Author Archives: Elizabeth

Finding My Roots Part 1

Finding My Roots Part 1

Part 1

On Friday, November 16 I opened my results from Ancestry.com. I had been putting off looking at the results because let’s face it- you never know what you are going to get when you open that kind of Pandora’s Box.

As I waited for the results to populate I was definitely anxious. I’m thankful my amazing teaching assistant was there by me. The first thing Ancestry shows is where you are from in the global scale.  No surprises there!

What was surprising? A match.  Ancestry showed a 1-2 cousin match with last names connected that were completely unfamiliar to me. Considering the level of genealogy I have been exposed to I knew that this was the exact result I needed.

That weekend I sent messages on Ancestry and continued to do research via Facebook and google.  I was able to find a phone number for this cousin who lives in Florida.  By Tuesday, November 20 I hadn’t heard anything from the messages I sent so I took the plunge and called the number I found.

Have you ever done something that you KNEW would completely change your life? It is stressful to say the least. My FitBit recorded more active minutes during that phone call than during my last run. The conversation started like this:

“Hi, my name is Elizabeth.  Our DNA had a match on Ancestry as being cousins and I’m looking for my biological father. Can you help me?”

Can you imagine that? I had no idea how she’d respond.  Would she be open? Would she know anything? Would I want to know anything?

I gave her the little information I had including location, possible age range, and a date range.  She ended the conversation by telling me she had an aunt who had a few boys so she knew who to call first and she would get back to me.

In hindsight doing this the week of Thanksgiving was a mistake on my part.  I wanted to not step on toes during the holiday but I was also anxious to know more, to finally answer some questions. I spent much of Wednesday and Thursday doing research using Facebook and Google and was able to narrow my search down to one possibility.

I continued my research by trying to find out everything I could about this person. I was able to find his place of employment, family, a few phone numbers, and even his address.  The kicker? He lived across town from me.  Up until the time I began dating my husband I moved. A lot. I spent many years in Virginia Beach visiting family when we moved elsewhere or even living in nearby cities. After meeting Scott I moved to Virginia Beach and have lived here since then. Imagine my shock to find that out of all the places in the world my biological father was living a few minutes away this entire time.

By Thursday, November 22, Thanksgiving day, I was anxious to take the plunge and call who I thought was my father even without hearing back from my helpful cousin. My husband supported any decision I made although he felt it would be best to call the work number instead of the home number so I could give him time to process before involving his family. Usually my husband is more restrained in social situations so I tend to defer to him.  I waited until Friday and called the work number.

On November 23, Black Friday, the company was closed so I had no answers.  I went ahead and called the cousin back who said she had texted and spoke to him on the phone.  Essentially my potential Father knew about me.  He had my information. He would call when he was ready.  That alone was enough to make me feel at ease.

While sitting with Scott and Abby in the kitchen my phone rang.  It was a local number but I didn’t recognize it.  Since it was later in the evening and Black Friday to boot I felt a surge of anxiety.  Was this him? Could it be the person I have been thinking about my whole life?

As I answered the phone a voice said, “Hi, I’m Jeff I hear you are looking for me.” Not many people have the opportunity to remember the first time they spoke with one of their parents. I will.

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#OneWord2019

#OneWord2019

Last year (2018) I did the whole #OneWord thing for the first time. Honestly I thought it was kind of silly and wasn’t sure how it would truly impact my year. I went into it full throttle despite my apprehension. I wanted to give it a fair shake. Clearly I’m doing it again so it… Continue Reading

2018 #OneWord Recap

2018 #OneWord Recap

I want to take a minute and reflect on my word for 2018 as the last few hours dwindle. It was the first year I participated in the whole one word thing and wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I have to say I didn’t expect as much of an impact as it had.  … Continue Reading

Yes, I’m the Grinch

Yes, I’m the Grinch

  This time of year I begin seeing “cute” Pinterest, Intsagram, and Facebook posts about ways to incorporate Elf on a Shelf and even “Santa cams” into your classroom.  The theory goes that once you bring these into your classroom children will magically be able to use self-control and “behave” lest the magical elf in… Continue Reading

STOP GIVING ZEROS

STOP GIVING ZEROS

  Have you seen the story about the Florida teacher who was allegedly fired for refusing to comply with her school’s no zero policy?  Have you read the dialogue that has been taking place on posts about it? Honestly this is why I avoid reading the comments most of the time.  Sometimes I can’t help… Continue Reading

Smell the Babies! Then take over the world.

Smell the Babies! Then take over the world.

I didn’t get into this profession for the cutest classroom, or the cute clothes, or a Happy Teacher Planner. I’m not here for accolades, awards, or titles. I’m here to support kids. Advocate for kids. LOVE my children. I taught for almost ten years before having my own child.  Everyone said being a teacher-mom would… Continue Reading

Little People

Little People

My daughter LOVES the Fisher Price Little People. Somehow they wind up everywhere. She ensures that they all have names and they all have personalities.  It is an amazing sight to behold as she cares for each one.  Sometimes lining them up just so or giving them their favorite treat.  On occasion one even needs… Continue Reading

Maslow Before Blooms

Maslow Before Blooms

Social-Emotional Learning. Mmmmm…. There are few topics that can really get me going like SEL. Why? Social-emotional learning is the basis for EVERYTHING. We are social creatures.  We learn best through social-interactions (see social-learning theorist Bandura and to a lesser extent Brofenbrenner, Vygotsky, Piaget). Social-emotional learning encompasses skills such as impulse control and emotional regulation both… Continue Reading

Time

Time

  Tomorrow is #CelebrateMonday How are you planning on making the most of the minutes you have? Time. Time is the most valuable resource at our disposal. It is finite although we trick ourselves into believing we have all the time in the world. Often times we wake up and wonder where the time went. How it… Continue Reading