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A New Faith

By Eileen Finan & Karen S. Schneider

Originally posted Thursday September 27, 2007 12:00 PM EDT

"Their commitment is so obvious," actress Rita Wilson says of the couple (on tour last month), "to each other, to their family, to their friends." Photo by: Scott Gries / Getty

Her kids, perhaps, less so. For Hill and McGraw, who grew up in working-class families (he is from Delhi, La.), keeping their girls grounded is key – even, says Hill, if she has to threaten to "wash their mouths out with soap" for saying swear words. "I've never done it," she laughs. But she does have to say "No" a lot: no cell phones, no e-mail accounts, no electric guitars covered in pink glitter (Gracie's dream). "They beg," says Hill. "And we'll say, 'There's no reason you need that.' It's hard. We're not trying to deprive our children, but to instill in them patience, logical thinking and caution."

Still, she does sometimes say "Yes," even to Maggie's request for hip-hop music. "I pick a few songs. She's fine with that. If [the lyrics] say 'damn' she'll sing 'darn,' " says Hill. And though they occasionally "call me out" for swearing, admits Hill, the naughtiest thing they see Mom do is occasionally dive into a bag of barbecue potato chips. "And not the baked kind," Hill clarifies. "The real, funky, get-your-fingers-greasy kind. I have to eat them with this sour cream dip I make."

Until she has to start fretting about drivers' permits ("The worry of your child being on the road, oh my gosh!") Hill is enjoying simple family moments, like gathering in what she calls "Tim's room" on Sundays to watch the Tennessee Titans on TV. "Tim's up and down, yelling at the screen," says Hill. "I get excited along with him, like, 'What? That's a bad call!' – acting like I know what I'm talking about." If she doesn't, she waits for a commercial to find out. "After 11 years of marriage," she says, "I've learned youn ever ask a question during a replay."