Happy Valentine’s Day 2017!
Dear Family and Friends!
How are you? I wanted to send
out a holiday card, and then a Happy New Year’s Day card but then, that never
happened! I think I may have started a new tradition?! I haven’t written a
letter in two years so this will be a
recap of our crazy lives for 2015 & 2016!
We have enjoyed family summer trips to the Outer Banks the
last two summers and visiting with Uncle Brad and Grandma and Grandpa
Fitzgerald! A special treat this year was a trip to Corolla to see the wild
horses! We went just before sunset and it was an awesome adventure, successfully sighting several wild horses!
In 2015, the kids spent time at the cabin in Ely, MN, with Grandma and
Grandpa Pope and Preston and I planned a last minute trip to Ireland! It was a whirlwind trip, as Preston drove around the entire country and we hardly slept! We had unbelievably fantastic weather and the entire country had spectacular views! We spent the night in a castle and it was like a fairytale come true! Some of our favorite sights were up North while exploring Giant's Causeway (definitely worth the trip), the Cliffs of Mohr, Conors Pass and the quaint town of Galway. One of our last outings started at the Guinness Brewery in Dublin and then dancing all night in the Irish pubs! We never slept before heading to the airport at sunrise! Sleep is overrated!
This summer, instead of taking a vacation separate from the kids, I traveled to Minnesota with the kids and we stayed in Minnesota for a week, visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Pope. I haven't been there in forever so it was good to be back. The sauna was a highlight and daily runs along the dirt path were soothing to the soul. The air was fresh and the lake views were beautiful. Dave and Adrienne's visit overlapped ours so we spent lots of quality time together! We enjoyed family meals, going into town, swimming in the lake, and as a special treat, lit a campfire one night, under the moonlight!
I was a chaperone for the band/chorus field trip to Hershey Park, last Spring. I rode the roller coasters with my "Mom" friends since the twins didn't want to hang out with me! We also planned a family "surprise" trip to Busch Gardens this summer and had SO MUCH FUN! Even the littlest one was riding the roller coasters! We are definitely an adventurous family!
For the kids big Christmas present this year, I was able to plan a last minute get away to Disney! I planned our vacation in 30 days (which I'm told is a nearly impossible feat)! I hired a Disney vacation planner and sought advice from my Disney fanatic friends! We managed to keep quiet about the trip until the big reveal, a few days before we left! We had them put together a puzzle that had a message on where to find clues. Eventually they found the last clue, their magic bands! The trip was an amazing adventure! We had great weather and rode all the rides except for the ones that were being refurbished. The Rock n Roll roller coaster (my fave) and the Big Thunder Mountain (Preston's fave) were both closed. But we made the most of our trip, riding everything else while exploring Disney! Our favorite park was Epcot and one night we took the kids to the restaurant where I used to work as an intern, The Coral Reef. The 2nd largest fish tank in the USA is located here and the kids were mesmerized! The staff was so nice and I saw someone that I used to work with!
Before heading home. I ran the Wine-nDine Disney Half Marathon, a new race for me! It was a great race but getting up at 3am is never fun! I almost rode Test Track at Mile 12 - it would have been a repeat of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon roller coaster stunt that I pulled off! The employee was lifting up the red ropes for people to go into the park, right as I was running by...I was tempted but then thought "been there, done that, let's finish this race!"
The kids are doing great and keep us busy with all their
activities! The twins started middle school, Fall 2015, and have been thriving
in a fantastic academic environment. It’s hard to believe that “our babies” will
be in high school, Fall 2017! They turned 14 last month! Both Caitlyn &
Connor have started to babysit for local neighbors and are enjoying having some
extra money!
Caitlyn’s artistic abilities are mind blowing and we (along
with her art teacher) are amazed at the art she creates! If anyone has
connections with Pixar, please let us know! Caitlyn has continued with Girl
Scouts and playing basketball with CYA. Her team is currently in first place! Hello playoffs! She also sings in her school choir and is a worship
leader/singer in the Full Circle band at church.
Connor continues to play on a travel soccer team and plays
indoor futsol. He had to switch teams
this past year because of new age rules but is fine tuning his soccer skills
with his new team! Connor has played the trombone the last four years and is
considering playing in the high school band. I really hope he does! I have so
many great memories practicing/performing with the band when I was on the flag corp! He loves playing video games and often beats Preston! Connor also enjoys watching sports (especially VA Teach) and is full of sports facts. I have no idea how he memorizes it all! Fall 2015, Preston and Connor took a boys trip to Blacksburg to watch the Hokies play football!
Kiley started 5th grade this year and is doing so
well in school, along with her speech, it was recommended during her IEP meeting
that her speech hours be decreased. She is turning into quite the chatterbox and overcoming her apraxia!
Kiley has also continued participating in her Girl Scout troop and playing
basketball with CYA! Her nickname is “Kiley long legs!” She is almost as tall
as me! Last year she played the violin and decided it wasn’t for her. This year
she joined the school choir and is not quite sure she was born to be a singer.
She joined the drama club at my persistence. Kiley is a natural born actress
but she hasn’t realized it yet!
Preston’s work has been a bit crazy. He was with Dell for 5
years. And then, April 2016, the company downsized and unfortunately, he was
laid off. He bounced back and accepted a sales job with Verint, a company that
sells software to call centers. Preston
has been working out in the mornings and running sporadically (he will admit it
is not his favorite sport). One of his biggest accomplishments is learning how to
play the guitar! He takes on-line lessons and turns our basement into a rock
show at night when he practices!
Lucky “pup” thinks he is a human and I’m convinced in his
previous life he was a Prince! He is the
most pampered, snuggling dog ever! He turned four years old last month and
still acts like a puppy bringing love and kisses to everyone he meets!
