March 1
Happy Leap Year!! Meet my little Frog, a new character in an up and coming book! He leaps from limb to limb looking for his favorite bugs!
Wow! Wow!! Wow!! We were in need terribly of a new roof due to wind 
I had no idea that our insurance would cover our roof. Until I talked to Tyler Slade! Awesome guy and an amazing crew! I was uncomfortable going through the insurance process, but he took us through it quickly and flawlessly. He knows his insurance inside and out and his roofs! And his crew works together very well, 
They got it done under two days!!! And their cleanup was immaculate! Thank you, Tyler, Jacob and Team! He has all the right people in place And years of experience. Thank you for your friendship and sharing your business skills and expertise! 
We love the Slade family!! So grateful we stayed local!
March 2
It’s happening Second house on our Special Olympics Unified team going up
windy day is not making it easy but we are soooo grateful for all those willing to serve along with us. Excited for these couples to have a home.
March 3
Fun Weekend with the opening of Anastasia! Wonderful talent!
March 4
Anastasia again tomorrow, Monday night! My girls are in tomorrow's cast! Kalicia is hilarious at being, Marfa, one of the "silly girls" I love capturing little moments here and there. #Anastasia #annamerrillart
March 5
The charm, the sweetness, the seriousness, the laughter… the emotions just keep coming!! Such a touching performance! Incredible job to all
#Anastasia
March 6
Literacy Night at Taylor Intermediate Fun to spend time with these kiddos and share with the students that they can be an illustrator/artist and authors when they grow up, or gain a love for reading. My little monsters grew out of the costume, so we loved having sweet Tori joining our team tonight.
March 7
Living life activated is so real!!! 
My birthday girl made it to 20 years old more lively, happy and healthier than she’s ever been! She loves saying a body in motion stays in motion and putting the right things into your body is important She still gets off balance and struggles to get around but she’s not laying on her back, trying to discover her arms and legs anymore and she’s still alive!! (That was such a scary time of life) It’s been 20 years of finding ways to build her mitochondria, develop her diseased body, repairing her cells, fighting side by side with her, making it up as we go sometimes 
Charlotte is amazing She’s hilarious and full of life!! It’s been a busy couple weeks and we celebrated her on the run!! Grateful to all her amazing friends that show her so much love!! She reminds me all the time that she prayed to have these beautiful people in her life!! She can’t wait for the future! She loves people. She loves to help others! She loves making a difference in others lives! She’s definitely blessed and made a difference in my life! She’s a fighter and an inspiration!! I’m proud of her!! Keep going Charlotte!! 
#happybirthday #adult #outoftheteens
Enya Stewart
Happy 20th Birthday to this beautiful, funny, and crazy girl! I hope you have the best year and I love ya!!
Richardson
This is one of our favorite days to wake up at the beginning of special Olympics thank you to our coaches and kids that help make this so fun!!!! Let the games begin.
Richardsons:
Special Olympics basketball 2024 in the books thank you to the coaches and everyone that makes this so fun teaching our kids inclusion and how to have fun and teach them they can do hard things!
This has been one of the best things for my kids.
Rhiannon
Special Olympics Unified is truly something Special! Waking up to fun on our hotel room doors from coaches Anna Pember Merrill and Loren. Hair dos with bows and nails of sparkly blue. Team warm ups. The thrill on the court. One of our boys chased down the Phoenix suns Mascott and got a hug. The Phoenix Suns gorilla even made an appearance too. We spread some crotchet love from my mama AKA Bamba Pam Garvin who got to come cheer all the kids on with Uncle Roland and Tia Brit too. One of the kids from the other team saw one of our boys on the floor and he tied his shoe for him and then helped him up off the floor. And this little boy does not like to be touched. I think all of our hearts melted on multiple occasions today. Finishing the day with some Olive Garden and a dance party. Bottle flipping with friends during dance breaks. With under the leg tosses for the win. A huge ice cream cone pic pose. Yummy 
Long day but then they still found the energy to run off to the pool to enjoy some more energetic friend fun!! Good times with good people. ALL UNIFIED together as one. Way to go Lobos!! You make us all proud.
Long day but then they still found the energy to run off to the pool to enjoy some more energetic friend fun!! Good times with good people. ALL UNIFIED together as one. Way to go Lobos!! You make us all proud.
