PHOTO GALLERY: Hard work allows the Mabins to live their version of the American Dream

July 7, 2012 | 6:00 a.m. CDT

To Sean and Darline Mabins, a healthy bank account enables a stable life for them and their children. Both came from homes where money was scarce but have worked hard to achieve what many consider to be the classic American Dream.

The Mabins family shares pizza in their kitchen after a late night basketball game. By most standards, the Mabins are living the classic American Dream. Darline, who moved from Haiti as a child, and Sean, originally from the Missouri Bootheel, are raising three children, from left, Kylan, 6, Isaiah, 14, and Naomi, 4, in an upper-middle class lifestyle in Springfield. | Benjamin Zack

Sean Mabin congratulates his son Kylan after his team won their basketball game in a tournament. In the spring, the Mabins' free time is spent shuttling between Kylan's basketball games, Naomi's dance practices and Isaiah's track meets. | Benjamin Zack

Naomi clutches onto Darline Mabins as they walk toward the kitchen in the early morning quiet. Each morning, Darline drops off the children at school on her way to Guaranty Bank where she works as a manager. | Benjamin Zack

Darline Mabins combs Naomi's hair while she yawns at the kitchen counter. Weekday mornings in the Mabins house are a rush of making breakfast and preparing the children for school. | Benjamin Zack

Isaiah, Kylan and Naomi play Angry Birds on Darline's phone after she picks them up from school. The kids usually stay with their grandmother after school while Darline and Sean work, but after several weeks of overtime, Darline was able to take the afternoon off. | Benjamin Zack

Photos and souvenirs from the past decade cover the living room mantle at Sean and Darline Mabins' home. The flag and vase on the left are from Haiti, where Darline lived until she was 7, when her family moved to Kansas City. | Benjamin Zack

Sean and Naomi celebrate their win over Isaiah and Kylan in the new game that the family bought that day. Wednesday afternoons and Sundays are Sean's days off. | Benjamin Zack

Darline Mabins looks out at her backyard during a brief moment of quiet. Much of her time at home is spent with the children within arms reach. | Benjamin Zack

Sean Mabins teaches Isaiah how to use the weed whacker at the end of a spring day in Cherokee Heights, a suburban neighborhood on the south end of Springfield. Sean's car in the background is from the Kia dealership where he works as a sales manager. | Benjamin Zack