# @raisingculturesfamily on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DYPvxI1EZ9m
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65435573-raisingculturesfamily-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/401702fee2.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-12T16:54:10.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Keia Jones Baldwin (@raisingculturesfamily) — https://gondola.cc/raisingculturesfamily

## Caption

Some stories don’t fit neatly into one box… and ours is one of them. During Foster Care Awareness Month, I also want to acknowledge the intersectionality between foster care, kinship care, guardianship, and adoption. While Karleigh was never officially in foster care, there were still layers of transition, loss, uncertainty, and rebuilding that shaped all of our lives.

Karleigh came into our lives at 12 years old, and Rick and I became her permanent guardians. What people don’t always see is that stepping into parenting through guardianship comes with its own set of challenges, adjustments, heartbreak, healing, and learning. Love was there… but so were the hard days. The “figuring it out” days. The days where trust had to be built slowly and intentionally. The days where everybody involved was carrying something heavy.

But family isn’t always built in the traditional order. Sometimes family is chosen in the middle of chaos. Sometimes love shows up later and still changes everything. And at 18, we had the honor of officially adult adopting her, not because she suddenly became ours then, but because in our hearts, she already was.

This month, I honor every child navigating uncertainty, every family formed through unconventional paths, and every parent or caregiver choosing to show up even when it’s hard. Foster care awareness matters because children deserve stability, safety, love, and people willing to stay. 

Karleigh, despite all the challenges you’ve faced, you have persevered. You stayed focused on God and you are an amazing human. I thank God for bringing you into our lives daily! 

And for every child who has ever wondered, “Will somebody choose me?” I pray they know they are worthy of being chosen over and over again. ❤️ #raisingcultures #fostercareawareness

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## Tags

raisingcultures, fostercareawareness

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