The Beginning of the Season

Photo by Paige Haase

The week of Thanksgiving is upon us. My favorite holiday!

I just want to take this time to tell all of my family and friends that I hope you all have a truly blessed Thanksgiving. May it be filled with the awakening of memories of great family times, full of love and laughter.

This was the one holiday that my family got together to share funny childhood stories with each other, and with new members as the family grew.  It was the Pruitt's Christmas too. We made it our time, every year to give our gifts to each other.

Those times are missed, but, new traditions have been created. From adventure picnics on Mt. Hood  to Wii-stock with friends. We are blessed with great friends and family to spend this time of giving thanks with! What a wonderful gift, each year!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Too much time has past!

Photo by Paige Pruitt-Haase

As I went back into accounts and changed passwords, I realized just how long it has been since I have written a blog. Empty promises of continuing travel stories and sharing more photos! Wow, I have really let everyone down.

Since March, so much has happened. I am not sure if I can recollect all, but here are a few.

From March to May, I looked forward to going to see my nephew, Nicholas, take his first communion. My father was going too. All of us under one roof. My sister-in-law's roof! I was so excited to spend the time with them all.

Well the trip came and went all too fast! It was truly a wonderful time. Nicky looked smashing on his special day, and his party was a hit for all ages. Bouncy house, catered gourmet and free flowing conversation and laughter.

It was also Derby Day, which in my family, was always an important day! So everyone placed horse names in a hat, and for a friendly wager, you could draw a horse.

It was great fun to share this with my dad. It has been years since the whole family was at Churchill Downs together. My parents owned a race horse or two which also allowed them to choose membership to the Owner's Club. Which in its self, was never dull! But the last time I was there, I was alone with mom and dad. It was a winning day for the three of us and the mood was terrific.

The last race, dad hit it really big! He was rolling in the winnings! I had never seen him having so much fun! I loved that feeling.

That evening, dad was trying to watch a tv show, mom & I were talking. We were oblivious to the fact that he was becoming very annoyed. After asking us kindly, several times, to keep it down or go into the next room, he finally leaned into mom and said, "I will give you each $100 to stop talking or go into the other room". Mom and I looked at each other, smiled and turned to dad and stuck our hands out for the money! Dad reached into his wallet and paid up! We all laughed until we cried! He paid us from his winnings that day, for a little peace and quite!

Nicky's First Communion Party had the same atmosphere. Friends and family enjoying the time together. We even raised a glass to Gregory. There was a toast to him. It was hard to hear, to feel joy at that moment. Why was I there and not my brother? I went upstairs and prayed. I took a few moments to breathe and then rejoined the party.

It was still a wonderful day.

The weekend also included a Mets game for my dad's 75th birthday! I felt so blessed to be able to be with him, especially for his birthday! The Mets lost, but boy, what a day!

Photo by Paige Pruitt-Haase

Our next adventure at this point... Bend with my family!

A Year Has Past

Today I find myself reflecting on the events of March 2010. My family was torn at the seams when my brother passed away suddenly. Yet, his passing made us closer than we have ever been.

After several years of being disconnected with each other, we were slowly patching things up. My brother and I had always stayed in touch. He shared with me how his family was growing and everything he was up to. But he was the only connection I had with my immediate family. Mom and Dad had made their choice about their relationship with me, and so had I about them. It was too painful to be in the middle of family misunderstandings - both sides. I had to heal and find my place in my own life.

Our time apart, to me, was not wasted. I was stronger and better for it. I was also grateful for the monthly emails from my brother, or the occasional calls. Keeping track of when someone may have had health problems or life celebrations. He was always my go-between, no matter the circumstance, as children and as adults.

I had spent time in the months preceding his death, writting my Mom. Sharing my life with her. We were connecting again. I even surprised my parents with a visit during a business trip to Florida. To me, part of a barrier was broken when I saw them.

But, we were suddenly faced with losing the one person in our small family of four, that kept us all together. Dad and I were thrust back into each others lives, to support and love each other as we tried to remain strong for my ailing mother. We put aside grievances and then became a winning team.

The year that followed the painful loss was filled with great triumphs for my Dad and I. We had to come together again to take care of my mother. Again, we were a team. There for each other. It is so heartwarming to know that the time we spent apart, I believe, allowed us to spend such a hard time together and make it through.

So, the year has past. The anniversary is here. I miss my brother. Always will.

I go back and read old emails he sent. I look at photos, that will soon be old. He is still larger than life to me.

The sadness will always be there, I know. So will the memories. There is great joy and thankfulness that he was MY brother. I am blessed.

A New Year

While most people take some time to look back at the year just past and write of its history, mostly recording accomplishments and great events. I however want to take a huge leap back into my past. Landing in a time and place where I remember the laughter and good times. I look at the time I was 5 years old, swimming in our backyard pool in Dallas, Texas. I can hear myself yelling from the slide, "Watch this!" over and over until mom or dad would watch me again, and again repeat the same trick my brother taught me. Face first down the water slide! I loved it when my dad would wait at the bottom of the slide and catch me as I hit the pool. He would quickly pull me under the water, then shoot me straight up to the sky! I always felt like I was flying for a moment before I came splashing down!

Why would this come to mind instead of  cheering in the new year? Well, as the ball began to drop, everyone started to count down. 10, 9, 8.... For months prior to this moment I thought of how sweet it is going to be to be able to say "good bye" to 2010 with a great cheer. But my thoughts drifted to the memories of having to say good bye to my brother and my mother instead. My heart ached once again at the thought of not having any more chances to say "Happy New Year" to them. Once again I wished they were here. I realized that I miss them even more now.

