We weren't happy where we were and it was time to take a chance on making a change. We're extremely blessed and grateful how smooth it went, typically things don't work that way.
We spent 2-3 weeks finishing up projects I had started over the last 5 years we were there (damn adhd lol), called our realtor, got it listed, and had an offer in hand over asking price in 2 days with a request to close in 30 days. We found something more modest in terms of the home but with plenty of land to expand if needed as well as the ability to homestead (not huge, but 5 acres compared to the .32 we had is a big change) and best part was being able to pay cash for the new place from the equity we have in the old place.
My goal was to be mortgage free by 50 and managed to do it by 45, so I'll take that as a small victory, get the necessities taken care of, then enjoy a glass of whiskey by the fire tonight (we close at 11:30am today) and worry about unpacking the rest tomorrow.
Things could have gone off the rails very easily, but we had some great friends that helped along the way, and that will never be forgotten. That friend is a member here, so if he sees this, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.