Downgrading

In an effort to downgrade our lives we are making a big change and moving back to our hometown. It has been in our hearts for a while now to stop worrying about the material parts of life and be a family. The past two months we have already made really big changes and they are showing not only in our kids but in ourselves as well. We no longer have game systems (not that they were played in the first place!) we downgraded to our 13' Tube TV, Got rid of furniture that was taking up space, Lowered the Toy volume in our home, and ridded our lives of internet and TV between 10 and 5. Right now that last part has been broken a little bit since we are in the middle of packing and need it every now and then. :)

We know that some people in our lives don't see things are way but thats okay becuase we are a family and we know what it is best for us and our children. One of the biggest changes we are making is moving out of our upscale urban, 1200 SQFT apartment in Charleston, SC and moving into a 600 SQFT two bedroom house in rural Gibsonville, NC. We don't need the space but what we do need is a huge yard and that is what we have! The yard is to die for, with lots of room for the kids to run around and play, lots of shade, and best yet lots of space for my herbs to grow outside instead of inside in a box, and now I have room for veggies! None of those materialistic things are going to heaven with us but the memories our kids will make with our families and outside in nature will and that is what we want.

Right how we have a lead on a position for seth back home but it isnt set in stone yet so we want bank on it until it does. The hardest choice in our decision was this and we contemplated it for a long time. We absolutely love Charleston and I love all the friends I have made here, and Seth doesnt wan't any job but the one he has. One problem with all that. Where do our children come into this? no where. We weren't putting them first. We weren't thinking of them when we snatched them away from there family who loves them dearly and the places that Seth and I grew up. We aren't thinking of them when we look into the school systems here in charleston and see how seriously behind they are compared to other states. We aren't thinking of them when we see that the crime rate is in the top 40 in SC and NC is no where close. We even werent thinking about them when we moved into an apartment where they have no where outside to run around and play. So our decision? Until we can find a job with benefits so our kids will have health insurance Seth is going to be working three shifts and coming home for a few days and doing it all over agian. a lot of traveling but still we will be saving money compared to what we pay in rent here. We are going to miss him dearly but we feel that this is where our kids need to be and we are going to do everything in our power to make them happy.