August 3
Drive by a goodbye party! Come say bye to the Maldonados
August 4
Happy birthday to this amazing mama of mine! 
We sure love her!!! Good luck on your first day back to school today too! #bestteacherever
We sure love her!!! Good luck on your first day back to school today too! #bestteacherever
t’s truly when new and bigger things start to happen!
Those things you fear the most ... those are exactly the things that will grow you the most!
Take the step!
So much more is waiting for you! #everyonehappierandhealthier #madnesswiththemerrillbudz 
Beautiful fun day with this amazing family And my heart soared when I saw Harrison jumping so high! He’s learning to jump!! Thank you Delight for capturing it!!! “Jump/leap into LIFE”
Beautiful fun day with this amazing family And my heart soared when I saw Harrison jumping so high! He’s learning to jump!! Thank you Delight for capturing it!!! “Jump/leap into LIFE” @delightymighty
August 1
Gratitude
We learn the magical lesson that making the most of what we have turns it into more.
Say thank you, until you mean it.
Thank God, life, and the universe for everyone and everything sent your way.
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
Gratitude makes things right.
Gratitude turns negative energy into positive energy. There is no situation or circumstance so small or large that it is not susceptible to gratitude’s power. We can start with who we are and what we have today, apply gratitude, then let it work its magic.
Say thank you, until you mean it. If you say it long enough, you will believe it.
Today, I will shine the transforming light of gratitude on all the circumstances of my life.
Quoted from the app Language of Letting Go.
Talon's Birthday Party!!
August 5
Happy Birthday Daddy/Loren!
Happy Birthday 
to this amazing guy!!! Love you Loren 45 Years old Today!!! I got to enjoy a beautiful hike with him yesterday and scouting for his upcoming hunt. He is so much fun to hang out with. Yummy fresh raspberries along the way, hidden ladybugs and oh my a bear! 
(sorry for the screechy voice 
) We are beyond blessed to have him apart of our lives!!! Over 20 years ago, I still remember the day walking into my ASU Special Needs introduction class in the Teaching Program and seeing this tall blonde handsome man with his legs propped up on a desk in the back of the room. (not knowing or understanding how this moment foreshadowed our lives.) thank you for being my best friend!
lots of amazing adventures together! Madness with the Merrill Budz 
#merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #playunified @ Mount Baldy Wilderness
August 7
I love this guy, my big boy Am I not the luckiest mom alive to have such an amazing guy for a son that can do those hard things!! 
Happy 27th birthday to my son, Austin today!! We love our fun, silly, lovin’ big brother and son!! Can’t wait to celebrate tomorrow!!!
Am I not the luckiest mom alive to have such an amazing guy for a son that can do those hard things!! Happy 27th birthday to my son, Austin today!! We love our fun, silly, lovin’ big brother and son!! Can’t wait to celebrate tomorrow!!!
August 9
“Those who move forward with a HAPPY spirit will find that things will always work out” -Gordon B. Hinckley 
Excited that we got to go through the first phase and got to go to church together for the first time in months and see wonderful people!! I think we forgot how to act in public and were a little silly and forgot how to get dressed up. But it all worked out in the end! Big hugs!
Excited that we got to go through the first phase and got to go to church together for the first time in months and see wonderful people!! I think we forgot how to act in public and were a little silly and forgot how to get dressed up. But it all worked out in the end! Big hugs! 
August 10
Happy happy birthday to my awesome little brother, Keith
Glad I got to celebrate with him this year!! 
“Siblings are the people that teach us about life. They teach us what it means to be kind and caring, to be fair and to know that we will not always be right. They teach us about teamwork, conflict resolution and most importantly they teach us what it is to love and be loved.” Keith you are the best brother and great friend 
He looks just like our Dad
August 11
Wow!! A lot of growth these last couple days, which adds a little stress and anxiety. Leaving/driving away from my children for a week, directing Charlotte’s motivational speeches from far away
organizing getting kids back in school next week-advocating, masked up and ready to go transferring from Windows to Mac (no judging 
) and my sweet husband was inspired to send me this well needed message and I wanted to share it, in case it can lift others. “We can do the impossible! But, start with what is most important and necessary!”
A lot of growth these last couple days, which adds a little stress and anxiety. Leaving/driving away from my children for a week, directing Charlotte’s motivational speeches from far away organizing getting kids back in school next week-advocating, masked up and ready to go transferring from Windows to Mac (no judging ) and my sweet husband was inspired to send me this well needed message and I wanted to share it, in case it can lift others. “We can do the impossible! But, start with what is most important and necessary!” 
