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.

If you read my post yesterday, than you know that D dressed up our little guy in his 6-12 month batman bathing suit.

Because he looked SO darn CUTE, I couldn't resist following him around (with my camera) out in the backyard while he and his big sis were playing with their Grandmother.

C was running around all over the place...I know...I know, SO unusual, right?? ;)..,so this made it even harder for me to capture his cuteness. He was trying to catch up with her as I was trying to catch up with him. Ha! :)

When something, other than his big sis, caught his eye, I slowed down with him and took it all in from the lens.

Oh, how this moment reminds of his big sis in the same location!!

Once the hose wasn't much fun anymore, I walked and snappedwith himall over the yard.

Then this MAGICAL moment happened. He stopped!! And I stopped and SAVORed his cute little legs. Oh, those legs!! I can NEVER get enough!! :):)

He walked a bit closer to the fence. And, I, of course, kept quiet while snapping away and taking all his cuteness in.

And THEN, look who came over to join us???? And, yes, I have one ready for the beach and one ready for the winter snow. She was playing Elsa from Frozen. :):)

She grabbed him and gave him the BIGGEST hug!! Awwwwwweeeeeeeee!! Heart melting!!

And then...

She gave him a great BIG kiss!! Double awwwwweeeeeeeee!!!!

She was off again and he was left one HAPPY lil' bro!!!! I just LOVE how she took a moment to STOP from playing to give him some big o'le sibling LOVE!!! Heart.still.melting!!

And then it was back to "everyone running around" again!! :)

I tell ya, at this time of day, while snapping, I was super tired.But I really wanted to snap a few pics of my little batman. As I was walking around, I kept thinking about how tired I was and how I felt a headache coming on and that I should go inside and sit down and relax for a bit, but I didn't. And, I'm SO glad I didn't.

When you pick up your camera and just BE with your kiddos while snapping away like this, not only do you get present and totally focused on the moment, but you also get to SAVOR the most beautiful moments that you probably would have missed or one's that you least expect.

I eventually stopped snapping and went inside and relaxed. I'm not a fan of pushing myself any further than my body wants to go.

But I'm SUPER happy that I now get to SAVOR this FEELING of the LOVE my daughter has for her lil' bro, and the LOVE he has for her, every time I look at these pictures.

Before I ask ya...

What moments have you SLOWED DOWN to SAVOR today with your camera?

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 and WATCH the moment. (I was STOPPED in my tracks with how CUTE Luca looked in his batman outfit, which had me pulling out my camera right away while having the biggest SMILE on my face! :) )

2. While watching and just BEing in this moment, snap what you SEE. Don't say anything...BE still, watch and snap. (I just walked with Luca all around the yard...behind him, on the side of him. I'd run a bit to get in front of him and then squat down to capture him. I just watched him and snapped while moving all around him and taking his cuteness in)

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. (I did a lot of squatting for these pics to get on his level)

5. The magic happens when you sit sit back and WATCH!! 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!! Just keep snapping at the same time! :)

It's pretty easy, and, the coolest part of all, your camera makes it even EASIER to SLOW DOWN, BE present 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! :)