Congratulations Unified Lobos/Special Olympics Unified State Basketball 
Championship! All 5 teams played incredibly well, 3 little Lobos teams, teen team and Adult team. So impressed with the inclusion, teamwork, and friendships they are building. I love seeing the confidence, kindness, and skills they are improving on #playunified #inclusionmatters
State Basketball Championship! All 5 teams played incredibly well, 3 little Lobos teams, teen team and Adult team. So impressed with the inclusion, teamwork, and friendships they are building. I love seeing the confidence, kindness, and skills they are improving on #playunified #inclusionmatters
March 10
The emotions were high and exciting on the last night Incredible group of kids in all casts, talented and full of life. Proud of them all!
Incredible group of kids in all casts, talented and full of life. Proud of them all!
Richardson
More pictures of our awesome special Olympics team they all did so good I love watching them and supporting them in things they love and enjoy we have the best team and supporters, parents, and coaches thank you for the fun
Bonus we saw a “REAL” ghostbuster car on the freeway and Lincoln thought it was great!!!
March 11
“In my dreams it’s all real
And my heart has so much to reveal
And my dreams seem to say
“Don’t be afraid to go on
Don’t give up hope, come what may”
One day!” #anastasiamusical
March 12
March 12
Trip to Nashville! 
(And we are missing my Sweet Caroline, she ditched us to go to Cancun with her 16 year old girl cousins, not easy sending my baby off on her own adventure 
) And the rest of us are traveling Along interstate 40! And we found two National Parks along the way. We love adding pins to our map at home, of all the National Parks 
that we hit and all the history, we get to learn of in the United States. Today we got to see Fort Smith, and Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas We had no idea we were going to get to see history/Louisiana state purchase, Bath House Row, nature, all come together, so beautiful They had such a great set up back in the 1800’s, understanding that the world needs movement, connection, nutrients, and resilience/self-care in order to be whole and Healthy #gangsters #lovelearning #livelifeactivated #bathhouserow #hotspringsnationalpark #roadtrip #history #connection #wholeandhealthy #everyonehappierandhealthier #springbreak #connection #movement #nutrition #resilience #lifestyleprescriptions
(And we are missing my Sweet Caroline, she ditched us to go to Cancun with her 16 year old girl cousins, not easy sending my baby off on her own adventure ) And the rest of us are traveling Along interstate 40! And we found two National Parks along the way. We love adding pins to our map at home, of all the National Parks that we hit and all the history, we get to learn of in the United States. Today we got to see Fort Smith, and Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas We had no idea we were going to get to see history/Louisiana state purchase, Bath House Row, nature, all come together, so beautiful They had such a great set up back in the 1800’s, understanding that the world needs movement, connection, nutrients, and resilience/self-care in order to be whole and Healthy #gangsters #lovelearning #livelifeactivated #bathhouserow #hotspringsnationalpark #roadtrip #history #connection #wholeandhealthy #everyonehappierandhealthier #springbreak #connection #movement #nutrition #resilience #lifestyleprescriptions
March 13
#nashville
Country Music Hall of Fame #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #livelifeavticated Harrison beat us to the top
March 15
It’s always tough in life to go from the “little kid-play area” to the “BIG fun and scary/exciting real rides!!” Harrison started out with tears, trying to process and all the sensory too…. that comes with it. I lovingly pulled/pushed him to do the next big thing!! (Grateful our friends were cheering him on too, as a bit of guilt comes with making kids do hard things, knowing it will be good for them.) It felt so much like life, promising him if he could get through it, he would have sooo much fun!! Several rides in, helping he and Charlotte both brace their bodies on the rides…then oh no!! As we moved on, the next one had loops and going upside down, with crocodile tears. Harrison climbed on another ride, trusting and holding my hand. I may or may not had a couple tears too praying he would finally enjoy the excitement and that I was leading him right 
After several loops and super fast, we pulled up to settle on the track, Harrison yelled, “ I like that one!!!” He ran off and couldn’t wait to tell the others!! He lived and loved it!! And couldn’t wait to go on more. I’m so proud of him for being brave. That skill will take anyone far in life! So grateful After spending the day at Dollywood, I have learned that Dolly Parton is an incredible example of overcoming and doing hard things, being brave 
#dohardthings #overcoming #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #everyonehappierandhealthier #livelifeactivated #dollywood #iwillalwaysloveyou #dollyparton
After several loops and super fast, we pulled up to settle on the track, Harrison yelled, “ I like that one!!!” He ran off and couldn’t wait to tell the others!! He lived and loved it!! And couldn’t wait to go on more. I’m so proud of him for being brave. That skill will take anyone far in life! So grateful After spending the day at Dollywood, I have learned that Dolly Parton is an incredible example of overcoming and doing hard things, being brave #dohardthings #overcoming #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #everyonehappierandhealthier #livelifeactivated #dollywood #iwillalwaysloveyou #dollyparton
Leann Cooney
Great visit with some friends!
