How do you fill your time waiting for "the phone call"?

Question

My husband and I are in our last little tiny stage before meeting the boys we're adopting. The psych evaluation is finished on both and we've read one, but waiting on the other. We are supposed to meet the boys tomorrow at 11a.m. and can't do so unless we've read that last evaluation. I keep checking our email about every five minutes. How did you fill your time waiting for the phone call or email in the progression of your adoption?

Answer 1

Ah yes, the waiting.

We spent a lot of time learning about all things adoption. Reading blogs and books and going on adoption forums. Plus we researched as much as possible about China and the Chinese culture. Plus we took Mandarin language classes and cooking classes.

We also did home renovations that we simply would have time for after we brought her home. We took a last romantic vacation. We spent as much time together just enjoying each other because we knew after we became parents we would not have as much alone time.

Answer 2

The best advice that I got from a friend when we were adopting was "get a great haircut and lots of sleep".  I know, sounds funny, but now for the life of me I can never make time for either.  OK, on the serious side.  Read, read, read (adoption related material) and get the house ready.

Answer 3

The same things you were doing to fill the void before you started the process.

Answer 4

Enjoy it now.

After they come, you won't have free time anymore.

Answer 5

We've been waiting a year and a half.  We've filled the time reading books, blogs, articles, watching films, etc. from the adoptee's point of view, and learning everything we possibly can about just being the best adoptive parents we can be.  

And then, of course, there's always s*x.

Answer 6

I'm a home health nurse, so I continued to work.  When the waiting would get difficult (which was often), I would pray for patience.  Every day, I'd tell myself that maybe today would be the day and I would pray for patience.

Then, I would get busy at work.

I'd pray for patience, and I'd keep getting busier at work.

Finally, it occurred to me that God must have thought I was praying for "patients" not "patience".

Careful what you ask for!

But seriously, the wait is agonizing, I know.  Keep busy, enjoy time with hubby, enjoy alone time.  Hang in there!

Answer 7

You've received some great answers so far.  Reading as much as you can is a great way to "fill time", but you may also want to start a journal or book for each of the boys.  You could start it with a letter to each of them stating why you are adopting and how the wait for them is so exciting.  You could record things about your life or things you want them to know about you or even things that you hope to do with them someday.  You could even leave a place for them to record memories or post photos of their original families if they choose.  You may choose to give it to them when they arrive - if you include a place for their own thoughts - or you may keep it until a significant birthday, etc.  But it's a way to keep you busy and do something special for them.

I found a book called "Mom Remembers" that I began filling out for my son before he came home.  I also bought similar books for my husband and all of the grandparents (including my son's bio grandparents) to complete for my son so that some day he has them to look at.  

Good luck and Congratulations to your family!