work/nap/date night.

we're back at it. WORK NIGHT:) I think I missed a week. Last week was our 'Work Night' and that consisted of Jacob and my dad putting a header in the entry/foyer area...that we plan to remodel completely...someday. But they got that up and the wall is completely open now - YAY:) Meanwhile, I had pina colada slush and schmoozed with my Friend...yay, Work Night!!!;)

tonight we had 9 kids and since it was so nice, we packed some sandwiches and juice and headed to the park. 

my - we're 'in-charge' of 9 kids and a dog, where's my beer - face:)

found beer.

we always end the night with popcorn or ice cream or snickers or gummy worms and movies. I don't take photos of that portion of the night. I assume you can trust me when I say that thattttt is happening;)

next week we're hoping to utilize our time for a Date Night!!!:) We'll be a few days out from my birthday and we may mix things up and have Courts watch the kids during the daylight hours!!

happy Friday, friends:)

- casey

work/nap/date night.

week 4 of the Work Nights. Tonight we have kids. 9 total. Kids. 

why does it feel like we've been doing this for all of eternity? Did Court and Dave ever pick the kids up last time or...!??!;)

9PM - the agreed upon time to wrap-up Work/Nap/Date Night - is coming a little slower than last week;) We are down a few children...the older, most helpful ones!!! BUT totally worth it because Jacob and I already hope to use our next Work Night for a meeting of the minds at Buffalo Wild Wings;)

and a dinosaur movie to get us through the home-stretch. Boom.

a little video of our night, below:)

- casey

work/nap/date night.

2 weeks ago we finallyyyyyy implemented one of those brilliant #coffeemornin ideas. One of those: we should do this and this and THIS and THISSSSSSS. And we're all jacked up on coffee and the world seems endless with possibilities!!!!!!!! 

YAY, we've got this! Let's DO IT. I'm going to do everything better! I'm gonna raise my kids sooooo hard and goooooddddd! And why don't we start a Whole30 and never use the TV/iPad as distractions for the kids and make those fucking leather/beaded/amazing bracelets and all natural/organic/essential oil mosquito repellent and cleaner and face stuff and lip balm and ALL THE DIY THINGSSSSSS!!!!

You're the best...NO, you'reeeee the best!!! 

and thennnnnn I go home and put the kids down for a nap and stare at a wall for 3.25 hours. 

for real.

SO one of our 'real' ideas was to have a Work Night. Every Friday would be Work Night for the Smith's. First Friday: me and Jacob. Next Friday: Court and Dave. And so forth...until all of the things are done;)

and what you do with your Work Night...is your deal. Clean the fridge? I thought something smelled funky;) Nap? Good for you! Mow the lawn and go for a walk!? Excellent! Date Night and blow $400 of your tax returns!? I'm not judging!!!:) 

we started with: cleaning our basement.

this mess has been a mess since we moved in 3-1/2 years ago. Ew. We moved in and just brought everything to the basement and it really hasn't moved since. Which goes to show that we have WAY too much shit that we for sure don't need. Ew.

we're not entirely done. Obviously. I'm pretty sure you're going to have a semi-difficult time telling the difference between the Before and After's. BUT believe me...shit has been improved and Jacob's currently down there, as I type, continuing to work away at it!!! YAY:)

i'm hoping that each Friday, from here on out...we'll be uploading a post of what our Work Night looked like. So here we go:)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER
all those clothes will be gone soon. I'll be having a sale this Spring to try to get rid of what's left:) Or you can check out some things currently in my online store, Shopfairhaven: Facebook and Instagram

BEFORE

AFTER

like I said...it's 1107PM...coffee's brewing and he's still going strong:) I'm sure we can all relate, when you're in the thick of it, it's hard to stop and I have a feeling this kid will be working into the wee hours of the morning...that's just what he does. And believe me, I'll allow it;) SO check back for updated photos...I'll post what I have and try to get some more AFTER's up tomorrow morning!

jacob's little touches don't go unnoticed:) He hung coat-hooks for some of my most special dresses and jackets:)

and things that I really have no use for but have collected and can't part with:

whyyyyyyy???? Why ALL the boxes?!

baby carriage:)

huge, old lamps and mirrors and frames.

so there you have it! 2 Friday nights. A combined 10 hours of work!!! But believe me...that's not all that got done in that amount of time. Jacob always works exclusively on the 'project'/Basement and I usually clean the entire house as well. Rearrange some rooms. Organize some things. Nurse. Eat. Blog;)
This has really become something we look forward to and we have a growing list of 'projects' we'd like to tackle! And even just having the 2 older kiddos out of the house for a few hours has allowed us to have some great conversation and just catch-up...make plans...blah blah:)

maybe the more interesting blog post would be us wrangling 11 kids on Court and Dave's Work Night!?;)