RootedPixels

Sims 4 stories and gameplay. Faith, life, growth, and a little chaos.

[rootedpixels]

📖 THE STORIES / GAMEPLAY

🌙 From Sinner to Saint This is the story of Naomi Brooks. Party girl, serial romantic, living fast and empty… until one moment cracks her world wide open. It's not a glow-up. It's a resurrection. A slow, painful, beautiful process of sin, surrender, and sanctification. ⚠️ Deals with mature themes. Things get worse before they get better. That's kind of the whole point. [ status: Phase 2, work in progress, updated when inspiration strikes ✨ ]

Phase 1 Beginning | Phase 1 Recent

Phase 2 Beginning | Phase 2 Recent

🌿 The Five Families Legacy Challenge by Oshinsims A multi-generational Sims 4 legacy following five very different families across five very different seasons of life. Each generation carries their own wounds, their own wandering, and their own way back. A new project running alongside From Sinner to Saint to keep the creativity flowing! [ status: generation 1 🌱 ]

Generation 1 📖From Beginning | 📖From Recent

Sideblog

A Sims 4 gameplay following Remi Sinclair as she works her way through medical school and toward becoming the kind of doctor who truly cares.

Link

[revivedwhimsy]

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[rootedpixels]

The morning light crept through the curtains of the rental whether they were ready for it or not. ☀️

Alyssa woke up knowing she'd had one too many drinks the night before. Her head confirmed it immediately. As she sat up slowly and let the room settle, the memories started coming back in pieces.

📍Chee-wit Chee-waa Club 🎶

It started with drinks before the dance floor. Just a couple. Just to loosen up.

The music got into her somewhere after the second drink. She could feel it moving through her and she moved with it. 💃🏽

And then she thought she saw a face she recognized. Micah's ex wife, Rachael. Or someone who looked exactly like her. In Tomarang. No. Couldn't be. What were the chances?

Then someone tried to shoot their shot. She was already mid-rejection when she actually looked at him. Derek Matthews. Micah's friend. Also apparently vacationing in Tomarang.

"Alyssa?? Alyssa Bennet?? Dang girl you looking goodt!!" He was clearly drunk. "No. We are not doing this Derek. Goodnight."

Something Kaylee said yesterday came back to her: Nobody back in Willow Creek will know what we got into tonight. Sure Kaylee. Sureee. 💀

Kaylee woke up in the same condition. Head heavy, everything hazy. But one thing kept coming back to her through the fog.

There was a stranger. Calm. Quiet. Mysterious. And he smelled amazing. She was drawn to him and everyone else in the club faded away.

She didn't even get his name.

[rootedpixels]

A little love note to my 30. 🥂💛

You may laugh at that number. I don't.

Thirty real people chose to follow along with whatever this is, this little corner I built mostly just for myself. A place to store my stories, watch my gameplay grow, and look back and see how far things have come. That was always the whole point.

But there's something special about someone else enjoying your world as much as you do.

So to my 30, and honestly to anyone who has ever stopped on one of my posts, read a caption, smiled at Aleah, or followed these chaotic beautiful story and gameplay, thank you.

From this woman who overthinks too much. Who second guesses almost everything she posts. Who has an eccentric mind and yeah, it probably shows. 😄 Who can be a little weird but only ever in the best way.

I see you. I appreciate you more than you know. 💛

May you always be surrounded by love, good energy, good vibes, and people with nothing but the purest intentions for you. May grace, mercy, blessings and kindness follow you everywhere you go. May you be protected from anything and anyone that means you harm. 🙏🏾✨

Much love always. Ni, aka RootedPixels 🌿

[rootedpixels]

The Tomarang Night Market. 🏮

They hit almost every stall.

Street food they couldn't name but ordered anyway. Trinkets and little souvenirs to bring back home. They even tried their hand at haggling.

Kaylee smelling that plate with her whole soul.

Kaylee glanced over with a familiar look already forming. "You know what we should do after this?"

Alyssa looked up. "What." Not even a question. Just bracing herself.

"Find a Tomarang nightclub and get into it." 🎶

"We are dignified educators now, Kaylee. Not a reality show.... What is this, Teachers Gone Wild?? I haven't been to a club since college."

"Exactly. Which means you are overdue. Nobody back in Willow Creek is gonna know what we got into tonight. Just us, the vibes, and our college selves making a one night comeback."

