SNOWED IN IN PITTSBURGH

Last October, Laurel, who doesn't have many meltdowns called me crying. She was stressed about being able to finish her 600 Master's Degree Internship hours. She had been working twice a week at an elementary and her generous friends from her ward were watching Paisley for her. Laurel has never been one to take advantage of ANYONE! She was worried about wearing her friends out with all their service to her. So after talking to John, we decided I would come for two weeks in February, so that Laurel could get close to 100 hours of internship. I have been in Pittsburgh for a week now. The week has gone by quickly. I am not used to being housebound, but Paisley has been so pleasant and good. I have loved spending time with her.

Also, who could have known when I booked my flight in October that my little Creed would be in the hospital with RSV and heart problems. We still do not know the complete heart situation. He will have an echocardiogram next week and then see a Pediatric Cardiologist from Primary Children's Medical Center the next week. I have learned once again that there are times when all I can do is pray. I have no ability to help or work towards solving the problem. I feel totally helpless. But I KNOW that our prayers are heard and the power of the Priesthood is the power of God on the earth. The comfort of the Holy Ghost is real and powerful. Creed has been in the hospital since Tuesday, February 2nd and we hope he will be able to come home today or tomorrow.

Paisley loves to see her daddy when he comes home from school each day. Brady loves to play with Paisley and "wrestle" with her flying high above him. Brady has been wearing a knit cap each day to school and the first thing Paisley wants is to take it off of his head and wear it.

"My turn to wear your cap, Daddy''.

Another day, another cap

Paisley isn't afraid to be lifted to the ceiling

Paisley loves to imitate Kevin from 'Home Alone'

Paisley loves her toothbrush

We have done a couple of things this week. Laurel and I went to the Library Monday night. They have an amazing library system here. Thursday, we picked Brady up at school and went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. The food was yummy, as usual. We then made the trek to Costco to stock up since a huge snow storm was predicted. Nothing is easily accessible here. There are many bridges and rivers to cross and each street is very narrow with cars parked on either side of the street. There are Not garages here. But I like the differences from east to west coasts and enjoy the reminders of history. After Paisley was in bed, Laurel and I went with 4 of her friends to see 'When in Rome.' We all like the movie very much and it was nice to see a clean and sweet romantic comedy. Brady was still quite sick with his sore throat and cough and stayed home from school Friday morning. Laurel came home at 12:30 so we could get Brady to school and then she, Paisley and I drove to Oakmont Bakery.

I have never seen such a place. There were more selections of goodies than I could imagine. We had chicken salad sandwiches and bought fresh baked breads and sweets to bring home. We stopped for milk and fresh produce and diet coke so that we were fully stocked for the storm. So many times storms in Utah change and don't appear as predicted. I was surprised to see TV announcements of many schools closing early and many Saturday activities and events also cancelled. The snow hadn't even started yet and only 6 to 8 inches was predicted. Now, today, I understand. We woke to 18 inches of snow with it still coming down. The neighborhood was covered in snow. Laurel and Brady live on a one-way street with cars parked on both sides of the street. I didn't even know if a snow plow could fit between the cars. Because their street is a major bus route, the plows are required to come. Brady was kind enough to take some pictures for me so I could post them for the family back home.

Brady and Laurel's street...you can hardly tell where the cars are parked because they are covered with snow.

Brady and Laurel's car

Laurel tried to tackle uncovering their car, but she has no snow boots and it was cold.

A view from the street

The church down the street

Paisley did not like having to watch all the outside action with me holding her in the front window. Paisley had her first treat of standing in the snow. She loved it and tried to eat it also.

Paisley and Daddy

Look how tall the snow is next to Paisley

I love this picture