I'm a quite a newbie but I have been picking up a lot in the last year or so, but I've steered clear of all battery, ignition, and starter work for safety'* sake. Now I have to replace the starter out of necessity and am having trouble differentiating the wires (i've disconnected the battery already, I'm at least that together.) I'm just nervous doing this on my own and could use some pointers.

No problem! You should have only 2 wires attached to the starter itself. 1 big one, and 1 small one. Be careful with that big one, thus the reason your battery needs to be disconnected.

Once those 2 wires(and battery are disconnected) you can use a 15mm(someone correct size) socket and an extension to remove the 2 bolts securing the starter. Careful with the last bolt, the starter is heavy and WILL come down like a bad hangover.

Installation is just in reverse. Careful not to tighten the wire nuts too much, you may end up rotating the whole stud and possibly breaking the plastic.

You need to remove the 2 plastic covers also.