Sep. 1st, 2021 05:53 pm
The Green Family Story - Chapter 8
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avaricesims Generation 1: Living off the Land
You've always dreamed of running your own farm...living in the country, enjoying the fresh air, avoiding the rat race.
Goals:
1. Complete Freelance Botanist and Angling Ace (founder), and Big Happy Family (spouse)
Goals:
1. Complete Freelance Botanist and Angling Ace (founder), and Big Happy Family (spouse)
2. Reach the top of the Gardening career
3. Max the gardeningP, fishingP, and flower arranging skills (founder) and the handiness and parenting skillP(spouse)
3. Max the gardeningP, fishingP, and flower arranging skills (founder) and the handiness and parenting skillP(spouse)
4. Get married...but no woohoo before marriage P
5. Have at least three children, and at least one boy and one girl P
6. Grow a garden with all types of plants (except the Outdoor Adventure plants)
5. Have at least three children, and at least one boy and one girl P
6. Grow a garden with all types of plants (except the Outdoor Adventure plants)
7. Catch every type of fish (except the Sulani fish)
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Brayden might have been an adult and have moved out of the house, but Minkz made sure that as soon as he was settled he was given a key for our cottage. He will always be welcome in our home.
Even after he moved out it was wonderful to have him visit, not least of all because the kids love him. He's able to keep Fern and Basil entertained while I teach Willow her letters.
Brayden also still helps Minkz with all the kids so I can get out and do some fishing, which I still love. My collection is going great - I no longer have space for the fish I catch on the walls at the farmhouse!
Things are not always rainbows and sunshine, though, not even for us. The kids are sometimes grumpy, and don't always get along. At times like this, the cottage feels very small.
Minkz always insists that all the kids, even Willow, talk over their arguments before bed though, so no one ends the day angry and wound up if he can help it.
It's not always easy, though, with big personalities in the family! Fern, our darling second daughter, I'm afraid is rather self-absorbed at the moment. I know most teenagers go through this, but she's driving Clover around the bend at the moment. Still, I'm proud of her, and she told me the other day she wants to be a Freelance Botanist and work with plants, just like me, once she's older.
For the moment though, she's making coffee. Fern decided she wanted some of her own spending money and got herself a job in a local cafe almost as soon as she was old enough. Apparently, we don't buy her cool enough clothes.
Basil, on the other hand, is delighted with the violin we got him for his birthday a little while back. He's...got a lot to learn, but he enjoys it.
In fact he's a really artistic young man. He adores art - looking at it and making it.
Clover is our academic. She often goes to the docks nearby to do her homework, to get some space from Fern and some peace and quiet away from Basil's music.
And rather than working like Fern, she prefers to spend her time with Archer, now officially her boyfriend.
They're very sweet together. Like me, Clover is a hopeless romantic and wants to get married before taking her relationship further, and Minkz and I have to admit that's a relief to us!
Of course, the two of them go to prom together. Clover didn't want proper photos so we just got some nice candids of her and Archer.
They looked so nice that evening. Wasn't Clover's dress pretty?
While our big girl is so nearly an adult now, our littlest girl is growing up fast too.
Which is sometimes very tiring.
These days, it feels like I blink and the time is gone. Willow went from playing airplanes on Minkz's back to attending school with her big brother Basil in what felt like no time at all. Josiah, Morgan's son, is nearest her age and at school with her too.
In fact, Willow and Basil go around to Morgan's after school a lot, to see Josiah and do their homework together. Morgan and I love that our kids are friends.
With the kids getting older, I have more chances now to go out looking for new plants and to get some more fishing in. One day, when I was taking cutting from plants in Willow Creek, I found this strange, beautiful tree.
Some strange magic let me venture through the tree to a peaceful glade, where I was able to fish in perfect privacy in this rainbow pool. Isn't it stunning here? I found some new fish I hadn't caught before, but mostly I just enjoyed the tranquility.
As time went on, I was pleased to find Clover and Fern were getting along better. Fern is still rather self-absorbed, but she makes an effort with her sister.
They both noticed that I was getting really stressed at work, and Clover asked if we could take a family vacation together before the two younger kids got much bigger. I thought that was a great idea.
We arrived at a comfortable, spacious lodge after dark, just as it started lightly snowing, during the fall school holidays.
There was no TV, no computers, and the kids all agreed to no phones. Fern spent the first evening reading in a cosy corner.
And first thing the next morning, the kids were out playing horseshoes together while their big sister supervised.
Minkz made a beeline for the grill. Grilled fruit was a nice treat for breakfast every morning of the vacation.
It was so nice to have a break from work and reconnect with my husband. With four kids, the farm and my job, we haven't been spending as much time together as I'd like.
I think Minkz appreciated the chance to reconnect too. And I have to say, our huge king sized bed was pretty great for reconnecting in other ways...
Naturally, Brayden came with us on the holiday. You didn't think we'd leave him behind, did you? He's settled into his new home and job nicely, but he still appreciates that we keep him so connected with his family.
