For I am yours: A hunting we will go..

It's that time of year, hunting season is upon us! Each September our little family goes on a week long trip with my in-laws to their cabin for archery season. No running water, no power and an outhouse. You heard right, outhouse! Believe it or not, we look forward to it every year and it's definitely one of our favorite places to be! We do have a few dim lights, small fridge and stove thanks to the conveniences of propane. No cell service, no technology. Just us and nature. Wonderful and so beautiful!

My husband has been going since he was five and we are loving that our boys get to experience it too! Ryder is a true hunter already and can't wait for his first bow(still has awhile)! Last year was the first year I didn't go since we've been married, but I was SO pregnant and my due date was too close to risk going into labor in the middle of nowhere! Big bummer but still the wisest choice. :) This year however will be even better. It marks Lincoln's first time up, and Lucas'(the hubby) first cabin trip with his two sons! We are excited! Whilst hunting is surely a fun time it serves as a necessity for us. We love venison and it is our main source of protein in our house. We have it as a replacement for beef and really it's about as organic as it comes! Praying for a successful time and for a freezer full.

Aside from the early morning deer stalking and evening lookouts, we always go on atv rides through old abandoned homesteads and walk through open fields. It's the epitome of peaceful and such an opportunity to take in God's goodness for all it's worth. A time to reflect on what's really important. Yes we should strive to do this always, but without all the extra noise it's just that much easier to breathe it all in!

The nights, there's no television, just genuine family time. Word searches, ok typically that's just my "fun"..games, and laughs! Lucas likes to quote a line from the Office. "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good ol' days before you've actually left them". We try and take full advantage of appreciating our "good ol'days" and live in the moment. Our Johnson family hunting trips are just that, good. We are grateful our boys will learn the trade, learn how to be men. They're still only littles but both are full of wonder and watch so intently. It'll be the neatest to observe them in such an unhurried element and bond with their daddy and Papa. And of course, run and play the way tiny boys are supposed to! Myself and their beloved Mamaw I'm sure will be snapping pics galore, can't wait!

This weekend will be jam packed I'm guessing, getting all the last minute gear. Watch out deer, we're comin for ya!