DAD
Nobody every shows dad any love. Lol sorry for all the years we neglected you or didn't give you props for being the man of the house. I've looked up to you for as long as I can remember, and I always will. Just to make sure there's never any confusion, I am so thankful for all that you provided for our family over the years. I tell people all the time that I had the best childhood ever, and I genuinely mean it when I make that statement. All of that is due to the way you and mom raised me over the years and provided everything I could ever need. The late nights you spent on christmas eve putting together our gifts, the basketball goal you built for me in our old driveway, the way you always bragged about your kids in your messages, and the countless times you were there to offer advice when I needed you most. Those are just a few of the ways you showed your love. Things got tough and times were hard on you but you never quit on our family. It's because of that endurance that I've been given the opportunities that I've had in my life. Mom used to always tell me I should thank God for a father who always wanted to spend so much time with me, and I haven't stopped thanking Him! 
MOM
You truly are the definition of wisdom and grace. I thank God for a mother that ALWAYS put her family above all else. My desire to have a family someday was stronger than any one else I knew, and I feel like that was due to the fact that you placed so much importance on family. You laughed with us, danced with us, joked around us, and even fussed at us when we needed it! Haha there were some days you got so mad I thougth you would take us all out and start a new family. Lord knows we gave you some headaches, and I'm sure the favor will be returned when we have kids of our own. Whenever you lost it or got upset with us, you always immediately came back and reminded us that you loved us dearly. Those gestures always meant the world to me! I'm extremely grateful to you and dad for never being the stereotypical christian parents that tried to shield us from every little thing in the world. You gave us your opinion and let us live life. Some of the most important lessons I learned in life were a result of you sitting back and allowing me to let me make my own mistakes. I treasure every second of those days we get to spending in the kitchen just talking about life. Thank you for being the strong woman of God that made such a strong impact on this family.
APRIL
It's crazy to see how much can change when you go to college. I know there were a ton of times where we fought and argued over the years, but I really am thankful to God for you. I've never met a person that is as funny and selfless as you. Time and time again I've seen you go farrrrrrrr out of your way to bless someone else. Most of the time you get absolutely nothing in return, and yet you STILL continue to bless people. Watching you has been an amazing depiction of the way that Christ cares for the church. Many people would say it's crazy to do so much for nothing in return, but we can never fully comprehend the love of Christ. You've grown into an amazing, hard-working, and independent woman of God. I'm honored to call you my sister and I love that you'll get to be an aunt to my children someday. Don't ever let anyone tear you down or allow you to believe that you are anything less than perfect. I love you so much and I know that you have an incredibly bright future ahead of you. Thank you for everything that you have done for me over the years. I've done nothing to deserve your generosity and i'm humbled to my core with your kindness!
AMANDA
"HE BOSSED UP!!!" lol I don't even know where to start with this one. I can't think of a single person that I've laughed til I cried with more than you. I think that we have a lot of similarities and the same quirky take on life. When you were first born, I always thought that you'd always be too young for me to really be able to relate to you. Turns out that you're the one that understands me better than most people. I brag about you all the time. I didn't even realize it til my friends started picking on me for how much I mention my sisters. The truth is I can't help it, because I'm so stinkin proud of you! I mean you got a job and saved up enough money to buy your own car in high school!!!! There are only a handful of teenagers I know that were able to accomplish something like that. Usually the youngest child is the most spoiled, but you still managed to gain my respect in ways I never thought possible. You're a creative talent in so many ways and I absolutely cannot wait to see the ways that God is going to use you in the future. I know I'll be able to brag about you in all kinds of ways for years to come.
AUTUMN
It is unbelievable to see how the past year and a half of my life has changed so drastically. I'm thankful to God for bringing you into my life at exactly the right time! I don't believe that any single part of our relationship is a coincidence. God knew exactly what I needed. He may have placed that blessing a little further away than I would've liked, but I'm grateful nonetheless lol. You've been a huge support for me and given me the motivation to be the best version of myself possible. There has never been a time where I doubted your love for me, and you've had patience with me even through times where I acted foolishly. I've said a million times before that I don't deserve you and you find a new way to confirm that belief every single day. I'm blown away by your commitment and passion for this relationship. I'm praying to God every day that he can give me the wisdom and strength to become the man of your dreams. Thank you so much for believing in me. I can't wait to see all that is in store for our future. I was raised with enough good sense to know when I have a good thing in my life, and I promise I'm never EVER letting you go! Love you sweetheart!
TIM
My brother from another mother. I know you were blessed with an abundance of brothers but I was stuck in "sister land" lol. Over these past several years you've truly become like the brother I never had. It's been so awesome watching the way that we've both changed over the years. I'm proud of you and all that you have accomplished. I still think we should visit the Marbles museum and browse around drinking a gallon jug of orange juice. "Look at me now suckas!" hahahahahaha. But seriously, watching your unwavering faith in God has been an inspiration to me. I've seen you go through some seriously tough times and yet there was never a time where I didn't hear you say "God will provide". I always kept that phrase in the back of my mind whenever things got difficult. You've always been a loyal friend and I am so thankful to God that I have a friend for life. I'd love to be old men someday sitting in a park talking about all of our road trips, girl drama, and parties. We can be the 70 year old guys that are still going to midnight movie premieres lol. If I wasn't already apart of such a great family, I would've opted to put myself up for adoption into the Gonzales fam years ago. Thank you so much to you and your fam for showing me so much love. You're an incredible friend!
DAVID
"just so you know, I love waffles"..... Man if someone had told me that quiet freshman who showed up at IV would end up being one of my best friends, I'm not sure I would've believed them. I've heard a ton of horror stories about bad roommates, but luckily I was blessed far beyond measure. I believe there are only a few times in a person's life where they get the opportunity to establish a genuine friendship, and I KNOW that I've found that with you and Tim. These past three years have flown by because I was enjoying every single second. The most important lesson I've learned from you is to be comfortable with yourself and the rest will take care of itself. I was never too self conscious but there was always apart of me that was scared to be myself. Watching your example over the years has helped to me realize how much more fun I can have with life. Like I told Tim, you guys have become my brothers. You've done so much to help me out and offered SO much support over the years. I will always be there for you if you ever need anything. I don't what our lives will look like 5 years, 5 months, or even 5 weeks from now but I do know a lifelong friendship when I see it :)
KHRIS & CARLA
Khris I met you when I was in the 8th grade. Which means that I've known you for over a decade!! Sorry if that makes you feel old man but I had to give a shout out lol. Whether you guys know it or not, you have a serious impact on my life. Getting to watch Khris go through the years as a bachelor, to a husband, and now moving into a fatherhood has been a blessing to witness. Through every stage that I've seen you go through, you've been a strong example of what it means to be a man of God. My parents have always had an incredible blueprint for marriage but the downside to that model is that I didn't get to see it form and evolve over the years. I was so wrapped in "Derrick world" that I never really paid attention lol. Gettting to watch the way that you two love each other and look to God for guidance has been proof that there are still solid marriages in this world. I love the time that our family gets to spend with you guys, and I'm so blessed be surrounded by genuine people such as yourself. Thank you for the support and motivation that you've given me over the years. I know you two will be incredible parents, and that child has the world at it's feet with you two guiding him/her through life. You guys can teach them about following Christ in life, and I can work on infiltrating the Williams' household to recruit a new Lakers fan muahahaha. Love you guys! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
