job news for jess May 29, 2008
Posted by lesli in family.1 comment so far
Jesse was approached by his boss this week about taking a different position within the company. They would like him to become a general manager! He would mainly work at the Knoxville branch, but would work some in Sevierville and Alcoa when needed. I think he was shocked at first, but seems really excited!
Congratulations to my sweet husband. He is a dedicated and talented young man who I know lives to please and honor Jesus and I am so proud of all the wonderful things I see God doing in his life. Way to go Jesse and thank you Jesus.
A day to remember May 27, 2008
Posted by lesli in family.1 comment so far
Saturday we went to my family cemetary to put some new flowers on the tombstones for Dad & Adam. It was a beautiful day and it was just perfect to be outside. It had been a long time for me to come back to this place, but I was ready for it. Me, Jesse and Mom cleaned up each stone and added some flowers and a couple of flags. My brother was a huge patriot and loved the red, white & blue, so the flags were perfect.
I know it may seem strange for me to post these pictures to some of you, but your perspective is totally different from mine. I know they are not there, they are in heaven, but this is my way of honoring two men who meant the world to me. This is where I had to let them go in this life. But only temporarily 
See you soon guys!
ITK t-shirt anyone? May 23, 2008
Posted by lesli in preteen.add a comment
I thought I would share a few of the photos that Brian took for plans for the ITK t-shirt. This has grown into something so much bigger than we really thought in the beginning. Jesse and these guys have had a blast and the kids have really enjoyed it to. I thought I would post one of my favorite in the series…Iced Tea King. ENJOY!
sisters of hadassah May 21, 2008
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Tonight at Elevate I get to unveil to our preteen girls our plans for a special night just for them! After the popular response to “The Official League of Practicing Gentleman” we have decided to do something similiar for the girls. We have a night of fashion, etiquette and wisdom all about beauty in the works. I am so excited about how things are coming together! I just got our logo today and wanted to show everyone.
The theme is called “Sisters of Hadassah.” Hadassah was Esther’s Hebrew name and we picked Esther because she was a woman of great integrity, beauty and influence. She posessed inner beauty as well as outer beauty and God used her in awesome ways in her time to fulfill His plans. Our verse comes from 1 Samuel 16:7b which reminds us that man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at our heart. We want preteen girls to know that being beautiful is more than just being physically attractive.
Please pray for us we continue to plan and prepare. Come and join us on Wednesday, July 9 in the Epicenter!
prince caspian with friends May 19, 2008
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Friday night we went to see Prince Caspian with some of friends. We met at Chick-Fil-A for dinner and got to just hang out for a while before the movie. Emily, B.J., Lily and Schaeffer got to join us for and we had a blast.
Prince Caspian didn’t disappoint, but wasn’t as exciting as the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I won’t give away all the details It is definitely worth a trip to the theater. There is some pretty intense fighting scenes, but was very family friendly.
update on round 2 May 16, 2008
Posted by lesli in infertility journey.add a comment
So by God’s goodness we had a great appointment yesterday for our IUI with Dr. Harris. As I was in that room I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. So many women over the centuries have struggled with the same thing that I am. So many tears, so much heartache, yet so many never were able to get medical help. As Jesse and I sat there in the silence afterwards, we both thanked the Lord for such a wonderful opportunity. As I passed back out through the hallway I glanced over at the bulletin board on the wall. This board is covered with pictures of babies that Dr. Harris had the chance to help come into the world. I see two of my friends on that board with their precious children and I feel as though they are cheering me on.
Now we go through the dreaded “two week wait” and we continually ask the Lord as Jesse did this morning, “to keep us from discouragement.” God is so good to give us these opportunities and to see Him work in our circumstances. We know that whatever the outcome that God is taking care of us with a love that we can’t even begin to comprehend.
gimme SMORE May 14, 2008
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Lately Jess and I have been on a smore rediscovery. We ran into Food City one rainy night on the quest to fulfill a craving for this sweet treat and now it’s like we have them at least once a week. Bad, I know, but we love it.
Last night while Jess was playing ball I decided to make some smores just for me. Being the impatient girl that I am I decided to try and put them in the microwave instead of the stove. BAD IDEA!!!! I set the timer for like 40 seconds and before it was through I could see the marshmallows expanding like ballons through the window. Those things grew to like 3 times their size in a matter of a few seconds!!! I ran to open the door and realized yes, they will deflate quickly…whew. Thinking the worst was over and it was now time to indulge myself, I took a bite of one. The marshmallows were like wax…..I couldn’t even bit through them. Note to self: do not put marshmallows in the microwave for any reason. So, to all you smore lovers out there. Don’t try the shortcuts. Stick to the campfire flame or just put them in the oven. Such a perfect treat deserves the time and the respect. SMORE LOVERS UNITE.
round 2 with dr. harris May 13, 2008
Posted by lesli in infertility journey.1 comment so far
If you don’t know already, Jesse and I have been going through fertility testing and treatments since last August. It has been an emotional roller coaster, but one that has taught me once again to trust and fear the Lord. Right now, this is what the Holden family experience is….the waiting, the wondering and the believing, that God continues to work out His good plan for our family.
Today I went to see our fertility doctor to get instructions for our round of treatments this month. This is the second round of treatments we have done with her. Total months with previous doctor was three, so I guess this is round 5 if you would like a grand total.
Last month we didn’t do an insemination, but this month we are. The technical term is an Interuterine Insemination or aka IUI. We did two of these with our previous doctor and both were unsuccessful. So, we are trying not to get our hopes up yet. Along with the clomid I am also on a progesterone supplement, so hopefully that will give us a better chance of keeping it, if we actually do get pregnant. We are trying to do all we can and then just trust that God will do the hard part…you know…forming a living, breathing, soul from something the size of a piece of sand? Yep. That’s is right. All that is totally Him.
So pray for us this week as we go through the steps and ask God to keep us totally focused and in tune with His voice and His plan.
mom’s rock May 12, 2008
Posted by lesli in family.1 comment so far
Yesterday we celebrated our moms! Although Jesse’s mom was in GA we were thinking of her as she got to speak to their congregation about motherhood. GO TERRY!
We grilled out at our house and enjoyed lots of good Sunday slumber as the power kept going on and off. Later my sister-in-law and her friend Brad came by share some love with Mom. It was a great day.
Mom has been a mother now for 37 years and will be turning 60 next February. Mom has became on of my closest and dearest friends and we have shared so much in our relationship. I feel blessed and very special to call her my mother and hope to be half the blessing that she has been to me!
Terry has been a mother for 28 years and I don’t have permission to give her age, so I will let you ask her that 
Terry is an amazing mom too and has raised one of the best people I know, my hubby Jess. Thanks Terry for taking such good care of my sweetheart!
big day for bradley May 9, 2008
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Today my cousin Bradley graduates from UT with a degree in chemical engineering! We are so proud of all his hard work and look forward to him starting his new job and watching his life to continue to unfold.
Congrats Brad and we love you!
