Augustin Hotop, 4, plays with his mother, Kim Hotop, as she prepares dinner at their home just outside Perryville, Tuesday, Sept. 22. Kim stays home during the day as a full-time mother and teacher for her children. “I like the two different roles. Jared does what he does and I do what I do,” Kim says.

Jared Hotop, left, plays with his son Andrew, 7, as Kim reads aloud to Augustin, 4, and Jonathan, 15, studies on Wednesday evening, Sept. 23, at their home. Both Jared and Kim were raised in Catholic families and strive to create a loving and devout household for their children.

Kim Hotop always wears two rings. Her class ring from the local Catholic high school, St. Vincent, has a small Miraculous Medal inlay. “It’s a reminder,” like her wedding ring, she says. “I am proud to be married. I am proud to be Catholic.” Every Sunday evening the Hotops have an hour reserved in this chapel for their family to complete adoration. Kim describes it as their quiet time to talk to God.

Kim Hotop gathers eggs from the chicken coops in their back yard with her sons Andrew, 7, center and Augustin, 4, right, on Tuesday, Sept. 22 in Perryville. The family also has a garden where they grow fruit and vegetables throughout the summer and fall. The children often work outside with Kim in the garden so she can teach them hands on skills for growing their own food.

Kim Hotop watches as Jared helps their daughter, Alaina, 12, practice batting at their home on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Jared is the manager for the local softball league Perryville Stars. He helps his daughter with her technique every week before she goes to her pitching lessons.

Jared Hotop kisses Kim on the cheek in their kitchen on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Jared works at Buchheit of Perryville and often comes home for lunch to see the family. Whether it is an evening date or a walk through the park, the couple makes it a priority to have alone time together. “It’s recharging time,” Kim says.

Kim Hotop and her son Andrew, 7, work on Andrew’s schoolwork together at the kitchen on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Jared and Kim want their children to have an education more steeped in Creationism and Catholic theology than the local Catholic school offers. “The science could still have evolution in it,” Kim says, referring to the local Catholic school. With the homeschool program they use, Jared and Kim know the subjects they teach are directly tied to their beliefs.

The Hotops play “Pounce,” a game passed down from Jared’s family, after supper at their home on Wednesday, Sept. 23. In addition to service on Sunday mornings and reflection at church on Sunday evenings, the Hotops try to plan family activities at home together a few times a week. “It’s good for them to have that constant groundedness,” Kim says. “They’re in a setting where you are loved.”

Augustin Hotop, 4, giggles as his father Jared drags him down the hallway to bed on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Augustin sleeps with Jared and Kim in their room. The other four children that are still home also share rooms, the boys in one and the girls in the other. Kim says both she and Jared wanted the children to learn how to share their space.