Last days of summer

I have always dreaded the last days of summer. I love the month of August (could it be because that was when I was born?) I love the time spent with the children. I miss them during the school year. I know that is weird. That is what I loved about home school-I didn't go through that separation period that comes with school. I think I miss them more than they miss me really. We try to do lots of family stuff in the summer. Things that we just can't get to during the fall and winter months. I treasure these times. I miss my older children a lot when we go on these excursions. I know we did it with them also, but I like everyone to be together as much as possible. We have had a lot of these little trips this summer. We did not do one long vacation like last year, but had lots of things planned to fill our time. The only part about that is I never really felt unpacked from a trip because we were going on another one soon. But regardless of that small fact it seemed like summer just flew by. I personally have a hard time settling into the whole school routine. I know it is good for the children to have routine but I also think it is good to let that go for a few months. This last week that David was home we went to the zoo and to Mt. St. Helens. The weather for the zoo was perfect. The weather for Mt. St. Helens not so good. As you can tell from the photo we did not get to see the mountain. That part was a real disappointment but the whole rest of the trip was awesome. The bridge that Chloe is looking out over was amazing and scary! There are several of those kind of bridges along that highway but this was the longest one. We spent a lot of time at the first visitors center and we saw lots and lots of elk! We spent time with my dear friend Denise and her family and had a barbecue. She is a great cook and there was lots of good stuff to eat. The zoo was great! We packed a lunch and just had an amazing visit with the animals. We did not get to see the new baby elephant though because it was still getting used to her mama. The kids thought it was cool it was born on my birthday! Tomorrow we go visit Uncle Richie and his family and then really only one last lazy day left on Monday. I am making no plans for the day and we are just going to hang out with the kids and play! Then let school begin and the fall weather come - but for now I am going to have joy in the last days of summer!

Relief Society Retreat

I just have to say a few words about our retreat this last weekend. I had a fabulous time and it was so fun to mingle with the sisters. I really needed the companionship of my friends. Usually this time of year I am off to BYU Education Week. This year we did not go because of the housing situation. I look forward every year to going and getting my bucket filled with wonderful ideas and new understanding. I was kind of sad about not going because it really is the one thing I have done that is completely for me. Although I must say my family benefits because I am a better wife and mother for it. Anyway, I was hoping to find some of that with the retreat. As we prepared for it and planned as a presidency what we wanted for the sisters I really got excited. Jenn asked for help and it was the thing I needed to fill my bucket. I know that sounds funny because I did make some things that took some time and I had to study for the devotionals. To some that might seem like I was emptying my bucket, but for me at this time, that service is what filled my bucket. I was giving instead of waiting for someone to fill me. I learned so much from what I was studying and all I wanted to do was share so my sisters could grow and have a desire to move forward. Being a mother and wife is a hard thing sometimes and when we share and rub shoulders together it helps me to love my role as a mother and wife. It helps me see I am not alone. That even though situations are different our goals are the same. I also loved my sisters in a different way this weekend. I saw them through different eyes and that has blessed me! All day today I had a smile on my face as I thought of each person who was there and how much we did have in common. I have a hard time sometimes because I am older than most of the young mothers in our ward but it did not feel that way this weekend. Thank you Jenn for hosting! Thank you all for sharing and adding to my empty bucket! I love my sisters in the gospel!

Happy Birthday

Forty eight years ago weighing in at 7 lbs. 10 oz., 20 1/2 inches long I made my entrance into this world. I arrived at 4:03am and had three brothers and one sister waiting at home for me. I made the front page of the local paper. Not much big breaking news going on in Boulder City I guess. There have been a lot of experiences over the years that have helped me grow into the "young" lady I am now. There have been a lot of people who have influenced me and guided me through all the awkward stages of my life. I am glad that I was sent to such a great family. My older siblings have taught me a lot of things and been good examples. I am glad I had two younger sisters to boss around. I love my mother so much and I am so happy that she gave me my life. Look at me now -

A little older, a little heavier, a littler grayer, a lot happier! Happy Birthday to me!

Eight things I am loving right now!

1. An very cute husband who ADORES me!

2. All the beautiful flowers still blooming and smelling so sweet!

3. Watching the ducks waddle through life!

4. Watching the birds as they take flight!

5. Pedicures!

6. My amazing children and watching them have fun this summer!

7. The ability to create with fabric!

8. My number one grandson and his silly poses!

I love asking this question every so often to help me stop and think of the wonderful things that life is offering me right now!