I would like to dedicate this new year to them. I pray that relief from this grief will come soon. I have hope that it will. So for now I will continue to look back into my past and find only those happy memories of our times of laughter and adventures. I am ever so thankful that I have my father in my life and pray that our relationship continues to build and gain strength.

Blessings to you all. I pray you too find those wonderful family memories to bring you great joy in the new year.

Vancouver Christmas Project

December 4th & 5th

6:00pm

Evergreen High School Performing Arts

14300 NE 18th Street

Vancouver, WA 

Join us for an evening of music and drama

Celebrating the story of Christmas

For more information, call 360.892.1060

In lieu of admission, we will be accepting new shoes & socks for Northwest Children's Outreach

All the information on this is from the website for the Vancouver Christmas Project:

Welcome to the Vancouver Christmas Project! We are organizing a Christmas event for Clark County and through this event we want to be able to support those who are in need among us. The current state of the economy has left many wondering where their next meal will come from, how they will keep a roof over their heads and if they have enough gas to get to work.

The organizations that already exist to help those in need are also finding themselves short on money and in turn, short on their ability to help those who need it the most.

It is from this need that the Vancouver Christmas Project arose. We will be doing a Christmas Concert the first weekend of December. It will be a free event, anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. At the event we will be accepting donations of new shoes and socks, and cash donations. Everything that is brought in will go right back out to the community!

A big part of the Vancouver Christmas Project is the Community Choir. We will have people joining the choir from all over Clark County.

New Information:
The Vancouver Christmas Project is pleased to announce that we will be partnering with Northwest children’s outreach. We will give you more information in the future about how you can make a difference in the life of a child, but for now, here’s a little bit about Northwest children’s Outreach.


Northwest Children’s Outreach is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to helping families in the Portland area and surrounding communities. We help fill the needs of these families, providing clothing, infant care products, diapers, formula and many of the other necessities parents need for their children.

If you would like to learn more about how you can help us reach out to families in need, please click on the links on the right side of this page. Donations of time and/or money are always appreciated. Our organization is 100% volunteer-run, so all donations go straight to the families who need them.

Northwest Children’s outreach Website: http://northwestchildrensoutreach.org/

Northwest Children’s Outreach on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NorthwestChildrensOutreach



East Coast Extravaganza



Photography by Paige Pruitt-Haase

 After a week of settling in from the mission, I was headed to the East Coast with Doug. This trip included a 12-step plan to get to camping with my sister-in-law and my three nephews. My sister-in-law is not a fan of camping, and this was to be the real deal. A canvas tent, sleeping bags, no showers and eco friendly toilets. Oh yeah, on an island in the Belgrade Lakes of Maine. Doug & I loved the idea. We have missed being able to camp for a few seasons. So this was going to be a real treat.

We arrived in Newark and then headed straight to the coast. Mantaloking is such a great place to just kick back and enjoy the days. Family and friends were there too. We were treated to great food and tons of water fun!

Two days later we were back in the car, there were 6 of us. Three adults and three kids, pumped up to get on the road and to our next destination. Not to camping yet, to a B&B in Kinnebunkport! So now we have moved away from the comfort and confines of a family beach home, to the adorable little haven of a beach B&B. We roughed it a bit by canoeing and riding bikes. But for the most part, the down mattress pads and fluffy pillows were going to soon be lost to our memories, well my sister-in-law's memories and dreams. I knew it was coming. I tried to think of ways to make the transition comfortable. She was doing well in the first two steps.

After two nights, we set out again. This time, headed to cousins vacation home on Sebago Lake. It was so beautiful there. But we were to be there just for lunch, then head to catch the boat to camp. The kids swam, fed ducks, visited cousins. Lunch was served! We had a great time visiting and laughing, telling stories about family gatherings. It was good to hear about Gregory's time with them all!

As we packed up the kids, it was decided that there should be a last hoorah! Ice cream! I began to think that my sister-in-law was dragging her feet at this point. But, we decided to meet everyone for ice cream. Ok, it really wasn't hard to do this! It was warm and they were not ready to say good-bye.

Finally, we hugged and said our farewells. We were back on the road. Before we knew it, we passed through the gates of Pine Island Camp. I was so anxious at this point. My brother passed through those gates as a teen to enjoy 6 weeks of "guy fun", in two summers.

It took me back to that time. I was in 5th and 6th grade. We lived in Greenville, SC. His first summer away, was the first I can remember being separated for such a long time. I did not like it at all. The house was quiet. I know I did stuff with friends, tennis and swimming. But at home I was kind of lonely. Of course I never would admit that to him!

When he came home, I remember his stories of sailing, wars and campfires. Gregory had a way of telling a story, always compelling. Also more interesting than anything that I might have done that summer.

So here we were, with his young sons. Unpacking the car with our gear, hauling it to the dock. We were greated by Ben Swan, the director of the camp. He was there when Gregory was a camper too.

I could only imagine my brother hopping into the boat with his gear, excitement building as he approached the dock on the island. Wondering what the summer had in store for him. I wondered if he thought about home while he was here. I would easily forgive him if he hadn't. The scenery was beautiful.

We docked and were approached by the warmest most welcoming smile of Emily Swan, Ben's wife. From here, the camping experience began! This place is awesome! Secluded, clean, safe, friendly.

To be continued.....

Follow the Team in Nicaragua

I was unable to blog while in Nicaragua. Time and internet connections are hard to come by....

If you are interested in reading our Pastor's Blog and seeing video that was sent back to our church, go to:
http://www.gatewayweb.org/

Click on the "Media" tab. From there it will prompt you to either read blogs or see video.

Bendecidos!