Anna -This is the best story! Our beautiful, roadside friends!
I haven’t posted this awesome picture yet because there is such a story to be told love that we’ve stayed friends we left your home uplifted, and are still talking about it
March 16
March 16…. a bit of country fun in between our conference
Sixteen years ago my 3 sisters and I, each had a baby girl. 
It was so fun to have these 4 cute girls growing up together, playing and developing their interests and talents. My sisters have been kind and encouraging to their girls to continue to love and involve Caroline, as she was born with a disease/disability. It’s been such a journey trying to heal/activate and to help Caroline to develop to keep up with her cousins. I’m grateful the cousins have been so much fun and inclusive to my Sweet Caroline. Caroline has grown into a witty, happy, beautiful talented woman. I can’t believe I’m saying woman These amazing beautiful girls have turned 16 this year and my sister had this great idea to celebrate them together in Cancun. As I’m typing this, my heart is still doing flips as I agreed to vulnerably send Caroline on a trip, without me there to care for her. There’s a lot Caroline has learned to do, but I’m so grateful my sister, Jessyka, was willing to be there to do the things Caroline couldn’t do for herself so she could go. Thank you Jessyka and Nate for showing these life long friends/cousins such a fabulous time with memories they will carry into their adulthood together. Caroline has sent me so many fun pictures and has had the best time!! Relationships are so important and I’m so beyond grateful to see these four having the time of their life together and my momma heart is so happy. We have missed her so much this week. But thrilled to see her on her own adventure. We are driving home from Nashville as quick as we can because I can’t wait to pick her up and squeeze her #cerebralpalsyawareness #cerebralpalsyhacked #marchcerebralpalsymonth #livelifeactivated #dontstaystuck #grateful #relationships #cousins
#cancun #madnesswiththemerrillbudz
my 3 sisters and I, each had a baby girl. It was so fun to have these 4 cute girls growing up together, playing and developing their interests and talents. My sisters have been kind and encouraging to their girls to continue to love and involve Caroline, as she was born with a disease/disability. It’s been such a journey trying to heal/activate and to help Caroline to develop to keep up with her cousins. I’m grateful the cousins have been so much fun and inclusive to my Sweet Caroline. Caroline has grown into a witty, happy, beautiful talented woman. I can’t believe I’m saying woman These amazing beautiful girls have turned 16 this year and my sister had this great idea to celebrate them together in Cancun. As I’m typing this, my heart is still doing flips as I agreed to vulnerably send Caroline on a trip, without me there to care for her. There’s a lot Caroline has learned to do, but I’m so grateful my sister, Jessyka, was willing to be there to do the things Caroline couldn’t do for herself so she could go. Thank you Jessyka and Nate for showing these life long friends/cousins such a fabulous time with memories they will carry into their adulthood together. Caroline has sent me so many fun pictures and has had the best time!! Relationships are so important and I’m so beyond grateful to see these four having the time of their life together and my momma heart is so happy. We have missed her so much this week. But thrilled to see her on her own adventure. We are driving home from Nashville as quick as we can because I can’t wait to pick her up and squeeze her #cerebralpalsyawareness #cerebralpalsyhacked #marchcerebralpalsymonth #livelifeactivated #dontstaystuck #grateful #relationships #cousins #cancun #madnesswiththemerrillbudz 
March 18
Awww 
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! Love friends, so blessed 
Harrison was thrilled to find that the leprechaun still found us and messed up our house and left the once a year Lucky Charms, greeting us as we arrived home from our trip to Nashville. Love being home. March 19
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! Love friends, so blessed Harrison was thrilled to find that the leprechaun still found us and messed up our house and left the once a year Lucky Charms, greeting us as we arrived home from our trip to Nashville. Love being home. March 19
Some of our favorite moments in Nashville Grand Ol’ Opry and spending time with friends. #livelifeactivated #grandolopry #music #country
Grand Ol’ Opry and spending time with friends. #livelifeactivated #grandolopry #music #country 
March 20
#meditation 
this is one of my favorite ways to meditate, just working in the dirt, in the rain, in my pond, in the yard. Getting muddy Getting ready for spring. 
