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, reconnect with the present moment and savor WHO my kids are right now in their current stage of life AND what makes MY heart happy with joy. When life is busy and I see something that makes me light up with a smile, I stop, grab my camera (iPhone or SLR - it doesn't matter because what does matter is that I capture the moment...), click what I see and SAVOR the FEELING of that LOVE. My camera helps me stay focused on what fills my heart up with love and captures a visual reminder of WHO my kids are and what they love, so they never disconnect from themselves as they grow older, like I did.Last week, while Luca was napping, I sat outside on the patio with C and started doodling. Once she saw me, she wanted to doodle as well, so she got comfy on the ground next to me.

When I looked down, I couldn't help but SAVOR what I saw.

It wasn't cold out, but she was sure ready for it. Isn't it funny how when the weather is hot outside, my daughter wants to wear all her winter clothes and when it's cold outside she wants to wear all her summer clothes??? If you have little kids, does that happen to you???

When we have to go out on the town and she wants to wear her swimsuit when it's 40 degree's outside, let's just say she's not a happy camper and major conflicts arise...like big time meltdowns with her voicing, "I DON'T WANNA WEAR PANTS AND MY JACKET!!"

Thank goodness we were just hanging around the house here. ;)

But, this outfit she put together, all on her own, made my heart SMILE. Her school jumper, long sleeve shirt, mittens, capri pants, socks (pulled up...LOVE!!) and her Cinderella shoes. I just LOVE watching her independent self unfold.

And, yeah, I totally need to get this outfit for myself!!! I really need to connect back with my 4-year-old self so I can create funky and FUN outfits like this again!!

Total CUTENESS!!

I stopped what I was doing and I just watched (and snapped!) her get her doodle on.

I couldn't believe that she was still able to draw with her mittens on. What a doodler!! :):)

Then she looked up and said, "All done, Mommy!"

"Look what I did!" Can you see her sun in the top (your) left hand corner??? Eeeeeeeee!! LOVE!!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhh, I just LOVE moments like these!! Never, EVER, stop being YOU and your beautiful + colorful self, Camille!!

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 these pics, I was standing up on my chair above her.

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! :)

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! :)