Historically, I am a terrible blogger.

I have several half-started, long forgotten blogs out there somewhere. This one was in danger of turning into one of those too, but given that this year I have decided to make some big changes, I decided it may be therapeutic to write about the journey.

Apologies for the use of the word journey – I know it’s cliche – I will try avoid using it again!

Anyway, so today, I will begin again.

Starting at the start.

“Let’s start at the very beginning

A very good place to start”

– Maria, The Sound of Music

I’m Steph 👋🏼 This is me:

I hate having my photo taken, so there are very few solo pictures of me which exist – I usually deploy my nearest child as a prop/shield!

I am most often heard being called Mama, as I have seven children.

Yes, 7 children! Currently aged between 14y – 2y. But more about them another time…

The size of our family, and our (mostly) shared love of colourful co-ordinated clothing has led us to being compared to the von Trapp family… I have no idea what they mean? 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣

I have been married to Dean for just over 10 years. We first met on a (fairly gruelling) management & leadership course at Penyard House just outside Ross-on-Wye, and that’s where we returned to get married!

Our family of 9 live in a beautiful (though rustic!) 16th Century farmhouse in rural Herefordshire, just a few miles from the Welsh border.

From our garden we have the most amazing views of the Welsh Valleys, and on a clear day you can see as far as Hay Bluff & the Black Mountains. Garway Hill & Ysgyryd Fawr are always in view, apart from on the most cloudy of days. It’s definitely a view which stops you in your tracks – I still remember the very first time we came to view the house, we walked into the garden (which you can’t see from the driveway), saw the breathtaking view and I said to Dean – ‘Oh, now we’re in trouble!’

It really is the perfect place for all our family adventures, which I’ll share with you through my posts. We live on the doorstep of both the beautiful Wye Valley & Brecon Beacons, and we spend lots of time as a family exploring & enjoying it all.

In terms of work, I am founder of The Natal Family, a co-author of two books on pregnancy/parenting, and the founder/chief of two eco-conscious retail outlets – BeauBaba and BeauMama. I don’t plan to talk much about work here, but it will inevitably come up, as having your own business/es is a bit like Ivy, it winds it’s way into all aspects of your life, especially when your husband is also your business partner!

I’m 42 years old now (still not sure how that happened) and thought I was waaaaaay past any life-altering self discoveries being made, but as it turns out I was very much mistaken. In 2024, I received two psychiatric diagnoses. Unbelievably, things I’ve tussled with all my life and yet never realised. More about that (yes, you guessed it) another time too…

Why have I decided to start blogging again now? Well…

• I rarely write much of any length or substance anymore, and I realise I miss it.
• I’d like a more detailed record of some of the adventures our family enjoy together. I often find one of my teens has streamed my instagram feed to the TV, and everyone is sat around looking at the old photos, talking and laughing – it’s so lovely to see them enjoying it, I’d like to now record more.
• As part of working on my mental health, I journal. I have been through stages of such strong denial, that I also find the process of exploring things, really helpful in reaffirming for me what I am fighting to overcome.
• I like to be busy (another of my diagnosis’ symptoms) so I’m hoping this will give me a healthy outlet, while I try and achieve some rest/busy balance.

So here I am, starting again.