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Our Hobbies
As one of our hobbies, we raise Angus breeding cattle. Right now we have about 20 mother cows, too many to live on our small farm. So, we also lease over 700 acres of land near our house to raise them on and to grow hay to keep them well fed. The wildlife on those 700 acres is amazing. It is common for us to see wild pheasants, turkeys and ducks making their home near the creeks and brushy areas. Our cows are shown at Fairs and Cattle Shows throughout the Western United States. (Even though we didn't know each other way back then, Jim and I have been showing livestock at Fairs since we started in 4-H when we were 9 years old.)
Our travels across the country with our cattle allow us to coordinate vacations around the shows and give us the opportunity to spend time with friends we have made in other states. Two of our most recent shows were in Phoenix, Arizona and Reno, Nevada. When Jim was in Washington D.C. for a training seminar for work, he used his spare time to tour a few Angus cattle ranches in addition to touring the Capitol and historic areas. Sometime soon we would like to go back there together for a vacation.
In addition to showing and caring for our cattle, Jim and I are also very involved in youth agriculture. We work at the Fairs, help kids with their livestock at field days and attend fundraising events for both 4-H & FFA. Jim is also a livestock judge at both fairs and in project competitions. In addition to giving of his time and energy, Jim likes to help support kids involved with agriculture by sponsoring awards at the Fairs. And, he also travels around California trimming cattle's hooves. (Cows need to have their feet trimmed, just like people trim their fingernails and toe nails. This helps them to walk and stand better.)
When we are not working with kids and cattle, I like to garden, and bake a lot of goodies for holidays, get-togethers and special occasions. Jim likes to weld (he plans to replace all of our home cow fences with metal fences he welds). He also enjoys doing an assortment of other projects in and about the ranch and home (mostly outside) that help enhance our property. And together we enjoy traveling, entertaining and cheering for the Sacramento Kings basketball team.
Our History
KAREN
I grew up on a farm in a small town in Northern California, the oldest of four children. I was involved in 4-H showing sheep and pigs at the fair, I learned how to sew and was part of the citizenship project. I have been fortunate to have lived my whole life in the country and that is how we plan to raise our child.
After graduating from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo I started selling veterinary pharmaceuticals and animal care products. I also spent my vacation and spare time working at livestock shows - that is actually how Jim and I met. Once we were married I moved over to the Sacramento area where he had been living and took a job with the Sacramento County Agricultural Commission. I am now a Senior Agriculture Inspector. I have been with the Agricultural Commissioner's office for over ten years now. My seniority gives me flexibility in my work schedule to allow more time to spend with our child. When I do need to work, we have a close family friend that would like to watch our child in her licensed home day care.
JIM
I grew up in the same rural area as Karen, but we didn't know each other way back then. And, both my mother and Karen's Mom were involved in Children's Home Society, a non-profit agency who used to assist with adoptions and now provide post adoption counseling services. My younger sister Vicky was adopted as an infant through Children's Home Society.
As a kid I raised and showed livestock in 4-H, primarily cattle. I was also active in sports in junior and high school. I played both football and baseball. After high school graduation I went to the Santa Rosa Jr. College where I majored in Animal Production which led me to several areas of California and Nebraska to work as a cattle ranch hand. It also gave me the opportunity to attend livestock shows and exhibit cattle for other ranchers and myself.
I am a General Supervisor for the City of Sacramento Street Division. I have two children from a previous marriage who live close by allowing us to visit often. When my oldest, Richie started the 8th grade he came to live with us full time. During that same time we also had another teenage boy come and live with us. Jimmy's family lived in town, but he wanted to pursue his agricultural dream and attend high school in our rural area so we took him in as if he was our own son. He no longer lives with us, but we continue to see him and raise our cattle together.
My youngest, Marileigh chose to visit us on the weekends. The time we spent together allowed us the experience of parenting through the ups and downs associated with raising teenagers.
Our Future
Karen and I are now looking forward to raising a child together, and we look forward to being able to give our child the experiences that we had growing up.
We are anxious for the opportunity to have a child of our own. We spend a lot of time with our nieces and nephews and look forward to spending time with our child --- exploring the great outdoors, watching a baby chick hatch from an egg, riding a horse, catching pollywogs in the creek, reading books and just being together. We also realize that all the times may not be fun, but we are ready and look forward to the challenges a child will bring.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about us. We are excited about the opportunity to adopt a child. If you would like to learn more about us and meet us in person, please contact us through our attorney,
Nanci Worcester at 1-800-523-6781.
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