The holiday was also a chance for me to enjoy even more fishing, without worrying about rushing back to get ready for work. I went hiking deep into the woods one morning, and even met a man who lives out here, completely self-sufficient. He showed me his favourite spots and I caught all kinds of rare fish. The time went so quickly, but the few days we spent at Granite Falls were just what I needed, and we all went home feeling closer, more relaxed, and happy.
We weren't too long back from the vacation when Clover, having graduated from high school with some of the highest possible marks, agreed to a date at the local lighthouse with Archer.
Little did she know, he was planning to propose to her!
Of course Clover said yes. They're only just adults, that's true, but she's head over heels for Archer and has been for years. They're childhood friends turned high school sweethearts, and none of us thought it would be long before they'd make things official, especially as Clover has only gotten more interested in starting her own family as she's gotten older.
I think Clover would have married Archer then and there if she could have, but she's also always wanted to have a fairytale wedding, and sure enough asked if we'd help with the costs towards it. We were more than happy to do so. It took a lot of planning - seasons passed, Basil became a teenager, and Clover focused on learning as much as she could about parenting as she and Archer have already agreed she'll be a stay at home Mum, and they'll start having kids as soon as they're married.
She also asked her Dad to bake her wedding cake when the date was finally booked in, which he was thrilled to do.
And finally the day was here, and we all went to a lovely little church that Archer and his family have been attending for years.
The ceremony was romantic and elegant, our beautiful Clover surrounded by flowers as she held her future husband's hands.
Her whole family came to celebrate, including Basil, and of course also Brayden.
I think Archer was in awe of how pretty Clover looked in her wedding dress.
Minkz and I both cried as we watched our oldest daughter marry her best friend, at the start of their life together.
At the reception, Archer celebrated with a drink and told us he was the luckiest man in the world. We can't help but agree!
His mother and sister were at the wedding too, naturally. His father Justin sadly passed away a few years ago, but Clover likes and gets along well with his family too.
Morgan, as our oldest family friend, and her son Josiah were also invited.
Morgan congratulated me as the mother of the bride, and was delighted for Clover and Archer too. After all, she's like family to the kids as well.
After the ceremony, Minkz congratulated Clover with a hug.
We could both see how good they would be for each other. Minkz and I chatted about our own relationship at their age, and how happy we were Clover was starting her life with an excellent education and plenty of support, so very different from living in a tent on bare land like I was! Of course, we had Christian helping us out too, but it was still pretty challenging back then.
The kids were happy for their older sister too. Willow came to the ceremony but went home with a babysitter for the reception, as it was quite late.
Right after the wedding, Clover moved out of home. She was more than ready to start her adult life, and she and Archer were kindly gifted Supriya and Justin's lovely home in Brindleton Bay, overlooking the ocean. They redecorated to their own tastes, including decorating a wing for Supriya to live out her retirement. Evie and Pierce, Archer's older siblings, had both long moved out, so I think Supriya was glad to have her youngest son around to take over the home and care for her as she was getting older. I don't think it'll be too long before Supriya, Minkz and I welcome our first grandchild, either...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brayden might have been an adult and have moved out of the house, but Minkz made sure that as soon as he was settled he was given a key for our cottage. He will always be welcome in our home.
Even after he moved out it was wonderful to have him visit, not least of all because the kids love him. He's able to keep Fern and Basil entertained while I teach Willow her letters.
Brayden also still helps Minkz with all the kids so I can get out and do some fishing, which I still love. My collection is going great - I no longer have space for the fish I catch on the walls at the farmhouse!
Things are not always rainbows and sunshine, though, not even for us. The kids are sometimes grumpy, and don't always get along. At times like this, the cottage feels very small.
Minkz always insists that all the kids, even Willow, talk over their arguments before bed though, so no one ends the day angry and wound up if he can help it.
It's not always easy, though, with big personalities in the family! Fern, our darling second daughter, I'm afraid is rather self-absorbed at the moment. I know most teenagers go through this, but she's driving Clover around the bend at the moment. Still, I'm proud of her, and she told me the other day she wants to be a Freelance Botanist and work with plants, just like me, once she's older.
For the moment though, she's making coffee. Fern decided she wanted some of her own spending money and got herself a job in a local cafe almost as soon as she was old enough. Apparently, we don't buy her cool enough clothes.
Basil, on the other hand, is delighted with the violin we got him for his birthday a little while back. He's...got a lot to learn, but he enjoys it.
In fact he's a really artistic young man. He adores art - looking at it and making it.
Clover is our academic. She often goes to the docks nearby to do her homework, to get some space from Fern and some peace and quiet away from Basil's music.
And rather than working like Fern, she prefers to spend her time with Archer, now officially her boyfriend.
They're very sweet together. Like me, Clover is a hopeless romantic and wants to get married before taking her relationship further, and Minkz and I have to admit that's a relief to us!
Of course, the two of them go to prom together. Clover didn't want proper photos so we just got some nice candids of her and Archer.
They looked so nice that evening. Wasn't Clover's dress pretty?
