Anywho we also included in the Christmas package our family pictures calendar that we created before going to get Wubitu. Wubitu and I looked it over together and I was so overcome with emotion as she would point to each person's picture and say thier names and then ask "Where's Wubitu?" We did dedicate the month of November to her and included the only 2 sad pictures of her that we had at that time and left room to glue on more but the question still struck a cord in me.
1) I was so sad that she wasn't in these family pictures. We missed all of that time together...our longing to be with her was so great during the entire year.

2) I was excited about the possiblities and fun experiences to come in the next year. Each month is filled with a new fun holiday and I intend to do it up this year. Image experiencing the joy of the 4th of July for the first time or Halloween (yes we trick or treat)!
3) After much soul searching I finally came to terms with the fact that I was glad she was not with us this last year because she got to spend very precious time with her Ethiopian family that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. Even though she may not remember everything about them when she is older, I know she will remember that she was loved intensely by them.