Rocking the Boat

Lest we find ourselves holding still in our living situation for any length of time, Rick and I are opening up that can of worms...again. We can't seem to leave it alone! After the attempt at moving last summer and all the feelings associated with leaving an area we totally love to gain more space and live within the boundaries of the school we commute to, we felt relieved to stay put in our home awhile longer and just keep commuting. We figured the feeling of limbo would remain, but planned not to approach the subject again for a year or two. We lasted 4 whole months.

NOW, we are seriously considering an addition! For those of you interested and familiar with our house, I've drawn up plans that include a new second family room, 5th bedroom, and bathroom in an expanded basement, thus creating a larger kitchen, dining room, living room and new laundry/project room on the main floor (our current laundry/mudroom would become a generous mudroom with lockers and an exterior french door), a 6-foot bump out to our current bowling alley of a family room (it's 12x27 right now), and a deep 3rd car garage stall.


It all looks good so far and we've been talking to contractors and working on financing, all while trying to figure out if this feels like the right thing to do. We could truly get the home space we need (plus some) at a better cost than moving (150K+ less), while staying in a neighborhood and ward of down-to-earth people. This is so important to us. It all feels perfect until we bring in the school factor. Do we transfer the kids back to local schools (with a negative junior high situation--this is the big issue) since we're committing to the area long-term? It's exciting to think of staying here, but a big decision school-wise. We're thankful to have so many options and are hoping to make a decision in the next week or two...what to do???