New Year. Narrow canyons. Big rocks. Bigger hearts. 
This is what health looks like for our family. 
Not perfection—participation.
Not ease—ability.
This hike mattered to us. Three of my kids live with cerebral palsy, and days like this don’t happen without preparation, support, and steady energy.
We packed water, snacks… and Axio. Not as a miracle—just as clean, plant-based energy that helps us show up with focus and stamina for the hard things.
cheering each other on, resting when needed, and choosing tools that support our bodies and brains.Axio has been part of our routine for years—clean energy, mental clarity, no crash—so my kids (with cerebral palsy) and all of us can do hard things together.
Watching siblings help each other over ledges reminds me why I care so deeply about health that supports real life. 
Everyone happier and healthier. 
If you’re curious what we use to fuel days like this, I’m always happy to share.
Buckskin Gulch, ringing in the New Year 
January 1, 2026
Happy New Year!! Hope everyone had a wonderful time bringing in the New Year!! 2026
It’s going to be amazing!! I can’t wait to see what this new year brings!!!
January 4
Consistency and perseverance in all phases: health , spiritual, nutrition and movement 
Thank you Dr. Sveta for being such an incredible friend, mentor and example. Love you
January 9
We teach the four pillars of health every day—
movement, nutrition, resilience, and connection.
Today Unified Sports checked every box!! 
The Season is here!!
Unified basketball is back!
Everyone moving.
Everyone included.
Everyone happier and healthier. 
Seeing athletes rise up—crutches and all—is the best kind of energy.
January 13
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”
Henry Ford
January 10
Happy Weekend!! Reminder we are now open on Saturdays Hot loaves of bread 
Hot loaves of bread We also are offering Food Management class today and Test to all our participants to make sure we are keeping our customers and community safe.
We love learning and doing better all the time. 10 hours of learning today 
So proud of our team 
So proud of our team Days like this remind me why we do what we do.
Health isn’t just a product or a program—it’s learning, showing up, and caring about people.
Proud of this team and grateful to build something rooted in education, nourishment, and community.
Everyone happier. Everyone healthier.
Yay!! Several passed the test and others are going to study and try again!! Proud of all their hard work and resilience!
January 17
She’s doing amazing things! So proud of her! 
January 22
From a mama’s heart 
Last week, during my daughter’s mission transfers in Europe, Kalicia’s long travel day turned scary.
Mission transfer day from Switzerland
to Austria 
began with multiple train delays and cancellations, forcing a group of young missionaries onto buses and different trains and causing them to miss key connections. I already felt uneasy knowing how long and unpredictable the day was traveling for her and the others.
to Austria began with multiple train delays and cancellations, forcing a group of young missionaries onto buses and different trains and causing them to miss key connections. I already felt uneasy knowing how long and unpredictable the day was traveling for her and the others.After over 13 hours of travel, they finally arrived in Vienna, 11 at night, when exhaustion sets in and things feel more vulnerable.
While unloading, my daughter realized one suitcase was missing and stepped back onto the train to find it. My heart dropped hearing that details —every mother knows that moment when something feels off.
The train doors closed and would not reopen as the train prepared to leave. -this was the scariest part—knowing she was suddenly trapped, with no control, and no way off.
The other missionaries were already off the train, running alongside it, realizing she was still onboard and heading into another country (Hungary). I can’t describe the fear of knowing my child was moving farther away with every second and we weren’t there to help.
She was alone, panicking, late at night, missing belongings, and traveling somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be. Loren and I were on the phone, praying out loud, trying to stay calm so she could stay calm.
She prayed, gathered herself, and made urgent calls. Hearing her faith rise in the middle of fear steadied my own heart.She eventually found her suitcase, a small miracle that felt huge in that moment.
When a ticket officer came and she had no ticket, my heart sank again—until she found a collection of coins hidden in her bag and was able to pay. Another tender mercy.
