Hi Michelle. My best advice is to join a club or Astronomical society in your area. You will get some great help and advice that will get you up and running fast. Here are a couple of sites that my help you get your head around setting up your telescope. In ref to Dec and RA just remember Declination is up and down and RA or Right assention is sideways in simple terms.
This is a great Ice in space tutorial and gives pictures on what to do
http://www.myastroshop.com.au/guides...lign-basic.pdf
http://www.celestron.com/c3/support3...articleid=1734
http://www.myastroshop.com.au/guides...lign-basic.pdf
Hope I have been some help Michelle.
Seeing Stars
Mardy