I will never forget after Tarah delivered Jedidiah and we went on our first "out-of-town" trip to Nashville, Tennessee.  This was the moment when I found out that my connection with Jed was going to be undeniable.  I was buying a pair of sunglasses in a sporting goods store when it happened. Walking up to the cashier; holding my newborn son, the lady said these words in a deep Tennessee draw, "Sir, there ain't no denying that one!  He is your spit'n image."  I proudly grinned in response to her remarks.  Now these kinds of comments have continued as Jed has gotten older and somehow they never bring Tarah much excitement or credit.  Typically she responds with, "You would think I had nothing to do with him the way people say he looks just like you."  Now I don't know if it is a curse or a blessing to have my physical traits, but I am finding out quickly that Jedidiah and I share several attributes other than just our appearance.

My mom tells stories of my hyper-activity as a toddler.  Some people even called me 'annoying' as a child.  Okay, I hear the jeers, "Not much has changed."  Jedidiah has the same energy and vigor for life.  It is nothing for him to scale a dressor or jump off a counter.  Jedidiah is a special little boy.  While he may have the energy of a pink bunny (that was a 90's joke about energizer batteries for the younger crowd), he has the most affectionate disposition.  He ran up to me just before I walked upstairs to write this entry and said, "Daddy, daddy, give me a squeeze."  Then he gave me a big hug.  Most nights before he goes to bed he wraps his hands around my neck and says, "Daddy, sit with me a minute.  Will you hold my hand as I go to sleep."

Jedidiah was King Solomon's God-given title given to him after birth.  The story is found in 2 Samuel.  After Solomon's birth God chose him to be the king to follow David and set him apart by giving him this title which means, Beloved of God.  I must agree, I too love this little boy and he is most definitly my beloved of God!