She arrived in Budapest at 2:00 a.m., the mission president and his wife there safely picked her up. Only then did my heart finally unclench when they sent a picture.
She returned to Vienna safely the next morning—tired, shaken, but protected.
The fear was real—but so was the peace that came knowing God was watching over her when I couldn’t. 
#madnesswiththemerrillbudz
#madnesswiththemerrillbudz
January 27
GRAND OPENING RIBBON CUTTING! 
Thursday, January 29
Sweet Salvation BakeryCome celebrate with us ALL DAY! Starting at 9 am til dark.
Busy Fit Food; Meal Prep
Free baked good
Free Hot chocolate and Mochas
Giveaways
Ponies Free food Meet our amazing team — all abilities, working togetherSpecial Olympics Unified Come be a part of us
Come see what Sweet Salvation Bakery is all about, meet everyone, and celebrate inclusion, community, and joy.
We can’t wait to see you there! 
We have created healthier ways to eat from Busy Fit Food; Meal Prep to varieties of sourdough, milling/grinding our own wheat in the bakery to create fresh artisan breads. And the cinnamon rolls, yummy 
And Sweet Caroline Brownies 
And Sweet Caroline Brownies Everything by Michael sourdough and his grandma!We have taken out ALL vegetable oil out of the bakery, using a Healthy organic way of cooking and baking with NO preservatives. 
January 28
My Sweet Caroline is living her dream!! We bought a bakery!! She plans to go full time at the bakery after she graduates! My momma heart is so happy seeing her happy and excited! Living life to the fullest! She has some great plans and ideas
is living her dream!! We bought a bakery!! She plans to go full time at the bakery after she graduates! My momma heart is so happy seeing her happy and excited! Living life to the fullest! She has some great plans and ideas 
GRAND OPENING RIBBON CUTTING – THURSDAY! All DAY!!We can’t wait —the story is unfolding and we’re ready to celebrate with YOU!
Come join us for a day full of joy, community, and inclusion at Sweet Salvation Bakery FREE baked goods FREE Hot chocolate & mochas Giveaways all day
Partnering with us, our -Busy Fit Food team with healthy,
nourishing options
-introducing little ponies and others that have partnered up
with Special Olympics Unified.
Our nonprofit mission “Everyone Happier and Healthier.”
“Connection, Resilience, Movement and Nutrition.
Great time to check out and join Special Olympics Unified and meet the team
Meet our all incredible teams—working together with all abilities
Try our yummy baked goods, wholesome meals, and feel-good food This is more than a bakery—it’s a place where inclusion is baked into everything we do. Come meet the faces behind Sweet Salvation Bakery, our Busy Fit Food team, and see how food, purpose, and community come together.
Bring a friend. Bring your family. Come eat, and enjoy our community! Sweet Salvation Bakery Thursday, January 29We are so excited to celebrate with you!
January 29
Grand opening! Ribbon cutting Today!! Exciting and busy at the bakery today.
Exciting and busy at the bakery today. Come see us, come get free donuts, free hot, chocolate, free mocha and lots of giveaways! Free massages 
Free massages Meet our Busy Fit Food team, and our Bakery team and the Special Olympics Unified team!
January 29
Grand opening! Ribbon cutting Today!! Exciting and busy at the bakery today.
Exciting and busy at the bakery today. Come see us, come get free donuts, free hot, chocolate, free mocha and lots of giveaways! Free massages
Free massages Meet our Busy Fit Food team, and our Bakery team and the Special Olympics Unified team!
January 31
Our community is amazing! 
Thank you for all your support!
Thank you for all your support! We had a wonderful grand opening and ribbon cutting! So many happy tears!!
We stayed open longer on a Saturday because  everyone kept coming to visit and say hi! So much fun! 
 And making lots of rolls, lemon bars, and cookies 
today ! Healthier options! No vegetable oil! Using organic ingredients
GAME NIGHT WITH OUR FRIENDS
