Every summer around this time, a day will come along and catch you by surprise. In the midst of the heat and humidity, you notice something changing. It isn't quite visible and barely palpable. The feeling is very subtle, and comes from a slight change in the sun's angle at the end of the day or something about the way the sky looks at sunset. It's a gentle reminder that the summer cannot last forever and soon will give way to autumn. Today was that day for me.

The days are getting shorter, and there's a little sadness in that moment, but anticipation as well--football, the chill in the air (or for Louisiana, temps back in the 70s), the changing of the season--and the moment passes with the awareness that another summer comes to a close.

The summer of 2009--out first in Louisiana--has been great. We had lots of fun and sweated like we've never sweated before. The girls are becoming acclimated to school and we have been here for over six months now. It feels like we live here.

We are looking forward to seeing our families next weekend at my sister's wedding, and to the onset of a warmer than usual (for us) fall season. Here's to what's left of the summer of 2009.

Maggie's latest thing is to wear a set of wings around the house. She at almost 2 1/2 loves to get dressed up just as her big sisters did at about this same age. And they - Ella and Hannah Jane - enjoy dressing her up. Interestingly enough, she is particularly drawn towards the wings. We have collected several sets over the years and she likes to have on either the butterfly wings, ladybug wings or fairy wings as often as possible these days. Also, when she gets all dressed up in a princess dress, gloves, dress-up shoes, jewelry, a tiara and wings of course she gets this look on her face. Cory and I recognize it well because it's the same look that the other 2 girls had on their faces when in full dress up mode. It's kind of this sweet little demure look that says "I know I look beautiful." It is a priceless expression. Although I didn't capture the expression, I did get a picture of her with her wings on this morning.

Well, I just put my 2nd baby on the school bus. Hannah Jane started kindergarten today. My emotions snuck up on me. I didn't realize that I would get teary, but I did. God love her, she climbed right on that bus. Then, she peered out at us from the window with a BIG grin and waved happily as they rode away. Time goes by so fast. I am reminded yet again of the brevity of life and how important it is to cherish each day and each moment. My children are my biggest joy. I thank God for them today with a heavy but full heart.

We have had such a great weekend together as a family. Ella's birthday party was on Saturday at the bowling alley in Baton Rouge. She had 6 girlfriends come. They were so funny/entertaining to watch! Maggie actually had the highest score. She had a little help from her daddy. Ella was quite miffed about this and we had to convince her that Maggie's score technically didn't count because she had help from a grown up. After this Ella was pleased because that meant that she had the highest score. She's a wee bit competitive. Wonder where she gets that?? The cake was a big hit. I found a bakery in Baton Rouge called Truly Free. They bake cakes and other goodies that are egg free, dairy free, gluten free and nut free. Ella selected a lemon cake with white icing. Hannah Jane was thrilled to join the others when it came time to cut and eat the cake. She actually got quite bored with bowling after about 15 minutes and then proceeded to ask me "Is it time for cake yet?" every few minutes for the next hour. Today we went to church and then out to eat at one of Cory's favorite places - Izzo's - home of the illegal burrito. After lunch we went downtown by the river to the the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. It was a "get in for free day." All of us enjoyed the exhibits and the girls especially enjoyed the Discovery Science room for kids. We'd like to go back and see a show in the Planetarium. Cory's re-igniting his work-out program tonight and I can hear the instructor in there spouting off directions from the TV. Maybe he'll let me put some before/after pictures on our blog when it's all said and done. I think I'll go fold some laundry and start the 3rd book in the Twilight series. Here's to getting immersed in another book!

This is my very first entry on our new family blog! Wow! I am not just thinking about writing a blog for our family, I am finally doing it, and I am doing so I think, for a few reasons.

First of all, if I'm being completely honest, it is because some of my other friends are creating blogs. I being somewhat competitive don't want to miss out on something that seems like a fun, memorable thing to do.

Secondly, I want to chronicle our sweet girls' lives and have given up on scrapbooking for now due to a serious lack of free time. I feel that blogging will allow me to record the funny and memorable things that the kids do and say when I'm able to - you know in the nooks and crannies of my day? With blogging there's no draggin' out scrapbook parafanalia and setting it all out. I used to spend hours on the layout of the pages, adding cute details only to get burned out and journal a few comments about the pictures before cleaning everything up and putting it all away. I may be wrong but I think that this blog will help me stay focused on the most important part - the journaling. I have to chuckle to myself, however, because I've already spent hours just looking at sites that offer free backgrounds, headers and blinkies as well as trying to figure out how to cut and paste pictures to the blog and deciding on which pictures to use. Not to mention all the time I spent trying to think of just the right cute, catchy name for our blog. I settled on "The Sweet T's" with Cory's help. (I must say he was only somewhat helpful for he did not share my enthusiasm in finding just the right title for our blog). Anyway, since we have 3 sweet little girls and we are from the south where sweet tea is a staple we felt this name fit appropriately.

Thirdly, we live away from our precious family in NC. I hope that this will become a place where they can go and read our daily/weekly/I hope more than monthly entires and feel more connected to us.

While on the eliptical machine last week, I was watching CMT and saw a video by Trace Adkins called "Then They Do." It's all about how we rush our kids lives' along, wishing they would grow out of the stages in which they demand so much of our time and energy and then they do. I was boo-hooing on that machine by the time the video was over. Fortunately, the lady next to me was tearing up as well. For we as moms and dads all know that the time with our children is precious and the days will fly by, but in the midst of the day to day routine, we forget this. Sometimes we wish the morning away, the evening away, the day away, the week away. I don't want to look back on this time with our girls and feel I didn't embrace all the moments as much as I should have. I'm sure you understand . . .

I dedicate this blog to Ella, Hannah Jane and Maggie - may it be an honest record of the good, bad and ugly events in the life of The Thompson Family.