At my wedding dancing with "Bud". He "cut in" on my dad half way thru our father/daughter dance. Yes, my dad was perfectly fine with this!
In March, my best friends dad passed away. He was known as "Bud" to me. Not sure why I started this nickname, but I started it early (like 8th grade) and it stuck. Bud passed away from complications while fighting Mylodysplastic Syndrone, cancer of the bone marrow. He was trying to get well enough to have a bone marrow transplant, which would hopefully cure him. Amanda, his daughter and my best friend, read this at his service. How she had the strength to read it is beyond me, but she did and it was a great tribute to her dad.
"I stand before you simply to share some of the many wonderful reasons I was and always will be Daddy’s little girl. He referred to me as “Ace”; his Ace in the hole… he also called me his “favorite daughter”.
If there is one thing you could not miss about Dad it was how loudly he cleared his throat. At times it was frustratingly loud; like when watching Jeopardy and just as the answer was said, well… you can imagine. However, at times this cough or throat clearing was useful. For example, when looking for Dad in a store (TJ Maxx) all you had to do was just wait a second or two and [cough] … there he is.
Something you may or may not know is how Dad had a knack for remembering and correctly pronouncing words in Spanish. My parents once took a Spanish class… I was not their teacher… Dad had an ear for enunciating words in Spanish after only hearing them once. I was very impressed with this talent; Mom on the other hand, well let’s all remember math is her forte.
I have to acknowledge Dad for training me to be in sales some day. When I was 6 years old Dad had an amazing garden in our backyard. He let me peddle the vegetables up and down the street to our neighbors and let me keep the money even though he had done all the work. I managed to save $115 in 1979 to buy an adoption doll all because of the help and generosity of my Dad.
I thank Dad for my love of sports and competition. I strive to organize a linen closet the way he did. And to everyone that criticizes my driving, well a State Trooper named Dennis Parker taught me to drive; so put a sock in it.
I really like 1st Thessalonians 4:17-18…”Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words”.
I have to share what my 5 year old Jack Parker Pierstorff said when we first saw him after leaving the hospital Sunday; and I am so proud his name is Jack Parker… He said, “Isn’t this the best day ever? Papa is up there in Heaven, and he is no longer sick because he is with God”. That is what we need to remember.
I’ve never been more proud to have inherited my Dad’s chicken legs and beautiful blue eyes. I know he is in Heaven with Dora. And I ask that every time you see an O’Doul’s you think of the amazing man that was, is and always will be my favorite Dad."
Bud and me at my high school graduation
Amanda's family went to the beach a lot and I always got to tag along. Here we are sharing a "romantic" evening together.....we look very young, so I would guess 9th grade or so.
Another trip to the beach. I obviously did not get out much and it looks like I was lacking in manners too. I put these on in the restaurant after finishing my crab legs. Amanda's parents were equally mortified and amused.
I believe this picture was taken in high school at Yomatos
Picture from college. I went to Clemson and Amanda went to Carolina....rival colleges! She visited me quite a bit at Clemson.
Another college picture....I think this might of been the equivalent of "first week" at the beach during college. I believe Amanda is scratching our arms!
This must be the same beach trip.
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Picture of Jill taken at preschool
We attended the 'Butterfly Fund' fundrasier with a group of friends. This fundraiser is held every year by the parents of two little girls who passed away from cancer. You can read more about it here
http://butterflyfund.org/
I found Jill in bed one night like this. If you look closely, you can see that she is surrounded by stuffed animals/dolls and they are all tucked in!
We love playing Wii's "Just Dance"
Practicing writing our names
I think she made a butterfly out of her foot print.
St. Patricks Day with pigtails
Rick participated in another triathalon. Here he is getting ready to swim.
The End! 
The kids took swimming lessons from the swim Nazi. He was a little hard core, but his methods worked.
Jill told me she wanted to watch a movie. I did not realize she had her bags filled with "friends".
Jill and all her plastic peeps watching a movie
We went to our first Smokies baseball game
Reading with Rapunzel in the bright indoor light apparently.
Drew ready to work!
Twisting and spinning
Roasting marshmellows with baldy. 
Intently watching cousin Nate play his DSi 
Horsing around with cousin Hope at Mama's house
The Byars Family reunion
