Biological Blessing

Hello Everyone!!!
I have been EXTREMELY busy the past couple weeks and I apologize for not blogging. Cory and I just finished school today and I start up again in a week for the summer semester at SLCC. We've been busy with life, school, dance, sicknesses haha you know. The usual. But I have some important news I would like to share with everyone who is interested..

For those of you who don't know, which you all should, I am adopted and have always had interest in knowing more about my biological parents and if I ever had siblings. As I am very family oriented it has always been a cool thought to think I maybe someday could add to my family. Well.... It has happened!!

On January 3rd 2012 I was emailed by a woman named Carissa who said that she believed I was her biological little sister after looking at pictures of me. After discussing different facts about what I knew about my adoption it became clear that she was related to me. She showed me pictures of my biological father and there was no doubt in my mind that Carissa was my biological sister. That night she continued to email me about others in the family who are related to me. I would like to share with you some facts about my biological family. I hope no one is hurt or not understanding about this information. I just want to share what I know....

My fathers name is Anthony (Tony) Medina. He is 1/2 Hispanic and 49 years old. He currently lives in Tooele Utah and was recently married. He considers music to be a huge part of his life as he was in a band. He sounds like ACDC or any other big hair 80's singer. He just got a job working for Coca Cola. He is not very tall (which explains why I am a midget :) ) He has brown eyes and brown CURLY hair. He has a total of 4 daughters including me. Tony did have a rough life including drugs, alcohol and many marriages. He has turned his life around and has been on the right track for awhile now. We have not spoken. I don't feel quite ready yet.

My biological mother's name is Deirdre (dear-dra) and I actually am unsure of her current last name. She lives in Salt Lake City currently and I don't know what she does for a job. She is short also and has brown/redish hair. It is also curly. She also had a hard time with drugs and alcohol. I have been told she is also trying to be sober and clean. I have not talked to her either. She had 4 kids all together including me.

Now onto my biological siblings. Tony has 3 other daughters besides me (oldest to youngest) Carissa, Misty, Me and Samantha or Sunny D. Carissa and Misty have the same mother, Trudy. And Sunny and Me have different biological mothers. Carissa and Misty are married and have wonderful children who LOVE to snuggle. haha :) and I don't know much about Sunny D.
Deidre had 2 sons and a daughter. Aaron, Rich and Samantha.

I also have met my biological grandmother Donna and her husband Stan. They are wonderful. I am close with Carissa, Misty and Grandma Donna. I see them frequently and enjoy their company. My Mom has met them and loves them. Things have been hard. Obviously there are different opinions and some people are taking it hard. To me... This has been a HUGE blessing in my life and I feel so grateful to know these people. It has answered questions in my mind that I wanted answered. I feel like I know my whole self and it is a rewarding feeling.

I want everyone to know that these people are in addition to my amazing family. I want to thank my mom and dad and sisters for all their support in this journey and tell them that I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!! I couldn't do this without you. and of course Cory... Who has been there every step of the way. You are my hero and best friend. I love you

I understand this is a lot to swallow but I want to share my story and let everyone know who these people are because they are important to me. I hope everyone understands and supports me in this.

I am so happy I was guided to these people.

 Misty and I first time meeting

 Carissa and I first time meeting

 Carissa, Me, Grandma Donna and Misty

Mason and Maddi Carissa's kiddos

Left to Right 

Chris (Carissa's Husband) Carissa, Me, Cory Misty, Jesse (Misty's husband) 

Bottom

Maddi, Mason and Cody. Misty had one more who wasn't in the picture. 

I hope you enjoyed this and if you have questions please don't be afraid to ask. This is a growing process and i understand people think differently. I love you all and appreciate your support!! :)

Things as of Late

Hi everyone!!
It's been awhile. sorry. School got crazy. Work got crazy. Blah Blah excuses excuses. I will be better.
Lately Cory has been working his tail off. I have been dancing my tail off and we are both still going to school.
We have been doing some fun things however. We went scuba diving with some friends which was fun. It was with like... cool fish or anything but it was a lot of fun. I had a hard time because of my asthma but I id it :)
My dance company at SLCC is having our year end show. I want to invite all of you who read to come. This performance is based on student choreography which makes the show really cool! I got to choreograph a dance that is in the show as well! It's called Simon Says and we act like little kids with a twist. Guess you have to come to see :)
I hope you all can come! It's on April 6th and 7th at 7:30pm at SLCC South City campus in the theater. If you bring 2 cans of food its $4 and its FUN!!! COME SEE ME DANCE!!!

Cory and I have also been looking for houses. Just to see what we like. We know how much we qualify for and right now its just finding one we like and waiting for our lease to be up.

Scuba Diving

Hunger games

I also got 2 of my art pieces in the SLCC art show! Woo Woo!! ANNNDDDDD Hungers games was AWESOME even if it was at 12:20 in the morning haha

We hope you are all doing good! I will be writing more I swear! Have a good week!!

