Seat At An Empty Table

Every year in October the Battered Women's Project in Maine hosts several events in honor of those we have lost (in their state) due to Domestic Violence. One of the events that they do is something called "Seat At An Empty Table". The easiest way to explain that is: The set a table for 4 people, each place setting memorializes one specific/individual person who's life was lost as a result of domestic violence.

It's a very nice display and something I have taken on, as my "job" till Giuliana gets older and I can pass it on to her. I want her to take time out every day to remember Vance, in any way she can (She was born after he had passed) and doing these events with the BWP will be a good way for her to express herself as she gets older.

Last year I painted a picture frame to match the place setting I had decided to use. Vance loved Scooby Doo, so I wanted to use that as his "theme". I decided to send the photo and frame because through out all the newspaper coverage his story received, they never posted a picture of him. No one had ever seen his beautiful little face.



Well they have now. A newspaper called the Pioneer Times in Houlton ran a story after they interviewed Stephen by phone. They also ran this picture on their front page last year. Vance ceased to be just a name they read in the paper a few years ago. Hopefully, they will never forget his face or his tragic ending.

Here is the Memorial I typed up that was also displayed with his place setting

Stephen Vance Ketzel Fort Kent, Maine
Vance was only 2 years old when he died on September 8, 2004. Although such a short stay here on Earth, Vance was a bright and cheerful little boy who loved the beach and motorcyles and left behind so many loved ones that miss him every day. Since his death, Vance has also become a big brother to two very special little girls. Every girl needs a big brother, a protector, to watch out for them. Instead, these two little girls, will grow up knowing their protector is a very special Guardian Angel, their big brother Vance.


ETA: I sent the display again this year, and it's to be set up in Fort Kent where he lived for a short while and passed away. Vance's Mother and Sister (other) still live there.

Busy Busy Girls!

Sorry, Its been about 2 weeks since I last posted but I have been really busy working and chasing Giuliana every where she runs!!

I had my VERY FIRST Matilda Jane trunk show the other night with a TK that was here on vacation with her family. What a sweetie! Couldnt have asked for a better show or a better girl to do it with! Im having another one, October 1st. I'm also pretty sure that there will be a 3rd show, also in home, with everything from West Side on October 17th. Now, that one will be a bit different. West Side will actually be out, and we will all be able to see it, feel it, and order it! YAY! I did order quite a bit of WS from the show the other night, but there are still some things that were not orderable yet.. So, thats the purpose of the other catalog show on the 1st and the homeshow on the 17th. Gotta make sure I get all the WS I want, and I am pretty sure I will buy a few things to save for next year too. I really do love the line!

Giuliana is doing good. Shes been trying to talk a lot more lately, and she can really understand what we have been saying all along.. I found that out when this conversation took place

Me: Are you ready to go take a nap now?
Her " No " *shakes her head side to side*
Me: " Huh? " " No, honey, its time for a nap now "
Her: " Momma, No no" *shakes her head side to side*

Well, there you have it boys and girls.. Our very first fight. You can guess who won. I DID. Down for a nap she went, "No" and all. And here is the kicker, not even a whimper out of her when I layed her down, lol. What a goofy girl. I do love her though.

Here are a few pictures I have taken of her the past week or so :) All Matilda Jane , of course! Allison took the one of her on the steps! LOVE that picture!

Should Have Beens...

Vance SHOULD HAVE BEEN 6 this year. Instead he's been gone 4 years tomorrow.
Vance SHOULD HAVE BEEN in Mexico Beach with us this summer. Instead he's in Heaven.

Every time I think of Vance I think about all of things that should have been. All the pictures that should have been taken, all the laughs that should have been shared.

I'm angry tonight. More so than usual. I'm angry for all the should have beens. I'm so very sad for his family and all that they have lost. Despite the rift between everyone, the pain is the same for everyone. The since of loss is different, but that doesn't mean it's not there. I said this to Lori when we were on vacation this summer in Mexico Beach...

When someone is taken from us so suddenly and unexpectedly everyone has some sort of guilt about something and everyone experiences a since of loss.

For each person its different, and it never really affected me till I had Giuliana. Now, because I am a parent, I can "imagine" how much it hurts.

Even I feel a since of loss because of his death..

I look at Giuliana and wish to God and back again that he were here with her. I just know that she would have adored him and would have looked up to him for guidance and comfort.

Every girl needs a Big Brother. Giuliana has a Guardian Angel instead.

RIP Vance

Friends

How do you determine who is your friend and who is not? I have always struggled with that to be honest. I have not always been sure in life if so-and-so was friends with me for ME or friends with me for some other reason that would somehow benefit them. A few times I was known to pick the wrong "friends"but I think with age and children brings some knowledge.

Elizabeth, Allison and I have only been friends for about a year or so. Elizabeth and I worked together at the Cadillac store when we were both pregnant with the girls. We became "social" with eachother because of that one thing in common (pregnancy). I went on Maternity Leave and as I was coming back, she was begining her Maternity Leave...

Now, Allison and I met when Giuliana was 4 months old. I found her through a friend and asked her to come to our house and take pictures of Giuliana in her nursery since it was FINALLY complete. After all the hard work I had put into it, I had to have professional pictures of her actually IN it :) Allison and I hit it off, I would say, and became fast friends. In the year I have known her she has seen Giuliana learn to walk and talk. I have attended her wedding, photographed it, and been their for the birth of HER 1st child, Carli...

Lately, us 6 girls, do a lot of things together. We have all become good friends. Somedays I swear its these 2 WONDERFUL Ladies that keep me sane. We all became friends because of our children, but I can't think of a better way to become friends.

Thank you both for being my friend and helping me when I need it. I really don't know how I'd do it without you both!!!

Matilda Jane does the Central Florida Zoo

So, today we decided we would take Giuliana to the zoo. Now, mind you, it was 90 degree so we were out of our minds to even ATTEMPT that, but we went! The best part was the water park that was attached to the zoo so she was able to play in the water and cool off after looking at all the animals..

Giuliana also wore her VERY FIRST Matilda Jane dress today, and I do think it was quite a hit with all the animals ;) She looked adoreable, if I do say so myself, and continued to "fluff" the aprin on the front of the dress:) I have a few more spring items coming, which she will get to wear for another few months and then I have placed an order for some fall items that are To Die For CUTE!!!

Speaking of Matilda Jane... I am going to have a few shows this fall, so if you are reading this and like the way Giuliana looks in it ( Ill post more pictures when the new stuff gets here ) then please let me know! I'd love to have you attend my show, either in person, or through the virtual window to my house ;)

Janie & Jack photoshoot :)

These are just a few that the talented Allison took last weekend of Giuliana and Evie, and Carli too.. there will hopefully be some more I can add after Allison is done proofing them. They were all taken a local park which was nice, but very hottt!

Illonois & Iowa

Well we made it back okay. Everything went as well as could be expected and I think Giuliana and her cousin Siena had the best time out of everyone. The two girls enjoyed playing with eachother and watching the wiggles every morning. They quickly adapted to their new routine :)

I will have to say that the car ride there and back, although long, really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I don't think I gave Giuliana enough credit ;) She was amazing and such a trooper! I don't think she ever really CRIED while we were driving, just a fuss here or there when she wanted to get out for the day or to get us to stop and have lunch

Ill have some pictures to post of that when my Aunt & Uncle send them. So far I only have a few.. This one is my 2ed cousin Erin with Giuliana at the reunion on the 4th of July.