October 2
Mirrors hung, door knobs on, walls built, landscaping begun, construction cleaned up….. Girls/roommates moved in!! 
Oh I wish you could see the excitement! 
Hope you can feel it in their smiles!
Hope you can feel it in their smiles! Thank you Loren for being the backbone and the hammer behind it! Couldn’t run this charity without you. Housing, Education, employment, and a community of belonging. 
#livelifeactivated #brainhealth #poweredbyaxio #cerebralpalsyhacked #everyonehappierandhealthier #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #nonprofit #gratitude #amazing #sweetsalvationbakery #belonginginitiative
#livelifeactivated #brainhealth #poweredbyaxio #cerebralpalsyhacked #everyonehappierandhealthier #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #nonprofit #gratitude #amazing #sweetsalvationbakery #belonginginitiative
October 4
Special Olympics Unified Swim Competition
Loved watching everyone supporting and cheering each other on.
Then to Sweet Salvation Bakery to celebrate their hardwork and accomplishments
#livelifeactivated #PlayUnified #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #poweredbyaxio #SpecialOlympicsArizona
October 5
General Conference weekend began with a relaxing hike in between conferences, as well as a senior picture photo shoot along the trail.
October 6
So Let’s Be Friends — Episode 11: Turning Trials into BlessingsLast week, Charlotte shares her inspiring talk from church about finding light in hard times.
Joined by her friend Enya and community member Eric Scott, they remind us that even when life feels heavy, blessings often grow from our greatest challenges.
“Sometimes blessings take time to see, but they’re always there — hidden in the hard things.” — Charlotte
Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.(Music written and performed by Kalicia Merrill)
October 8
Happy 14th birthday to this amazing young man!! I am so blessed to get to be Harrison’s mother. 
 and he got a set of drums from Aunt Janet! our house is gonna get exciting! 
and he got a set of drums from Aunt Janet! our house is gonna get exciting!  Just love our little man, he’s growing up!! Right now he’s on his way to be a pilot, musician, and an artist! It’s so fun to find the strengths in our kids!
 And the best box folder at the bakery! Using his folding airplane skills, two fold bakery boxes! So proud of Harrison and all he is accomplishing!
October 10
My heart is overjoyed, seeing those of all abilities working, growing, and learning new skills! 
We also have pumpkin, gluten-free and sugar-free loaves of bread and large muffins. 
October 12
Sedona, hiking, soul, growth, happiness, healing, friends, love, dancing, vulnerable, meditation, prayer, self care, continuous learning, nutrition…. Always welcome to join in if you feel drawn in
We decided we'd go whether it was Rain or shine, to experience a Self Care Sedona Retreat unlike any other. Its amazing miracles that happen when you place your trust in the process, and you play with the power of manifestion.
Although there was chance it would rain most of Saturday, we took the leap of faith, and manifested our desires. We need a Plan B if we needed to shift and we showed up.
 The clouds parted, the rain departed, and the sun surely did shine 
in our favor!
in our favor!What followed was the most magical experience I have had so far with connection, growth, and nourishment of mind, body, and soul.
 We are putting together a waitlist of women that would like to join our next 2 day Self Care Retreat in Sedona in Feb now! Comment below "self care" if you are ready to start giving yourself some attention in a space with other women that will help your light shine
Spaces are limited ! 
October 13
Gratitude Overflowing To all the radiant women who showed up with open hearts, deep presence, and beautiful intention — thank you. 
Our time together in Sedona was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by the sacred red rocks, we came together not just as individuals, but as a circle — a sisterhood — holding space for each other as we meditated, journaled, laughed, cried, rested, and remembered who we are.
Together, we nourished not just our bodies with mindful movement and nourishing food, but also our souls, with connection, nature, and deep self-care.
Thank you for co-creating such a sacred space. For your vulnerability, your wisdom, your joy, your courage to show up fully. You each brought a unique light that made this retreat truly special. 
May the peace, clarity, and love we cultivated continue to ripple through your lives and the lives you touch.
With all my heart,
Thank you.
#Gratitude #SelfCareRetreat #SedonaMagic #Sisterhood #SacredSpace #WomenSupportingWomen #MindBodySoul #HeartCenteredLiving
What a fabulous concert tonight!! One of the best! Thank you Mr. Peterson for bringing such a beautiful music program to our community.
One of the best! Thank you Mr. Peterson for bringing such a beautiful music program to our community. My heart is bursting, seeing my daughter, Caroline with cerebral palsy, on the front row of the honor choir, really truly an honor. She sure has worked her best, auditioning and made it into such a special choir. Thank you Mr. Peterson for working one-on-one with her and helping her. The first thing she said to me tonight “was I hit my high notes, especially the Psalm 23 soprano!”
I love her love for music. And Caroline said she loves the feeling of inclusion that he brings to the choirs!
October 16
Love it!! My favorite…. Junior High choir concerts!! Harrison was an awesome waiter, along with his friends tonight in the concert. 
Great job to all the students! Thanks Mrs. Shumway! So much creativity They had a great time performing #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #playunified #inclusionmatters #cerebralpalsyhacked #livelifeactivated #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #poweredbyaxio #friends #music #grateful #goodteachers
They had a great time performing #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #playunified #inclusionmatters #cerebralpalsyhacked #livelifeactivated #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #poweredbyaxio #friends #music #grateful #goodteachers
October 18
Happy birthday to this amazing girl!!! We love you Kalicia!!
