Adoption: To NAD or not to NAD, that is the question.

The longer it takes me to move forward with adopting, it's pushing back my adoption date. Once everything gets green-lighted, I should be able to get an adoption date within 60 days. The reason I get to receive an adoption date within 60 days is because my son has been with me for more than a year, so they try to fast-track the adoption.

However, it's taking forever for things to get green-lighted! The longer it takes - the more things get pushed back on the timeline. At this point, I *might* be able to get a late October adoption date (if I'm lucky), but most likely it's going to be in November. In order to receive an October adoption date, I would need to get green-lighted next week... but then the adoption date would fall close to Halloween, which is not a good idea. Anytime after next week will land me a November date. November is also when they have "National Adoption Day" (NAD).

So, the question is: Should I ask for my adoption to be on NAD?

I've attended adoptions on NAD and on non-NAD days. I personally wasn't impressed with the NAD festivities... However, it was more festive and there was an air of excitement. On non-NAD days, there can be a mix of people in the court house and feels a little weird celebrating when others aren't.

The issue is, November is a crazy month! Thanksgiving is one weekend and there's a lot of other things happening every single weekend in November.

I've decided to make  PRO-CON list to try and make a decision.

Pros and Cons of Participating in NAD 

PROS:

• It's on the weekend. 
• The event is more exciting. 
• More people can potentially make it since it's on a Saturday. 
• Can do the adoption and the adoption finalization party on the same day. 
• More people are allowed in the court room. 
• Professional family picture after adoption hearing. 
• Can potentially video record it. 

CONS:

• The court house for NAD is far. About a 45 minute drive. 
• It's so close to Thanksgiving, that out of state friends/family may not be able to make it. 
• There is a conference that weekend that many of my local friends will be attending, so they would not be able to make our adoption. 
• It's so close to Little Guy's birthday.  
• Lots of people are already traveling that week due to Thanksgiving. 

The deadline to file petitions for NAD is 10/9/15...

Ugh. Of course this is all on stand-by until I can actually talk to my lawyer! I can't talk to her until my agency gets their act together and submits all my stuff to the court. It's frustrating not being able to plan for anything. If things went smoothly, I would have an adoption date already.  <sigh>

I guess I shouldn't complain, as I'm extremely grateful to be adopting! I just wish the adoption would happen a few months before the holidays and before Little Guy's birthday. I want them to be "separate" events and not combine the adoption into any birthday/holiday celebrations.

But we are where we are. I think I'm leaning towards NAD, even if I feel like the Cons out-weigh the Pros. It would be nice if I can get the date sooner than later so I can send out a "save the date" thing and maybe people can plan to make it out.

The best thing is I am going to be adopting my Little Guy. These are just the minute details. I would like all those that have been part of our journey to be a family to attend. But I know that is just wishful thinking.

Edited to Add: Another PRO for NAD is that you can record the adoption procedures (confirmed from the adoption lawyer). On non-NAD days, you can't. This would be great, since Little Guy will be too young to remember it and I would love to show him the recording of when we officially became a family.