MelodicJimmy, Sounds like you are doing well so congratulations.  I also sometimes find violins I and II plus violas, cellos, and basses to be more parts than I need unless I am trying to go real Mantovani—although there are many people who use all that plus divisi (splitting one of more of the groups into two sections).
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k9mLg7ztN4
 
In that link, the way the violin parts start in unison and then divide is classic Mantovani.  He was corny but good at what he did—and being too corny never held anyone back.