How do I make my home feel happy?

[nearlythree]

We moved into our house exactly a year ago. Moving was v. stressful. Just after moving our friend's ds died, and then both dd2 and myself were very ill. Then after ds was born dd2 got ill again and then all three dcs got cp. Dh and I haven't been getting on b/c of the stress and I am unwell all the time.

Our house feels overwhelmed by sadness. There are bad memories in every room. It's not my home, it's somewhere we live. In theory it's perfect for our family but if I could I would leave tomorrow. That isn't an option.

So, what can I do to make it fell a happier place?

Thank you for such a sensitive post, squidette. You are right, I am so sad, and I hate feeling this way, it comes between me and everything that matters. It's different from depression - I've been there - it is circumstances that I feel I have no control over that have me feeling this way. And my spiritual life is hard to maintain with three little ones - finding time for silence...

Like the Roald Dahl idea, I get your point!

Funny, I do the 'thank you' thing with the dds at prayer time before lights out. Think I need to do it more for myself, too. During ds's and dd2's recent illness I tried giving thanks for the fact I had medicines to help them rather than just getting anxious and sad.