I found this sweater while meandering around Hurds Island yesterday. I was drawn in by the textures of it and the contrast between the smooth grey concrete and the rough red-ish color of the sweater.

If there is one thing that Christine Laye is sure of it is that her kids are her strength. Your will find the mother of 5 and grandmother of one working at Long John Silver's almost every day, but when shes not at work her kids are her life.
After an abusive relationship, Christine and her kids turned to the only people they knew they could, each other. Determined to do it on her own, Christine took as many jobs as she could to keep food on the table. When her daughter didn't have a coat, it was Christine that went without one and when Christine was walking to work because she couldn't afford a car, it was her kids that all pitched in to buy her one.
"All we have is each other," Christine said, "any time I can spend with my kids I do."
When the United Way of Fox Valley heard of her story they contacted AAA insurance who was able to give Christine and her family the Christmas they deserve.
"Without them, Christmas wouldn't have been much," Christine said."

See the full photo gallery and story in today's Beacon-News.

Once the prodigy of Aurora's West side, Jaeh Thomas now lives the life of the fans that chanted his name. He works long hours to support his family and plays only when he gets a chance.
A prime example of how a string of bad decisions, drugs and apathy can derail a person's dreams.
"I never thought it would end," Jaeh said of his success.
Not one to dwell on the past though, Jaeh focused his attention on his cousin and current UCONN star, Ryan Boatright.
Determined not to let him make the same mistakes he had, Jaeh worked with Ryan and mentored him through some of the same hard times he had going through school in the spotlight.

Thomas is on the sideline of every East game he can make and rides the highs and lows of each game as if he is still on the bench.

Check out the full story and more photos in today's Beacon-News!

While driving to the net against the Glenbard East defense, Larkin's Abigail Alvarez got a defender's hand right in her grill. No damage was done, but I couldn't resist sharing the best high five I've seen in awhile.