a+g monthly newsletter: January 2025

Happy 2025, thin line fam!

First of all, if you’re flabbergasted that it’s twentytwentyFIVE you’re not alone! Part of me still feels stuck in 2020 😅 second of all, if you were shocked to find a monthly newsletter back in your inbox…you’re also not alone! Ha!

I started monthly newsletters at the end of 2023 and then dropped off sometime in the middle of last year. To be honest, I think the heaviness of law enforcement life was really getting to me-LODDs and attacks were up, and it felt like everywhere I turned I was seeing the war on cops. And it felt like I needed to address it and talk about it, but then that also bummed me out. But if I didn’t talk about it, it didn’t seem right either?

I don’t really know what the answer is going forward, but I do know that I’m going to commit to being more consistent with these little newsletters (likeeee actually making them monthly perhaps?!) and just sharing my heart and whatever feels right at the time.

On that note, I feel like I need to acknowledge the fires in California right now, the devastation that they’re causing, and the absolutely amazing work of our first responders. My friend Sara at American Freedom Co lives in Southern California and has been absolutely incredible about loving on our first responders that responding to the fires via water, snacks, and essentials. I donated to her foundation-any money that you Venmo her (@freedomisntfreefoundation) will be used to love on our heroes down there. Thank you for being the hands and feet for us, Sara!

And on a more personal note I wanted to share a few of my new year’s “resolutions”. Usually I make pretty specific goals (that’s the researcher and academic in me) but this year I decided to just be super casual and make it the year of MORE.

More time off my phone. More time outdoors. More time getting messy/dirty/sweaty/my hair wet. More time writing. More time moving my body. More choices that make me feel healthy and strong and energized. More time appreciating my family. More time drawing close to Jesus. More leaps of faith.

Anyway-that’s just a little of what’s on my heart this month! I love this little a+g community that we’ve created together and I’m so, so grateful that you’re here. Thank you for doing thin line life with me!

Scroll down for the rest of this month’s newsletter (some of what’s usually here, and some that’s new!) and if you’re not already subscribed and want these posts to come directly to your inbox (hopefully on a more monthly basis!) you can do so here.

Here’s the top three things that y’all loved the most this past month:

This target pullover. It’s a total Lulu Lemon scuba dupe, is legging friendly (aka covers the booty) and is currently on sale for $17.50! I’ve had it for over a month and have basically been wearing it nonstop-I already own the grey but just ordered it in navy.

Balance beam set. I bought this set as a Christmas present and then gifted it early when our weather got cold. It’s amazing! It’s the gift of the season that keeps on giving-it lets littles get their wiggles out indoors and is super fun to rearrange. We also like watching Floor Is Lava while playing on it as an added challenge! So many of y’all have said it’s a game changer in your house during the winter season, too.

Indoor snowball set. This was the number one seller on Amazon this past month-another fun indoor activity! My auntie and uncle gifted us this set last year for Christmas last year and we all love playing with it. The snowballs are so light and soft and make playing dodgeball so much fun-without destroying the house or hurting each other! One of you messaged me and said that they have the 200 piece set for their classroom. Best teacher ever!

Here’s the top 3 posts y’all engaged with the most this past month. If you’re not already following along on Instagram, make sure to hop on board! My username is @ammoandgrace.

Okay so I don’t *quite* have a promo code or links for you yet BUT I have been working on some super exciting new “merch” this past month! I’ll always send out new stuff to our email fam first, so make sure you’re subscribed to the blog if you want first dibs!

It started off as “ammo+grace merch” and then morphed into some fun little designs to remind us of His promises and to support the TBL (thin blue line) in a more subtle way. There will be pullovers/crewnecks (by far the most popular clothing item requested by yall!) as well as a hoodie and a couple of tee shirts.

I’m waiting on my samples now and will have them up for sale once they’re perfect! Here’s a little sneak peek below 🥳

This month’s “shortcut supper” is the perfect meal to make when you have leftover mashed potatoes (or just want some simple comfort food). I just made this the other night when I didn’t feel like cooking anything-it took me maybe ten minutes of microwaving and BAM we had an easy supper on the table! Simply warm and assemble all of the ingredients below and you’ve got a copycat version of KFC’s famous bowls! Omit or substitute anything your family doesn’t like.

Homemade Famous Bowls

-Mashed potatoes (homemade or instant-if you’re using instant, consider using bone broth instead of water for some added protein and nutrients!)

-Chicken nuggets (we like the Just Bare brand; we get them at Costco), sliced up

-Corn (either cut off the cob, canned, or frozen)

-Brown gravy (homemade or from a packet)

-Shredded cheese (optional)

This month I’m combining my book recommendation and devotional and sharing the Bible plan I’ve been using for the past five years-The Bible Recap!

This free plan takes you through the entire Bible chronically in one year. There’s a short podcast every day (usually about 7-10 minutes long) along with the assigned scripture (less than 20 minutes of reading). They have the plan on their website, or you can choose TBR plan in the YouVersion Bible app-that’s what I do!

Last year I also started using the study guide (it’s currently on sale for $10!) and I think it’s helped a lot in terms of going deeper and helping things stick. There’s also a journal and other books-I can’t personally speak to them but I know a ton of people love them! Really though you only need your phone to do this plan-download your favorite podcast app and the Bible app and you’re all set!

You can totally start this plan at anytime of year, but it’s even more perfect to begin in now in January with the new year. If you’re doing TBR too let me know so we can be our own little Bible small group!