1) At this time four years ago I was about to be laid off from a Quality Assurance job that I frankly should have left in in March of 2008. It had all the earmarks of a company that was barely treading water - mostly brought on by extremely poor management decisions and a complete lack of willingness to do things 'right'. Once the economy tanked in May of 2008 I knew I would be laid off eventually. Right now I'm working as an Engineer, making 25% more doing things I like to do and respected by senior management.
2) My wife and I had a child in 2009.
3) My wife was working for a call centre as a trainer but now works for a software company and travels the country (and internationally at times) - she loves it and makes a very good living doing it as well.
4) The house is finally starting to see renovations that weren't absolutely required and we are planning on an extensive remodelling in five years. The location is great, we get along with the neighbors, the house is generally solid and to move would cost just as much or more as doing the renos.