I don’t even know where to start with me! I’m all over the
place! I decided to pursue acting, after being on the House of Cards, Season 4,
as a hair double and having my own trailer and receiving my first SAG waiver
(you need 3 to join the Union). This
happened the Summer of 2015 and exactly one year later, after a roller coaster year of acting and being offered an amazing SAG acting opportunity, I was invited to join the Actor’s
Union. I officially joined SAG-AFTRA this past November! I was recently appointed to serve on the
SAG-AFTRA MOVE (political action) subcommittee and to be an alternate member to
the SAG-AFTRA Actor/Performer Committee.
I’m excited to take on these roles within the Union!
It has been an incredible year and half and I have been
fortunate to work on several TV shows such as VEEP, House of Cards and many
shows on the ID Channel (Investigation Discovery), as well as, a few movie sets – TRI
(indie film), Jackie (with Natalie Portman), and a Bollywood movie coming out
this March! I just wrapped filming my first co-star role on an indie horror
student film. I will keep you posted when this is released!
My writing has taken a backseat and my goal is to write more often this year. I really do miss it! So please keep checking back here and look for new blog posts!
I have continued following my passion to run and
successfully finished the Umstead 100 Miler in March 2015! It took me 29 hours
and 36 minutes to complete! I finished with frostbite feet but went on to run
the Big Sur Marathon a month later and finished with American Olympian, Jeff
Galloway! I also ran my 5th Marine Corps Marathon in October 2015,
which qualified me for the MCM Runner’s Club (yay! I get to skip the MCM
lottery)! I also finished my 3rd JFK 50 Miler in 2015! have honestly
lost count how many ultra’s/marathons I have run.
I continued to run in 2016!
My proudest moment was being asked to be a guest speaker at the Loudoun Lyme 5K/10K, a cause that I’m passionate about raising money to find a cure! I ran the Shamrock Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon. I also attempted to run Umstead 100 again but Preston could not travel with me to be my crew. I made it to Mile 75 before I had to call it a race because of medical reasons. The medical doctor saw the blisters covering my feet and did not a repeat from the previous year. I'm suspicious that I have Raynaud's Disease.
A big accomplishment that has been on my bucket list is to become a RRCA Certified Running Coach! I was able to successfully pass the test and now I'm certified to train you! If you are looking for a running coach to help you achieve your running goals or begin a training program, please let me know! I'd love to help you! I'd also love to help others move again who are dealing with chronic pain, as running has brought so much healing to my body.
I'm excited to be returning this year as a DC Ragnar Ambassador and also, as a ZOOMA Ambassador! Registration is open for both races!
My discount code for 10% off any ZOOMA race is: AMY2017
This year I’ve been invited to run the Boston Marathon 2017 with
the 261 Fearless charity team. To learn more about 261 Fearless: www.261fearless.org It is one of the featured charities of the
Boston Marathon and I’m extremely honored to be running with Kathrine Switzer
(founder of 261 Fearless and the first woman to run the Boston Marathon) and the 261 Fearless Boston Marathon charity team members! 261 Fearless is a non profit that is empowering women through running all over the world. There are run clubs, workshops and training groups set up for women that would otherwise, not have access to these resources. 261 Fearless has also partnered with Reebok to provide running shoes to these women. 261 Fearless is changing the lives of these women as they become more bold, more brave, more courageous, more fearless, by allowing 261 Fearless to take them to new places and reach new goals through running!
My
fundraising goal is $7,261 and I have two months to meet this goal! I must raise this money in order to run the Boston Marathon on April 17th!!! It is a gigantic goal and I
feel like it is the biggest hill I’ve ever run but I know I can achieve this fundraising goal with
your support! I joined the team because
the organization is supporting women around the globe to be FEARLESS through
running! Every donation amount is appreciated and
tax deductible! Thank you for your support to help me fulfill my dream of
running the Boston Marathon!
Most likely this will be my ONE and ONLY chance to
run this amazing race because of my daily battle with chronic Lyme disease will
not allow me to run as fast as I wish I could to BQ (Boston Qualify)! Please
donate today! Thank You so much for your support and Thank You to those of you who have already donated! You are Awesome!
For local Friends, I'm hosting a few fundraisers! Please save the dates! THANK YOU!
Shop For A Cause at the Athleta Reston Town Center on TUESDAY, MARCH 7th, ALL DAY! RSVP and receive 25% off your purchase! RSVP by calling the store (703) 668-0256 or send me a message/e-mail. You must RSVP and mention that you are shopping for the 261 Fearless fundraiser! A percentage of your shopping total will be donated to 261 Fearless Boston Marathon Charity Team! Phone orders will be taken and parking validation at any RTC parking garage will be offered with purchase!
Dine Out at Piero's Italian Restaurant on MONDAY, 3/13, 5-9pm, located in the Franklin Farm shopping center (Herndon)! 50% off for military and teachers on Monday's! You must mention you are dining for the 261 Fearless fundraiser! A percentage of each check will be donated to 261 Fearless Boston marathon Charity Team. **There will be raffle prizes at this event!
Glory Days Dining Dollars, Northpoint and FoxMill (Reston) locations, NOW - April 27th! **Save your itemized food/drink receipt and drop off in the receipt container, labeled for 261 Fearless Boston Marathon Charity Team, located at the front of the restaurant or message/e-mail me and I will pick up from you. 10% of every receipt will be donated to 261 Fearless Boston Marathon Charity Team.
We wish you much joy, love and peace for 2017!
XOXO,
Amy, Preston, Caitlyn, Connor, Kiley and Lucky "pup"
