Teresa Guidice's Prison Sentence Has Begun

After the years of tabloid stories and reality show plot lines that have lead up Teresa Giudice's jail sentence, It's almost surreal that the day has arrived. Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice begins her prison sentence Jan. 5, which will last for over a year. YEESH. And you thought your Monday was rough.

On Monday, Giudice arrived at Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut to begin her jail term. The car ride took about 90 minutes, but the group left almost immediately after Giudice ate dinner and arrived before 3 a.m., hours ahead of her scheduled reporting time. E! News reports that this early arrival was negotiated with prison officials ahead of time. According to her attorney, James J. Leonard Jr., "I think she was anxious to get in, get this thing started, get it behind her, and get back to her family. Her four girls are her primary focus."

Just in case you haven't been following the story, Teresa and Joe Giudice pled guilty to "numerous fraud and tax charges" in March of last year. Joe was charged with five counts, and Teresa with four. At his sentencing in October, the Giudice family patriarch was sentenced to 41 months in prison and fined $414,000 in restitution.

Leading up to Teresa's sentencing, is was uncertain as to whether she would serve prison time at all. Sure enough, she was found guilty and sentenced to 15 months in jail. The judge ruled that Joe and Teresa would serve back-to-back sentences, so that one parent would be free to take care of their four girls Gia, Milania, Audriana, and Gabriella whose ages range from 5 to 13.

Despite Teresa's commitment to being on her best behavior starting with her timely arrival to the prison, it's definitely gonna be a tough day for the Giudice family. But if the girls ever miss mom, they can just whip out those totally depressing home movies.