A visit from Nana and Bapa

We had such a fun visit from my parents the beginning of October. 

Coming with me to drop Clayton off at preschool. 

Playing games--Hiss continues to be a favorite with Clara, especially when she makes she sure wins ;-). My mom helped me tackle my storage room--going into that room makes me happy now instead of grumpy and stressed.

We enjoyed some gorgeous fall weather and went apple picking with playgroup (Ruth Robertson here). I invited my friend Sana along--she enjoyed it!

Bags ready to be filled!

We enjoyed a nice Sunday afternoon walk at Lake Shenandoah with my dad.

Tickle time with Bapa!

Nana and Bapa came to Robbie's cross-country race at Montevideo Middle School. I'm so thankful for their love and support. I didn't realize how much I'd still need and appreciate them even as a forty-something!

Birthday thoughts

 Crazy that I am now forty-two years old. I confess, I am struggling a bit with being in my forties. My life is probably about halfway through, and it doesn't quite look like how I thought it would. Don't get me wrong, I am incredibly, incredibly blessed, but I think I just thought I'd have something more to "show" for my life, or that I'd be "further along," whatever that means. I think sometimes I just feel a bit bemused by the fact that I have a nineteen-year-old who still lives at home when my friends' children are off on missions and college, and meanwhile I also have a very strong-willed three-year-old who is currently yelling at me from upstairs while he's supposed to be in his quiet time. Still, there are things I appreciate about this time in my life, such as the following:

THINGS I APPRECIATE:

- Having a bigger perspective and more compassion than I did when I was younger; seeing "the gray" in the complexities of life more than I could when I was younger

- Learning to see the beautiful things about each unique season of life, learning to be present

- Still being physically able to do a decent amount of things, despite a loss of flexibility and core strength (working on that!)

- Twenty-two years of marriage means we've both learned a lot about patience, listening, forgiveness, repentance, gratitude, and consistency 

- I feel more gratitude for my Savior and less of a need to be "perfect," although that still gets to me frequently; more understanding of His role in my life

- I am finally figuring out how to do my hair better after decades, lol

- I have finally understood myself as a high-functioning introvert, meaning I get energy from being by myself for some time before going out to be with others (hence my need for a daily quiet time); I enjoy being with others but I also need time to recup by myself

- Clayton's adorable talking and questions

- The boys still want to talk to us and be with us--Robbie coming in to talk, my giving the boys massages at night for their special time occasionally, 

- The occasional fun moments that Clara and I have together, sharing a laugh

- Reading to the boys on the couch--my fave

- Watching all the boys jumping on the trampoline through the window

- Hearing kind comments from teachers about the boys

- Watching the boys grow: their strong bodies, their desire and ability to run around, their energy and enthusiasm for everything

- Seeing the boys learning new skills, like Benjy learning to ride his bike this summer, or Clayton becoming potty trained and being determined to do everything all by himself (except when he refuses to do something because he wants me to do it)

- The slow but steady arrival of meaningful activities I enjoy--beginning a tech group in our community on Facebook and becoming involved in the schools that way, helping in the refugee community in small ways, 

- The boys' antics drive me up the wall, like their constant hitting and provoking, but then there are real jewels in the midst, like the comment I heard in the car on the way to lacrosse yesterday from Robbie to Henry: "I'm a way better peace-maker than you, Henry." I have to laugh.

THINGS I WANT TO IMPROVE IN:

- Being present in the moment, less distracted by my phone, etc

- Enjoying and not judging my children's future based on their current choices

- Improving myself and not giving up--French, violin, voice, pickleball

- Knowing the scriptures backward and forward

- Being a better listener

- Stretching more, getting stronger, getting more sleep, drinking more water, eating more veggies and less sugar

- Continuing to work on finding/developing hobbies that Michael and I can do together

- Involving myself in meaningful projects in my community and making a difference--being an influence for good (one of my greatest, deepest desires)

THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO:

- Being able to attend the temple during the day when the kids are in school (fingers crossed)

- Not having someone jump on my back when I'm leaning over doing something (something that drives me crazy lol) or stepping on my legs when I'm kneeling down (why do they like to step on my calves when I'm kneeling??)

- Not cleaning pee sheets

- Being able to be more involved in my interests when Clayton is in school: volunteering at the literacy center, helping out at school, taking up the violin again (?)

- Having less junk food in the house to tempt me

- Michael and I being able to go on trips together without worrying about babysitters (not sure when this will happen as I'm not sure when Clara will be living on her own...)

