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Letters and Photos from Ivan In Russia

Here is a letter from Ivan:

Hello dear Mom, Dad, grandma Sue, Grandpa Jim and brothers, I received your letters Thank you!
I know that we all leave on the 13th August and I am very happy. Today, I went to the pond and tried to do fishing. And the fish ate the worm. I made pictures of the forest and where I walk. I just need to make pictures of the flat and the house. How are my brother doing there? Are all of them well? I cannot wait when I will meet them. Linda returns on the 3rd. Maybe she can take me on the weekend. Mathew called me and said he missed all the brothers and Mom and Dad. I collected my goods long time ago and now am anxiously waiting for the day we will leave.
Kissing you
your son Ivan Silcock
(This letter was dictated by Ivan Silcock himself and written down by grandma Gayla).

Thank you to everyone who prayed and also to those who provided financial help bring Ivan home to California. Your support has allowed this bright little boy to have the opportunity for a wonderful and fulfilling life.

Ivan-12 (Vanya) was officially adopted on July 19th, 2004 in Moscow, Russia. He was adopted along with Val-12 (Valery) and Mathew-15 (Matvey). Although the boys did not live in the same orphanages, they have become fast friends...and now brothers. All three boys arrived home in Los Angeles on August 13th, 2004. The boys are settling in well with their new family, new school, and new culture. When you see them in their Hawaiian shirts and board shorts, its hard to imagine that they have only been in America for one month! Like most 12-year old boys, Ivan and Val enjoy swimming, watching WWE Wrestling events, and playing on the computer. Ivan and Val also love Disneyland and go every Friday after school. Mathew is enjoying his life as a high school student. He loves school and is almost disappointed when the weekend gets close. At school Mathew is in the choir and is also learning how to swim. On the weekends, Mathew is participates with MYART Theater and is currently in rehearsals for the play, "Fiddler on the Roof." September 2004

HERE ARE SOME OF THE LETTERS, PHOTOS, AND ART WORK WE RECEIVED FROM IVAN PRIOR TO HIS ADOPTION--

"I want to come to America and join your family."

Vanya' Letter: 4/28/04

Dear Mama Ann and Papa Jim,

I am fine. I got your disk and watched it. I miss you and am waiting anxiously for you. Come

as soon as you can. They told me you would come at the end of May, but I also heard that the

court date for my adoption would be held up. I take walks in the forest, and I saw a squirrel

there. There is no snow in the forest anymore, it melted a long time ago. Matvey and Valery

say hi. Valery looks like Harry Potter.

Come for me soon please.

Vanya

Dear Mama Ann, Papa Jim, and my brothers...3/22/04

Hello! How are you? I am fine! They have moved me in with a temporary foster family and they allow me to cook. I cook plov (rice dish), soup, and cutlets. I am studying math and English. It is spring here and the snow is melting, lots of water in the streets, lots of little rivers. We went for a walk today and I saw a crane lift, a dachshund, and many birds. We walked all around the forest. Your photograph is on my shelf and I say hello to all of you in the morning and in the evening I pray for you.

Hello dear Ann, Jim and Your Children...2/10/04
My name is Vanya Koterov. I am 11. I will be 12 on the 26th May 2004. I am in the 5th form in school. I like to read, solve math problems, and play on a computer. I have a wheelchair,
I can walk using apparatus. I have read 4 books of Harry Potter. In summer, I've been at the sea and learned to swim. I get some treatment in sanatorium now. I do massage, physiotherapy,
sensor room, gym. On the New Year's Eve, Mickey Mouse and Minnie visited me and gave presents.

Ivan, Val & Mathew in Russia