Downsizing?

Today I told a friend, "Right now we all feel like the space & stuff are controlling our lives. The idea of living simpler and better is very appealing."

Both Scott & I have felt that way for some time now. Occasionally we've talked about moving to a different house, but the kids, knowing no other home in their lives, have been adamantly opposed.

Last evening, after telling a friend how we would love to have them over to our (non-existent) backyard so the kids could all play while we talked the night away, I decided to look at realtor.com. I felt guilty for indulging in my discontentment. I love my home, but it's so big we can't keep up with it and it is lacking a yard, garage, and working fireplace. We have plans in place to fix what is lacking, but it will take time & effort & money. The kids are rapidly growing up & we want to spend our time enjoying our family instead of pouring it into our home - either for improvements or upkeep.

Even so, I was still feeling guilty for looking at other houses. Until I found one that seemed (still seems) too good to be true. It's half the size of ours, has a lovely backyard (with a fabulous climbing tree), two car garage, newly updated interior (with a kitchen that looks so much like the one we just remodeled), gas fireplace, etc. And the price is right.

Even better, the kids are excited for the most part. We have one partial hold out (not the one you'd expect), but she does love the idea of the climbing tree and camping in the back yard. We saw the house this morning and hope to make an offer tomorrow. We've spent much time praying and thinking and discussing.

Looking back at my last post (on my other blog), I get a little sad. I love our home & the memories it contains, but if a move will help us continue to make more & better memories, I'm ready.