Life is crazy busy and it's EASY to stay focused on the to-do's of it all and miss the littlest moments that mean the most. My camera is my tool to slow down, get present and SAVOR the FEELING of moments that I LOVE and that make MY heart HAPPY with JOY. When busy with my to-do's and I see something that makes me light up with a big smile, I stop, grab my camera (iPhone or SLR - it doesn't matter because what does matter is that I capture the moment...) and SAVOR the FEELING of that LOVE from behind the lens. And when it comes to my kids, I LOVE to capture WHO they are what they love, in their current stage of life, so they never, EVER, disconnect from themselves as they grow older, like I did.

While cleaning up the kitchen AND picking up toys at the same time (yes, I do many household chores at the same time, crazy, I know!! and probably the reason why my mama life can feel like a roller coaster ride and that I crave doodling every day!! ;) ), I walked by C's room and I looked over and saw this...

Oh my heart melted seeing them having a sweet moment of play together and I just knew I had to really STOP and SAVOR it. I ran across the house as fast I could, grabbed my camera, took this shot and then Luca saw me and ran over and that was it.

The little moment was over.

But, boy, it's moments like this, moments when they're together,playingnicely and quietly that fill my heart with big BIG smiles.

My heart's desire is that they both continue to GROW more and more into the special bond that having a sibling provides. Something I have NO idea is, but something I sure do LOVE observing on the outside.

Before I ask ya...

What moments have you SLOWED DOWN to SAVOR today?

Wanna SLOW DOWN + SAVOR moments through YOUR the lens?

Here's what you do!

1. When you see a moment, happening right in front of your eyes, that makes you STOP + SMILE, grab your camera WATCH the moment.

2. And, if you SEE a moment where your kiddos are in some GREAT natural lighting in your house...by a window, for example, grab your camera!! :)

3. While watching and just BEing in this moment, snap what you SEE. Don't say anything...BE still, watch and snap.

4. Try different angles. Stand up. Sit down. Lay down. Get on your knees. Stand on a chair. But, for the most part, just sit, snap, smile and watch. BE in the moment with your camera in hand.

For this picture, I snapped it pretty fast. I was just standing in the hallway, because I wanted to snap this moment EXACTLY how I saw it when I walked by the room.

5. Don't ask for any direction from the subject. Just be a fly on the wall...making your "human" subject think you're not there. It's when you do this, you get the true authentic personality of your subject!! But, if they want you to play with them...do it!! And snap at the same time! :)

For this picture, I didn't get a lot of time to be a fly on the wall, since Luca ran over to me and then ran out of the room after. But if he hadn't seen me, I would have snapped more, from all different angles. ;)

It's pretty easy and , the coolest part of all, your camera makes it even EASIER to SLOW DOWN and SAVOR what means most to your beautiful, mama heart. When you're snapping and watching, the to-do's of the day melt away and your heart is focused on the JOY and HAPPINESS of what's most important, which, in the end makes you not only a better mama to your kids and family, but a better mama to yourself! :)