Living Well Emotionally

In his latest book, Montel Williams who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, writes about ways in which we have the power to "Live Well Emotionally". Key points & research he speaks about during his interview pertain to how we perceive & as a result feel about ourselves and the world around us *(See You Tube clip)

Multiple Sclerosis is an extremely painful disease, some days it can feel as though there will never be an end to the pain and it is easy to slip one's focus to the inabilities or short comings in life. Some term it as depression, however I've found when my body falls hard my mind & spirit are literally fighting, at war to rescue what belongs to the whole self-

The challenge is learning to find & grasp onto a continuum in the positive and what IS available, the abilities....Topics covered during the interview are valuable & useful to anyone who may struggle with finding the good in a moment, a day or a lifetime, regardless of one's physical or mental state of being:

Happiness

• 40% of happiness is found in what you DO & what you THINK
• 10% is based off of one's circumstances
• 50% is genetics

5 Tips to Happiness

1. Have GRATITUDE in your ATTITUDE
2. Practice Kindness
3. Savor the Beauty in Small Things & Moments
4. Nurture Your Spiritual Self
5. Learn to Let Go & How to FORGIVE

Finally, remember that each individual is responsible & retains the ownership to the definition of who they are.

Life is a journey for a reason, isn't it beautiful that we don't know it all? We're not perfect? How exciting to know that each day is a new opportunity for living, learning & ultimately to grow as a person....Here's to growth, happiness & internal peace (and all the ABILITIES within!)

Our Florida Family

The couple who started it all...Miguel & Julia

When we are truly blessed, we figure out all the "meant to be's" people, places, events and memories that cross our paths and truly appreciate them along the way, in the now, rather than waiting until time has passed and memories have faded.


This is us on my couch in Ca.

Although my body wasn't feeling 100%

I was VERY happy in spirit that day!

Me & LizSo Liz is the "Baby" sister to Jeanette. Liz is married, since 1992, to Julio and together they have two beautiful children, Julio & Elizabeth. Luis & I were engaged on the very same night she & Julio were married. Her first son Julio was born 3 weeks before Cassie was and her daughter, Elizabeth Marie was born less than a day before Lexie!

Luis & Julio all dressed up

Is it just me, or do they actually look related?

Julio singing in Miami!

Julio & Cassie

Aren't they GORGEOUS together?

Lexie & Elizabeth Marie in Ca

Carlos & Jeanette
Jeanette is married to Carlos and together they have 3 beautiful children, Denise, Deanna & Carlito. Denise & Cassie are inseperable, even with this great distance between South Florida & Northern California. I imagine the two of them will be in one another's weddings one day.

Denise & Cassie Toledo Family in Cali

Carlos & Julio at our house in Ca , every night's a party! Deanna ToledoCarlito Toledo

Silly Kids in FL 2007

This is a picture of Denise & Cassie in what is deemed "THEIR TREE" which stood as a base in our back yard. Hurricane Wilma tried to take the tree along its path, but the tree stands with Denise & Cassie's names carved into it!
Me & Denise @ my favorite place
Deerfield Beach Fl

This picture was taken in our new Lincoln Ca home & was definately missing Julio & Carlos! In January 2007, when I was first so very sick, Miguel & Julia came to be with us in California. During that very scarey time, Julia (as always) was my rock. She cared & watched over me like a Mama Bear & took care of my family and my household. Luis & Miguel doing what the guys did every Friday night

Poker Night In FL

Dominos Mang!
Pool!

Miami Men & their Coconut!

In Florida, Coconut Trees are everywhere.

We had one to the right of our front door!

Julio, Liz' husband, has a sister Jessica who is also part of a larger extended family whom we love & care for very much. This is her first daughter Marianna & me, together at Julia's house. Julia & Miguel care for Marianna & her baby sister while their Mommy Jessica & Daddy Kevin work.

Jessica & Marianna
Photos of Kevin & Baby Jessica to come...

Grandpa Julio

Me & Loli (Julia's Sister)
Titi Loli to Liz & Jeanette

Ride on Titi!

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

That little A.J. too quick for me!

I don't think Abby realizez how HEAVY she is now,

or that she's choking her Titi!

I'm getting too old for this... but it's still fun!

When I leave the kids my cheeks are actually sore,

and I realized it's because I'm smiling the entire

time we are together.

