one month later

I moved to North Carolina!

That is still surreal to say (or type).

This is a big step for me and a big life change but it is going well.

I finally have my own classroom,teaching first grade!!

I am so excited to continue to explore NC,I am basically smack dab in the middle of the state so the Ocean is a few hours as well as the mountains.

I love my new apartment and I am still finding my way around, I have also met a few other new teachers who I hang out with over the weekends,that is nice.

I miss my family,friends and the comforts of Chicago but this is a fun chapter in my life.

And it is September already!! Fall is just around the corner,my favorite season!

capture it:flying

Sunset in OBX

I caught the Sunset on a few different evenings,it sets on the Sound side of the OBX,of course. Amazing!

Sunrise in OBX

I caught the sunrise on two different days...both stunning and mesmerizing and both rather different in their degrees of color.

Morning 1

 Day 2

Lighthouse

A true historic and coastline must---visit a lighthouse! 

I was so excited to go inside and take a tour BUT then we learned the whole tour was 45 minutes long and you had to stay with the group and it was 98 degrees inside...so we opted to just tour outside :) Still a beautiful sight to capture!

capture it: beach happiness

This boy still melts my heart and makes me laugh so hard!

capture it: strength

One of Lovebug #2's goals on vacation was to do a handstand on the beach! She is amazing in so many ways!

capture it: God's beauty

This makes me at a loss for  words and I am so proud of this photo and captured moment. 

Sunset on the Sound on Sunday August 3,OBX.

Beach finds

Ghost crab,at night.

The Ghost crab is hiding. 

Beach Time

The Lovebugs had a BLAST playing in the sand,waves and water and searching for seashells. Lovebug  #1 took up boogie boarding and Lovebug #4 thought it would be funny to pretend that the boogie boards were dogs he would walk around the beach :)

The Atlantic

The magnificent Atlantic Ocean was literally outside the back door of the beach house in North Caroline,just climb the sand and there is is. It was glorious to listen to each night as I fell asleep and I thoroughly enjoyed a drink on the deck with this view and sound.  It was neat,too,to see how different the Ocean looked every day or so and even during the morning walks the beach looked different from our section. Powerful and pretty.

capture it:brave

This girl rocks! She took to the Ocean and boogie boarding like it was nothing! Go Lovebug #1!!

weekend:NC style

This weekend I enjoyed my last day of vacation and then headed home Saturday (arriving super early on Sunday morning,to be exact) from a week long trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  What a great,peaceful and enjoyable time it was---and a much needed break for me.

My favorite photos:

Happy Monday!