This afternoon, knowing that some really cold weather is headed our way, we decided to take Dub over to Macy’s to get him some winter clothes. We found some plaid flannel shirts he liked and some sweatshirts, but they didn’t have any long johns his size. So we went to Penny’s and found some thermal sets. When we got home, I wanted him to try the stuff on, so he did. The last two things he tried on were some thermal long-johns and a red and black plaid flannel shirt. They fit fine, so I told him he could take them off and put his regular clothes back on. He said, “I wear these.” And, I said, “Dude… it isn’t that cold yet.” He said, “It’s o.k. I wear these.” So he went around the house all afternoon in tennies, thermal long johns and a flannel shirt. Guess he thought he was being “cool” – or maybe they were just comfortable?

I promised you guys a report on our trip yesterday to Springfield to pick up Dub. David and I got up pretty early and had lots of Saturday chores to do before we could leave. We got the house cleaned, laundry done, grocery shopping and banking completed… and finally headed out at a little after eleven. We got to Springfield about two p.m. When we got to G-ma Annie and G-pa Mick’s house, Dub came running out yelling and grinning from ear-to-ear. He was talking about a million miles an hour – trying to tell us everything he’d been doing – all at once – and hugging us and asking us about the pups… and it was totally crazy for a while. We went in and Dub showed us around the house and his list of chores that he had been doing every day and the five dollars he’d earned. We spent about an hour there – then took Dub and went over to his other grandparents’ house and visited with them while Dub jabbered and kept us all laughing. After that, all of us headed to Pizza House – where we met Annie and Mick and had pizza. I ordered 6 large carry-out pizzas to bring home and freeze and, after we’d eaten, I asked our waiter for the bill. He said it’d already been taken care of. So I asked who had paid. The waiter said he didn’t know, but I could tell from the look on Debbie’s dad’s face that it had been him. After we ate, he asked me if we could go outside and talk for a few minutes. So we went to his car and got in… and there was an awkward silence and he finally said, “You know, my daughter is a very intelligent person.” I agreed. And, he said, “When Angie told me she wanted you and David to raise Dub, I got mad as Hell. I told her that was bullshit and that her mother and I would raise him. He’s our own flesh and blood. But she wouldn’t hear of it… and we had words and she took Dub and left. Later, I told her I was sorry, but I just didn’t understand. Then, this week, Dub spent Wednesday at our house and he was going like a whirlwind and telling us about walking the dogs – and how he loves his two dads – and about his chores and reading ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ and you and “Unca Keon” teaching him to play soccer – and saving for ‘collage’ and, then I understood. You’re the right people to raise a little guy with all that energy… not some crippled-up old farts like his grandma and me.”
I didn’t know what to say. Finally, I said, “Thank you.” It was quiet for a while… and I said, “David and I love Dub. We want to give him the best home any little dude ever had. But we know how important grandparents are – and we want you guys to be a part of his life. You’re welcome at our home anytime… and we’ll be sure he visits you and talks with you on the phone regularly… and that you’re included in every part of his growing up.”
It was quiet then for a while… and he said, “I guess we better get back inside so you and David and Dub can get headed home.” So that’s what we did.
When we’d left Pizza House and the grandparents – and started home, Dub bounced and jabbered for a while… then got in the back seat and slept like a log the rest of the way to Kansas City.
We got home about 9:30 – put Dub to bed (after he and the pups had wrestled and barked and been crazy for a while).
After that, David and I made some drinks and headed to the hot tub. It was a good day… and it’s great having our Dubster home where he belongs.