Good to hear from you again!

Sure there is a positive to not getting VISA's for you in-laws. Being in Canada I applied for my parents in law to come to Canada as visitors. That was 20 years ago ... and they are still living in the house. If the government says no you have a good reason why you are just living with your wife (and kids) if the government says YES you could find yourself having a more crowded house than you like :)

As you said though. Life goes on and there are always ups and downs.