Meet the Downwards

About a week ago the Downward family decided to go and take some family pictures! But first I wanted to introduce my awesome new family.

There is Cindy and Kent Downward (mom and dad)
These two are amazing and I couldnt ask for better in-laws. They are loving, caring and all around amazing to everyone they meet.  They have taught me so many life skills and hobbies including fly fishing! Which I can't WAIT to do again. Here's to the best in-laws ever!
(don't mind cute Porter in this picture)

Cory's oldest sister Ashley and  husband Brian Davis are next.

These two have been so fun to get to know the past year. They have 3 beautiful kids Aspen, Brylee and Porter. These three know how to make everyone laugh and smile till their cheeks hurt. They live in Jarome Idaho and visit often.

(Don't mind Grandpa, Dad, Kent in this picture)
Left to Right- Brylee, Bryan, Ashley, Porter, Aspen

The next to introduce is Kristen! Kristen is second oldest and full of laughs. Kristen lived with Cory's parents while we were dating and I got to know her very well. We always seem to have something to talk about. She currently lives with Ashley and Bryan up in Jerome and LOVES IT! She works as a secretary at a PT Office. Kristen is an awesome sister and a wonderful aunt. She loooovvveeesss the Davis kids!

The youngest of the girls is Melinda and her husband Isaac Pena. Melinda is sweet, funny and cares so much about those around her. I have had a great time getting to know her the past couple months while Isaac had been proudly serving our country. They were married over a year ago and live with Cindy and Kent for now. They also have a little yorkie named Taz.

And very last is Cory. Cory is the baby of the family. He is 23 years old and studying at SLCC and U of U to get his degree in mechanical engineering. He works full time at American Appliance (yup he's a repairman! Call him!) I can't say enough good things about Cory so I won't. :) He's amazing and the best husband ever. He loves his family and cares so much about them. He served a mission in West Virginia.

I am extremely grateful for my new family. I love them so much and am so happy I get to be apart of the Downwards.

Auntie Em!!!!

Today there was a weather warning for a severe wind storm... if you missed all that wind today :) ... I had school like I do every day so I got up and headed out the door. On the way to school I listened to the radio and they were talking about wind that had reached up to 95 MPH in Centerville and Bountiful. 15 Semi Trucks were reported to have tipped over. They also had powerlines down and breakers explode. I15 was closed as well for about 1 hour. I got to school and the power was out. NO SCHOOL!!! :) Then the news stations said they had closed schools for today and tomorrow due to wind. Multiple people called into radio stations to tell them that "Centerville looks like a war zone!" People also facebooked "Is it Judgement day?!" haha :) I hope you all had a fantastic windy day here in Utah. I know I froze MY butt off! :) Here's some pics.
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You'll Shoot Your Eye Out

The past two Thanksgivings Cory and I have made it a new tradition to go shooting the morning of turkey day. This year we went with some friends and had a blast! We shot 22 rifles, 22 handguns, 20 gage shotgun and a AR15. Last year I shot a 12 gage shotgun and about blew my arm off so I just kept with the 20 gage this year and had a BLAST!! I hit almost all of the clay pigeons and decided I really REALLY want a AR15!! It was sweet!!!! :)
Here are some pics and a clip of what we did. Hope you all had a great weekend.. Now back off  to school... Yay...

Thanksgiving!!!

What are YOU grateful for??
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my family. They are the greatest in the whole world. As I have spent the last couple days with my family I noticed just how blessed I am to have my parents and my sisters and brothers. My nieces and nephews also bring joy to all our family get togethers. I also got to spend time with my new family, the Downwards. They are amazing and make me so happy. I am so grateful for my new sisters, rbothers, in-laws and nieces and nephew.
It has been a busy thanksgiving this year full of laughter and love.
I am also eteranlly grateful for my awesome husband. He is the greatest man in the world. Every day he reminds me just how lucky I am to have him as my eternal companion. He works so hard and has been so patient with all my sicknesses and surgery. He is my rock and I love him.
I hope your holiday weekend has been great!! Lots of turkey, mashed potatoes, family, laughter and shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Sisters Shopping. We missed Rob and Britt!!

A Woman's Best Friend

Today as I woke up, like every single morning, I headed straight to the bathroom where my loyal companion Tank sleeps. Like any normal person my bladder is full so I have to pee ha ha and Tank always gets out of bed and jumps up on my leg to get pet. This morning though he made me smile and laugh out loud. He got up and stretched like he normally does and then proceeded to go across the floor like a army man all the way over to me. At the same time, wagging his little stub tail. :)

I couldn't help but smile. He has been such a joy in mine and Cory's life. I wish and hope he knows just how much he means to me. He may be small but he takes up a big part of my heart.

So... Today I am Thankful for Tankers. My second best friend.

 I am also Thankful for Madison My first puppy who I love so much! 10 Years of fun!!