Downsizing Our Lives

Moving is hard.  For years my husband and I had created roots in a house we thought we would stay in forever.  To discover that the house that we had invested so much time, money, and years in was making us sick was heartbreaking.    But the evidence that the house was compromising all of our health was overwhelming.

We had struggled to fix up our over 100 year house for years.  We plowed tax returns, a small inheritance from my grandmother, and every extra dime into the house.  But the improvements seemed to only be small in comparison to the number of things that need finished.  

The health issues that we all developed, I assumed were coincidental and genetic.  I wondered why my sinuses slowly grew worse.  My children and I always seemed to be fighting a cold.  When the vitamin D deficiency was diagnosed in me, I assumed that was the majority of my problems.

But then my step-daughter moved in.  Within months she began to develop similar problems.  Genetically, she isn't mine.  I began to have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.  

Last summer had some scorching hot days.  I rarely turn on the air conditioning, but a few times last summer I decided it was too hot to not seek relief.  Every time  I turned on our air I would get migraines. They were severe enough I had to go to bed.

We began checking out the house.  Mold in the walls and basement was discovered.  This was coupled by other severe issues that could be compromising our health and safety.  

We priced fixing the issues and were overwhelmed.  I doubt the value of the home us worth the cost to handle the severe issues.  

We cried, prayed, sought council from trusted Christians.  We tried to get help from our mortgage company, but a loan modification won't pay for the repairs.  The reduction in the payment wouldn't be enough to truly help either.  

So... We made the difficult decision to move.  We will be hiring legal counsel to deal with the house.  Unfortunately, the only place we could move was an apartment.  

We are still sorting through and moving stuff.  Losing much of our square footage means downsizing lots of things.  It's been tough.  Instead of having a school/playroom, we are condensing items into our living/dining room.  However, we are slowly making progress.   I made sure when I purchased homeschool materials that I choose resources more than just a bunch of novels.  

It'll take a lot more organizational skills than I've used in the past.  My husband and I are praying our way through a very tough time.  The other day, while packing up some things, I sadly was overwhelmed with the memories.  A few moments later my husband, who isn't as sentimental, moved a piece of furniture.  Behind it was more mold.  

The health of my children is more important than any house.

We've been staying in our apartment for a week.  Already my sinus issues have eased up.