Sweet 16-How sweet it is!

No-not anyone's birthday. Its "March Madness" and for any of you who are following the NCAA tournament, you know that it is turning out to be the stuff of storybook pages; for the Duke University Blue Devils anyway.
My beloved "Dookies" (also supported by other Lombos/Wlazlinski family members) have made it to the Sweet 16 once again. This just after their 8th capture of the ACC conference title in the last 9 years.
The Blue Devils will be playing LSU in the Atlanta Regional semifinal tomorrow and have possitioned themselves to have a good chance to play in the Final Four for the 11th straight time; an unheard of accomplishment since the reign of UCLA under coach Wooden.
Duke will come in with their 3 seniors Reddick, Williams and Dockery and their 2 freshman McDonalds All-Americans in Paulus and McRoberts. Duke will need to play well against an LSU team that has a 300+ lb 6'9 power forward in Davis. Sheldon Williams will have his hands full down low and will need support to cover the weak side help. Paulus and McRoberts will need to play like veterans and battle the jitters that come with the excitement of being this far into the tournament. They will provide the knockout blow complimenting the 1-2 punch of Reddick and Williams.
Duke notched 3 losses during the regular season. Quite honestly, I wanted them to loose. I wanted them to know the feeling of defeat. This year's Duke squad is not overpowering. They are not a "powerhouse" like other Duke squads of the past. They have talent no doubt-every single one of their players are sports headlines material. Both J.J Reddick and Sheldon Williams have broken and set school, ACC tournament and NCAA records. But they are definately beatable.
But there is no doubt that with their talent, their heart and a class act coaching staff that exudes leadership, these "kids" deserve the NCAA national title.
They are and always have been champions to me. Kate and I and Andrea and her husband Terry will be wearing Duke blue tomorrow night at the Georgia Dome cheering the Dookies on. Catch the game on CBS-it starts at 7:10pm. Wish us luck! GO DUKE!

March Birthday Celebrants

I have been too busy and must admit, have been neglecting to update everyone in the blog. As a result, I failed to greet a few folks on their birthdays, including Noah, who just celebrated his first birthday. So let's name them. We hope they had good celebrations on their birthdays. If there is any leftover cake, please send me a slice.

March 8 - Tara, Mommy of Ethan (Virginia)

March 15 - Marjorie, Mommy of Mia and Noah (North Carolina)

March 18 - Noah, his First Birthday, brother of Mia (North Carolina)

March 20 - Michaela, cousin to the Lomboses and Lombos-Cabotajes (Georgia)

And tomorrow: March 22, Uncle Libby (West Virginia)

Belated Happy Birthday greetings to you all and to Uncle/Manong Libby, have a Happy celebration tomorrow. May you all have a lot more birthdays to come.