Learning Early

I just love Layla. Don't you?

You know who else does? Jesus. And Layla is learning that precious truth already. This is the sweetest version of "Jesus Loves Me" I have ever heard.

Oh my goodness, my heart just falls right out. I simply can not stop watching this.

I can't wait to teach my own baby about Jesus' love someday! What a wonderful blessing! (The love and the baby!) ♥

Safe and Sound

There are three things I'm currently obsessed with. Taylor Swift is, of course, one of them. The other two you may not know about: The Civil Wars and The Hunger Games trilogy. Seriously, if you've never listened to The Civil Wars, do it. And if you've never read The Hunger Games, do it. You'll thank me for both.

Back in December, I was thrilled when Taylor announced that she was collaborating with The Civil Wars on a new song. (Holla!) Adding to the excitment, the song was going to be for the first movie adaptation of my new favorite book series! And finally, yesterday, (only one day after she brought home two new Grammy awards) she released the video for one of the best songs she's ever done. Prepare to see and hear Taylor like never before. Behold!

Get More: Taylor Swift, Safe and Sound, Music, More Music Videos

What do you think? I absolutely love it. I have to be honest, though, when I first heard they were collaborating, I had a couple doubts of how well Taylor could keep up with the haunting melodies of The Civil Wars, but her voice in this song is more beautiful than ever. And visually, the video matches the tone and feel of the book series perfectly. This gives me high hopes for the film's approach to the material, as well.

Taylor meets The Civil Wars meets The Hunger Games? Yes, please!

Happy Valentine's Day!

My honey surprised me with a dozen roses and some chocolate covered cherries! After our big date night over the weekend I would have been pleased with just the card!

Hope you get to experience some form of love today!

This old dog is learning some new tricks

Everybody say "Happy Birthday!" to Chester! Today, he turns 6 years old. That's even more than a whole paw!

He has gotten entitled in his old age. Lately, he has started straight up asking for treats. Seriously. He walks right up to the closet where we store them, and he impatiently waits. If we don't pay him attention, he rudely scratches the door and shifts his weight to make sure we know that his focus is on the door. Oh-ho no, sir. Not gunna fly in my house, Mr. Mess.

I figured that if he thinks he deserves these treats, he's going to have to earn them, by golly. So this week, we started practicing playing dead. It's one of the tricks we never fully attempted, because he got so confused between it and rollover. But look how great he is doing after only a few days! He's such a smart dog!

Take a look at the birthday boy performing all of his tricks just for you! (He still hesitates a little at the "Bang!" but he's figuring it out.)

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?? Six seems pretty old to me, and he's obviously a champ. Now, we just need to get him over his phobia of us touching his paws, so he can learn to "shake." (Every time we try, he slowly pulls his paw back with a confused look on his face, as if he's clearly offended by our audacity to grab it.) If we can tackle that challenge, who knows? We may eventually even move on to Jesse level tricks!

Happy Birthday, sweet boy! You're the best gosh darn dog in all the land!