Meet Your Instructors - Emily

1. Most importantly, I love being a mom to Drew and Chase. I knew it would be fun to be a mom, but I never imagined it could be this much fun. Drew is so imaginative, sweet, obsessive, cuddly, and creative - I love the way preschoolers think. Chase is my belly-laughing, laid-back, into everything sweetheart who reminds me everyday, as he gets bigger and bigger, that time just goes by too fast.

2. I married my best friend. My husband and I dated in high school after meeting through a mutual friend (we went to different schools). We broke up all through college, to do our own thing. This turned out to be the best thing for us. We both grew up a bit and got back together after graduating. We were married 2.5 years later. It was one of those, "if you lose something you loved and it comes back to you, it's yours to keep" situations.

3. I LOVE the beach. I could spend everyday playing/reading/running on the beach. Someday, hopefully, we will live close enough to make it happen.

4. I have two spoiled, loving dogs. Toby, a yellow lab, and Ty, a golden retriever. They are both about 100 pounds and a bit crazy! They will be 5 and 7 this year, but we always joke that we need to start saying 1 and 2 because it is getting embarrassing that they are so old and act so young ...

5. I went to the University of Richmond for my undergraduate degree in Education and got my Masters as a reading specialist through UVA. I taught third grade for three years, first grade for a year and was a reading specialist in an elementary school for three years before staying home with my kids.

6. When I was little, I always wanted to be a clown nurse - a nurse who would come in and take care of kids but would be dressed like a clown so the kids could laugh while getting medicine or their blood pressure taken. I still would like to be a nurse someday, but am really enjoying being a fitness instructor, so I may do more with that someday. Or who knows, maybe I will teach reading again!

7. I strongly believe that smiles are contagious.

8. I love chocolate and ice cream. They are my major downfalls in any hopes of ever dieting. My favorites are mint chocolate chip and chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream.

9. I love to read, but never really get the chance/make the time.

10. I have three older siblings. My sister, Annissa, is 41 and lives in Florida. My brother, Charlie, is 39 and also lives in Florida. And my sister, Abby, is 33 and lives in Richmond. Some of my favorite memories are of when we were all home together.

11. I grew up in Syracuse, NY and never, ever will live north of Richmond again, if I can help it!

12. I love 95+ degree days and would be very happy in a climate that is always like that.

13. I played field hockey and lacrosse in high school and still miss playing them. I played lacrosse a semester in college, but was turned off because it was such a big commitment (with study hall, lifting, etc. each day ...). After college, I coached a recreational league in Richmond. I hope to convince my children to play.

14. Once of my least favorite things to do is fold laundry. I often leave clean clothes in a basket for a week. Hence, my clothes are usually a wrinkled mess. But, since my husband doesn't like how I do laundry (I throw in all colors at once), he cleans, folds and irons his own. Really works out well for me!

15. I get a thrill out of cleaning out closets and throwing things out. I am a little anal about it. I try to fill up at least two trash bags to give away every time we get one of those Vietnam vet bags in the mail.

16. I like to explore other countries. When I was 12, we lived in England for a semester (my dad was a professor). I went to school there and adjusted to London life. In college, I spent a semester in Madrid, Spain. I lived with a family there and tried my best to communicate. Both were such wonderful, fun experiences I will never forget. Unfortunately, I am now in the system as being "never allowed to donate blood" because I spent too much time abroad during the mad cow disease scare ... kind of sad if you ask me, as I would love to donate.

17. I love reality TV. Especially, High School Reunion, 16 and Pregnant and The Hills.

18. I am pretty laid back about most things and try to look on the bright side of things. Pessimists drive me crazy. You can't change what is in the past, so why not be optimistic about the future?

19. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I am one of those people who would love to start playing Christmas songs in October.

20. I love to start out my day with a workout. It gives me energy to get through the day. And honestly, when I say I am going to wait and workout later in the day or during nap time, it rarely happens.

21. Henry Diamond once said, "You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love." And that is what I see when I look at my life.

22. I want to have lots of kids if I can convince my husband. Or at least one more.

23. I loved the whole pregnancy/birth experience. I was fortunate enough to have pretty easy pregnancies and labors. After my first child, I became passionate about the birthing experience and my nursing aspiration switched from being a clown to working with pregnant women.

24. I love being able to stay home with my kids and feel so fortunate that I am able to do so. I thank my husband often for this opportunity.

25. I try to always be a good friend and a good listener. I would do anything for a friend.