birth story Helen Joy George birth story Helen Joy George

the birth of uriah anthem

Uriah Anthem was born early in the morning on the first morning of September.  He came into the world on his own terms a full 4 weeks early, pushing his mama to dig deep and find that place inside of herself to calm the chaos of a birth that wasn't in the plans yet.  And boy did she ever.  Mama delivered her baby fast and peacefully into her own hands, with Daddy by her side supporting her so bravely.

The big sisters awoke to the exciting news that their brother was already here!  I am in love with all the shots of their sweet little helping hands and their faces full of glee.

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Welcome to the world Uriah!  You've got a pretty special family that needed you so very much! 

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wedding, love story Helen Joy George wedding, love story Helen Joy George

mr darcy and his bride | the wedding of ruthanne and stewart

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

-Mr Darcy 

The sun rose up behind her grandmother's antique lace wedding gown and illuminated "their field".  The field that Stewart started loving Ruthanne on a night camping with friends in college.  The field that Stewart professed his love to her in a beautifully and unashamedly romantic gesture of reenacting the scene where Mr Darcy professes his love to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice.  The field where Ruthanne said, "thank you but let's just be friends."  The field where they, one day ended up getting engaged because Stewart did not give up.

And then, on a dewy August morning, I watched them walk towards each other, then run, ending a tearful and joyful embrace.

This kind of love is rare and I was so honored to document the day for them.

Their wedding day.

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motherhood, personal Helen Joy George motherhood, personal Helen Joy George

the girl inside | portraits of my wildflower friends

The girl inside 

I return to you (children) full of renewed life

For I tended to the girl inside

I donned my blinders and headed off

Knowing how worthy it was

For a girl, starved, does no one any good

Even the most beautiful of things turn to ash when a corpse lives inside

Why do those around me mutter words of hate? 

Why must those who starve the inner girl, receive gold stars for most consecutive days of staying put?

Would they rather me stick her away in darkness to gather dust for a lifetime?

Only to pull her out at the end, when the nest is empty and try to revive her?

This would do both of us a disservice

For I want my children to see me pink cheeked with breathless adventure brimming from within

I want them to know my love is free 

It doesn’t take much to nurture the girl

Bits of moments strung here and there.Pauses of wonder at the stars and the smallness of you

It is a worthy cause.One worth the pursuit

A unique soul that was fearfully and wonderfully made is wasted when daily grind builds up walls

For anyone can wash a pot

But the nurtured girl can wash a pot with joy because she knows she is so much more

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Inspired by the brave women and mothers who take time to nurture their inner girl.

Photos from the Wildflower Reunion in Bellingham, WA

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