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Today I took Kaeli to her ortho appointment. We got a bit of a late start, so the "Driving Nazi" had a few choice comments during our time on the road. Unfortunately we got there a few minutes late so she didn't get any award tokens from their office. She did get a surprise at the end though: her next appointment will include getting a digital scan of all her teeth. They have started using a program to finish off the teeth straightening which includes sending a scan to a company in Texas, where they custom-bend the wires and fittings by robot and mail them up to the orthodontist. Apparently it cuts 40% of the time off of the treatment and typically gives better results.

Next we ran a few errands, dropping off gifts and picking up various things. Another stop at the department store for a few last gift items. One item was to replace the pitiful version I had "man purchased," and instead was to be replaced by someone with a "woman's eye" ... that would be Kaeli.

She did homework from the relative quiet (read: BORING) of my office, and did actually get a couple of unit tests completed. She had packed a nice lunch, most of which we brought back home since there were free leftovers in the kitchen. Sounds like I'll have Ceana with me the next two days, since she'll be driving Rory to her appointments. We had hoped she (Rory) would be feeling well enough by this point in the chemo cycle to drive herself, but she's still not confident in her energy levels to make the drive alone. Should work out fine for this week.

The big kids took themselves to the school music concerts while we fought to keep the little ones in bed. Kelsianne for one absolutely refuses to go to bed without Kaeli tucking her in. Anyway we thought it would be a good time to wrap a few presents since Rory had a bit of energy. So of course as soon as we've got everything all spread out on our bedroom floor, in walks Kylan. Usually turning off all the lights downstairs is a good "buffer" since he's afraid of the dark, but he sauntered in, ninja quiet, as if that were his own bedroom. Apparently they got naps today, which is why they aren't sleeping.

Rapid-fire food news:

Rory was feeling good enough that she decided to cook up pancakes for dinner. When I got home from work she was sitting on the floor; not sick, just wiped out and resting.

Secret Santa Day #2 was a tin full of oranges. Those are always a big hit at our house.

Got a quick visit from the RS President to share some ideas with Rory about making "Green Smoothies." We're also borrowing an industrial-sized blender from someone in the ward for awhile. Rory said, "We might end up investing in one of those eventually."

Another visitor from the ward stopped by tonight. He said he had heard a rumor that Rory liked cinnamon rolls, and he had a large tub of mini rolls for her. Actually, it was a tub of icing with some bits of cinnamon roll, but that's just how she likes them. He claimed "a little birdie" had given away her secret. Had a nice visit for awhile - thanks Brother G!

It was strange to hear Rory say that she really hopes her cell counts are good at tomorrow's lab tests so she can have her treatment on Friday. She WANTS to have chemo??? The schedule she's on now puts Christmas Day and upcoming baptism and birthdays on her "off" weekends, but if we end up skipping a week that could really mess up that little schedule. We'll know more tomorrow.

Hanging in there ...