Alyssa stared at her.

Kaylee stared back.

"…Let me finish my food first." 💛

Kaylee grinned. That was a yes and they both knew it.

Back at the rental, the ladies retreated to their rooms to get ready, tapping all the way back into their college era. 🎶

Kaylee already knew she looked good. She was just confirming it. 😏

Alyssa took a little longer. Tried a few things. Second guessed herself once or twice. But when she finally turned to that mirror and took in her full look?

She still had it. 💛✨

✌🏽🫶🏽Flicks with the bestie.

[rootedpixels]

Back in Tomarang. 🌴

(This post is a bit of character development for me so that's why it's so wordy this time.)

Alyssa and Kaylee enjoy a quiet tea break before they ventured out. It should have been peaceful. It was, for exactly four minutes.

Alyssa reached for her phone and pulled up her notes app. "Okay so…of course you know I had to do a little research on Tomarang," she paused for dramatic effect, clearly proud of herself, "…and I have got us a full itinerary. Optimized by location so we're not backtracking unnecessarily-"

"Alyssa." She looked up. Kaylee was looking at her with that expression that meant something honest was coming whether she was ready or not. "You're not going to like this. But it needs to be said."

"You are on vacation. In Tomarang. One of the most beautiful places either of us has ever seen, and you are out here trying to put fun on a tight schedule. That's not how this works."

"I love you. But Micah deserves a medal for loving you through your control freak ways. I am genuinely surprised that man still has a hairline, boo." 😂

Alyssa opened her mouth. Kaylee wasn't done. "This week? The checklist doesn't exist. The schedule doesn't exist. It's just us, this view, and whatever happens next. Can you just… be here? I'm saying it with the love. All of it." 💛

A full minute passed. Alyssa stared at her good friend. When she finally responded, there was something quieter in her expression than Kaylee was used to seeing. "I know how I am." She said it simply. Not defensively. Just… honest.

"I grew up believing that if you didn't have a plan, things fell apart. That structure was the only thing standing between you and chaos. I still believe that."

She paused. "But I also know I'm not at work right now." 😌 Kaylee said nothing. She let that land. "Fine." Alyssa exhaled slowly, "Your way. No schedule. No itinerary. We just… see what happens." "Was that so hard?" "Absolutely." 😂

They both laughed at the same time and then somehow they were hugging, the kind of hug that says I needed to hear that and I'm glad it was you who said it. 🥺

Besties.

When they finally pulled apart Kaylee reached over grabbed her tea. "Okay Bennet." Her eyes were bright. "Finish your tea. Then let's go see what Tomarang's got for us." 🌴

[plumbskat]

Fondry Cove - Willow Creek

[simohgi]

Yeah... I'm gonna redo 2.2....

[simohgi]

Yup, redoing it. The first one was too far off from Zuri.

Also... what does it look like when they're walking through the wormhole generator? Something like this.

This is probably where angles would make a very big difference, right? Like if it was more from the right and lower looking up or something? I still can't picture that stuff well. But I'm still giddy hehehehehe

[simohgi]

Okay, that's too smooth for teleportation! Needed to stick a wave layer on it!

Nope, take it one step further lool

[vexheart]

[rootedpixels]

Had to test to see how he would look out of CAS, because you know sometimes CAS sim and in-game sim be looking diff-

😩 ...ok fine, I'm a little obsessed with him.

[coceauxsims]

Week 5 : Granite Falls

Despite the beautiful scenery and lovely weather, this week was not a good week.

It started pleasant enough, sure.

Then things got a little funny. But not ha-ha funny.

More like, Birdie's patience at ZERO 'funny'.

And as the days passed, she got a little mean. Actually, a lot meaner than Wilson was used to.

More argumentative than normal.

Of course, it didn't bother Wilson too much. He did what he promised he always would, for better or worse.

This week's worse was just a rough patch. They didn't have those that often, and all would be just fine soon enough.

The postcard home was short and simple. Wilson didn't bother to explain the incident, only included a little lesson he thought Whitley and Wyatt might need to know for later.

Previous

[rootedpixels]

My attempt at making a Tomarang native.

I really tried. 🤷🏽‍♀️ But honestly? I adore him anyway.

I'm hoping that Alyssa's friend, Kaylee, will run into him while they're on vacation. 🤭🥰 I feel like Alyssa would definitely play cupid trying to hook Kaylee up.