What are you loving right now?

Weekend getaway

This past weekend David and I got away together without any children for our anniversary. Our anniversary was in June but the only time we could both get away at the same time was this last weekend. We have had this planned for several months and it was worth the wait. We went to the Columbia River Gorge Hotel. We both were excited to take a much needed break from all the everyday happenings in the Weitzel family. I took tons of pictures, we ate great food, we lounged around, we walked a lot, we shopped, we had great fun!

Our first stop was the Multnomah Falls. We have hiked the falls several times over the years. It was one of the first things we did on our honeymoon. So when David suggested we stop at the falls I was all for it. I don't think he thought I wanted to hike to the top but I did and so like the great husband he is he agreed. It was not to hot there at the bottom of the falls but as we ascended to the top it was warmer than I thought. We were not that prepared and so had no water. This little adventure was not on David's planned list of activities so he said it was my fault for no water. It was so fun and I am glad he went along with my request.

Here we are at the top. What a view of the gorge! It was beautiful and worth the mile long hike uphill to see it. David was glad we did it and I was glad that after all these years we can still climb to the top!

The hotel was more beautiful than I had imagined. The grounds were gorgeous! I loved the nostalgic feeling of the hotel and it felt as if we had walked back in time. David knew I would love the atmosphere here. He knows me to well!


The view was spectacular as I am overlooking the waterfall that is at the back of the hotel. Our room overlooked the river and when we ate Sunday morning we had window seats looking out over the river as well. Even though the weather was warm the breeze from the river made it very bearable. And it helped there was air conditioning in the hotel.


One thing I have wanted to do for years is take the dinner train up to Mt. Hood. David had arranged for this and was quite surprised to find out that not only did we get dinner but there was live entertainment as well. On the return ride home there we were involved in a "murder mystery" The actors were very funny and the more the people got involved the more entertaining it was. They would go from car to car doing the play and it was fun to see them try to remember their lines for our car. I think it was one of the funnest dinners we have had! The food was fabulous and the scenery was beautiful as we went up into the mountains.

It was a great way to celebrate 28 years of marriage! I am so glad we took the time to get away and relax. I am looking forward to lots more years of fun and love from the greatest guy in my life! Thanks David for a great weekend get away!

Maria's 15th Birthday Party

A couple of weekends ago my niece had her "Quincenera" (celebration of her 15th birthday)

It was so fun. We all dressed up and went to the Crystal Ballroom. Dinner was delicious and the music fabulous. We all danced the night away. It took a little while for the older kids to get out there and dance but when they finally did they did not want to go home. At this event she is given a blessing by her priest and then basically presented to us as a young woman.
Her dad danced the waltz with her and then those who stood with her (like bridesmaids) danced some special dances for us. It was a great show. It was so neat to see Uncle Richie dancing with his only daughter. That made me cry a little at how sweet they looked. Maria has grown into a beautiful young lady and we love her and her family so much. She is so talented and athletic. She was so gracious and very thoughtful all evening.

I think the highlight for all my kids was when Grandma Weitzel got out on the dance floor and danced. She really had some moves! I think she surprised the kids that she could dance. She looked so happy to be part of everything. I didn't get a picture of her dancing because I was dancing as well but I know Uncle Richie got it on film! Here she is with Chloe.

But what really surprised me was how much Autumn danced. She started dancing around as soon as the music started and did not quit until she finally passed out on my lap around 10:30.
All the cousins and sisters and brothers danced with her. I really loved watching her dance with David. She did not care who danced with her as long as they kept moving.

Being with my girls is always fun for me~they are so gorgeous!

Autumn especially was excited about the cake. As soon as she saw it she could hardly wait to eat it. She just kept going over and looking at it. It was so cute!

The whole evening was one we will not forget. A great big thank you to Uncle Rich and Aunt Sylvia for putting on the whole affair. It was lovely and special. The only thing is Autumn wants to know how old she has to be to have her "Quincenera" - she just did not get that first, she had to wait until she was 15 and second she was not going to have one. Finally, she said oh, when I move to Mexico then I'll have one. Then she asked, "When are we moving?" "Not for a while honey" is all I had energy to reply.

