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.

This past weekend I got an entire day, all to myself. I didn't have do one thing for my family. I didn't have change diapers, wash clothes, cook dinner...nothing!!

All because I was in bed with body aches and a cold. Yep!! I can't even remember the last time I had a day like that to myself. I was in tears because I hate being sick, but at the same time, it was REALLY nice laying in bed all day.

I don't know...I'd rather lay in bed NOT sick, but at least I was able to rest up and have the hubs here to help out. Because, man, I remember having a fever and taking care of my two kiddos, who had fevers, too, when Luca was teeny-tiny and my hubs was at work all day. And yeah, I'd much rather be in labor than take care of two kiddos, who are sick at the same time as me any day. Man, it's tough!

A few weeks back I was able to stop, smile and SAVOR this moment of my little guy enjoying some time stacking some blocks.

These are the same blocks his sister stacked, at his age, too. She's 14 months here. Awwww!! :)

But, right now, we don't keep the blocks out long because Luca likes to just throw them all over the place and we don't need anyone going to the ER because of it. Man, that boy can throw!!! Ha! :)

So the other day, while sister was at school, I found little guy doing this on the couch.

Of course, I had to stop what I was doing to SAVOR it all. :):)

He did this for a good 10 minutes or so. Now, if you have a 1-year-old, or you've been around 1-year-olds, you know this is HUGE!! 1-year-olds staying in one place for 10 minutes!!! Say wha!?!? :)

I could watch his little face like this all day...concentrating his little "stacking blocks" heart out!! :)

Yaaaaay!!! Clapping in celebration!! :):)

And, of course, he did it again!! :) }

And again...

Until...uh-oh...they fell over! :)

Before I ask ya...

What what moments have you SLOWED DOWN to SAVOR today?

Wanna SLOW DOWN + SAVOR moments like these in your life?

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 and sit down to just WATCH the moment.

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

3. 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.

4. Don't ask for any direction from the subject. Just be a fly on the wall...making the 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! :)