Hi, How are you?

Blogs are funny. I've been doing this for a long time and I still don't feel like I have my footing. Of course we put our best out there to the world. The best family photos, the house, the garden, the amazingly organized studio. The *success* of it all. Ben and I have struggled a lot in the past few years; as artists, as husband and wife, as new parents, friends, business owners. Its difficult to keep up a blog when your life feels so un-perfect. It's kind of like being asked "how are you?" and you say "great!" to simply not have to explain. I have a tendency to disappear, which explains why the last post was in October. We have made a lot of mistakes and I find solace in knowing that everything happens for a reason.

Ben and I have been on this journey together for 15 years. We were still kids when we fell in love, which feels like a lifetime ago. Soon, Ben will be moving 1100 miles away from Oscar and I. No doubt this will be the most difficult journey Ben has ever taken. He loves Oscar more than life. He plans to keep the mustache factory open as it seems folks still appreciate hanging stuff from mustaches, which is great! Thanks to all of you who have helped support this little family of ours! I have plans of my own to get back to the drawing board and soon I will be sharing that stuff right here. I will be revisiting old patterns and playing with some new ones. I've toyed with the idea of starting my own blog. It's always been my voice here, announcing shows or more recently sharing my experience as a new mom. I've decided to stick around here for a bit, make myself a bit more comfortable and see what happens.

Recently I was listening to a philosopher speak about relationships. One thing that resonated with me was one of the reasons we may be continually looking for the *new* outside ourselves (new clothes, new house, new lovers, new jobs) is because we have lost touch with renewing our core selves. It's easier to renew our surroundings. I'm not saying that we shouldn't, for there is much to be said for a new haircut, a dress, a new pair of shoes. I believe these things help keep us inspired! But it's when the high of the *new* becomes a quick fix to renewing your spirit that we may find ourselves feeling empty and confused. So here I am. Starting exactly where I stand, wanting only what I've got.  I don't know what the future holds, but I am happy to share its moments of beauty and imperfection as Ben and I begin this new phase. I can only hope it is filled with much inward renewal, abundant creativity and an infinite openness to what the future is capable of bringing.

xo
natalie