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Monique Machuca-Austin

@mo16austintx

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Divine intelligence is in your ❤️ heart.
You will not find your soul in your intellect.

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For my lucky 🍀 sister 💕 by @mo16austintx

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4 days ago

Working this morning in my hotel 🏨 room before heading back home 🏠 taken in Oakland Marriott City Center by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

💔💔💔 by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

🎂 Happy Birthday to My Firstborn!

Happy Birthday to my firstborn, my son, and the child who came into this world and immediately decided to test every limit I had! 😂

You were my introduction to motherhood… and let’s just say you did NOT come with an easy-mode setting. 🤣 You kept me on my toes, tested my patience, challenged my sanity, and probably had me asking myself more than once, “Who told me I knew what I was doing?” 😂

But somehow, through all the mischief, attitude, challenges, and “Oh Lord, what is he doing now?” moments, you grew into the man you are today.

And now, watching my oldest child become a father himself is something I never could have imagined when I was chasing you around trying to keep you out of trouble. 😂❤️

You gave me the title of Mom, and now you’ve given me the even sweeter title of Grandma. For that, I will always be grateful.

So today, I celebrate you—the boy who tested me, the man who makes me proud as he works to become the father he wants to be for his son, and the dad who now gets to experience firsthand just how much your own child can test your limits. 😏😂

Happy Birthday, Son! I love you more than you’ll ever know. ❤️

Somehow, after all the years of you testing every limit I had, we’re BOTH still standing! 😂😂 And now you’re a dad… so I guess it’s your turn.

#HappyBirthdaySon #MyFirstborn #FirstTimeDad #ProudMom #NowItsYourTurn ❤️ taken in Texas by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

As we say goodbye to Chicago, our hearts are full.

This trip wasn’t just about exploring an incredible city—it was about making memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. While the girls came to Chicago for Lollapalooza, we were grateful to show them that this incredible city has so much more to offer than a music festival. From its iconic architecture and world-class museums to unforgettable food, breathtaking views, and rich history, they experienced the true spirit of Chicago.

One of the greatest gifts of this journey was reconnecting with lifelong friends. After all these years, it reminded us that true friendships never fade—they simply pick up where they left off. A heartfelt thank you to our dear high school friend for taking the time to show us around your city, sharing your favorite places, and making us feel so welcome. Because of you, this trip became so much more than sightseeing—it became a collection of memories we’ll cherish forever.

Sharing this adventure with our daughters made every moment even more meaningful. Watching them experience Chicago beyond the festival while creating new memories alongside old friends was something we’ll always treasure.

Life is made up of moments like these—where lifelong friendships, family, laughter, and new adventures come together. Thank you, Chicago, for the unforgettable memories.

Until we meet again. ❤️

#Chicago #Lollapalooza #GirlsTrip #MotherDaughterTrip #Friendship taken in Chicago, Illinois by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

🍕 No trip to Chicago is complete without experiencing its iconic deep-dish pizza!

There was no question—we had to see what all the hype was about, so we chose Lou Malnati’s. One bite, and we understood why it’s a Chicago favorite.

The buttery, flaky crust, layers of gooey cheese, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly balanced flavors made every slice worth the wait. It was hearty, comforting, and absolutely delicious!

Trying Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza wasn’t just about checking something off our travel list—it was about experiencing a tradition that has become part of the city’s identity. Safe to say, Lou Malnati’s did not disappoint.

If you’re visiting Chicago, this is one meal you won’t want to miss.

🍕📍Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria • Chicago, Illinois

#LouMalnatis #DeepDishPizza #ChicagoPizza #ChicagoEats #FoodieFinds taken in Lou Malnati’s Pizzaria by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

🎭✨ The perfect finale to an unforgettable Chicago girls’ trip.

We couldn’t have asked for a better way to end our time in the city than seeing & Juliet with our dear friend, Sarah, who calls Chicago home. It was the perfect evening to celebrate friendship, laughter, and all the memories we made throughout this trip.

One of the highlights was seeing Joey Fatone of NSYNC on stage! It made the experience even more special watching someone we’ve known for years through music bring so much energy and charisma to a live theatrical performance.

From the beautiful auditorium to the Playbill in our hands and the incredible cast, every moment reminded us why live theater is such a magical experience. & Juliet was funny, heartfelt, energetic, and packed with hit songs that had us smiling from beginning to end.

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your city with us and helping make this girls’ trip one we’ll always treasure.

