Sorry to hear that on both accounts, I have a buddy in the HVAC trade and he makes fairly good money and its fairly stable once you get some time under you belt. He is someone who CANNOT sit still or stay in one place so he loves going out to fix things.
Sorry for the bad luck you and yours seems to have at every turn...even more respect for how your handleing things. Make sure those kids see your DEALING with life instead of hitting a pipe/bottle/mom/kids.
Your luck has to turn around, hang in there man.