I love this time of year, seeing what survived the winter
this is one of my favorite ways to meditate, just working in the dirt, in the rain, in my pond, in the yard. Getting muddy Getting ready for spring. I love this time of year, seeing what survived the winter
March 21
Troopers and they made it into school today! We have to fit studies and therapies in the nooks and crannies of life. A body in motion stays in motion. continued studies to make sure that their muscles and brain are connecting. Making sure that they continue to breathe and their heart keeps beating during the night the parts of their brain that keep that going and processing are deformed and partially nonexistent. So we have to stay on top of it. It is incredible, Doing all the right puzzle pieces keeps them functioning! Activating their cells and body with the right nutrients, collagen, NRF2 - rewiring their brain, continued learning 
Even if they don’t ever fully understand, Creating to find new pathways in the brain, keeping them with movement, connecting and teaching resilience are all huge parts of the puzzle thank you to summit hospital, we were able to stay on the mountain again. And beyond blessed with wonderful teachers who continue to give my kiddos a chance to learn and continue to grow
continued studies to make sure that their muscles and brain are connecting. Making sure that they continue to breathe and their heart keeps beating during the night the parts of their brain that keep that going and processing are deformed and partially nonexistent. So we have to stay on top of it. It is incredible, Doing all the right puzzle pieces keeps them functioning! Activating their cells and body with the right nutrients, collagen, NRF2 - rewiring their brain, continued learning Even if they don’t ever fully understand, Creating to find new pathways in the brain, keeping them with movement, connecting and teaching resilience are all huge parts of the puzzle thank you to summit hospital, we were able to stay on the mountain again. And beyond blessed with wonderful teachers who continue to give my kiddos a chance to learn and continue to grow
I love love love that my kids love to travel with me to learn and to grow and to go to conferences and listen to incredible speakers. Wow!! we are still talking about last weekend and the wonderful keynote speaker, Sarah Thomas. Stand up for what you believe in!! And be who you are, don’t try to be someone else, because everybody else is taken. Be who you are, you are important
you have a lot to give to the world.
you have a lot to give to the world.
March 23
Yay! 
Unified Track season just started!! So happy to see the relays and teams working together to pass the baton Makes my heart so happy to see these athletes beating their own times from last year. Huge progress and amazing confidence booster
movement, upright and activated!! Feeling better
Unified Track season just started!! So happy to see the relays and teams working together to pass the baton Makes my heart so happy to see these athletes beating their own times from last year. Huge progress and amazing confidence booster movement, upright and activated!! Feeling better
March 24
And they are UP!!!!! Walls UP!!! Cold and windy, but done 
So proud and beyond grateful for those who came to lift walls. So in awe and excited for the kind service they showed to help get these walls up for this special couple #specialolympicsarizona #playunified #workunified #inclusionmatters #loveyou #wallsup #livelifeactivated #sograteful
So proud and beyond grateful for those who came to lift walls. So in awe and excited for the kind service they showed to help get these walls up for this special couple #specialolympicsarizona #playunified #workunified #inclusionmatters #loveyou #wallsup #livelifeactivated #sograteful
March 25
MORP 2024 -my heart was so delighted and so thrilled with this fun remarkable group of teenagers. #morp2024 #livelifeactivated #PlayUnified #inclusionmatters #sograteful #loveyou #friends #annamerrillart #firstdates #socute #lovethesekids
March 26
Kika:
2024 is going strong with great friends!! i love these people!! 
MORP was an absolute party! thanks to our dates!! we had the best time! 
