Here We Go Again, YBHA XIII

Mom and her boys, Levi (3), Noah (6).

Just when you thought it was safe to stop keeping track of the Yeager boys and their home alone adventures.
In November, we thought YBHA XII was going to be the last one for a while. Sorry. Here we go again. Welcome to Yeager Boys Home Alone 13.

We begin with the traditional departure photo. This picture is taken right before Amy flies. The one time we did not take the picture, Mommy was stuck in Europe for a few extra days because of some volcanic ash.

This trip is to a new overseas destination for Amy. We will see what this journey brings.

Cousins Paige and Allie help with Noah’s Valentine creations. Aunt Julie supervises.

Originally, I was slated for a meeting on Saturday and I had booked a babysitter in cousin Paige. When that fell through, I still had the Wood family come for lunch.

We first finished up Noah’s Valentine’s Day cards. Noah is ready for the holiday. His Madagascar cards are complete with tattoos and Laffy Taffy for his friends.

Chopsticks aren’t just for eating.

We took the crew to lunch.

Noah and Levi tried chopsticks to eat their HuHot. Most of the time they were used for something other than eating. I think this picture looks more like a directing a symphony.

Stairway of fun.

And we played around with my new app off the week, Vine. We took some standard shots and then started playing around with the app.

Vine is video twitter. You get six seconds and can edit in the camera. The videos loop and can be posted to Twitter or Facebook. Look for more of these videos.

This one is the kids saying hello.

And this one is a little song they performed for you. Enjoy.

Audra Lehmann 1927-2013

Here is the official obituary for Audra Lehmann. It will be published a few places, but now it is here as well. You can go to the Iowa Cremation website as well to share a memory, leave other tributes, audio or a photo. You can also leave a comment here or in my first post from Friday. I will make sure Bob sees them all. Thank you all for the wonderful memories to date. I am learning so much from your stories and I’m sure others are as well.

Audra Rose Peters Jakober Lehmann, 85, of Dubuque, died on January 18, 2013, of complications following cancer-related surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1755 Delhi Street, Dubuque. Friends may call at the church on Friday, January 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and preceding the service on Saturday from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama, Iowa, at 4:00 p.m. on January 26.

Audra was born to John and Esther Peters in George, Iowa, on June 15, 1927. The family moved to Tama, Iowa, and Audra graduated from Tama High School in 1945. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she met her first husband, Roland (Jake) Jakober. They married in 1947, and after he was ordained, the couple served churches and schools in North Dakota and Minnesota. Three children were born: Peter (1950-2012), Jeffrey (b. 1953), and Pamela (1955-1959). In 1959, Audra was severely injured in a car accident which killed her husband and daughter. After her recovery, she completed the teacher education program at Wartburg College and moved with her sons to Waverly. She served as an elementary teacher in the Waverly-Shell Rock schools for thirteen years in first and fifth grades.

Audra married Pastor Robert (Bob) Lehmann in 1975, adding his six adult children to her family. The couple met at a Wartburg College Homecoming event, and their devotion to their alma mater was a treasured part of their 37 years of marriage. They moved to Des Moines where Bob served as a hospital chaplain, and then to subsequent parish placements at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Ottumwa) and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Dubuque).
In addition to teaching, Audra also worked as a hospital clerk, church organist, and coordinator for Hospice of Wapello Country, Ottumwa. She was a tireless volunteer in community and church activities, including conference and district boards for Iowa WELCA, Stephen Ministry, Hospice of Dubuque, Finley Hospital, and Lutheran World Relief quilting. She loved to sing, and was an alumnus of the Wartburg College Choir, in addition to participating in other musical and theatrical activities. She was in Red Hat Club, book clubs, Dorcas Circle, and she and Bob loved to travel and enjoyed visiting family and friends all over this country and in Europe.

Surviving are her husband Bob, of Dubuque; son, Jeffrey (Terry) Jakober of Tulsa, OK; and grandsons Andrew Jakober of Tulsa, and Thomas Jakober of Orange, TX. She is also survived by step-children Kent (Joellen) Yeager, Jesup, IA; Lynda Holtz, Jefferson, IA; Barbara Nash, Jefferson, IA; Mark (Karen) Lehmann, Waverly, IA; Brian (Mary Maher) Lehmann, Houston, MN; and Grant (Laurie) Lehmann, Bangor, MI; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Ann Peters, Janesville, WI; brother David (Judy) Peters, Ocala, FL; and 7 nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, first husband, daughter Pamela, son Peter, and sister Mae Pearson.

Audra will be especially remembered for her determination, loyalty, hearty laugh, love of the color purple, and her prodigious correspondence, as she faithfully wrote at least one letter to family and friends every day. Memorials may be directed to the family or to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Dubuque.

Audra in Photos

Bob and Audra Lehmann, Paul and Amy Yeager, Wartburg College homecoming, 2004.

