Organized Chaos

I forgot it was Halloween. No joke. One of my coworkers dressed up as a witch and screamed "boo" into my door, sending me out of my chair. I was scared, then confused, then realized that I need to go get some candy for our neighbors. I blame it on this:


Kyle's residency interview season begins in two weeks. Hold on tight, it's going to be quite the ride. As in, multiple flights, taxi rides and road trips to numerous cities across the Midwest, the South and the eastern seaboard. I'm beginning to accept the fate that is interview season. I went through a bit of an emotional roller coaster once interview offers began arriving in the inbox, realizing that somehow I had completely denied overlooked what we were approaching.
I've now accepted the inevitable and I'm looking at the bright side: the accumulation of frequent flyer miles.

As much as I would LOVE to spill the beans, Kyle says I'm not aloud to scream from the rooftops about each location, the positives and negatives, or the quirky hospital cultures. I can, however, discuss how good their cafeteria food is (since that will be our main date spot for the next few years.) My fingers are not allowed to divulge the details until after we match (Don't hold your breath, that's not until March) At that point, I promise to tell you all about the matching process.

The upside: I'll definitely be blogging about locations that I visit with him, since I love exploring new cities! I'd also love to hear any input you may have about those cities! I'm really looking forward to visiting a few in particular. And of course, trying out their cafeteria food. That may be a 'make or break it' sort of thing.


The icing on the German chocolate cake:

-  The highlighted dates are only half. News from the other programs should come trickling in within the next three weeks.
-  Because the other program interview dates could be anytime, you can't book flights and organize travel until most of your dates and locations are set. 
-  Unfortunately, I can't go to every interview location with Kyle. For one, it's expensive. For two, I have limited vacation time.


Here is a snapshot of our schedule for the next three months. This would be a great time to pray for us ;)

For those of you who are completely confused by this point. Let me break it down:
- Apply to residency programs CHECK
- Recieve interview offers  SEMI-CHECK
- Interview at programs who welcome you to come and try to impress them NEXT UP
- Rank your top choices from all of the interviews 
- Hospitals/Universities rank all of their choices. For ENT, there are only 3-4 spots available at each hospital who offer the program. Most hospitals will interview around 50-100 students to fill those 3-4 spots.
- A complicated algorithm matches up the student choices with the hospital choices, always favoring the student's pick first. (similar to a sorority match)
- Match Day arrives on March 16th. Then, we open a small envelope with the rest of Kyle's class, and find out where we will be living for the next five+ years.


During this process, we will also be:

- Putting our house on the market
- Racking up frequent flyer miles
- Figuring out my work schedule 
- House hunting
- Deciding on graduate school
- ENJOYING LIFE. 

I have this picture from our engagement framed in my office. It's one of my all-time favorite pictures. The trees towering over us will always be present; whether that be interview season, or anything else that life never ceases to present us. However, there is always beauty to be found, always something to marvel at, something to celebrate. I want to see life the way I see this picture. I don't notice how tall or insurmountable the trees are. I notice the beauty of it all. Though this entire process, we will be doing just that. Together.

The Garrett Family {lifestyle photographer}

Let's just call it the week of Hannah's. It's quickly becoming one my favorite names ;)

You see, there is another little girl named Hannah who Kyle & I are completely smitten over. Her parents happen to be our great friends, Daniel and Calie. Hannah became a big sister last December to miss Leona, so now we have two Garrett babies to love and spoil. Hannah turned three this past Labor Day, and Leona is approaching first birthday, making it a perfect time to document their family. It's so much fun to watch Hannah gallivant around looking for "treasures," pretend she is a princess, and listen to her tell me her full name in such confidence (hands on hips and all). It honestly seems like yesterday that she learned to walk! Then there is Leona, whose huge blue eyes make you melt and this sweet giggle that you can't help but smile at.

I was really looking forward to being able to capture this family. I purposely wanted to avoid a lot of posed pictures in order to really capture the kids personalities; aka Hannah running around everywhere she could and Leona as cool as a cucumber, just hanging out.

We ventured to a gorgeous lake north of Charlottesville on a perfect Fall evening. You can't beat this scenery and light!

I just love this picture, mostly because it is completely random but such a great representation of the their family. Hannah saw this dog on the path and immediately started running to it. While Calie is showing her how to 'be nice to the puppy,' Daniel is becoming best friends with the owner and Leona, sweet sweet little girl...she's just happy as can be.

Some of my favorite pictures of just Calie and Daniel:

Someone was tuckered out...

...and this is how I welcome every Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend! Kyle's family is coming to town today and I'm so excited! We are even attempting another hike, but no worries, no overnight excursions this time.

