Does history bore anyone else? Dates? Timelines? A billion Johns and Henrys? Blech. I hated every class. It never clicked with me. It also didn’t help that I always ended up with a teacher that had a vendetta against me. Which, I don’t blame her. She had to put up with me and my best friend, Thomas, chatting incessantly and corralling our other friend Derek to bust out in a ballerina dance mid-lecture randomly through the year. Good times. Good times. *sigh of nostalgia*

Despite not loving history, I can’t deny that history does teach us a lot. It can help direct us in the future. And I think that applies to our personal histories and lives as well. So, I’m going to play a little timeline game. See what I can learn. And help those new faces I have seen popping up around here get to know me a little better too. 😉

*Twilight Zone music may commence now*

10 Years Ago..

Senior in high school. Recovering from the worst accident of my life (being hit by a car as a pedestrian). In the crazy, tumultuous on/off again relationship that lasted 8 years. Overall, pretty happy and took things one day at a time. PS – I know I’m a young mom.

7 Years Ago…

source

I had my first binge after four months of controlling my emotions through food restriction and excessive workouts. I ate an entire box of Pop Tarts and I think half a jar of peanut butter. Maybe more? And then binges happened at least once a week for a long time. I struggled with my relationship with my father more than ever. I contemplated suicide on a daily basis and made three attempts.

5 Years Ago..

I met this man. He helped me set aside my pain, guilt, and anger with myself to give faith in something outside myself a shot again. Then, I fell in love with Jesus. I fell in love with myself again. And my life has ever improved since that time.

3 Years Ago…

I taught high school Spanish. I felt excitement at the impending arrival of my first child. I had finally overcome the hold binging had on me by growing in my faith and seeing my body for what it could do over how it looked. I still wanted something more, though.

2 Years Ago…

I trained for and entered a fitness competition. I thought that achieving that goal would fulfill me on some level. Instead, it brought me back closer to some of the unhealthy habits I had fought so hard to break. I then battled the emotions of having to gain weight quickly in order to conceive baby B. I also first learned about blogging at this time and decided to give it a shot after awhile.

1 Year Ago…

I was going through life – pregnant and uncomfortable, but genuinely happy and blessed. And anxious at knowing more awaited me just around the bend.

Today…

I almost feel like Julia Roberts in Notting Hill. You know the part? I’m just a girl…standing in front of a boy…asking him to love her. I feel you, Julia. I feel you.

I’m just a girl…writing out my thoughts…wondering why people care to read them.

I’m just a girl…mothering her two children…while still caring for herself.

I’m just a girl...seeking God’s guidance…so I don’t make a mess of this thing called life.

I’m just a girl…opening up to others…trying to surround myself with love.

I’m just a girl…finding a way to balance…but still slipping up sometimes and that’s okay.

I’m just a girl…realizing a lot can happen in a decade…and not wanting it any other way.

And a decade from now? I hope I’m still just a girl…taking it day by day…and enveloped in the love, passions, friendships, hobbies, and good food that I find in my days today.

• What was your life like 1, 5, 10 years ago? What do you think/hope your life will look like another 10 years from now?

Things got a bit heavy in here yesterday. I think its time to lighten up the mood a bit. Put a smile on and talk about something that gets you all warm and gooey inside. Maybe do a little What I Ate Wednesday action.

Maybe deliver on that brownie recipe I promised you way back when on Monday before things got all dramatic.

On Monday I promised you a brownie recipe to make your heart melt. So you shall get a brownie recipe to make your heart melt, my friend. Just make sure you don’t spend too much time swooning because then your heart won’t be the only thing melting. Your brownies will, too. And we don’t want that now. That would be wasteful. I don’t know what would happen to our relationship if you wasted brownies, coffee, and ice cream all in one fell swoop. I prefer not to find out either. So just make these and eat them all promptly. Which, I don’t think that will be too much of a challenge because…hello?!?! They’re brownies, coffee, and ice cream all in one!

Are you confused yet? Ice cream? Where’s the ice cream?! Don’t worry. I shall help you. It’s what friends do. You see that fudgy layer?

That…my friends…is magic in the form of . I received some coupons to try two pints of Starbucks ice cream free for review. Coffee and I are *likethis* so, of course, I chose two coffee based flavors – Java Chocolate Chip and Mocha Frappuccino.

No doubt, my first taste test came in the unadulterated state of a small bowl.

Good. No…not just good. Impressive. Striking. Bold. Magnificent. Both flavors packed a definitive coffee punch in the form of one of my favorite foods. I could have just eaten my way through both pints with Peter. Not a bad idea…but then they would disappear too quickly. I needed to up the ante. I needed to allow my coffee and ice cream love to mingle with yet another beloved of mine – brownies. And so was born Easy Coffee Toffee Ice Cream Brownies. The title may be a mouthful, but it’s a mouthful you want to take.

Easy Coffee Toffee Ice Cream Brownies

• your favorite brownie recipe
• 2 TBSP instant coffee
• 1 cup (I chose the Mocha Frappuccino flavor)
• 1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP cold milk
• small box instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 cup crushed toffee pieces

I find that everyone has a favorite brownie recipe or a boxed mix they love. Let’s not mess with your tried and true preference. Just add in the 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder to your brownie batter and bake as normal. Cool brownies completely.

Add the , milk, and box of chocolate pudding mix to a bowl. Stir until evenly combined. Spoon mixture over the brownies.

Sprinkle toffee bits evenly over the top and gently press into the ice cream / pudding mixture. Place back in the freezer for at least 2 hours to harden.

Cut into large brownies because no puny portions will do with these bad boys. Admit it…we’re all drawn to the bad boy from time to time. You’ll be drawn to these too. Dark. Mysterious. Bold. Smooth. Knock you off your feet and keep you up all night.

From the sugar and caffeine, people! I was still talking about brownies! Where are your minds going? Sheesh. I gotta keep a close eye on you.

And not only for still daydreaming about Ryan Reynolds a week later. I have to make sure you don’t steal any of my brownies. Make your own. I promise they’re easy. I promise they’re worth it. And I always keep my promises.

• Favorite thing to order from Starbucks? I want to get my hands on a Coconut Mocha Frappuccino after Julie mentioned it a couple nights ago!
• Brownies – fudgy, cakey, or not at all? Must. Be. FUDGY!!!

Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Starbucks and received coupons and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. All my opinions, as always, are 100% honest.