Realistically How much?

It will (most likely) take you about 2 years to get to the income you currently enjoy. There are a few carriers that might get closer to your current salary, but I would not count on it starting out. Most will want you to stay out on the road for at least 1-2 weeks at a time. With your current location, you might get hooked up with a carrier that moves freight from Michigan to Chicago or somewhere in Indiana. There are some flatbed carriers who do that on a regular basis. It might enable you to be home more frequently. Starting out you could be out for 3 weeks or so until you get into your own truck and away from a trainer. Take a visit to a truck stop in your area and see if you can strike up a conversation with some of the flatbedders and see if there might be something that would work for you. There could also be some opportunities for vans if that is your desire. I think your biggest obstacle is to get past the first year of training so that you are more marketable. With small children at home, I don't know if I would do this until they are older unless you can find a carrier that will be able to get you home regularly. Your first year earnings should fall between $30-35,000 pulling a van. It could be a little higher with a flatbed. The key will be to find a carrier that has something regional you could do so that you can get home more frequently. I know of some who run back and forth between Michigan and Chicago and part their trucks in Gary. I don't know if they make it home every night, but they do seem to get home frequently.