Until we see you again, Sarah… and until next time, Chicago. ❤️

#AndJuliet #JoeyFatone #NSYNC #BroadwayInChicago #ChicagoTheatre taken in Auditorium Theatre by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

One last sweet stop before saying goodbye to Chicago. 🧇🍫

We were excited to grab a quick breakfast at the newly reopened Nutella Café! Of course, we couldn’t pass up one of their famous waffles, topped with that rich, creamy Nutella we all know and love. It was warm, fluffy, and the perfect way to start our morning.

After days of exploring Chicago, this sweet little stop was the perfect ending to an unforgettable girls’ trip. Great food, wonderful company, and one last delicious memory before heading home.

If you’re visiting Chicago, be sure to add the newly reopened Nutella Café to your list—you won’t regret it!

📍Nutella Café • Chicago, Illinois

#NutellaCafe #ChicagoEats #BreakfastGoals #Waffles #NutellaLovers taken in Nutella Cafe Chicago by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

Before we left Chicago, we had one more stop to make—Chinatown. 🥟🏮

No trip felt complete without experiencing one of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods, so we headed to Triple Crown Restaurant for dim sum. Sharing baskets of freshly steamed dumplings and other traditional favorites was the perfect way to slow down and enjoy one last meal together before heading home.

From the lively atmosphere to the authentic flavors, it was the perfect ending to an unforgettable girls’ trip. Every stop on this adventure gave us something new to experience, and Chinatown was no exception.

Thank you, Chicago, for the memories, the laughter, the incredible food, and another reason to come back.

📍Chinatown, Chicago, Illinois

#ChicagoChinatown #TripleCrown #DimSum #ChicagoEats #GirlsTrip taken in Triple Crown Restaurant by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

There are burgers… and then there’s Gordon Ramsay Burger. 🍔

I have to admit, this is a big statement coming from me because I’m usually not a hamburger person. But this was, without question, the best burger I’ve ever had.

The only reason we went was because my youngest is a huge Gordon Ramsay fan, and there was no way we were leaving Chicago without stopping at Gordon Ramsay Burger. What started as “we have to go for her” quickly turned into one of my favorite meals of the entire trip.

From the very first bite, I understood the hype. The burger was perfectly cooked, incredibly juicy, and packed with flavor. In fact, it didn’t need a single dressing—not mayo, mustard, or ketchup. It was that delicious all on its own. Every ingredient complemented the next, proving that when a burger is made right, it doesn’t need anything extra.

Sometimes the best travel memories come from trying something you never expected to love. This was definitely one of those moments, and it’s a meal I’ll be talking about long after our Chicago girls’ trip.

📍Chicago, Illinois

#GordonRamsayBurger #ChicagoEats #FoodieFinds #GirlsTrip #TravelMemories taken in Gordon Ramsay Burger by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

Art, history, and great company—what more could you ask for? 🎨✨

One of the highlights of our girls’ trip was exploring the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago. With galleries spanning centuries, cultures, and artistic styles, every room offered something new to admire—from timeless masterpieces to contemporary works that sparked conversation and inspiration.

The museum is so expansive that you could easily spend an entire day wandering its halls. Thankfully, our dear friend Sarah, a member of the museum, was the perfect guide. She knew exactly where to take us, making sure we experienced many of the museum’s must-see treasures while sharing her knowledge and helping us make the most of our visit.

Sometimes it’s not just the destination that makes an experience unforgettable—it’s the people who share it with you.

Thank you, Sarah, for giving us an incredible tour and making our visit one we’ll always remember. ❤️

📍The Art Institute of Chicago

#ArtInstituteChicago #Chicago #GirlsTrip #ArtLovers #MuseumDay taken in The Art Institute of Chicago by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago

Coffee, cocktails, carbs… and somehow we still found room for shopping. ☕🍸🥐😂

Our girls’ trip wouldn’t have been complete without a stop at the iconic Starbucks Reserve Chicago. More than just a coffee shop, it’s a five-story experience where every floor has something new to discover.

We sipped handcrafted coffee, toasted with delicious cocktails, shared fresh focaccia and pastries, explored every level, and—despite our best intentions—left carrying a little more Starbucks merchandise than we planned. (No regrets! 🤭)

Great conversations, lots of laughs, and memories made over every sip. Sometimes the best souvenirs aren’t just what you buy—it’s the moments you share with friends who have been by your side for decades.

📍Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Chicago

#StarbucksReserve #StarbucksReserveChicago #Chicago #GirlsTrip #CoffeeLovers taken in Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago by @mo16austintx

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2 months ago