On Wednesday, two days after Christmas, we again needed to go to the office. Well, I mean, my dh needed to, and I tagged along for company. On both days that I went, I found that I was a bit helpful because I filled in for the secretaries that were not there by opening up his email  and printing them out.   Although the office is 'technically' closed, it turned out to be kind of a family day at the office.  Matt and Kristi came by, as well as Becky and Adam and their two children. 

Thursday was a big, big day. I had invited our very small church to our home for a Christmas Holiday get together, as well as serve as an informal, annual business meeting, as which I understand, if you have a non-profit organization, you must follow this formality. 

Now, the house was a disaster. We had just gone through the month of December where cleaning just didn't happen on schedule because there was always something like shopping going on, or wrapping presents. Add to that, the week before Christmas, that we were traveling. Then, add to that, we have just had a 16 people get together with 8 children running around.  I got up early, started cleaning, got the kids to help me, and cooked and cooked and cooked.  By the time everyone arrived, I was just finishing, but, I looked a positive wreck. No makeup, gym shorts and a t-shirt. My daughter came into the kitchen and told me that everyone had just arrived, so, behind the kitchenette door, I have clothes hanging there for emergencies such as this. I closed the door, and changed into the best looking outfit I could find hanging there. I came out and greeted everyone with a big big smile, trying not to appear as if I'd been cleaning and cooking all day. Everyone commented on how tired I looked. I told them that this is my usual look sans the makeup.  It was a nice get together and we really did accomplish things at the business meeting. 

The next day, I just wanted to bum. It had been a long, very busy, holiday and now, I just wanted to sit still, sleep, not even get dressed. So I did.  It's Monday night, and I've only gotten out of my p.j.'s maybe twice since Friday. It's felt wonderful.  I usually go to be early, religiously, but, these past 2 weeks I have stayed up late every single night. We'd all hang out in the family room, play computer games, and watch movies.  I'd read books, play dolls with my eight year old, and sometimes play a board game or two with the kids. Often, we'd all camp out on the first floor when it was past midnight and time to go to bed. DH and I would sleep on the futon in the living room, and the kids would all claim a couch in the family room. It was like a party every night, and a slumber party at that.

 If I got up to pray early, as my habit and custom and desire is, I would go back to bed afterwards and sleep for several hours (as the entire family was still sleeping, too).  I used up quite a few meals I had prepared and froze, and have done very minimal real cooking since Thursday night. Friday and Monday we had pizza, Saturday and Sunday we had meals from the freezer.  We've done minimal clean-up, no big jobs. I've literally been on vacation, and it's been awesome!  Now, reality, Tuesday morning....