Dear Hannah

Dear Hannah Rose,

Today you are less than one day old. It's been less than 24 hours and you have managed to bring so much joy, peace, excitement, laughter and [happy] tears.

I see my brother holding you and I can't help but be overwhelmed with joy. You already have him wrapped around your petite little finger. Who knew that all of 6 lbs, 4oz could change everything. He is so in love with his girls.

I'm going to be honest with you, Hannah. You've scared me a bit. For one, I've cried everyday this week thinking about your arrival (which has resulted in a few awkward interactions with coworkers!) For two, I never knew this kind of love. I can't imagine how I will feel one day when I have my own children. Stop making me cry, baby!

I wasn't in the hospital when the music came through the intercom system, telling your grandparents that you had been born. All I imagine is each of them looking around with smiles and tears, exclaiming, "is that our grandbaby?!" I picture your father walking out of the room in his scrubs with a smile from here to eternity plastered onto his face, proclaiming you've safely arrived. There were text messages and phone calls from across the country, all echoing the same sentiment of your life. Praise the Lord, she's arrived!

Your uncle Kyle and Grandpa Mike can't wait to teach you how to fish. Aunt Jessica will show you how to cook organically and make delicious homemade granola bars. Grandma Julie will show you how to grow your own garden. I'm positive that Grandpa and Grandpa Hazen will encourage you to ride your bike and your uncles will get you for first art set. I haven't yet decided what my specialty will be, but don't be surprised if you are reading this while wearing a Michigan sweatshirt.

I have all of these pictures in my head of you; running across the hard wood floors in mom's high heels and jewelry, hearing your mom's laugh (definitely one of the best laughs in the world) and your dad chasing you and smiling. Watching a video of you learning to ride your bike on the trails behind your home. Video taping you in a Christmas concert, since you were born into a ridiculously talented musical family (I'm assuming you started to catch onto that when you were sang to sleep every night). Spending Saturday mornings in the Fall watching you run around a soccer field chasing the ball wherever it goes. Hearing a nervous voice on the phone as your dad tells us that you are going on your first date, or have been invited to a school dance. Then you calling five minutes later from another room telling us how nervous your dad is. Uncle Kyle being so proud of his niece for catching her first fish (also, you can stop pretending you like fishing if you really don't. No hurt feelings here. Uncle K and Grandpa Mike will get over it soon enough;)


I get to meet you next weekend, and the days can't go by fast enough. I've been told you have perfect lips, the sweetest little nose, and a hand that immediately finds it's way to your mouth. Someone also told me you have a large mouth, just like I had... (I bet you can guess who that was!) I can't wait to kiss those tiny little cheeks and talk with you about our future aunt/niece vacations. I have a lot planned for us little ms.

Did you know that Hannah means, "God has favored me with a child," and "gracious." He has trusted your mother and father to raise you; to glorify His name in the way they love you. Isn't it pretty amazing to think that God has used you to draw your parents closer to Him? Hannah, you are nothing short of a gift, a miracle. A precious, purposeful life. I pray that you will always know that truth.

By the time you read this letter, you may be packing your bags and heading off to college. Just remember that the day you were brought into the world is a day that your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and uncles, will never, ever forget. You are an answer to prayer, and you've changed our lives for the better. 


Love,
One of the coolest Aunts' (you've probably realized that Aunt Jessica is pretty great too!)
Mere





For all those who love pictures of newborns (duh! who doesn't?!)
Grandma was able to take some pictures in the hospital.

Mom is recovering well, Hannah is healthy as can be, and Dad is enamored with both of his girls.
Then again, how could you not be?

Giveaway Winner

Good Morning All!

I announced last Tuesday that I'd be giving away a free photo session to jumpstart the holiday season! I decided to kick it old school when it came to determining a winner- drawing a name out of a hat. I collected all of the names of everyone who had "liked" the new facebook fan page, shared the link or wrote a comment (of course giving multiple corners of paper to those who had done more than one ;). Then I poured them into a ball cap, closed my eyes, shifted my hand around in anticipation, and pulled out a name! It felt like I was in third grade drawing what order I would go in for show and tell.


So, without further ado..... drum roll please....

Congratulations Katie!!

Happy Friday!

Hope this put a smile on your face. Have a wonderful weekend!

While you are here, don't forget to enter the FREE Photo Session Giveaway! Contest ends on Sunday! 

Click on the link for all of the details.

Changing Colors

They anticipate that Fall won't be as gorgeous as it typically is here; due to the rainfall that has consumed our weekdays. Still, I see the leaves beginning to change and parts of our street are starting to look like a watercolor painting. I had to capture some of the colors just in case this is as good as it gets. Fingers-crossed that the weatherman is wrong (eerr...he typically is) and we have plenty of eye candy to look forward to!

