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Parents struggling for kids

| December 14, 2011 8:15 PM

This mom and her husband have six kids and they are struggling to hold on to everything they've worked for - their home and their business.

The couple's small service company took a big hit several years ago when the economy collapsed. Business declined by 50 percent, and it has yet to recover.

The family's already stressful financial situation took a difficult turn last year. The mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"It was a small tumor, but it had metastasized," she said.

The mom said they're thankful it hasn't been worse. She has needed radiation, but not chemotherapy. She is still undergoing treatment, as they struggle to pay the medical bills.

The couple has five children living at home, all adopted. Two are former foster children.

"During times like this, you have to tell your children, more often than not, that they can't have something," the mom said.

She and her husband have had a dozen foster kids living in their home at different times through the years.

"We started our journey hoping to adopt one or two, and the doors just opened up," the mom said.

The mom said they are "very challenged" right now, but still feel equally blessed.

"We know there are others who are struggling," she said.

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