Annual Family Reunion

We just finished with our annual family reunion. This year we went to Kah-nee-tah. We camped in the teepees. We missed Toshia and her family and Seth. They could not make it. For good reasons but they were still very missed. The weather was beautiful. Just perfect swimming weather and wonderful thunder storms at night. The same thing happened last year but this time the kids were not as scared even though it lasted all night and yesterday afternoon we had to get out the pool for about an hour.

We spent the bulk of our time swimming. The water was perfect!! And everyone really had a lot of fun on the slides.
I did not go on it so someone could always be with Autumn and the other kids and David could have uninterrupted fun! Autumn was amazing in the water. She is a little fish! She kept diving down to the bottom in the deeper end to touch the bottom of the pool.

Last night in the teepee we roasted marshmallows. This is always a tradition on our campouts. But I really think more marshmallows end up in the fire than in our mouths. The fun is in the roasting I guess. I have to say this was the cleanest camping I have ever done! There was beautiful green grass outside the teepees and the facility was kept very clean. No dirt to have to keep out of tents or in this case the teepee. I loved it! We have next year all planned out. This is the highlight of my summer the second weekend in August when we all are together and have such a great time. No matter what is going on back home everyone comes and we just have fun and hang out! Next year Toshia will bring her baby and the boys will hopefully get to come and it will be such a great experience to share with the grandchildren. Maybe there will even be new son in laws??:) Whenever we get together it is wonderful but I cherish the reunion times like no other!!

Moments not days

Last night I was organizing all my picture files on the computer. They were so mixed up. When I saw these pictures I was taken back to when my baby Autumn was one. Look at those sweet faces in each of the pictures. She was probably my most happy child. She still is. She blesses us so much and to think that I had the hardest time delivering her and bringing her into this world. She was meant to be in our family! She has always been quite a character. She sees the world with such different eyes than the rest of us. I can't believe she will be 5 in a few months! How the time has gone by. I tell you the one thing I have learned over the years is to savor the small moments. I want to put on my family wall the quote - " We don't remember days... We remember moments." And really that is how it is. I can't tell you about the days that these photos were taken, but I do remember the moment in time that I was trying to capture on film. I did not want to forget any of it. I have lots and lots of pictures of all the kids at all the different ages. When they get a little "out of sorts" with me I hold on to those images and remember the moments of time when I held or played with one of the choice children that Heavenly Father sent to our family. That is what I go back to and know the "out of sort" times will work out and as my older children are examples of - great adults come from these small, cute, adorable, kids. Love you Autumn. I love all you guys!

Today in Relief Society I got to teach about Nobility in Motherhood and Joy in Womanhood. It really was a great teaching experience. I had been studying for a while on the topic and kept being led to two scriptures that I could not figure out how they related to the topic. But the more I studied the more I understood that connecting the scriptures was part of the process of FINDING. And FINDING was the key to the whole thing for me. In order to experience joy and nobility we need to FIND the light. The light leads us to joy and then we have a greater desire to serve. In serving we are becoming more like the Savior who served us all. He is the light. He experiences the joy we do as we serve and obey. It's a circle that we need to FIND ourselves in. I told one of my new favorite children's stories, "The Quiltmaker's Journey". The picture above is one I shared that had been taken while reading to Autumn. It is a favorite picture of mine because it represents the joy I have when spending time with the kids. (Actually it is one of the few pictures I really like of myself - how prideful is that?) Anyway, with all the trials and adversity we each face I now think of the road as paved with light, joy, and service. The adversity stuff are just the stepping stones we have to cross on to appreciate all the more those joyous times. As a handout I cut nine squares of fabric for each sister in the ward to sew into a quilt block. When they are done we will as a sisterhood have a quilt top that will be tied for the humanitarian project. I think it will be the most beautiful quilt because everyone will have served in a small way to make the project happen. I am so excited to put it all together. If they all get done we should have two twin quilts! I am thankful for these teaching opportunities because I know I learn way more than I can pass on. I really liked how the spirit worked on me this time by continually putting those scriptures in my thoughts. I can truly say that after all is said and done I am a Joyful mother who knows!

Catalina Island

I had the fantastic opportunity to visit with my mom and step dad last week. We took a trip to Catalina Island. We had a great three day visit there. The weather was absolutely beautiful and there were so many interesting things to see and do. The food was wonderful as well. I had never been there before so that made it all the more fun! The only thing missing was my sweet husband David who watched the kids here at home. He is always so great to let me go for a few days and renew! Thanks mom and dad! Another great memory to add to my memory list!