[rootedpixels]

Arrival in Tomarang 🌴

Lush didn't cover it. Neither did beautiful. The jungle pressed right up to the edge of the island like it refused to be tamed, all deep greens and bursts of color. The air smelled different here. Felt different. Alyssa had seen Del Sol Valley's glamour and Sulani's beaches, but this? This was something else entirely.

They'd rented a two-bedroom vacation home with a small pool for their stay. Their luggage hadn't even made it inside yet. They just sat out front soaking it in.

"Okay," Alyssa said finally, eyes scanning the view. "You were right. I'll give you that. Tomarang is goregous."

Kaylee grinned. "Say it louder."

"Don't push it." 😄

Back in Willow Creek 🏡

Call from Alyssa 📲

"Glad you made it safe, babe… yes, of course I'd love for us to come together sometime… yes, I remembered…" Micah knew his wife was running through a mental checklist, making sure everything was still standing in her absence. He let her finish before cutting in. "It's only been a few hours, babe. Relax. Go enjoy yourself. We're good over here."

Aleah was in her room playing when Micah came up to check on her.

The second she spotted him, the toys hit the floor. She reached up for a hug with both arms and the guilt from that morning's breakfast reprimand hit him all over again.

"It's just you and me baby girl. What does Aleah wanna do?" Anything to see her smile.

"Outside, Daddy!" She didn't have to say it twice. 🧸

Foundry Cove Playground 🛝

The second they hit the playground Aleah squirmed in his arms. "Daddy, I'm big gworl. Pwut me down." She hated being carried.

Micah set her on her feet and laughed, like actually laughed, "Okay, big gworl. Can you go play while Daddy gets some work done? I'll be right over here." He pointed toward the picnic table. "Daddy's watching." 👀

She was gone before he finished the sentence. 💨

He glanced up from his laptop and had to look twice.

She made it to the top already. 🥹

"I ON TOP DA WHOLE WORLD!!" 🙌🏽

The rest of the pictures are just shots of Aleah interacting at the playground.

Hums to herself.

Tosses sand. "Weeeeeeee!"

Pat pat pat

Little sand artist.

I don't play with toddlers enough in this game. I had no idea they could build such extraordinary sand sculptures for their age. 🤔

Making friends.

"My daddy kick mommy out to Tommy Gang." (Tomarang)

She said it with her whole chest. No hesitation and no context.

[rootedpixels]

The morning of the trip. 🍂

Bags by the door. Kaylee already texting "are you ready yet?"

And Alyssa was in the kitchen. Because she wasn't leaving until she knew her people were going to be straight while she was gone. Meals prepped, breakfast made, everybody fed. THEN she could go. 😏🍳

"Babe."

She kept stirring.

"Alyssa. You are technically on vacation right now. You don't have to do all of this. I know how to feed us."

She raised an eyebrow without looking up.

"I make an excellent peanut butter and jelly sandwich." He paused. "...Sometimes." 😂

She didn't respond. She just turned up the heat. The flame shot up in the pan like she planned it and honestly she probably did. 🔥

Micah stared at it for a full second.

"Ok...ok chef. I see you." He took a small step back. "Maybe one or two meals wouldn't hurt actually."

She made a full spread. Before she sat down she made sure her baby was settled in, locked and loaded.

Aleah looked at that plate like it personally called her name. 👀

The last breakfast together before mommy's big trip. 🧇🍓

She looked at that plate real peaceful like. 🥹 Nobody was worried yet.

And then something shifted. 👀 Her little arms swung back ready to launch the plate. Aleah Bennet had DECIDED that breakfast was now a sport. 😂 The plate crashed to the floor sending food everywhere.

Alyssa took one look and, "No ma'am! We are NOT throwing food on the fl-"

"Alyssa." Micah's voice came in calm and even. "You're on vacation. I got this."

He turned to Aleah.

"Aleah Bennet. You put your hands in your lap. Right now. We do not waste food in this house and we do not throw things that mommy worked hard to make. Do you understand me?"

He held the look.

Not loud. Not angry. Just... final. 😐

She understood. 😔 She didn't like it, but she understood. Daddy wasn't playing and somehow that was worse than mommy saying it.

[rootedpixels]

After Dinner

She didn't waste any time.

