Good morning,
So it's been awhile since I have made a post. Today I thought I would just drop in and say "hello"!! I have been very busy with the end of school, taking my third online class, going to Kurt's art shows, youth group things at church, playing with the girls, spending time with Dad, and other stuff. I have also been trying to sort this all out. Mother's Day was a marking point emotionally for me and I think Dad agrees. I would cry anytime I had time to myself, songs would touch my heart,and thoughts of heaven would overflow my head. For now, I think we are all just busy and going through the motions of life and missing Mom every step of the way. I know some of you have shared with me your times when you think of her or miss her. We still see her in the kitchen (any kitchen, but mostly at home and church), greeting in the foyer, by my Dad's side, sitting in their pew, at family celebrations, in the office at home, calling on the phone, getting an e-mail, and all those times she just listened. On Friday afternoon, I was driving around town and I thought I should call Mom and see if she needs anything (you see my cousin's graduation party was that evening and usually Mom would have been in the kitchen). It's tough to miss someone you love, but we do know that God is in control. We also know that we are not the only ones who have lost a loved one. We think about those of you who have lost someone you loved and how God has worked in your life and how God shines through you even when times were difficult.
Many of you have asked how are we doing. Dad, Kurt, and I have talked about this, our solution is that we are doing alright and we are going to move forward. We have also said that if we pull the covers up over our heads and sulk all day long, not only Mom but God would be so disappointed in our actions. And if it were possible, Mom would come right out of that grave and smack up around. Yes, there are moments of sadness and the support of family and friends is greatly needed, but together we will move on.
Thank you so much for continue to join us and being a part of our lives!!
Love, Kurt, Jenn, Dad, Mia, and Livi

Here's the recipe: (It's from Paula Deen's Just Desserts cookbook)
Ingredients:
Cake:
1 18.25 ounce yellow cake mix or chocolate (I used yellow because there is someone in the family that doesn't like chocolate...Kurt...can you believe it???)
1 egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Filling:
1 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 Cup Peanut Butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 16 ounce box confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 13X9X2 inch baking pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside. Still using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth;add eggs, peanut butter and vanilla. Dump in confectioners' sugar and beat well. Reduce speed of mixer and slowly pour in butter. Mix well. Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Don't be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures can vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don't bake it past that point! Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful little cakes are very, very, very rich!!

Enjoy!!!
Love, Kurt (I made these for his birthday) and Jenn

Good morning,
Just a quick hello today. Mom has used this blog before to ask for prayer and today that is why I am writing. Yesterday the Lowman ladies went to a Mother/Daughter luncheon. We had a good time and enjoyed being together. On the way home, the girls and I were listening to a favorite CD with a mix of singers and "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me came on.....usually I skip that one. But yesterday we sang at the top of our lungs. It is so beautiful to hear my little girl in the back singing. Tears were streaming down my face to think of Mom in Heaven, but also listening to the voice of Mia singing about Heaven.
Here's where the prayer comes in. Last night I realized how tough this week was going to be for me because Sunday is Mother's Day! Just talk to God to keep me strong, think about memories with Mom and help me to enjoy my little ones this week!!
Thank you!!
Also, I made a new recipe this weekend and I'll share it with you all soon. Peanut Butter Gooey Cake!!!
Love to all, Kurt and Jenn