I just love her so much!! I can’t believe she is 20 years old. We were so excited to get to visit with her for her birthday! She made it to Switzerland, for her new transfer. Keep blessing lives Kika! So grateful for your kind loving example. Happiest of Birthdays Sister Merrill #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #happybirthday #weloveyou #livelifeactivated #birthdaygirl
October 20
Lots of gentle fist 
bumps this weekend, cheering Harrison on on his first bike wreck! 
bumps this weekend, cheering Harrison on on his first bike wreck! 10 years of trying to learn to ride a bike with having cerebral palsy and ataxia and he’s up and going fast!! Dreams, come true! Even in a downhill crash 
(He had a helmet on) 
(He had a helmet on) ….And he said with a grin -his brain processed fast enough that he got his hands out in time to catch himself! That’s never happened before either! So many little miracles! (I’m still in awe with what the NRF2 activation, and the liquid collagen is doing for his brain) 
(I’m still in awe with what the NRF2 activation, and the liquid collagen is doing for his brain) Kind of exciting that he’s actually in the hospital with a “normal” kid injury! He’s in pain, but he doesn’t even seem to be that upset about it. Harrison is so excited that he was riding bikes with his cousins!
Harrison is so excited that he was riding bikes with his cousins! And everyone’s been sharing their best bike wreck stories with him!
He does have surgery on Wednesday to get pins to put his thumb back in place but we’re so grateful for good doctors. 
#madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #everyonehappierandhealthier #livelifeactivated #poweredbyaxio #nrf2activation #liquidcollagen #brainhealth #grateful #miracles #blessings
#madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #everyonehappierandhealthier #livelifeactivated #poweredbyaxio #nrf2activation #liquidcollagen #brainhealth #grateful #miracles #blessings
October 21
Homecoming Caroline and Dad
Caroline and Dad Pajama Day and Adam Sandler Day!  I love the celebrations of small towns! Traditions!
October 22
Tough guy!! Out of surgery and doing well! He can’t wait to pick out the color of his cast in a week.
Harrison always has such a positive perspective!
October 23
… Had to share some excitement this week The little hidden bakery now has a sign our nonprofit Everyone Happier and Healthier; A Belonging Initiative, is becoming so real, providing employment and lifestyle for all abilities, supporting our Special Olympics Unified team
The little hidden bakery now has a sign our nonprofit Everyone Happier and Healthier; A Belonging Initiative, is becoming so real, providing employment and lifestyle for all abilities, supporting our Special Olympics Unified team Thank you @vandeeflake and High Country Signs for supporting our mission
Excited that we get to coordinate and work together too with local businesses. Beautiful flowers 
next door
next door
We love our ward, Special love notes through times of suppport.
Happy Birthday Brettliegh
October 24
Made it to Texas this morning just in time for a conference on health and activating our bodies. I’m very passionate about health, wellness and lifestyle.
My kids with disease and disability are thriving. It’s my passion to help others. Please reach out if you need support.
(My little guy was a trooper in the backseat, roadtrip, couldn’t leave him at home after surgery, healing so quickly.) so grateful.
so grateful. “Your gut is thirty feet long, which to put into perspective, is as long as a school bus and would cover the surface area of roughly the size of a tennis court. It’s massive in both size and all the systems it’s connected to.”
We need to give our gut health the best support. I would love to help.
The body is made to heal — we just have to listen. 
This weekend at the Health Activation Conference has been eye-opening. Learning alongside other passionate professionals — and with my husband, Loren, and Harrison — about Nrf2 activation and how our cells can repair and renew from within.
Feeling deeply grateful and inspired by how science continues to affirm what faith and nature have always shown us: we are designed for restoration.
October 26
Happy 70th birthday Grandpa and Daddy!! 
We love you so much and loved celebrating with you today.
We love you so much and loved celebrating with you today. (Caroline and Emma were honored and excited to make Grandpa’s carrot cake at the bakery.) 
I’m thrilled to see all these wonderful talents coming forth and seeing those sharing and teaching together . 
#sograteful
#sweetsalvationbakery #happybirthdaygrandpa #livelifeactivated #loveyou #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether
#sograteful #sweetsalvationbakery #happybirthdaygrandpa #livelifeactivated #loveyou #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether
October 27
New Episode! Charlotte brings together three incredible mothers — Nancy Ruffell, Lynette Nicoll, and Leah Clarke — for a heartfelt and powerful Moms’ Panel.
They open up about the challenges and blessings of raising children and adults with special needs — finding faith, friendship, and inclusion along the way.
“Every mom has a story that helps another one keep going.” — Charlotte Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Amazon Music
Learn more at www.MerrillBudz.org
October 28
It’s Blue!! Harrison couldn’t wait to pick his color!
I’m just always amazed by all the new medical treatments and skills!
I love that the pins extend to the outside of the hand, so when it’s time, they can pull them out. Genius!!
When Kalicia got hers in, they made it such a big deal that I wanted to get them out after. So this was wonderful that it’s already preplanned! Grateful to good kind doctors and staff.
@ianbrimhallorthopedics @leabdiving
Winter Formal
October 29
Halloween
Fun has begun 
Love friends, family and neighbors #connections #love #grateful #Halloween #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #livelifeactivated
October 30
Grateful for good friends, just great people in our life!! #friends #connections #livelifeactivated @brettleigh23
#friends #connections #livelifeactivated @brettleigh23
October 30
Sister Kika Merrill
Ya'll a few days ago, I hit 6 months auf meiner Mission!!
Ohhmuygoosh, I feel grateful to be a missionary and for the time I have had here so far in der Schweiz und München. So many memories and so many more to come! 
Being apart of Gods work is my favorite and its so special that my sister is also a missionary. 
Being apart of Gods work is my favorite and its so special that my sister is also a missionary. I am overjoyed with how God has blessed my family and I am grateful to serve my Savior, Jesus Christ. 
Happy Halloween
