The family kept busy! From finishing university to getting recognition from fans, there were accomplishments all around. Harry celebrated his birthday. The party was an over-the-top affair with celebrities and gourmet catered food. He mostly just enjoyed playing games with his friends. Roxy moved out on her own soon after. She skipped graduation, because she honestly didn't care for the public spectacle of it. She got a very good start, thanks to her dad. Though Roxy had paid for university, it didn't leave her much for a home. Orion offered to buy Roxy a home near where she would be working.

YouTube video by ShellyE1 Sims 4 Content

This was supposed to be multiple posts published over the weekend before today's YouTube video. Sorry for the mega-post, but I wanted to catch everyone up to the same timeline. After many years and many failed relationships, Roxy had all but decided that romance was dead. Or was it? Maybe romance was just there all along... With Roxy's girlfriend out of the way, Cypress began to stop by a bit more often to see the kids. It was less awkward now that there was less chance of running into another of Roxy's love interests.

It's time to tell a bit of the story in pictures and short blurbs. A lot happened and yet nothing particularly unusual for day to day life. Well, okay, there was a fire, a promotion, and a new baby... and eventually a death... and then a big move. Jim was looking to improve his overall health and asked Ashlyn to mentor him. She was excited to see her husband embracing her hobbies. Jim was improving in other ways, too. He was doing well in his career and continued working on his song.

Roxy was living a bit of a dramatic life... going from flights in space to exploring secret caves. Oh, and there was her girlfriend Wiki. Roxy was so into her and really felt like she was in love. Learning about Wiki's marriage was obviously a deal-breaker. Sure, Wiki tried all of the usual tactics... we're separated... we have been fighting for years... but the kids... you know the drill. Roxy wasn't going there again! As if the day of the breakup wasn't horrible enough, Roxy arrived home to a strange light.

Ashlyn's family gathered together at the family's favorite diner to welcome her into her adult years. It was an exciting time in Ashlyn's life! It was just a few days later when Ash moved into her very own apartment. The upside and downside were that her brothers lived right across the hall. It was nice to have someone nearby to keep her safe, but it also made her feel like she hadn't really gotten out on her own. It was going to be an exciting time in Ashlyn's life!

The move brought many changes to their lives. Judy found the new views to be very inspiring and took up painting... not that she could really find much time to actually do it! Barney was thrilled to have the extra time to share with his kids. He truly felt like he had five little best friends! The kids also really enjoyed spending their time together, as well. They were all very close and shared many interests, but also had their own hobbies. Phoenix enjoyed telling stories and had started to write them down in his journal.

YouTube video by ShellyE1 Sims 4 Content

Yep, I'm the worst. Once again, we come to a Narrator Was Slacking And Now Tries To Tell You Weeks Of Info In Three Paragraphs post. I have an excuse, dear reader. I have many, actually. Since the last update, your intrepid Narrator has endured a sick kid, renovation injuries, family drama, sick cats, a sprained wrist, an eye infection, a broken stove, and much more! Our dear family is beginning to look less dramatic than their Narrator's life. 🤪 So, I will try my best to fill you in without being too brief...

Just when Barney didn't think he could take any more, he learned that his estranged father Owen had passed. Jim would always be the man that Barney considered his dad, but he couldn't deny he had begun to warm to the idea of trying to reconcile with Owen. Now he would never get that chance. He didn't want to ask the universe, "How much worse can it get?" He was afraid he would find out! Barney struggled for a bit while adjusting to life as a single dad. He celebrated a very sad and lonely birthday that year.

YouTube video by ConsoleGameHER

YouTube video by ConsoleGameHER

YouTube video by ShellyE1 Sims 4 Content

Life was pretty darn great after Judy and Barney found their way back to each other, but Barney still felt like he had something to prove to Judy. He worked tirelessly to plan an elaborate birthday for Rusty and Amber. Judy was impressed with how hard he had worked and she truly saw why Barney had made the choice he did. Leaving his stressful job to pursue a passion and making time for the kids had made him a better, happier person. That night, she asked Barney if she could move back in.

A very busy Ashlyn juggled sponsorship negotiations while prepping for Barney's birthday party. She wanted to make his day special, but she also wanted to make sure she had the income to make the rest of his life special too. It was amazing how many family and friends arrived to celebrate her little guy! She had felt overwhelmed by the planning of the party... hadn't even had time to change before it started... but it was all worth it to see her son's excitement. Her plans to cook a nice meal didn't quite pan out, but the guests seemed content with the pizza.

Life in Nordhaven was... interesting. The home was a bit sparse at first, but their lives were full. They slowly built up their furnishings and made the house feel more and more like home. The kids celebrated birthdays and settled into their new school, quickly making new friends. Jim worked almost daily for work days lasting up to 20 hours. He quickly gained some renown in the community and his music business was constantly busy. He quickly grew from one piano to three and eventually added guitars and a microphone.

It was heartbreaking when Owen, the father of her child, called to let her know he had met someone else... the very same Wiki that had dated her mother and had a child with her uncle, no less! Ashlyn had hoped she would at least have the help of her baby's father through all this. Owen had a crush... Ashlyn was crushed. The heartbreak was doubled when Ashlyn and Madilyn schemed together to test Owen and he responded to Madilyn's flirtation. There might have been a chance if it had only been a passing crush on Wiki, but he was clearly a serial flirt.