Is anyone as long as I am when it comes to exercising?

The problem is I do not think that there is any one right way. Unless you have real medical problems your body should tell you if it feels right. I work out early every morning before work and I do at least 45 minutes of cardio every time and then Tuesdays and Thursdays I add at least 25 minutes of strength training alternating free weights with the circuit machines. With this regimen I have managed to lose almost 40 lbs and dropped three pant sizes. So gather the information, listen to each trainer but then it is trial and error to find what works for you.

Time of day has no influence on risk of "heart attack". Exercise at the time that suits you best, that way you are more likely to stick to it in the long run.

Unfortunately many trainers seem to get a bit set in their ways.
Often what they teach may not be the best possible for you, but may be the best possible that the average person WANTS.
For instance, if a trainer said "ok, we're just going to do 3 weight lifting moves and 3x5 of each of those.... you can do some cardio in your own time"... a lot of people might wonder why they are paying them. Both that they can do it themselves AND that it doesn't seem "worthwhile", it doesn't feel like they're working so hard maybe. Yet something like that (starting strength) is an excellent routine to do.
So they tend to add in a lot of 'accessory' work and weird exercises that aren't REALLY necessary, but do make it seem like they're being useful offering knowledge from their professional opinion - while in reality that sort of things is more for seasoned body builders or sports people looking to improve a specific area.

What time you exercise doesn't particularly matter from everything I've seen. Do it when you want. No need to do mornings as well.
The only timing I would worry about is to either do cardio after weight lifting on the same day, or on a seperate day - otherwise the cardio may harm the lifting. If there's a good gap after lifting when you do cardio, with some food in-between, it may be even better. But, unless you're doing a massive cardio session, not a big issue to do it straight after - if it's reasonable big, consider having some 'nutrition' before, if you didn't have a big meal before.

NROLW is very well respected. I would follow that personally, and ask your trainer to help you with that. That has the advantage you can do it elsewhere and so on.
Or look to something like Starting strength - but that's yet more to read up on.

Time of day has no influence on risk of "heart attack". Exercise at the time that suits you best, that way you are more likely to stick to it in the long run.

actually it. heart attacks and strokes happen most often at the beginning of the day closest to when you awaken because there's a natural increase in your blood pressure. this isnt really an issue for most healthy people, but if there are underlying issues like uncontrolled hypertension then this is a legitimate concern.

but is your issues are controlled then it shouldnt make a difference. OP says that as far as she knows she doesn't have any issues, but really OP, not trying to be funny, with being 95 pounds overweight you really should first get blood tests from your doctor and get a general OK to start an exercise program from your doctor.

There is no "way".

There are many "ways" and the routine and the workout program should be tailored to the needs, goals, and abilities of the individual.

The truth !! find what works for you, and keep on keepin on.

The truth !! find what works for you, and keep on keepin on.

Ditto.

Honestly, weight loss is my main goal. I want to be stronger, but mostly I want to have some endurance. I want to not get out of breath going on hikes with my kids. I want to actually be able to hike a really hike with my kids. I want to be healthy and fit.

Weight lifting is good for keeping muscle while dieting and for burning calories.
It will have some affect on endurance - I started on a 60kg squat or so (a little under what I could reasonably do) - I now warm up on more than that and it feels like I'm standing up with a backpack on now, with maximum for 5 reps more than double that.
So, every step going up a hill my body's having to use less of it's capability.
However, cardio is going to bring the best gains for things like hiking with your kids - if you can get to the point you can run that distnace off-road, for instance, then you're going to be fine walking.

Were it me, I'd actually look to see if there was a running club locally - most seem to have an active 'beginners' scene - it's the biggest group by far in my local one. Hopefully you'll fairly quickly get to the point that a long hike won't be too tiring.

I am just starting out - on all levels - and want to incorporate weight training in my repertoire. Can someone please explain the "why" of above? thanks!

Cardio to some degree is more about working your heart, lungs and so on, rather than just your muscles, which you're not stressing in the same way.
I'd say the main reason is glycogen stores - you'll deplete them doing either, but they're particularly important for the weights, where your body won't try and burn fat for the short but intense bursts.
So you'll do better on the weights, hopefully meaning more improvement and possible a bigger 'afterburn' affect.
With them depleted, the body is more likely to go for fat stores for it's energy when doing cardio - just what you want.

There's a worry that if you go for a long cardio session, you may start going to catabolism - burning muscle. Obviously if you get some fuel in to you, you're less likely to get that far.
I have my own weights set up and if doing the two on the same day try to get a good few hours between them - that way if I go for a decent run with my running club in the evening, I can get the best results for cardio improvement. I generally eat back my exercise calories and work to a fixed deficit, so I'd prefer to see best performance from the cardio and fat burn at other times.

I've been playing cardio after weights or on alternate days. I tend to actually get worse DOMS (Delayed onset muscle sorness) from running than weights, so I'm finding it may be better on the same day as weights, giving me two days to recover before the next weights session. Saying that, the DOMS hasn't been so bad this year - but then last year I was running at a bit faster pace.