Thank you for the many kind words about my grandmother and godmother, Audra Lehmann.

I’ve dug though the photo archives to find other pictures of Audra to supplement what we had in the first post.

If you have a memory of Audra you’d like to share, please do so in the comment section below. Many of the family members are reading them and getting to know even more about the life she led.

Here now, a few pictures that I’ve been able to find of Grandma A and Grandpa B.

Grandma A and Grandpa B on duty with smiles. 2004.

Brothers and sisters gather with Bob and Audra. (L-R) Barb Nash, Bob Lehmann, Audra Lehmann, Grant Lehmann, Brian Lehmann, Mark Lehmann, Lynda Holtz, Kent Yeager.

Bob and Audra Lehmann meet little Levi. 11.27.09.

What a good looking group. Wish I remember it. I mean, come on, that blue suit I’m wearing is awesome.

Remembering Audra Lehmann

Audra at her grandson Erik’s wedding. Photo from Mike Dunn Photography.

She was a daughter, wife, mother, crash survivor, widow, pastor’s wife, and Wartburg alum to name just a few things.

To me, she was a godmother and grandmother.

Audra Lehmann left this earth early Friday morning, January 18th, 2013 to be with the lord. Her time on this earth is done. Her fight complete. Time for eternal salvation and rest.

With her husband, Bob, at her side, she breathed her last.

Audra was known by many, so many in fact, I don’t think it is possible to begin to know the exact number. She had more ‘friends’ than Facebook would allow. She influenced students as a teacher and walked with others as the wife a Lutheran minister.

She married Robert Lehmann shortly before my birth. Bob had married my paternal grandmother, Dorothy. After she succumbed to cancer, Bob later met Audra and they were married. So, technically a ‘step’ grandmother, but I knew no other. She was there at my baptism and stood by me so many other times in my life.

Audra was a young Levi.

One of the greatest gifts I had with her was my time at Wartburg College as she and Bob were both alumni. They were always there at Homecoming, Christmas with Wartburg concerts and other ‘Be Orange’ events. I got to see her often and feel a big hug when they came to campus. Even during my Castle Singers years, we did a concert at their church in Dubuque, which was special for me. She had two colors in her closest, orange and purple.

She recently said “why do we fight so hard to cling to this life?” She had been in the hospital for almost a month recovering from cancer surgery and most recently a heart attack, so she’d had time to reflect on the physical life. Audra also survived a crash decades ago that killed her first husband and daughter. She would spend months in the hospital recovering. She knew the fight to cling to life.

Now, she’s free from fighting and is reunited with her family as she waits for the rest of us to follow.

God bless her and peace to those who knew her.

What is your Audra story? I want to know more about how you knew her and the life she led.

I’ve been able to connect with one former parishioner from Ottumwa who now is in Ankeny. We’ve been able to share stories from that chapter of her life.  What is yours?

Please leave a comment below.

I’m fine, but a little help please

My walk down memory lane of the beginnings of my final semester at Wartburg prompted a couple of “you OK?” inquiries.

I’m fine. At least that I know of today as I type this update.

However….

This week, I’ll be driving my dad to the hospital for hip replacement surgery. He’ll be hopefully be getting on the road to recovery from what has been a miserable last 5 months of pain. Whatever it takes to get him back in the boat, right? Kent has been a little more cantankerous that normal and this will be the next effort to get him back to good health.

My grandmother Audra Lehmann is approaching a milestone of hospital care and could use a little support in prayer.

My cousin’s husband Bob Ballard is going through some CT scans and other tests to see how his cancer treatment is progressing.

I know it is no different than any of you, but a little prayer for those needing some uplifting could go a long way. I’d like to think I’m using the power of media to help gain some help in the good fight.

What Is Old Is New Again

The Pin Doctors: Next Generation http://instagr.am/p/T6zSuGCKz2/

After my wife and parents, I’ve spent the most New Year’s Evenings with my sister, Kris. So why not say goodbye to 2012 with her and Maddox and my family?

Kris and I would be taken various places to celebrate, more often than not, to the Bergman’s.

We started with a trip to the bowling alley. This is where the Pin Doctors: Next Generation, formed. The original Pin Doctors may still be at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo for all we know.

Then it was back to Kris’ to take up an old tradition. Making homemade confetti.

No violation of child labor laws here.

This was something Kris and I would do on the farm. As Amy said to the boys yesterday, “this is what kids did before there were things called a DS.”

Kris and I, if memory serves, did the same thing with the Bergman clan. That is how we passed the time until midnight.

I brought the newspaper, Kris provided the scissors and we instructed our helpers on how to create their own mess in a pan.

We set up our own “midnight” and counted down to the new year. Here is what we created.

Who needs Times Square when you have fun like this in your own living room?

Home Stretch Causing Silliness

I think the sillies have set in with us.

