Jackalo Featured Parent: Kim's Foster & Adoptive Family Story

Some families grow in stages. Kim and her husband started fostering and adopting in their thirties, raised four kids almost to adulthood — and then, when they were nearly empty nesters, decided to do it all again. They recertified as foster parents during COVID. That choice brought them Ezra, Bella, and Baby A. Thirty-two years of marriage, seven adoptions (when Baby A’s finalizes later this year), the paperwork never quite stops, but the heart keeps growing.

"It's been really neat to see them blossom and grow," Kim told me. And the way she says it, you can tell she means every word.

Where do you live?

Southern California

Tell us about your kids.

We’ve got seven kids total — a 23-year-old, 20-year-old twins, an 18-year-old, a four-year-old named Ezra, three-year-old Bella, and baby A, who came home at two days old. Three of my kids are autistic. Bella is fierce, fearless, and determined to keep up with her big brothers. Baby A is all rolls, giggles, and chubby cheeks.

What's your approach to parenting?

My husband and I are both educators by training—he recently retired after a long career in education and school administration. That background definitely influences how we parent, but not in the way people might expect. We’ve learned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising children. We believe in meeting each child where they are, focusing on their strengths, and giving them the support they need to succeed. Some of our kids thrive with structure, others need extra flexibility, and all of them need to know they are deeply loved. With seven children spanning nearly two decades in age—and a busy household filled with different personalities, abilities, and needs—we’ve learned to be creative, adaptable, and willing to adjust our approach as each child grows. At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to help every child feel safe, valued, and capable of becoming the best version of themselves.

How did you discover Jackalo?

When our photographer Katrina Thaxton mentioned that Bella's adoption had just been finalized, we wanted to make sure Kim had extra special photos to mark the occasion — a mother-daughter session to commemorate the milestone. Kim had never heard of Jackalo before the shoot. Here's what she had to say:

I had no idea about Jackalo at all until Katrina showed me the clothing and Bella tried it on. I was like, oh my gosh, how come we haven't heard about this? I love the fabric and the strength of it — all my kids are rough and tumble. Once something gets a stain, I normally end up tossing it. The best thing about Jackalo is that the stains come out! My kids can get wild and crazy and as dirty as they desire— they can run around and roll in the grass, and our Jackalo clothing holds up. It's amazing!

What's your favorite Jackalo piece?

I've been building out capsule wardrobes for both Bella and Ezra with the Frankie Tee and Ollie Shorts— pieces that mix and match so I'm not packing my entire house when we travel. I can take four shirts and four shorts and leave for a week with nine different outfits. I love the interchangeability — the green shirt with the yellow, the yellow shorts with the navy, the dusty rose with the navy. I also picked up a few pre-loved pieces to test sizing before committing to more. It's unisex enough that I can pass things between kids, which is a huge bonus.

What causes do you care about most?

Foster care, adoption, and serving vulnerable children have become some of the biggest passions in our lives. My husband and I have fostered numerous children through the county system over the years, and we are currently in the process of finalizing Baby A’s adoption. Watching children heal, grow, and discover that they are loved and valued has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives.

That same passion is what led us to Binky Patrol. I serve as the Regional Coordinator for the Temecula/Riverside County chapter of the national Binky Patrol organization, helping collect and distribute handmade blankets to children experiencing foster care placement, hospitalization, homelessness, domestic violence, and other traumatic circumstances. It has become a true family ministry, and many of our children have grown up helping sort, package, and deliver blankets to children who need a little extra comfort and love.

Foster care has changed our family in the best possible ways. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and loved. If you’ve ever considered fostering, adopting, or finding a way to support children in need, I’d love to share more about our experience.

Tell us one thing that might surprise people about you.

One thing that might surprise people about me is that while most of my days now revolve around raising seven children, foster care, adoption, and nonprofit work, my husband and I both spent years in education before he retired from school administration. I think that background still shows up in everything I do. I tend to approach parenting, organizing our household, and even shopping for clothes with a mix of intentionality, practicality, and creativity.

With seven kids ranging from an infant to young adults—including three autistic children—I’ve become very focused on finding products that are durable, functional, and truly worth the investment. Whether I’m coordinating blanket donations through Binky Patrol, managing therapies and school schedules, or dressing a busy family, I’m always looking for solutions that will stand up to real life and make things a little easier for families. That’s one of the reasons I appreciate Jackalo. I love clothing that can keep up with active kids, survive countless washes, and still be passed down to younger siblings. In a family like ours, quality, comfort, and longevity aren’t just nice bonuses—they’re necessities.

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