Honoring Tish McDowell, Memorial Day 2008

On this Memorial Day 2008, Stephen, Ryan, Robyn and I visited Tish McDowell's grave site at the El Toro Cemetery. She passed away in 2002 of cancer. She was always thinking of others. Before she left us, Tish gave Robyn a special gift: a beautiful glass vase, tied with a white and silver ribbon, filled with little scrolls containing little messages to live life by. Here's one of my favorites:

Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift.
That's why its called the present.

Memorial Day 2008--Honoring Those Who Fight Againt Chaos and Darkness

Today or family visited the El Toro Memorial Cemetery, in part to honor those whose sacrifices built this country.

D-Day Prayer, by President F.D.Roosevelt June 6, 2008

Almighty God: Our sons [and daughters], pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons [and daughters] will triumph.
They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest--until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's [and women's] souls will be shaken by the violence of war.
... Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
And for us at home--fathers, mothers, children, wives, [husbands,] sisters, and brothers of brave men [and women] overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them, help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.
...Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace--a peace unvulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all men [and women] in freedom, reaping the just rewards of honest toil.
Thy will be done, Almighty God.
Amen.

Although this prayer was offered for the Allied Military Forces that were landing at the beaches in Normandy to liberate a continent under the Nazi jackboot, its message rings equally true today. We pray for all those who seek to advance the forces of good against evil: the men in women in uniform who fight the war against Terror, the missionaries worldwide who fight against "principalities of darkness," and those whose unsung efforts each day make the world a better place.

[I added the brackets and shortened it to fit here.]
Hear the entire prayer as delivered by this nation's only four-term president, with photos, at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUy1ejRq9RE Copy and paste this link in a new browser window.]

New Family Recipe for "Couch Potato" Salad

Put one tired grandpa on the couch to rest (the "couch potato"), add one Silly Dylie "pickle," bounce them together until they both fall asleep, and let them marinate for one hour. Then call the rest of the family to enjoy the sight and take pictures.

Dylan Ashworth Robinson Receives Baby "Blessing"

Today, Christian took Dylan in his arms to give him a name and a blessing. In the powerful circle, Dylan and Christian were also held by both grandfathers, two great-grandfathers, uncles, cousins, great-uncles, other members of the extended family, the bishop, a member of the stake presidency, etc. Christian gave a thoughtful, eternal blessing and was moved almost to tears by the spirit. Dylan cooperated, seemed to enjoy it, and looked around at all the priesthood power. Trailing clouds of glory do we come to this earth, to paraphrase Grandma Robyn's pronouncement. Dylan was wrapped in a beautiful white blanket knitted by his Greatgrandma Joy, symbolic of the multi-generational maternal love that has enveloped him from the first moments he as born. Katie did a great job getting Dyan ready and taking care of him throughout the Sacrament meeting; Dylan was so content he did not even need to take a break during the entire meeting.

Jane and Erik had a wonderful luncheon at their house afterwards, where everyone in the family could get better acquainted with Dylan. Dylan impressed with his feats (or feets) of physical prowess, rolling over from tummy to back on many occasions, while lying on his blanket in the living room.

Flooded With Blessings

Not only have we been flooded with blessings, we have also been flooded, period. Our water heater "tanked," so Robyn ordered a "tankless" waterheater. It's a thankless, I mean tankless, job.

Four Generations--May 11, 2008

Four Generations: G-Grandpa Steve/G-Grandma Marion (1); Grandpa Jeff/Grandma Robyn (2); Christian/Katie (3); Dylan (4).

Oldest Son (Dylan) of Oldest Son (Christian) of Oldest Son (Jeff) of Oldest Son (Stephen Lamond) of Lamond W. "Hap" Robinson.

Mothers' Day and Stephen Davis 20th Birthday

May 11 was a fun day at 39 Calle Cabrillo. We had a nice Mother's day/Stephen's 20th Day party. Austin and Rachel were in town for wedding planning. Scott & Chari visted with Jake from Arizona. Christian and Katie stopped by with Dylan, so he and Jake could get acquainted. Greg an Jillair came by with Nathan. Grandma Marion brought Stephen' sprinkles birthday cake.

Robyn--"Simply The Best" Nurse Practitioner

This past week Robyn was honored by her employer CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County) with a new hospital-wide award for nursing innovation.

"SIMPLY THE BEST--NURSING INNOVATOR"
ROBYN ROBINSON, RN, PNP
2008
She had her picture taken for the hospital news, received a gift certificate and a huge bouquet of flowers, and a letter from the hospital detailing her accomplishments.

She's modest about it; its a big deal and I'm very proud of her!