MORP was an absolute party! thanks to our dates!! we had the best time! THANKS MOMMA FOR TAKING OUR PICTURES Anna Merrill Art Anna Pember Merrill
bonus!! celebrated kaylees birthday friday
March 26
I was grateful a good friend shared this with me. ...ALONG OUR PATH OF LiFE
...ALONG OUR PATH OF LiFEWE GET A SERiES OF DETOURS... #pathoflife #detours #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #disabilities #disease #livelifeactivated #cerebralpalsyhacked #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #lovelife #lifeishard #chooseyourhard #loveyou #lovepeople #loveyourself #grateful #grace
March 27
My friend shared this and I thought all of it was so beautiful. I love this Easter week as we celebrate the love, sacrifice and the atonement of our Savior. I am truly grateful for wonderful good kind friends in mine and my family’s life. Thank you for your extraordinary examples. Dear Lord, please surround me with friends like this….
I am truly grateful for wonderful good kind friends in mine and my family’s life. Thank you for your extraordinary examples. Dear Lord, please surround me with friends like this….Friends who love me enough to see me healed and thriving.
Friends who will go to any length to help me get to Jesus.
Friends who never give up on me.
Friends who bring out the best in me.
Friends who love me like Jesus does.
And Dear God, please let me be that kind of friend to others.
Behind the scenes:
there may be those of you who don’t understand this painting. In the Bible there was a man who was paralyzed. His faith led him to believe if he could get to Jesus, he would be healed. His friends lowered him thru the roof to Jesus because the crowds were so thick wanting to see Jesus. Everyone needs friends who love hard and never give up.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times....
#thankyouleslie #grateful #oursavior #friends #bekind #loveyou #livelifeactivated #easterweek #jesus #lovelikeHedid
March 29
Sun Kissed!! One of those moments you’re driving along the road and you know things are happening just right. #confirmation Beautiful sunset and it was shining on our faces beginning a new journey… feeling God’s grace and His hand in the journey. Not easy driving my daughter to find housing and checking out the college, helping her move out 
graduating in a couple months and moving on…. Is that really allowed? #sohard #loveher #grateful #proudofher #notreadyforthis #roadtrip
Beautiful sunset and it was shining on our faces beginning a new journey… feeling God’s grace and His hand in the journey. Not easy driving my daughter to find housing and checking out the college, helping her move out graduating in a couple months and moving on…. Is that really allowed? #sohard #loveher #grateful #proudofher #notreadyforthis #roadtrip
March 30
Quick great day to Eastern Arizona College and back! She drove 15 mph under the speed limit through the Salt River Canyon, and her very first time driving it in the dark. I was so proud of her. I know she’ll be safe coming to and from college We got her all registered, 17 credits and a deposit on a dorm. I am so excited for her new adventures. I loved seeing her, making new friends already and exchanging numbers with the other students in the dorms. Advisors already asked her to help lead in one of the clubs that support service, inclusion and promoting mental wellness and health on campus. They were impressed by her love of people and confidence. I too admire her and want to be like her when I grow up. Love you Kika and congratulations on your future. #college #easternarizonacollege #love #inclusion #growingup #livelifeactivated #music #scholarship
We got her all registered, 17 credits and a deposit on a dorm. I am so excited for her new adventures. I loved seeing her, making new friends already and exchanging numbers with the other students in the dorms. Advisors already asked her to help lead in one of the clubs that support service, inclusion and promoting mental wellness and health on campus. They were impressed by her love of people and confidence. I too admire her and want to be like her when I grow up. Love you Kika and congratulations on your future. #college #easternarizonacollege #love #inclusion #growingup #livelifeactivated #music #scholarship
...and back at home
Wasn't very easy saying goodbye to Grandma and collecting her belongings amongst the family.
Table home safe and sound, quite an adventure!Easter Season I love how our little town is putting so much emphasis on our savior this year. #atonement #oursavior #ourfriend #loveyou #easterseason #happyeaster
I love how our little town is putting so much emphasis on our savior this year. #atonement #oursavior #ourfriend #loveyou #easterseason #happyeaster
March 31
Love spending one of the most important holidays and celebrating our Savior’s sacrifice for us with friends and family. Feeling so much gratitude. Happy Easter 
I hope you felt His love and grace on this special Sabbath Day. #happyeaster #loveyou #livelifeactivated #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #loveoursavior
I hope you felt His love and grace on this special Sabbath Day. #happyeaster #loveyou #livelifeactivated #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #loveoursavior
No comments:
Post a Comment