25 may not be enough

Mike Sciacca

At first glance, Ann Belles’ and Jim Silcock’s home in suburbia looks

like many of the other area houses.

The neat abode is the largest home tucked away on this well-kept

cul-de-sac. Inside, children busy themselves with homework and other

projects at kitchen tables, while the enticing smell of what was

cooking for dinner wafts down hallways adorned with numerous family

photos.

But a closer look at this unique home reveals that it does,

indeed, hold something special.

Belles, 40, and Silcock, 41, have adopted 25 children during the

five-plus years they have been married, their two most recent

additions joining their family home on Oct. 1.

They are the legal parents of each, have no biological children of

their own, and also own three dogs -- each a shelter rescue.

“There’s never a dull moment around here,” Silcock said, with a

light chuckle. “But, you know, this is the best thing we’ve ever done

in our lives. All of these guys need someone to love them, help them

along the way.”

All 25 adopted children are male and carry the last name, Silcock.

Twenty of them live at home, the other five -- now of adult age --

reside in the community through supported living.

There are four sets of brothers, including the recent addition of

brothers William and Jimmy, and one set of twins among the group.

Additionally, each of their children has some type of disability,

such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Leigh’s Disease, Muscular

Dystrophy, mental illness, autism, deafness or visual impairment.

“We took kids who we were told were ‘un-adoptable,’ those who had

a life in foster care, and moved them from a foster family to a

forever family,” Belles said.

“Jim and I are comfortable in the fact that the kids don’t have to

bond with us. Some bond right away with one or more of their new

siblings, who tend to take their new brothers under their wings, and

others, might bond with one of the dogs first. It takes time for them

to bond with us but we don’t mind that at all.”

There are several nationalities among the 25 children, who were

adopted both domestically and internationally.

A majority of the children come from California and three arrived

in Huntington Beach from their home countries of Romania, Estonia and

Russia.

All but one -- who is immune compromised and is home schooled,

attend local schools.

Belles said she knew she wanted to adopt children after she saw

the movie classic, “Oliver,” as a child.

“After we left the movie, I told my mom that I wanted to adopt

boys,” she explained. “Nobody really took me seriously but I did

thorough research on adoption and learned all about what it entailed.

All these years and 25 children later, what I told my mother has come

true.”

Belles said she began her journey when she became a foster parent

at age 19 -- to a 17-year-old girl.

“It was a great experience,” she said. “Doing something like

adoption, being a foster parent, really is a lifestyle. For Jim and

I, it is a lifestyle that is very, very rewarding.”

Silcock is more than able to help oversee the family with Belles,

despite being a quadriplegic as a result from a shallow water diving

accident in 1987.

He does not have full use of his hands.

As you walk through the house, you notice smiles everywhere -- and

plenty of busy hands.

Through additions and recent remodeling projects, the two-story

home -- purchased by Belles in 1989 when it was a three bedroom, two

bath home -- now has nine bedrooms and three baths with plenty of

room for all to operate.

Rooms -- many the size of a master bedroom -- hold anywhere from

two to four siblings, and most have bunk beds as well as a television

set.

Money to run and renovate the home, Silcock said, has come from

Social Security, the Adopted Assistance Program, Medical and

Medicare.

“I have a lot of fun in this house,” said son, Phillip, 10, who

came to Huntington Beach from Siberia and can speak Russian fluently.

“I don’t have a mom in Russia, so I like living here.

“I like my brothers and our game room,” he said. “I also like to

play sports, like play basketball and watch the Lakers. I have a good

time here.”

The Silcock children are involved in local sports programs such as

soccer, basketball, karate, swim club and wrestling.

Three children hold Screen Actors Guild cards and have acted and

appeared on such noteworthy television shows such as “Malcom in the

Middle” and “Judging Amy.”

There are 10 phone numbers in the house and two sons have cell

phones. There is hallway cabinet strictly used for storing the

children’s required medications, and the Belles/Silcock office

contains a fax machine and on one wall hangs various important

paperwork such as work, school and bus schedules, doctor’s

appointments and a birthday calendar.

Belles said that anywhere between 25 to 30 loads of laundry are

done daily in a pair of washer/dryer machines.

“We manage to keep our sanity through all this,” Silcock said.

“It’s imperative that we keep organized and stay on top of everything

and, we do.”

Silcock oversees the cooking and up to 14 adults -- from

volunteers to paid support, like nurses, and a speech and massage

therapist, who is funded by Belles and Silcock, offer their services

throughout a typical week.

But today, there will be a break from home life as five vans and

an ACCESS bus will transport a party of 40 from the Belles/Silcock

family, their friends and even biological parents of some of their

adopted children, to the family’s annual Thanksgiving Day trip to

Knott’s Berry Farm.

There will be a dual celebration today, as son, Victor, turns 16.

“Thanksgiving is a day to all be together but we don’t want to

spend the entire day cleaning the kitchen,” Belles joked.

“Today I will remember that I got to live what was my passion.

Every night, when I go to bed, I feel good that I was able to do

something good for others.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.