more space or less stuff?

I have always had a ten year plan for our current house.  My logic was that by the time we had lived in our first home for ten years, we'd have a couple of kids underfoot and we would simply need more room (true and true).  Alas, we're currently nine years in and I don't think my ten year plan holds water.

Our finances have taken a huge hit due to Max's therapy bills (ringing in at over $60,000 a year).  Add to that, the idea of actually organizing a move and all it would entail makes my brain feel on the verge of exploding.  There is also the issue of schools, transitioning Max into a completely new environment and the fact that in our nine years here, we have done a bunch of maintenance (new furnace, A/C, windows, roof and flooring) and I feel like we should reap the benefits of those investments.

But, we're nine years in and we have a couple of kids underfoot and we need more room!  What the hell are we supposed to do?  The physicist in me (hahahaha) tells me that to create more physical space without putting an addition on our home, we need to reduce the amount of stuff in our house.  While we're at it, we need to consume less stuff overall (what's the good in getting rid of stuff if you simply replace it?).

If you wondering, no, our dining room is no longer in post makeover condition, nor is our kitchen or bedroom.   So, re-starting with our bedroom (also my quilting room and workout room) I am back to the mantra "when it doubt throw it out (or recycle or donate)".  While I'm at it, I'm trying to organize the storage spaces we have so that I actually know what we have and where we have it (simple in theory, yes).   I'm still fantasizing about building a wall of bookcases in my bedroom and getting a beautiful sewing table like my friend Kimberly, but I'd prefer to do it from a design perspective and not a "I need a place to put all this junk" requirement.

I've certainly got my work cut out for me.  See you in 2012 (I kid, I kid).