(okay with the exclusion of resting in the rocking chair!)

So I can blame my "laugh lines"

(those lovely creatures around my eyes & smile ; )

on the babies in my life!

Sleepy Girls...

Okay, I admit it...the kids exhaust me!

That's what rocking chairs are for, right?

A.J.'s Eye....

(Click on the photo to enlarge) It's incredible!

What a trip!? A.J. actually has one eye that is one quarter blue & three quarters brown, I guess my brother's gene's are fighting to be seen!

My Brother & His Family

(Click to Enlarge the Photos)

This is Adam & his family- minus Abel. A.J. (Adam Jr) on his lap, Cassie holding Abagail, Lexie next to his wife Amber. My Mom calls his family the "A-Team" Get it? All A's.....

Me & my babies! I LOVE being an Auntie

(the kids call me "Titi"- combo of Tia & Missy) It's so much fun, I can sit back and enjoy the kids without the sense of responsibility hanging over me. I've always been responsible for kids, my own, teaching etc. I really like the whole Auntie gig. Spoil & go-Spoil & go....

Me & my baby brother, Adam February 2009. He's old, just like me only I think he has more wrinkles than me! Just kidding, we're both pretty worn out! It's so cool to watch him play & discipline & stress out & enjoy being a parent. When my kids were little, I worried, like all Mommies, and he used to say"Chill Out Missy!" Now I get a kick out of watching him run around trying to make these little independant toddlers listen to him, "Chill Out Adam!"

Cousin's The Next Generation....

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This, in my opinion, is absolutely hilarious! I guess you'd have to been there to get the whole scope of the vibe happening here.... So Jon is ticked off, hot, tired and done with the day by the time this photo was taken. But being the "Mama", I forced him to take this memorable shot ; ) We're missing Cassie & Abel, my brother's oldest son, they escaped, but otherwise it was comical trying to get all these little monkeys together!

Front row right: A.J. (Adam's son) Justin (Sonia's son) Carter (David's son) Sabrina (Sonia's) holding baby Kylie on her lap (David's daughter) Back row right: Sebastian (Susie's don) Lexie (mine) Samantha (Susies) Abagail (Adam's) and Jon (mine) with my puppy Roscoe.

Carter (David's Son), enjoying his chocolate fountain treat, is hanging out with his big Cousin Sabrina (Sonia's daughter). What a trip, it's like looking back in time at David & Sonia together!

It's so humbling as a Mother, to see pictures like this of my son, my first born towering over his Auntie Sonia! I once made the mistake of believing that my children "belonged to me" & that time was also in my possession. I've sinced learned the two, my children and time, are great treasures and gifts to enjoy and cherish....

My Cousins, Sonia & David are siblings, Sonia is the big sister. We missed having their little sister Dianna, but she was with us in thought & spirit.

Cousins- The First Generation....

Me & my cousin Sonia. Our Mom's are sister's, her Mom is the baby of the family ; ) When we were growing up together, I always thought of her as my lil' sister. There was never a division of thought as "cousin". Now I admire her as a woman of power and intent, she's a force to be reckoned with! I'm so proud of Sonia...

(Click to Enlarge the Photos)

Here is Holly, Carter's Mommy & my cousin David's beautiful wife. She's such a great Mom, Wife, Teacher and Spirit. It's an Honor to be a part of her circle.

Here is a marriage consisting of two great loves: Carter's Kisses and Chocolate! We had a chocolate fountain at Jon's Graduation Party, which was quite a hit, and Carter blessed me with a big Chocolate kiss!

This is my baby brother, Adam with David & Holly's little Kylie. I never knew Adam could be so entertaining!

Lexie is to the right, black long shirt/ red hat/ yellow & red overlay.

World Thinking Day, February 22, 2009.

Lincoln Girls Scouts made history and celebrated World Thinking Day for the first time in their new service unit’s existence with a European flair.
Girl Scouts, from Kindergarten through High School, gathered together at the Veterans Foreign War Hall and increased their cultural awareness and found similarities with their sister scouts.

Lexie's Leprechaun

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Baby Diego

Our GodSon, Christian, and Ceci had a baby! His name is Diego Luca. So that makes Luis & I "Great" GodParents, right? Either way, we feel MUCH OLDER and blessed to have another little soul in our family! We love you Chris, Ceci & baby Diego....

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