It's been too long!

Whew Mom, it's been a little over a year since I shared our earthly happenings! Part of the reason it's difficult to share is because I struggle to have to sit down and compose something. Beginning last in the spring of 2014, I started the journey of getting my master's degree online. I should say "we" started this journey because Kurt and the girls have been fabulous. They have chipped in with chores, meal planning and preparing and understanding that mommy has homework sometimes!! Our adventure has almost come to an end. I have my capstone project as the last task to complete!!! During this adventure I have written several papers, read many articles, created 2 websites, made a YouTube video, researched the newest and latest technologies to support student learning, had Kurt design a teacher's instructional manual, and really had some fun learning!! I have found some inner nerd!! You probably already knew I had it in me!!
Kurt has been busy supporting me and this adventure and working on Messy Palette's adventure as well. He is so amazingly talented and watching his artistic talent grow is so much fun. He has continued to teach art classes for kids and adults, shown his art work at Art Scene and Starline Gallery in Harvard, and shipped his art to a couple galleries across the states. He has also entered a few of the outside art shows, which are difficult because of weather.He is now beginning a new adventure. He is going to be a part of a co-op art gallery here in Rockford. We are looking forward to where these new connections and opportunities will land. Kurt has also been a mentor for a student as part of a program called Kids Hope. He gets to hang out with a little kiddo for an hour a week and just share life and give encouragement to build confidence.
Mia is in MIDDLE SCHOOL!!! AHHHHHH!!!! She is still in the gifted program and working hard to stay on the AB honor roll! She also plays on the basketball team and doesn't get to embarrassed when her dad, grandpa and great grandpa cheer for her!! She is still sweet as can be and her heart is staying tender. She still likes to read and could walk around with her nose in a book 24/7 if we would let her. Her friend Megan moved this past summer...right before middle school and I thought life would never be the same. Life for her isn't the same, but she is finding different friends and learning more about them this year. So she's spreading her wings, which so far has been positive. She does miss Megan because they shared a deep friendship, but it's so cute because they email back and forth.
Little miss Livi is in 1st grade at Washington in Mrs. Adam's class. She loves it. She, too, had to make new friends this year because she changed schools, but she's doing fine. She still loves to talk and has a memory that knocks our socks off. She only reads when she has to, but she likes it. She would rather play or doing something creative!
Now, for some rough news....within the last weeks the family has been through some rough spots. God is watching over us, but we are all on our knees talking to Him to carry us through. Grandpa Lowman has had some heart issues this past summer but thought is was something wrong with his foot. Come to find out he had a main arty in his right leg that was blocked, causing tissue damage. Thursday, he had surgery and he seems to be recovering nicely. The doctors are still watching his foot and it sounds like he also has some damage to his heart, which may call for a procedure.
We also found out that Laurie has a cancerous nodule in her liver. She has had a chemo treatment and is on a liver transplant list. She will have a MRI next week to see if the chemo treatment has effected the nodule. She has been in a lot of pain and discomfort. I hate cancer! It is just so ugly!!! Especially for those of us that watch our loved ones suffer, the pain, discomfort, nausea, not eating, YUCK!! Since I began this post, Laurie has had 2 rounds of  chemo and this week is going in to Loyola to have 2 blood clots removed.
I will close this post for now! I hope to write again before Thanksgiving! Oh do we miss you!!

"but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31

2014-2015 School year

Oh my Mom....little Liviana Grace is going to kindergarten and Miandria Love is going to be a fifth grader!! We are so excited for our girls, but nervous at the same time. I know it's been said many times before, but kids grow up soooo very fast!
Let me tell ya a bit about your grandchildren...
Mia is getting so tall. She is a bright 10 year old. She loves to be active, can swim like a fish, enjoys being in the kitchen, can read fast and loves to read, and is very social!! She has a sweet, tender spirit and is a little nervous about the new school year!
Livi is a wildfire! She has curly blonde hair that is crazy beautiful! She is very creative, artistic, active, has a fantastic imagination, and loves to talk!! She also has a little drama in her!!! She loves to snuggle (I wish they never grew out of that). She is ready for kindergarten!!
Mom, I wish you could be here to watch them grow! I know they would make you smile! Well, it's off to another year! Love ya and miss ya a bunch especially to share these precious moments!

"it is was it is"

Dend  Mom,
Oh my how time flies!! I can't believe it's been so long since I have posted. There still isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish we could pick up the phone and call ya or go out to lunch. As you and Dad said when we first heard the word cancer, "it is what it is"! We have carried on, moved forward....sometimes dragging our feet, and continue growing physically and spiritually. Oh how I look at the world through different eyes knowing that God could sweep anyone of us up to be home with Him at any time. Saying good bye to loved ones and close ones at the end of a gathering is more precious and treasured. We don't know what God has planned for us, but we do know He has prepared a place for us when this life is over.
Well. my main reason for beginning this blog is to keep track of the happenings and my emotions and thoughts as time passes....mostly for Mia and Livi to have. So, here goes a quick run down of our earthly life....in August of this year we bought our very 1st house!!! We love it. And with that news I must share that Dad has remarried...to the wonderful lady that owned this house, Laurie. So with those events, we were BUSY!!! Mia is in 4th grade this year, enjoys a variety of activities, like volleyball, music (she got an electric guitar for her birthday), reading, hanging out with friends, ice skating, playing in the snow, running around outside, riding bikes, telling jokes, and the list goes on. Livi is 4 and we will be registering her for kindergarten in about a month!!! She is full of drama, is creative, loves art, has lots of energy, keeps us laughing, has curly hair that gets comments every where she goes. Kurt opened Messy Palette Art Studio in our basement and is doing well. He has sold some pieces of art and continues to move forward with the business. I have recently reentered the OI department (orthopedic ally impaired  itinerant teacher...switching to assistive technology)...love it!! Speaking of job...I gotta go because I don't want to be late!
As I close this written reflection, my mind and heart are saddened because you are physically not with us, but we are peaceful and joyful. We reflect on the moments we were blessed to share with you because you and other loved ones fought the good fight, shared God's love and were faithful! May we continue to fight the good fight and one day meet each other at the pearly gates!!
Love ya Mom!!!

