I am Ben and these are my kids. Isaak (tallest) and Hayley are my biological children, and Jackson (shortest) is my step-son. I am many things: a husband, son, cousin, nephew, and brother - but above all things I am a father who will strive to give my children the best in life. Over two years ago, Easter of 2016, my wife and I discovered my children were being intimidated, threatened, and emotionally and physically abused by my ex-wifes husband. My ex-wife denied this at the time and continues to deny the abuse toward the children despite the fact she herself began receiving the abuse after the children were removed from their home. When I found out about the abuse, I immediately took action and within 2 weeks I was awarded temporary sole custody of my biological children and their mother was awarded supervised visitation until a parenting agreement was made and signed by a judge. After that judgement, it was 6 months until my kids even spoke to their biological mother via phone calls and facetime, and two years until they were able to see her in person due to supervised visitation not being utilized. Toward the end of 2017, my ex-wife and I agreed on a plan that was structured around the kids safety. 5 months later, with approval from our lawyers, she was able to gradually earn more and more unsupervised time with the children because of the agreed parenting plan. This was going smoothly until about 3 months in, my ex-wife made a decision that went against the boundaries we agreed on and resulted in her time with them placed again within the realm of supervised visitation only. This has been a 2.5 year process and it is still going. Our pockets are drying, our family has done what they can to help, and we have a court date set for the end of the month to make this temporary sole custody permanent. My wife and I have set up this GoFundMe to raise funds for our court date and action our lawyer is going to need to take upon judges orders. The amount we are trying to raise is just a minimum amount that has been based off what we have already paid for certain fees over the last 2.5 years. Anything helps. $5, $25, $100 or more - and if you can't help monetarily, then help by passing along the link to friends and family you may know. The only bruises a child should have is bruising from being a typical kid at play. I just want my kids to be kids and to be nothing but loved, supported, and believed.