When I turn the ignition in my car I get nothing, no noise, not even a clicking noise. The lights and everything come on, I think its the starter solenoid. I'm trying to get the starter out, but I'm having a hard time getting to it and getting it out. Does anyone have any tips on doing this, I'm a total novice when it comes to these things but I like to do it myself.

In your year you should be able to disconnect the neg battery cable, jack the car and support it, then see the starter right over the front end of the subframe. In 96-03 GM used 15mm bolts to hold the starter to the engine, most likely they are the same size in your year. I find a wrench and socket are needed to pull the starter. Then the wiring is usually held on by 13mm and 8mm nuts. That should get the starter out for you to have it tested.