95 Astro Water circulating problems

95 Astro 240K miles. This all started replacing the radiator cap. one week later replaced radiator due to leak, then water pump, upper and lower hoses a week after that, then that little ity bity hose coming off the top of the water pump going to the heater core a couple days later. (I think, goes to the passenger side by the wheel well) I replaced that with a full 5/8 rubber hose taking out the metal portion. ( used for routing arond the engine)

So now my temp gage does not go above 125 degrees, and I am not circulating water. The engine doesn't appear to get hot. Not sure what to replace of go after next.
Water level is full as well as resevoir. No signs of water in the oil. Any ideas would be appreciated.
The van is running very well, no water coming out the exhaust, only getting 14 mpg's.

Thanks

One more thing, not sure if I want to go after the thermastat since the engine isn't getting up to temp in the first place, even if the temp sensor was bad, wouldn't the thermastat open anyway?

one more thing....4.3L W