The beginning of my trip was a bit heartbreaking to see another fire in the desert.
August 13
“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t yet met” #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #everyonehappierandhealthier #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether @ Dana Point, California
It is so good for us moms to get some time away from it all to recharge and relax and take a few days to ourselves. I'm definitely a better mom when I'm taking care of myself as well as everyone else. Looks like a lovely trip!
August 15
Oh my heart! I was laughing so hard when I got the pictures from my family. It’s been a fun week away from Home, missing my family! Thank you Loren and my big girls for holding the fort down! He took them to “meet the teacher” this week, tryouts for the play, therapies, soccer practice wow! These are the pictures I got, before they went to go meet the teachers. Trying out the masks 
for schoolMaking them a little loopy! LOL! And on top of that he is still building the guest house for my son and went back to school this week to be ready for his students on Monday. Rockstar Dad! I just love him!
I was laughing so hard when I got the pictures from my family. It’s been a fun week away from Home, missing my family! Thank you Loren and my big girls for holding the fort down! He took them to “meet the teacher” this week, tryouts for the play, therapies, soccer practice wow! These are the pictures I got, before they went to go meet the teachers. Trying out the masks for schoolMaking them a little loopy! LOL! And on top of that he is still building the guest house for my son and went back to school this week to be ready for his students on Monday. Rockstar Dad! I just love him! 
August 17
August 18
Yay! My kids were ecstatic to be back to school, to see their friends and get to learn from their teachers! 
It was a rough emotional day taking a couple days to digest and to revamp and replan!! I will just never understand why some teachers and some administrators have such a hard time being inclusive and including my kids in classes because they have disabilities. More meetings following this week and let the advocating begin. 
My sweet kiddos, as well as others, should have the chance to build their strengths, learn and succeed like others. When I have to do the hard things to stand up for my children , I remind myself, “I only get to be a mother once and I want to do it right the first time, no matter how hard it is.” But my kids are rock stars and no matter how hard it is and how much they have to watch me advocate, they continue to love and persevere!
And I’m excited that they are learning how to advocate for themselves as well. 
And there are so many amazing wonderful teachers and administrators out there who are part of the inclusive movement to love and involve everyone! Thank you and big hugs and congratulations to you. We need you!!
It was a rough emotional day taking a couple days to digest and to revamp and replan!! I will just never understand why some teachers and some administrators have such a hard time being inclusive and including my kids in classes because they have disabilities. More meetings following this week and let the advocating begin. My sweet kiddos, as well as others, should have the chance to build their strengths, learn and succeed like others. When I have to do the hard things to stand up for my children , I remind myself, “I only get to be a mother once and I want to do it right the first time, no matter how hard it is.” But my kids are rock stars and no matter how hard it is and how much they have to watch me advocate, they continue to love and persevere! And I’m excited that they are learning how to advocate for themselves as well. And there are so many amazing wonderful teachers and administrators out there who are part of the inclusive movement to love and involve everyone! Thank you and big hugs and congratulations to you. We need you!! 
August 19
Wahoo
Made it through the first IEP (individualized education program) meeting of the week. Which every child should have their own IEP not just those with disabilities. I am truly grateful, as hard as it was, that I stood up for my child this week because we did get things situated in the meeting this morning and I thank them tremendously for being willing to recognize/change and move my child to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and recognizing the state laws that every child and adult has a right to inclusion through the IDEA, which was the Act that was created and passed through the Civil Rights Act in 1979. 
Thank you to those who boosted me and lifted me and gave me strength to push forward. Love to you all! Another IEP tomorrow and one more next week with the schools. Thank you to Raising Special Kids Arizona too, for giving me support! And Snowflake School District! We got this, change is hard but we can do it together as a team #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #everyonehappierandhealthier #playunified #inclusionrevolution #raisingspecialkids #cerebralpalsyhacked
Made it through the first IEP (individualized education program) meeting of the week. Which every child should have their own IEP not just those with disabilities. I am truly grateful, as hard as it was, that I stood up for my child this week because we did get things situated in the meeting this morning and I thank them tremendously for being willing to recognize/change and move my child to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and recognizing the state laws that every child and adult has a right to inclusion through the IDEA, which was the Act that was created and passed through the Civil Rights Act in 1979. Thank you to those who boosted me and lifted me and gave me strength to push forward. Love to you all! Another IEP tomorrow and one more next week with the schools. Thank you to Raising Special Kids Arizona too, for giving me support! And Snowflake School District! We got this, change is hard but we can do it together as a team #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #everyonehappierandhealthier #playunified #inclusionrevolution #raisingspecialkids #cerebralpalsyhacked
August 16
Sydney Belnap Prestwich
August 20
Yay!! We finally took the big exciting scary jump and started a Youtube channel! "Merrill Budz". Madness with the Merrill Budz! (Some Good, Some Bad, but... MOSTLY GOOD!)