The sillies have finally set in.

We’ve tried to be athletic, enjoy fine cuisine, gone to VBS, and played in the water.

But now, we are just plan losing it.

Crying at little things, emotional breakdowns and fits. And we haven’t even gotten to Levi’s moods yet.

He’s been saying “I want my Mommy!” often the last few days.

I admit, I want her, too. But, we must wait. We will get through this time apart. We have before and we will again.

Yup, pretty sure we’ve lost it.

Parenting can be easy. Good parenting is not. I’m still not sure where I fit in, but do know this much, challenges are a part of the deal and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Noah has been a rock star this week. Very little complaining, great attitude and a smile on most days. He’s had to be patient, as someone else in the house is crying or carrying on about the smallest of things. (Don’t tell Amy, but I may not be getting her children in bed soon enough).

They are both playing hard outside and come home tired. Throw in 90 degree temps and some hunger, and I have Roseanne Barr before her Snickers bar.

I appreciate you taking time to read these thoughts. But frankly, it is time to go bed. Justin Bieber is on Letterman tonight, so no need to stay up and watch the musical guest at the end of the show.

This Fun Is All Wet

Noah tests his aim on Levi. All systems go for some water fun.

Finally a little water to cool me off.

Levi seems to enjoy the sprinkler.

Maddox goes after Levi with his cup of water.

I don’t care who you are, that there is funny!

Noah says, “your turn, Maddox” to see what it is like to have water thrown on you.

Time to burn off any remaining energy with a race around the yard.

The words I write are fine to read. But you really just want to see the pictures in YBHA XI.

I know some readers want to read more about the wonderful Public Television program Market to Market or other fun items about media personalities like Ed Wilson or Jackie Schmillen.

Monday night was a hot one. We played in the sprinkler. Need I say more? Cousin Maddox was over for some good, clean fun and the boys got all wet and seemed to enjoy the evening.

 

Pancakes, Church and Baseball Combine For Great Father’s Day Fun

Sunday morning pancakes with my syrup-y sons.

I don’t think there’s a better way to spend Father’s Day than with my boys in church, at the ballpark and eating steak.

You will find no complaints from me about being home alone with the boys. I’ve spent a few Father’s Day working, this one just happens to be in the middle of YBHA XI.

Noah and 100 of his closest VBS friends helped pack Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Services at 530p on Saturday, 8, 930 and 11 on Sunday morning) to belt out those Operation Overboard songs one more time. A special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Freeseman for joining us in church. We welcome all, including Methodists, to our party. It was good to have Wil with us and not in the hospital like he was two years ago on Father’s Day.

Take that, Noah!

After Levi allegedly took a nap, we loaded up on the sunscreen and headed to the ballpark. We sat in the sun for nine outs before retreating to the shade and the conversation with Bill and Ron, our regular row mates. We stayed to run the bases just like Anthony Rizzo when he hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth to propel the Iowa Cubs to a win. Even Levi wanted to run and not be carried. He did well rounding first and heading for home.

Finally, we tried something new on the grill for supper. A flank steak that ended up as the base for our fajitas. Thanks to Aunt Kris for joining us and convincing Levi to try steak. He ate it and apparently liked it. He did try a freshly picked raspberry, but quickly spit that out.

Guess who is the aggressor of these two?

Backyard baseball ended in tears, but they were quickly washed away by the hose. You remember my little hose buddy, right?

Mom called to make sure we were alive and upright. Yes on both accounts. She didn’t ask though, if our clothes were dry.

**Speaking of someone spending more daylight hours with his family, best to John Walters on his new gig at Iowa State University. He’ll be headed to Cyclones.TV. John signed up from ABC5 on Friday night. WOI just won’t be the same. Maybe we’ll see him in Ankeny more often.

A Simple Note to Melt Your Heart

A note “from” Levi on all the things he did while I was gone.

During YBHA XI, I do have a couple of evenings that will need me to be late in picking up the boys or I have to go to a meeting.

Wednesday was one of those nights.

Katie was our babysitter. We’ve used her before. Noah was still at VBS, so it was just Levi and Katie for an hour. Noah wasn’t a fan of being left behind when he was 2.5 and Levi is no different.

He spent 4 minutes clinging to me for dear life hoping I wouldn’t go. He was crying, holding on to my neck so strong I didn’t have to hold him up with my arms. The grip was that tight.

I had to go, but told Katie to call Grandma Paula if this carries on for more than 15 minutes.

Levi will be an Academy Award winning actor. He stopped crying within two minutes of me leaving. The performance before my departure was all for show. Maybe it was the great babysitting by Katie. Regardless, they had a great time. Part of the deal of going to bed was getting Katie to write a note of all the things they did together while I was away.

They were quite busy.

Katie will be back with the boys again soon. Let’s see what they come up with next time.