Good morning,
Well, it's been a while since I have posted, but that doesn't mean that I don't miss you every day and wish you were here. Our lives have been very busy this past winter with church, church youth group stuff, Messy Palette Art Studio, Mia's school work, and my job. Spending time with family and friends is such a blessing, but we need to work on doing it more often. I think keeping busy helps us to continue to move forward. It is hard for Kurt and I to reflect on the memories we shared with you and his Dad and also Noni and his grandparents. We both miss those conversations, those "building" character moments, but we remember things you've taught us and move forward.
What has gone on since January??? Mia has joined volleyball....she's pretty good! She has had to do her 3rd grade speech, took ISATs for the first time, enjoys playing with her little sister, and hanging out with her friends. Most importantly, she made the decision to follow Jesus on February 9 and was baptized on Sunday, February 10th!!! Yippie!!! It was so awesome when she came up out of the water, we could hear clapping and cheering from family and friends! Probably nothing compared to the celebration the angels put on!!! Mom, she is growing up so very fast. Now, there's Livi....oh Mom...she would crack you up!!! We thought Mia had personality when she was younger. Let's just say that Mia taught her little sister and her little sister added a few tricks of her own. She loves to spend time with her Daddy at the Art studio. She is so very creative, has a great imagination, and loves to help Mommy in the kitchen. Kurt is plugging away at the studio. He has hosted some birthday parties, 1st Friday events, teaches classes, and hosted his 1st Art Scene!!! He provided spring break camps and will be doing those for summer, too!! Along with traveling to a couple of the learning centers around town to provide classes. He continues to press forward with this creative journey....also wishing that his Dad and you were able to be here and give advice along the way. I have been busy trying to keep the family going during the school year. Teaching continues to be a rewarding career...thinking about getting a master's degree!!!!!!! Not sure, yet......but just wanting to continue gaining knowledge about education! I was in the church kitchen last Wednesday cooking for the family night!! Can you believe it, I love being in the kitchen. I made Hot Chicken Salad, no dressing fruit salad, mixed veggies with lemon pepper seasoning, and lemon poppyseed bread!! Brought back some memories!! I was given many compliments, most of which mentioned that I had a great teacher!! Oh man, I couldn't agree with them more! I had a wonderful teacher, but not just in the kitchen! Mom thanks for everything you taught me, even when you thought it wasn't sinking in. Miss ya bunches!! Love ya!!

Always treasured

Well, Mom, one of the most difficult decisions to make has been finalized! Dad and I have designed the marker that is to be placed at the cemetery to honor you. How do you sum up someone's precious life in 2-4 short phrases??? We hope that the words and symbol that were chosen will continue to be a reminder to live a life that honors our heavenly Father. I also believe that this was a difficult task for me because it is the last thing to do for you and the words are permanent. I know that we can show honor by living lives pleasing to God and we will continue to share memories of you with each other and we can bring flowers to show how much we miss and love you, but this just feels like this is that last thing in the process!
Still miss you bunches and love ya!

Messy Palette Art Studio

Oh Mom and I am going to write to Dave (Kurt's Dad), this time too!! You two would be so very proud of Kurt. He has begun a business. It is called Messy Palette Art Studio. In October of this year he started. He is doing art classes for kids and adults, birthday parties, adult art nights, special events, gallery nights, shows, and the list will continue to grow as he continues to see outside of the box and be creative!! We had a launch party in October with about 60 in attendance. Last weekend we had a Christmas open house with venders, art for sale, an art project, and of course goodies. We had about 60 in attendance and about 1/2 of those hadn't been there yet. The place is located on Broadway and it is in an old cobblestone house. The space is very unique. Livi loves to hang out with Daddy all day and Mia has enjoyed taking some classes and hanging out.
Mom, thanks for all your advise and expertise in the food world because I have been excited to make treats for the events. And a huge thanks to both you and Dave for encouraging Kurt over the years to continue to be creative!! Every time we have an event, it makes us miss you both so very much. Your hugs, smiles, advise for small businesses, encouraging words, and your tears of joy are thought of.
God is so very Good!! We pray that the Messy Palette Art Studio can be a blessing to Rockford and a warm, creative place to hang out.
Love ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving day was so wonderful, filled with family and food. The day was wonderful . Dad vacuumed and washed windows as I was preparing last minute foods. Kurt and Dad grilled two turkeys that were super fabulous! Oh, Mom, you would have been so pleased. We spent the afternoon playing Rack-o and Kurt and I did some late night shopping. The next day, we had Thanksgiving with the Erickson's. The siblings enjoyed playing Apples to Apples in the afternoon while we waited for the turkey. Again a delicious meal with wonderful loved ones.
Even though our Thanksgiving holiday was so delightful, we were missing the hugs and laughter of special loved ones that are no longer with us. We miss you dearly, but know that because of God's promises we have hope everlasting!! As I close this Thanksgiving post, I will end with this....share hope and celebrate hope! Love ya!