Dishes were barely dry, work clothes swapped for something comfortable, and Alyssa already had her phone out. "Kaylee. I need a vacation. Come over." Micah planted that seed at dinner and it grew faster than he expected. 😏

Kaylee Willoughby did not hesitate. 🚪

Kaylee started, "Ok so where are we thinking? Because I already have ideas."

Alyssa sat next to her eager to say hers, "Del Sol Valley or Sulani. I'm leaning Del Sol. Clean, beautiful, I already know what to expect."

Kaylee stared at her. "Alyssa. That is not a vacation. You basically described a work trip with better lighting."

"I described a relaxing trip." Alyssa countered.

"You described somewhere you've already researched to death." Kaylee leaned forward. "What about Tomarang?"

Alyssa blinked. "Tomarang."

"Yes! It's gorgeous, it's different. I heard the food is amazing, and the culture-"

"I don't do unfamiliar, Kaylee. I like knowing what I'm walking into. What about Sulani then? At least it has-"

"Alyssa."

"What!"

And then from across the room, completely unsolicited...

"She's right, you know."

Alyssa turned slowly. "Nobody asked you, Micah."

"I know. I'm volunteering." He spread his hands out like he was presenting a lecture. "You planned this whole house. You planned Aleah's childhood before she could sit up straight. Just let somebody else pick one thing, baby. One." 🤷🏾‍♂️

She hated that he had a point. They both did. She looked at Kaylee.

Kaylee looked back at her with that face that said live a little.

"...Okay..okay. Tomarang it is." Alyssa conceded. "But I still get to plan the itinerary." she smiled at that.

Kaylee cheered.

[rootedpixels]

Mommy's not home, and these two are making the most of every second. 😏

Micah liked to use the rare moments they had to themselves to let Aleah just be wild. No schedule, no milestones, no rules. Just Daddy matching her chaotic energy until one of them tapped out first.

Spoiler: it was never Aleah. 😂🏃‍♀️💨

"Ok Aleah. Mommy's walking up. We gotta act normal." 😐😐

"Hey loves, what y'all been up to?"

Micah didn't even make eye contact. He was already moving. "Just practicing basic shapes, dear. Excuse me, I really gotta get to the bathroom, been holding it." 🚶💨🚽

Gone before she could even process it. 😂

She saw them through the window when she walked up. 👀

The tumbling, the shrieking, the absolute chaos. She saw all of it.

But Alyssa didn't say a word as she chopped the onions, preparing to make spaghetti. Because as much as she hated to admit it, she knew her baby. Aleah had energy that no schedule could fully contain, and Micah was at least doing something with it.

She wasn't going to bring it up right now. Dinner first. 🍝

Dinner for 3. 🖤

Remember when this girl was eating alone at that table? 🥹 Look at her now. Husband. Baby. Full course meal. Even if she had to steal someone else's man to get here. 💀

Wait. WAIT. 👀

Is Aleah... eating? With a spork? And not digging in the spaghetti with her hands?? And not a single piece of food on the floor?! Good Girl!! 👏🏽

"Micah, you have got to stop roughhousing her so much. I don't want her turning into a little tomboy. I have plans for her to-"

"I know exactly what you have planned for Aleah, Alyssa."

He said it calm, no edge to it. Just honest.

"But a baby who's never allowed to just run and explore and be a little wild? That rigidness is going to backfire on you. She needs room to breathe, not just room to perform." He looked at her steady. "I think you need a mommy vacation. Let me have my daughter for a few days."

She wanted to say absolutely not. The word was right there.

But she stopped herself. Because Micah wasn't just her husband, he was a university professor. The man understood development, growth, how minds form. He wasn't saying it to undermine her. He was saying it because he meant it.

And maybe... maybe she did need it. Because when Aleah becomes a child, Alyssa has so much ahead for her. She needed to show up sharp for that season, not burned out.

"You know what, Micah? You might be right. I may just take you up on that. But just know I still have big plans for my baby. She is going to be great."

[rootedpixels]

Okay one more relight pic, but idk if im going to use relight for every legacy post but we'll see.

Aleah has a schedule. Micah has a schedule too. 😌

Alyssa makes sure of it.

She runs a tight ship....but she also knows that a strong marriage doesn't just happen. You make time for it. Intentionally. Consistently. Right here on this couch if that's what it takes. 🛋️💋