So sorry to hear that, you must miss them terribly. How could she stop you from seeing your children?
I divorced December 2016, when my kids were 6 & 9. They live with me mainly, with the ex on weekends.
Yes, I do miss them terribly.
When the marriage broke down, my ex-wife, who is a former police officer, accused me of rape and of abusing the children. I was arrested by the police at my flat and bailed under investigation, although the charges against me were dismissed as they were quite obviously fabricated.
My ex-wife then made it clear that she would make these same allegations and more against me in the civil court if I applied for access to the children. In Britain, the civil court comes to a decision based on the 'balance of probability' rather than being 'beyond reasonable doubt' so 51% probability is enough to find you guilty. There is also no jury, just a judge. In other words, it's one person's judgement on one day that decides your fate.
My wife is a consummate liar, she has alienated the children against me, and repeated her malicious allegations to neighbours, (former) friends, social services, the children's school and anybody else who will listen. It is also clear that her family will testify against me. So, all in all, I have been placed in a very dangerous situation.
Some people would say I should still fight it but, should I lose, I would also be dismissed from my work (I am a university professor). The net result would be: no job, no prospect of another job, reputation ruined forever, no money, and still no access the children.
So, it's been very difficult but, after much agonising, I have decided not to pursue access.