto those traditional values but placed in a modern society. My values, thoughts, and ways of doing things don't often line up to societies. I hope to give you more focused content through my lessons in the kitchen, in the house, in a relationship, in my workplace, and in my heart. Please don't think I've gotten everything 100% correct; I'm learning as I'm writing!

P.S. I'm still fidgeting with the site, so please ignore anything that doesn't look great or work correctly!

Accepting the adventure

I've always been a routine person. And I've always been one to follow something that I know works. Even if it's not the easiest or the most sensible way of doing things.

I've realized something since moving states and moving in with someone new. There is more than one (correct) way of doing something. There is more than one way to serve dinner. More than one of cooking pizza (see early post!). More than one way to do the dishes. More than one way to do errands.

The best part of this realization: it's totally okay. It's totally okay to do things your own way. Yes, we should be thankful for those who taught us the basics. Thankful for the past which formed what and who we are now. But, changing how you do something doesn't necessarily mean you change yourself. It's accepting a new, fresh, way of doing the daily things to fit your present self. Not all chores have to be done on Saturday. Not everyone needs a huge breakfast. No one will judge you if don't start work until 2pm. It's challenging to accept this reality. And, I'm continually challenged by my new (lifelong) roommate to try new things and in new ways. 

It's good for this structured one. It wasn't on the top of things I was expecting to do while in Colorado. I am on an adventure accepting the routine that fits my present life. An adventure I know I need.