While our big girl is so nearly an adult now, our littlest girl is growing up fast too.
Which is sometimes very tiring.
These days, it feels like I blink and the time is gone. Willow went from playing airplanes on Minkz's back to attending school with her big brother Basil in what felt like no time at all. Josiah, Morgan's son, is nearest her age and at school with her too.
In fact, Willow and Basil go around to Morgan's after school a lot, to see Josiah and do their homework together. Morgan and I love that our kids are friends.
With the kids getting older, I have more chances now to go out looking for new plants and to get some more fishing in. One day, when I was taking cutting from plants in Willow Creek, I found this strange, beautiful tree.
Some strange magic let me venture through the tree to a peaceful glade, where I was able to fish in perfect privacy in this rainbow pool. Isn't it stunning here? I found some new fish I hadn't caught before, but mostly I just enjoyed the tranquility.
As time went on, I was pleased to find Clover and Fern were getting along better. Fern is still rather self-absorbed, but she makes an effort with her sister.
They both noticed that I was getting really stressed at work, and Clover asked if we could take a family vacation together before the two younger kids got much bigger. I thought that was a great idea.
We arrived at a comfortable, spacious lodge after dark, just as it started lightly snowing, during the fall school holidays.
There was no TV, no computers, and the kids all agreed to no phones. Fern spent the first evening reading in a cosy corner.
And first thing the next morning, the kids were out playing horseshoes together while their big sister supervised.
Minkz made a beeline for the grill. Grilled fruit was a nice treat for breakfast every morning of the vacation.
It was so nice to have a break from work and reconnect with my husband. With four kids, the farm and my job, we haven't been spending as much time together as I'd like.
I think Minkz appreciated the chance to reconnect too. And I have to say, our huge king sized bed was pretty great for reconnecting in other ways...
Naturally, Brayden came with us on the holiday. You didn't think we'd leave him behind, did you? He's settled into his new home and job nicely, but he still appreciates that we keep him so connected with his family.
The holiday was also a chance for me to enjoy even more fishing, without worrying about rushing back to get ready for work. I went hiking deep into the woods one morning, and even met a man who lives out here, completely self-sufficient. He showed me his favourite spots and I caught all kinds of rare fish. The time went so quickly, but the few days we spent at Granite Falls were just what I needed, and we all went home feeling closer, more relaxed, and happy.
We weren't too long back from the vacation when Clover, having graduated from high school with some of the highest possible marks, agreed to a date at the local lighthouse with Archer.
Little did she know, he was planning to propose to her!
Of course Clover said yes. They're only just adults, that's true, but she's head over heels for Archer and has been for years. They're childhood friends turned high school sweethearts, and none of us thought it would be long before they'd make things official, especially as Clover has only gotten more interested in starting her own family as she's gotten older.
I think Clover would have married Archer then and there if she could have, but she's also always wanted to have a fairytale wedding, and sure enough asked if we'd help with the costs towards it. We were more than happy to do so. It took a lot of planning - seasons passed, Basil became a teenager, and Clover focused on learning as much as she could about parenting as she and Archer have already agreed she'll be a stay at home Mum, and they'll start having kids as soon as they're married.
She also asked her Dad to bake her wedding cake when the date was finally booked in, which he was thrilled to do.
And finally the day was here, and we all went to a lovely little church that Archer and his family have been attending for years.
The ceremony was romantic and elegant, our beautiful Clover surrounded by flowers as she held her future husband's hands.
Her whole family came to celebrate, including Basil, and of course also Brayden.
I think Archer was in awe of how pretty Clover looked in her wedding dress.
Minkz and I both cried as we watched our oldest daughter marry her best friend, at the start of their life together.
At the reception, Archer celebrated with a drink and told us he was the luckiest man in the world. We can't help but agree!
His mother and sister were at the wedding too, naturally. His father Justin sadly passed away a few years ago, but Clover likes and gets along well with his family too.
Morgan, as our oldest family friend, and her son Josiah were also invited.
Morgan congratulated me as the mother of the bride, and was delighted for Clover and Archer too. After all, she's like family to the kids as well.
After the ceremony, Minkz congratulated Clover with a hug.
We could both see how good they would be for each other. Minkz and I chatted about our own relationship at their age, and how happy we were Clover was starting her life with an excellent education and plenty of support, so very different from living in a tent on bare land like I was! Of course, we had Christian helping us out too, but it was still pretty challenging back then.
The kids were happy for their older sister too. Willow came to the ceremony but went home with a babysitter for the reception, as it was quite late.
Right after the wedding, Clover moved out of home. She was more than ready to start her adult life, and she and Archer were kindly gifted Supriya and Justin's lovely home in Brindleton Bay, overlooking the ocean. They redecorated to their own tastes, including decorating a wing for Supriya to live out her retirement. Evie and Pierce, Archer's older siblings, had both long moved out, so I think Supriya was glad to have her youngest son around to take over the home and care for her as she was getting older. I don't think it'll be too long before Supriya, Minkz and I welcome our first grandchild, either...