Custody of My Three

Hello my name is Michelle and the three in the picture are my mini me's (The MM&M Crew). They are in FL and I live in VA. Their father and I are in a nasty custody battle. I was divorced eight months ago and one FL judge took sole custody from me and granted it to my ex-husband on the grounds that I moved to provide a better life for my children and me. A little back drop my husband was an abusive man, and like many victims I didn't see it until it was too late. It wasn't the knock me out everyday kind of abusive but the get in your head kind (mental). I followed this man to FL with our children because he is in the military and Uncle Sam said it was time to leave VA behind. I went thinking that the problems in our marriage would get better but they got worse the physical abuse escalated as well as he neglect. In the time I spent in FL I grew up and realized that my marriage was no longer what was good for me or my children. It was further reinforced and when a police officer came into my home after being called by my daughter, and help me from the floor where they had pulled my ex-husband off me (I'm 5'5 he's 6'5). It was then that I realized life as I knew it was over and my silence was no longer an option that I had to get us out. I had been married for eight years when all of this happened and it is still hard for me to think about. Shortly after that all occurred I moved my children and me into a Salvation Army domestic violence shelter for women and children. We lived there for two months until I was able to move us into a small condo. I worked two jobs and stayed pretty stressed financially depending on state assistance to survive. Then the skies cleared and I was blessed with the offer to become a police officer in my home state. I went before the judge and asked that she allow my children and me to relocate but she refused to hear the matter until the final hearing. The job was held for me for six months and still I had no final hearing. I accepted the job after being granted a final hearing seven days after my report date. I talk to my ex-husband and asked him to keep the children as I had not been granted permission to take them from the state. I kissed them goodbye in hopes that we would be together soon but the judge did not make a final ruling until April where she took my custody and gave it to my ex solely on the grounds that I took a job. Everyone was in shock and my kids were full of hurt and tears and I could not explain what had happened. I try to go back almost every other month until recently, because the funds have dwindle and time off from work is harder because I am still a newbie. I fired my attorney hired a new one and with that came more fees. The appeal thus far has cost a grand total $10000. I am not ashamed to say that before taxes I make $38,600.00 per year. I give him $1350 a month in child support and have still managed to move into a three bedroom townhouse and get it somewhat set up for them. The fight is not over and my children are still asking when can they come and live with me. I am tried but, I'm still fighting, but the money is gone and my lawyer is requesting more payment. Please help me in this fight I have come so far. Now all I can do at this moment is ask and pray!