My birthday happened to be the same weekend of Michael's grandmother's memorial service in Pennsylvania. Michael rented a twelve-seater van and picked up nearly all of his siblings (Melody's son was sick so she couldn't come :-( and Tabitha drove from Ohio) from the Dulles airport, his parents drove into town, and they spent the weekend at the lake house. I drove up with the kids on Saturday evening and our dear lake neighbor, Debbie, made us both dinner and breakfast and also provided a few extra beds for his sisters so that the kids and I could stay the night. It was lovely.

Just like old times in Big Red (the Weiler van), right? Except the bodies are bigger.

Jumping off the boat house!

Our neighbor Debbie also made this delicious Texas sheet cake for my birthday, complete with sparkling candles. She didn't know but it's one of my favorite desserts!

Celebrating with family is the best!

Dinnertime with Grandma.

The backview of the bros.

Grandma and Grandpa came over on Sunday evening for a night before they headed down to visit other siblings on their way to their mission in Jacksonville, Florida. It was so nice to have them.

Robbie made me a very sweet Lego creation and a super thoughtful card for my birthday! I loved it.

Michael and I spent a getaway backpacking/camping for a night to celebrate our anniversary late. But first we drove to Richmond to attend the temple together.

Sharp Top peak in the Peaks of Otter mountains. Too bad it was totally cloudy when we finally summited. We also hiked Flat Top peak, so about 8 miles total.

 It was a lovely weekend, and we enjoyed being outside, talking about all the kids, and planning the next few months. It blows my mind that I don't get tired of being with this guy! 

August stuff

 I will try to describe August in as few words as possible.

Camping in West Virginia and rafting with the boys.

Went with the Flanders' family. So fun!

Got a sitter for Clara and Clayton so I could come along. Yay!

Clayton turned three! Wow.

He loves to blow out candles--he likes it when I put a candle in a little play-doh cake and he sings to me or to himself.

Clayton got a trike, which he quickly mastered. 

Clara went to a sleep-away camp through Capernaum, a special needs branch of the Christian club Young Life. She had a blast and was so brave!

Accidentally planted orange Romas. 

All those tomatoes above turned into just about 4 cups of tomato sauce. Orange but absolutely delicious.

Each of the kids helped make an entire dinner solo (with help as needed) one night. Clara made her favorite--rice.

Rockingham County Fair! On the ferris wheel together. 

Funnel cake to share.

Clayton loved all the rides.

Dragon coaster. Poor Michael was sick and couldn't come.

The reason he was sick? Turns out he had shingles. It was awful! Poor guy.

Robbie made an amazing lemon blueberry cake as part of his solo dinner meal.

Benjy made spaghetti and dirt sundaes for his meal. 

An epic landscaping/architecture that Robbie designed, complete with hot tub, telescope, solar panels, sconces on each side of the door, and a garage that is entered under the waterfall.

More gardeny goodness.

Henry made sushi! He did a terrific job and it tasted legit.

Henry's creation included two swimming pools, complete with diving board, as well as a slide that people climbed up the stairs and then slid down.

Summer may be finishing up, but we got most things done our list.

Attempted summer schedule. 

Back to school, baby!

First day of middle school!

Clayton insisted on bringing a lunchbox to the bus stop.

First day of Kindergarten and third grade!

Michael and I enjoyed an anniversary hike on the second day of school with Clayton. 22 years!

And seminary started the next week. These kids are so great--I re-did the basement apartment so they could have space, and I really enjoy starting each day with them. 

July adventures

 Lots of fun was had in July.

As has happened the past few years, the garden zucchini look amazing for a few weeks, we get two or three zukes, and then squash borers get to them and they die. Sigh. But we did have a good crop of peppers this year as well as green beans. I tried spring onions, the tomatoes got anthracnose (a fungus) which also spread to the cucumbers, and we planted strawberries. Never a dull moment in the garden.

Henry and Robbie read the book Wonder aloud to each other for a few days. It was super sweet. Then Henry got into the Harry Potter series and interest in anything else was lost.

The boys finished up their swim season well. Benjy improved on the junior barracudas team and I'm hopeful he's ready to move up to the transition lane next summer!

Robbie turned twelve! We took him out to Cuban Burger.

He requested crepes--Nutella + banana and strawberries + cream as well as bacon and orange juice. The boys have gotten wise and no longer simply want their favorite cereal on a tray. Wahh!

Gift opening!

The day after Robbie's birthday, we left for our Weiler family reunion in Wyoming.

The kids were super excited. And super cute with their caps on.

I was very nervous about flying with Clayton because he was in a very strong screaming phase and could scream at such high decibels I literally thought my ears would pop. Last summer when we flew out to Utah, he was crying and screaming and a man yelled at me, so I felt a little traumatized about this flight, especially because we had a layover. I prayed before the trip that if possible, Clayton wouldn't scream. But if he did, that the people around me would be patient and understanding.

