overcoming AI overlords and cute mini vase magnets: things I'm doing and using this week to be an intentional and whimsical christian mom

a biweekly newsletter where I share what God is teaching me and small ways you can bring more presence & playfulness into your life as a mom

Hey sweet friend,

Welcome to the Dwell & Delight devotional!

As a busy mom of 2 and an external processor, I love sending voice messages to my friends (especially my mom friends; sometimes it feels like a playdate without being a playdate!).

My hope is that these weekly letters will feel like receiving a sweet voice message or text from a friend who is letting you know about fun things she is doing with her family, what has been helping her improve her life in small and effective ways, and what God is teaching her. And just as you would listen to a message from your friend, I’m sure you would reply to her with messages of your own struggles, lessons, encouragement, and growth. As you read these letters, my desire is that you also share with me and others what God is doing in your life, whether you implemented an idea from a letter and how it went, or any advice you may be able to give if you have walked through a similar season.

Each week, I will share at least one way you can “dwell” or sit intentionally in your faith and motherhood based on things I have done or want to do, one way you can “delight” or find magic and beauty in your faith and motherhood, and one verse and application that God has shown me that week.

With that, let’s dive in!

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how AI is everywhere. I remember how cool I thought it was when I first got ChatGPT in December of 2024, right before I started working on creating content and writing. Initially, it was really helpful because, as an external processor with ADHD who loves to research, I enjoyed having an assistant to aggregate all the “word vomit” I would give it and turn it into a coherent flow of ideas I could build on. It was like having a little creative assistant.

But over time, I have seen how it is now everywhere; even my healthcare apps have AI summaries and assistants. It is on every social media platform, and honestly, it is getting exhausting.

When I was originally creating content online, I used AI a little too much as a crutch in my creative process. But as I figured out my voice, my message, and what I wanted to say, I realized I am a writer at heart. Now, I have started thinking of ways I can use AI to help me with the mundane, day-to-day processes instead, so that I can spend more time on what matters: marriage, ministry, motherhood, and writing.

This past week, I’ve been taking stock of the areas where I’ve been overwhelmed. My husband has been working a lot lately, and even though things have slowed down a bit, I am still trying to find good rhythms for managing my family. Summer is coming, and it will be my first summer not having my oldest in a Mother’s Day Out program, even though my toddler will still be in one.

After months of doing almost everything on my own while my husband worked, I am just burnt out. We’ve been eating out a lot more, and I want to take control back so I can focus on faith, family, and fun hobbies.

One of my goals is to get these management systems out of my phone. As someone with ADHD, it is helpful to tell Siri to put something on a shared to-do list or grocery list, but I am moving toward more analog solutions. I am putting together a master grocery list, tips for my husband on putting together meals for the kids when I’m not around, and laminated routines and checklists to put up in our hallway. That way, if I need to put something in my phone, I can, but everything is also out in front for the whole family to see.

I’ve been using Gemini to help me develop a family cleaning routine to make it less “on me” and more about our family as a whole. I want even the mundane stuff to have a “quality time” feel.

Inside this week’s devotional, you’ll find:

• Our Master Grocery List

• Our Simple Eating Plan for May

• Our current Family Cleaning Routine

Next, I will be working on a wellness and beauty maintenance routine. I love looking nice and doing at-home treatments, especially since we are on a budget, but I still like to feel fancy from time to time. If you have anything that works for you and your family, please drop it in the comments below! This is definitely going to be a new trial-and-error things for me this month.

One "whimsy" thing bringing me delight is this pack of little mini fridge vases I found. They are so cute! They come with flowers already, which I love, but my plan is to use them for the flowers we grow or the tiny treasures my kids pick. Often, what they end up picking is too small, even for the"tiny" vase I do have, so these are perfect. My oldest is constantly rearranging them!

As far as what God is showing me, I have been reading through the book of Job. I have been really interested in how his friends talk to him. I feel like everyone I know, to some degree, is going through a hard time right now, and it is interesting how Job’s friends try to hold him “accountable.” I understand that impulse, but it makes me think of the verse about how if you do all these things but do not have love, you are just making noise.

I’ve been praying for a way to love my friends who are struggling, when I am not sure how to help beyond prayer and giving what I can. I feel like God answered that prayer by showing me one simple way to love them: by not talking like Job’s friends.

Thank you for being on this journey with me. I absolutely love getting to share, friend-to-friend, mom-to-mom, and sister-in-Christ-to-sister-in-Christ, about the work God is doing in my life and the fun things He’s teaching me. Now tell me, what are you dwelling on and delighting in this week?

Love,

*If you’ve been encouraged by this and want to support my writing, I have set up a “buy me a coffee” link to make a one-time donation. This honors the time and resources that go into me creating gentle, faith-filled content. While it is greatly appreciated, it is not expected. I am deeply thankful to simply have your presence here!

You can also support me by checking out my growing digital resource library. It’s designed to be a one-stop companion to the ideas I share here—something you can revisit whenever life feels heavy or overwhelming. This resource is optional, offered with pay-what-you-want pricing starting at $10, and includes lifetime access as new tools and reflections are added over time.