August 20
So important these days- health and boosting of our immune system?
Thank you, Dr. Jockers snd Dr. Silverman for simple, self-explanatory and great educational pictures. Because of activating our immune systems daily- Charlotte was off on a date last night and Harrison is saving the day! fun to have my son come home from school and run outside to save the day from the bad guys Thanks to our superheroes!! Really!! Thank you doctors and teachers!! Couldn’t do it without you!!
Because of activating our immune systems daily- Charlotte was off on a date last night and Harrison is saving the day! fun to have my son come home from school and run outside to save the day from the bad guys Thanks to our superheroes!! Really!! Thank you doctors and teachers!! Couldn’t do it without you!! 
August 22
Awesome!!! First soccer 
game of the season!!! Go Harrison!! Love that he gets to be on a team with his cousins and friends! And awesome soccer coach! Thanks Coach Uncle Keith #cerebralpalsyhacked #merrillbudz #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #MShacked
game of the season!!! Go Harrison!! Love that he gets to be on a team with his cousins and friends! And awesome soccer coach! Thanks Coach Uncle Keith #cerebralpalsyhacked #merrillbudz #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #MShacked
August 24
"Let's be Friends! Ask me about my Crutches" was Charlotte's first motivational speech when she was 11 years old. She spoke in front of an audience of a few hundred, bringing awareness to rare diseases and disorders. ~Raising money with the
Newell Belnap
foundation to support the cause for Tgen, to help scientists and doctors down the path to discover and find cures for childhood diseases. Thank you to our heroes! #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether(2nd Youtube video)
Family night tonight was fun, memorable and silly!! Just like those from ancient times buried their weapons of war and asked for forgiveness. We too can bury our bad habits and things we need to repent of. Dad helped us bury them and pound them into the ground. 
Charlotte said, “it’s recognizing and doing something about it! -action”
Dad helped us bury them and pound them into the ground. Charlotte said, “it’s recognizing and doing something about it! -action”August 26
Awesome fun Taylor Town cleanup tonight!! Fun seeing friends!!! Thank you everyone for working together and making our town beautiful 
“As we lose ourselves in the service of others we discover our own lives and our own happiness. -Uchtdorf
Fun seeing friends!!! Thank you everyone for working together and making our town beautiful “As we lose ourselves in the service of others we discover our own lives and our own happiness. -Uchtdorf 
August 27
Great Reminders when we wake up everyday and all through the day. Have a beautiful day
August 29
Thank you Uncle Keith for coaching our team Great game today!! Woohoo Go Orange 
Crush
Great game today!! Woohoo Go Orange Crush
“Cherish what makes you happy.” love this time of year! The air is cooling off, there is a chill in the air family get togethers, family pictures... getting ready for the up coming holidays. Thank you Natasha for allowing me to capture this sweet moment with your son. Such a beautiful little family and you’re a wonderful mother. @onetoughpeach
love this time of year! The air is cooling off, there is a chill in the air family get togethers, family pictures... getting ready for the up coming holidays. Thank you Natasha for allowing me to capture this sweet moment with your son. Such a beautiful little family and you’re a wonderful mother. @onetoughpeach
August 29
For those sweet kids with sensory issues or those that just get scared of thunder and adults too! 
“Fun”der Dance 
“Fun”der Dance 
August 30
Love our Country and Arizona 
love coming together with our community and sharing the love!!
love coming together with our community and sharing the love!! 
“God is less concerned about your perfection and more about your intentions.” Beautiful weather in the park. Enjoyed being with others today for church in the park. Thank you Fun inspiring music and great people. #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #covidchurch #churchinthepark @ Pioneer Park
Beautiful weather in the park. Enjoyed being with others today for church in the park. Thank you Fun inspiring music and great people. #madnesswiththemerrillbudz #merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #covidchurch #churchinthepark @ Pioneer Park