The first leg was fine and Clayton was a champ. However, during the layover, Clayton needed to poop and was at the stage when he was very aware and always wanted to find a place in private (not yet potty trained--I wanted to wait until this trip was over!). However, we didn't have time before we had to board the plane, but once we got on the plane he began to get even more distressed and started crying and screaming loudly, "I need to poop!!!" I tried reassuring him that no one was looking at him, etc. as he yelled and the plane began taxiing down the runway (even though he was supposed to be buckled). I felt like I was helping him through labor as he had both hands on my knees, sweating, pushing, and crying. Finally he did his business and Michael whisked him to the back to change him on the floor of the plane right before we took off. The rest of the flight was okay, until about 45 min before landing when I hear, "Yuck!" and look over to see Clayton's hands by his waistline with poop on them. He'd blown out of his diaper. Awesome. I wiped him off as best I could, took off his shirt, and decided to just wait until we landed. Everyone else de-boarded and Michael cleaned him off at the back of the plane. Phew! We made it!

As he's crying, a sweet mom across the aisle reached behind her and gave one of our kids a note for me. It was so kind and an answer to my prayers, despite Clayton's crying.

David and Char were the masterminds behind the reunion--Char had this fun cup system for everyone.

Beautiful hike with the whole crew. Clara even came!

The girls.

The kids went on a tubing trip down the Snake River (?). Benjy and Phillip and Isaac--all the same ages and buddies!

Robbie has Adam and Samuel his age. So fun.

Clayton adores babies and tries to hold them any chance he can. Here he is with Joseph and Jenna's baby whose name is currently escaping me.

One night, we enjoyed a sweet devotional from Grandpa about Great-grandma who recently passed away and learned more about his own childhood and his parents' upbringing.

Family conversations are the highlight of any reunion.

We loved our hike at String Lake in the Grand Tetons. Michael stripped Clayton down in the cold water. It was refreshing, I have to say.

Char did so much to make the time a success.

Cousin Clark loved Clayton. And Clayton loved him.

Weilers + wrestling = essential combination.

Some of the dads and a couple of sons made an early morning tough hike.

Brothers! Plus Clark.

All ten kids together. Hasn't happened in so so long.

My parents were able to come visit, too! 

It was so wonderful to see them and we had a great time talking while Clayton was napping one day.

Had fun playing a little basketball with some of the sisters at a rec center.

Robbie and both his grandparents. Three Roberts in one place. Pretty special!

Henry and his good buddy cousin William.

After the reunion was over, we drove up to visit Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. To my surprise, the spacious twelve-seater van we had rented didn't prevent fighting in the car, but Harry Potter on audiobook did.

We visited Old Faithful. I didn't have very high expectations (no pun intended), but it was actually super cool!

The Sapphire pool. Crazily enough, there was an unexpected geyser eruption very close to this spot just a few days after we left the park and part of the boardwalk was destroyed. Glad we weren't there when it happened. Or maybe that would have been cool, actually. 

The Grand Prismatic Spring had tons of mist that evening because it was getting cool, but it was still quite impressive to see the rainbow of colors.

Throwing rocks in Yellowstone National Park.

There were so many bison. 

More rock throwing. The weather was just gorgeous.

Yellowstone Falls!

It was a bit stressful to hike down to this spot with tons of crowds (not to mention hiking back up with varying hiking abilities), but we made it.

Michael and R and C did a short hike to another overlook while the rest of us waited in the car.

A favorite highlight of the trip was Jackson Lake in the Grand Tetons. The water was gorgeous and the lake wasn't very crowded.

Henry loved throwing giant boulders.

Taking a moment to sun himself on some comfy gravel.

Right before we left the park, we saw a moose! Yay! We also saw some elk on another occasion, which was cool.

No excitement on the way home. Phew! We made it!


Another highlight of the month was Adam and Wendi's family coming to visit. We spent a couple of days at the lake house and then they came to visit us in Harrisonburg, which was so fun. One evening the cousins stayed home and watched a movie while Adam and Wendi and us went out to Smiley's for ice cream. We didn't have enough time to glean all their wisdom from them.

Hanging out on the boat with Uncle Adam. 

Clayton loved pushing his cousins off the dock. They were all so patient and sweet with him.

Michael took the older kids up to Hawksbill Peak in SNP. It was a beautiful night for it.

Benjy loved Uncle Adam. 

Pete helped me clean off the garlic that I'd harvested (planted last October and harvested in May/June, then cured for several weeks). Check out the giant clove and the teeny one.

It was fun playing Code Names with Adam's family.

We finished the month off with Benjy's birthday. Hooray for this sweet boy turning six years old!!

We took him out to Five Guys to celebrate. Yum!