Playing Catch Up

I was so proud of myself for being somewhat ahead of the game.  We decorated 90%  for Christmas before we left for Thanksgiving.  While we were in Cali, I spent several hours making the family photo calendars we give to my parents, Uncle Nate and ourselves each year.  I also took Park, Aub and Brinley shopping two different times and know I have some gifts checked off.  I was feeling on top of things.

I know it always takes a day or two after vacation to catch up but this time feels even crazier.  Oh, the holidays.  I hit the ground running and haven't stopped.  Grocery shopping, returns, unpacking, basketball games, working out (not enough), blogging,  so-much-laundry, Relief Society gifts, ministering interviews, catching up with family and just everyday life.

I had signed up for texts reminding me about the #LightTheWorld campaign.  When I received day five's text and immediately felt dread, I realized I needed to give myself permission to unsubscribe.  I would just continue trying to light the world in my own little ways without adding that extra pressure of a new idea to add to my day.

It's only been five days since we came home, so I feel better about things knowing that.  I think what really slowed me down was working on the Relief Society gifts.   1. We should have started earlier.  2. I underestimated how much time the designing/printing/weeding part of things would take on my end of the project.  I have easily spent over 15-20 hours on this project.

Bri was awesome to pick up the wood and cut it to size.  He also helped me weed the vinyl.  Bless him!  I work with amazing sisters in the presidency and everyone was willing to spend several hours working together to make the gifts.  (A sister from the RS meeting committee and my mom helped as well.)

Emily Ormsby (1st counselor), Airi Billings (Secretary), and Tia Harrop (Assistant RS meeting chair).  We worked for about 3 hours on Friday morning.  Emily's husband even set a jumper up in the gym for the kiddos.  Airi and Emily then took home the unfinished blocks and finished them off that evening so Kara and I could finish them up the next day.

Kara Thompson (1st counselor)   We spent three hours on Saturday afternoon painting, weeding, and placing the vinyl.  Then we divided the blocks and tied the raffia individually before church the next day.  (My mom heard about the project and came over to help me tie the raffia...so nice!)

Even though it took a lot of time, I really enjoyed hanging out with these amazing ladies.  We laughed and talked and enjoyed bonding time while trying to serve our sisters in a little way.

We were able to hand them out today at church.  Emily even made cookies to go with them.  I hope the sisters feel the love of sisterhood as they set out their decoration each year.  I am grateful to be surrounded by so many wise women who love still seek Him.