Well our 6 month redemption period has just expired and we have moved out of our home. As a 2 income household we made some poor financial decisions combined with some bad luck that led to our situation. In reading the public notice section of the paper & hearing the statistics in the news we are not alone. For those lucky enough to not live this nightmare "Hats off to You!" but please don't judge those of us in the situation.

We are constantly asked questions about "Why & Now what are you going to do?" In response to many who wonder the same things. We are doing the only thing possible. We saved for and found a rental property that would accomadate our family and will now start to rebuild our lives. In reality the rental we have found is a larger home, with more space, more structurally sound and $400 a month less than our mortgage without the responsibility of taxes, insurance and repairs. This savings will allow us to finally have health insurance, a luxury our family has lived without for 4 years or more. The reality of it all is living up to the expectations of your children. Do you konw how heart wrenching it is to hear your 12 year old freak out at the word "Rental"? Tears and fears in full force as they don't understand what is going on and don't understand "Why are we renting a house when we own a house?" "Why do we have to leave our home?" along with "Do we have to get rid of our cat?" We were fortunate enough to find a home that allowed us to bring both of our pets. I am sure many are not able to do this which makes things even harder for the children. It is quite funny how quickly the pride of ownership shows up in children and how easily that pride can be bruised despite the fact that they have no control over the situation or the ownership of a home themselves. Owning a home for your home in the eyes of a child only means STABILITY and comfort. Don't we as adults feel this way also? Remember when as adults our parents sold the farm or moved from the home we grew up in? We feel like we lost something.

Moving day passed and all that was left to do was clean the old home and tie up the loose ends before surrendering the keys and abstract. We took pride in our home while living in it and even tho it was old and we didn't have money to fix things didn't mean I was going to take out my frustrations and feeling of failure on the house. A close friend from out of town was shocked as she helped finish up the loose ends that I was not crying. She was by the way, for as she put it all of the memories that are there. Truthfully, I had cried more in frustration and fear for months leading up to the actual loss (move out day) and didn't feel like the situation deserved more. Really cry over the memories? Those aren't going anywhere at all--The memories will always be close to my heart and in my mind. Isn't that where all memories are? Besides my old house was beyond repair and I myself was ready for a change. plus I had to be strong for the kids. They had enough fears and trepadition withour Mom losing control. So I held strong and put up a good front and survived the long holiday weekend with out of town company. Tuesday came and it was time for the final walk thru @ the old home. This is when reality hit. Keys and abstract were surrendered and it was time to leave for the last time. Tears? No there were still no tears just a great big feeling of FAILURE!

But guess what "WE SURVIVED! and are now ready to put the situation behind us and move on to bigger and better things. Of course I say this with confidence until it is time for us to obtain credit for any reason, for I am sure that then the frustration and feelings of failure will return with great force. Until then "Pray for us and all in the same situation."