(Don't forget to enter the FREE Photo Session Giveaway!! )

 

FREE Photo Session Giveaway!

In celebration of this picture perfect weather and the coming of the holidays, I am giving away a FREE Photo Session!
Scroll down to find out all of the details!

The winner will be announced Monday, October 24th on the blog; which means you have six days to tell your friends and share the love!

Here's how to enter:

There are three ways to enter: (or do all to increase your chances ;)

- "Like" my new fan page on Facebook: Meredith Allyn Photography

-  Share this post on Facebook with a link to this page. (psst... you can use the "like" button at the bottom of this post to easily share it over Facebook, or use any of the other share buttons to send it via email, twitter, etc)

- Leave a comment on my Facebook page or on the blog about why you love Fall!


The details:
Fair game: family session, baby, kidlets, maternity, engagement  or just because it's gorgeous outside and you want some pretty pictures.

One hour at one location within the Charlottesville area or Michigan.

You'll be able to view and purchase any pictures you choose via an online, password-protected account, which you can also send to friends & family.

The winner receives a FREE photo session for yourself, or you can gift it to someone else. Includes up to four people.


If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Otherwise, go enter & get excited!

Just call me Martha Stewart

I baked my first homemade apple pie! Let the heaven's open!
I've explained before that I'm not what one would consider a whiz in the kitchen. Sure, I have my go-to dishes, but all and all there are plenty of people who far surpass my abilities.

After visiting the orchard, I had my heart set on making homemade apple pie. I made my first apple pie last year when Kyle's grandparents came to visit, but I was talked out of making the crust. Kyle convinced me that the best time to try my real homemade pie was not when we had visitors in town. True statement. I caved and bought the generic Kroger crust.

Let me explain what I was up against:
Here is texting conversation between my mother and I:

Me: Mom, can you email me your homemade apple pie recipe?
Mom:  6-8 apples - Use Gala, fuji and a granny smith
           3/4 C brown sugar
           2 T flour
           1/2 t cinnamon
           1/4 t nutmeg

            pastry for 2 crust pie

Me: What about the crust?!!
Mom: You're going to make homemade??  YES!!

My goodness, what I do have to do around here to convince people that I can bake! Well, bake, I suppose.

It is true that crust can be very difficult to make. I didn't care about it looking perfect, I just wanted it to taste good  amazing. It definitely looked homemade...

...Which I LOVED. The sides were not perfect, it didn't have the perfect thumb prints outlining the entire rim, it was quite lumpy and in some places barely reached to the glass.

 About the time I was finishing up, Kyle walked in from his morning of hunting; I was still sporting my running clothes and was covered in the evidence that I had just made a mess throughout our kitchen.

In a high pitched voice (clear sign of concern) he asked, 

"Hun, what are you doing?!"

I excitely replied, "making pie!", 

"Homemade?!" (another high pitched question)

 "YES, and it will be AMAZING!"

"I'm sure it will be hunny...but did you remember butter?"(somewhat less high pitched and more sympathetic)

...Then I proudly put it in the oven and soaked in the amazing aroma's of baked apple and cinnamon...

I love my imperfect pie.

I thought it would be a good idea to taste the pie prior to serving it at our football gathering. However, I was reassured that it would be delicious and not to take a huge bite out of it before our friends come over and ask what happened to half the pie. I suppose that's not proper (but either is serving a horrible pie!).

It stared at me the rest of the day.
And the result?
It was good; as in, homemade, from your mamma's kitchen- gggoooooodd. Lumps, lack of thumb prints and all.

(To be fair, Kyle suggested the crust may need more sugar. Fair enough, considering I didn't use any in the first place;)


Kyle snapped this picture with his phone just to prove that I am soooo domestic.

Baby Royer {lifestyle photographer}

Christopher and Regan welcomed Theodore Michael into the world three short weeks ago.

Theo is simply an adorable baby; with huge blue eyes and a full head of hair. He also has two parents who are quite smitten with him, as you will easily notice from the pictures below.

It was wonderful being able to hang out at their home and capture some of the sweet moments with their new family of three. (Okay, four if you include Penny- the new doggy sister)

Regan and Toph met while in college at Colorado, so naturally Theo's first sock monkey reflects his favorite school.

It was perfect weather to cuddle up on a blanket and relax outside

Love the tie-dyed onesie...

...and the little crocheted booties

Little Theo has some personality

Congratulations on your new addition! Can't wait to watch him grow!