2007 Year in Review

Well, 2007 is almost over, and as with most people we will now take a look back at the highlights from this busy and crazy year.

The first big thing that happened with us was the birth of our daughter. Landice Elizabeth Mullins was born February 20, 2007. She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen, and there is no use arguing with me over this because believe me you will never win. Now, if you know me you know that the initial thought of having a baby girl was absolutly terrifying. I grew up with brothers, almost all my cousins were boys, and the two cousins that are girls live in New York and Maryland. So you see what I am saying, boys dominated the scene in my family. This whole idea of having a girl was completely foreign to me. Literally, something I never really thought would happen. But it did and it is wonderful. Really the most surprising thing about it all isn't that I have a little girl now, it is that I have a fiery little red head now. That was the real shocker. To hear the doctor say "You have a beautiful little girl.........Oh, wait, she has red hair. I looked at Elizabeth and was like "whaaaaaaat?!?" But it is great. And then on top of red hair she sucks her thumb. It drives me crazy that I have a thumb sucker. But it is one of those evil little things I actually enjoy, because, well, that thumb never falls out of her bed at night. That, my friend, is a blessing.

The second big event of the year for us had to do with our house. Now, I wish I could tell you all how we were able to do all kinds of fun improvements to our house or that we got a nice big house to fit our growing family, but I would be lying. Instead, our house told us what we were gonna do and didn't even have to courtesy to ask if we were ok with it's decision. How does your house tell you what you are going to do? Well, with our house it kinda sounded like it was playing a drum. Then, if you listened real close it started to sound like it was mumbling something. Then, when you really got quiet and payed attention it became clear. The house was saying, "Gurgle, Blurp, Gurgle...Gurgle, Blurp, Gurgle." I'm not kidding, those were its exact words. And it was serious. So if your house ever starts saying "Gurgle, Blurp, Gurgle" let me tell you what it is actually saying. It is really saying, "Hey, I'm drowning here. Better call up your heat and air guy and move these air ducts up into the attic. It's time for an overhaul, KA-CHING!$!" Now don't panic, this doesn't mean the end of the world. And anyways if your house is like mine it isn't tall enough to jump off of anyways and really do anything more than cause a little more pain. So we called around got a variety of different prices quoted to us and had our entire heat and air system moved overhead. Now the greatest thing about this is it works so much better being in the attic. It really is amazing.

The third big event was our trip to Broken Bow lake with the Hornbuckles. This was probably our first and last trip where we got to stay on a house boat. We had so much fun. Broken Bow is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and the lake is amazing. I also learned of a very powerful weapon against Corban, mobile video. I really couldn't believe the power mobile vidoe wielded over my son. Besides Jeremy (who was driving), Corban was the only person who stayed awake the entire trip from Edmond to Broken Bow. I litererly don't think he blinked for 8 hours straight. Seriously, 8 hours without blinking. And the only time he actually talked was to say, "Again, watch Veggie Tales again!!!" This to me was possible one of the most eye opening experiences I have ever had. I never believed in hypnosis until I witnessed this event. Just amazing.

I would say that the rest of the year was quiet and calm but, honestly, it was so busy I actually don't remember. I had to ask Elizabeth what we did this year just so I could write this letter. I suppose I could let you know that Elizabeth and I are doing great and our kids are wonderful. Elizabeth is still working up at Transformation Fitness and I am still with Red Earth Systems. We bought a minivan. I really don't want to talk about that anymore than to say we did it, it's done, now lets move on. We have enjoyed lots of time with friends and family and our kids group of friends keep growing because, well, our friends keep getting knocked up. I think we had more than 15 new babies born to couples in our bible class this year. Thanksgiving was fun. We got to see lots of family and Seth's girlfriend came up to visit with us this year and we all think she is really great. So to end it all in 2007 I turned 28, Elizabeth turned 24 again, Corban turned 2 and Landice turned 0. Is that right? Can you actually turn 0. Would that mean she was actually negative to begin with? Anyways, we hope that you have had as blessed a 2007 as we are having.

Have a Merry Christmas,
Joshua, Elizabeth, Corban and Landice.