TheMorrisonFamilyBlog

 In a recent issue of the Desert News , an article highlighted the current trend of record-low mortgage rates, making home ownership more affordable than ever. These rates are the lowest seen since the introduction of long-term mortgages in the United States, presenting a remarkable opportunity for prospective homebuyers like us. As we explore the market for a new home, we're thrilled to find that areas we once considered out of reach are now within our budget. Today's 30-year mortgage rates are significantly lower than the average rates of 20-25 years, with an average of 3.78 percent. The Sacramento Bee also reports that the last time mortgage rates exceeded 6 percent was in November 2008, with an average 30-year fixed rate of 6.33 percent. This difference is substantial, as a $200,000 loan at that rate would require a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With today's average rate of 3.97 percent, the monthly payment for the same loan size would be $947.93, a savings of $294 per...

 [caption id="attachment_14518" align="aligncenter" width="180"] Jake's Hand February 11,1994[/caption] During a family scavenger hunt back in 1994 we had to bring back a handprint. We captured this one of Jake's at a copy shop! It's a great memory of how small he once was!

 This past Mother's Day was incredible. The day before, I witnessed my oldest, Jake, marry his high school sweetheart. It was a week of crazy emotion. Of course I was joyous, but there's a place in your heart as a mother that seems to take you on a journey of memories when events like a wedding take place.   Jake and I had lunch one day before his wedding and it was truly a time of reflection. Growing up, I encouraged (okay, sometimes I demanded) my children to participate in anything and everything. There were two summers that Jake was a volunteer Jr. Life Guard. Trust me, he hated every minute of it, but it taught him work ethic and that sometimes it's okay when things are quiet. We spent a lot of time doing Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Here, Jake grew as a leader. He learned to problem-solve and motivate others, and as a family, we spent a lot of time doing service projects. We also traveled a lot. Together we had the opportunity to see Hawaii twice and all but Jake enjoye...