Michelle Ann Saunders was born on June 3, 1997 in Coupeville, WA. She was 8 pounds 3 ounces and was my nicest labor and delivery. I had a funny nurse when Michelle was born, and when she was delivered, the nurse jammed Michelle at me and said, “NURSE HER!” Needless to say, Michelle was a very good nurser. She had a great schedule, going every four hours, and being the third child, she was patient and was entertained by her siblings. Michelle was a very cute round baby, and very flexible. She would lay on her back with her legs by her ears, that was her favorite position, she would also eat her toes.
Michelle was our little daredevil. She wouldn’t just ride her bike, she would stand on the seat with one foot and hold the other foot out to the side. She would do cartwheels off the couch and forward rolls into backbends. Having her older brother as her main playmate, Michelle was also a little bit of a tomboy. She would run around carrying a purse, with two guns sticking out of it, while carrying a doll in her arm. I eventually enrolled Michelle in gymnastics because I was afraid for her life.
Michelle did gymnastics for a couple of years. She was good enough to make Level 4, which is a competitive level. She did quite well in competitions, always placing. She made Level 5 the following year, but decided she did not enjoy being at the gym for 3 and 1/2 hours per day, 3 days per week, and most Saturdays. She was only eight at the time, and had started playing soccer as well.
I was kind of sad when Michelle quit gym because she was just so talented, but it was no big loss. I hated sitting around during competitions for hours just to watch her for two minutes. Then the judging was always subjective. I enjoy watching her play soccer so much more. She is very good at soccer as well. It was really fun to watch this teeny girl outsprint much bigger girls across this wide field. She is a very good ballhandler and pulls all sorts of tricks. It’s like the ball is attached to her foot. She also has a big boot, and completely surprises people when she kicks the ball. She is just the kind of person who would be good at anything she tried because she is naturally athletic, yet a very hard worker. That is a great combination. Plus, she absolutely lives for soccer, it is so much fun!
Michelle also loves riding horses, taking care of animals, and swimming! She just has a lot of fun, and that is one thing that stands out. Michelle has always played the hardest and had the most fun of any kid I know!
I remember when Michelle was little, thinking that Heavenly Father gave her to me to be my best friend and helper, and she always has been. She is like the second mother in the family, always making sure things get done, and that everyone is taken care of. In fact, in Kindergarten, she won the “friend to all” award, which her teacher thought “mother to all” would have been more appropriate. Michelle has always been a very good friend to others and is always nice to everyone. In first grade, she befriended a boy who did not have any friends due to a disability. She reminded me of Christ and what He would be like if He were here. I also remember praying that she would stay small for a long time so she could always be my little baby (I thought we were done). I guess I am to blame for her smallness!
