gophur said..
Hi Everyone :D
I am brand spanking new to kitesurfing....
Stace
Welcome aboard Stace. Yeah.. nice avatar. *cough*

Did you get trained by Kate from KitePower by any chance? She is awesome. I've not been trained by her, but I've heard good reviews and comments.
But I hope you get more and more lessons (expensive I know), but at least 4 should get you going on your own and no more trainer kiting! lol
My only advice I can give you
as you practice water starts, is to do it away from other kiters and at least 70mt into the sea. I've seen so many kites crash land on the beach missing walkers and death rolls resulting from guys practicing too close to the general kiting community.
Obviously if it's too deep don't go in any further because you need to feel the sand under you and that keeps the confidence going.
Once you feel very confident with the kite and can do basic loops and general kite control, then use your body dragging practice to get out deeper and practice water launching in deep water and of course body drags.
One technique I teach my students is to deliberately go out say 150mt into deeper water and let go of the board! That way they are "forced" to use their water dragging techniques (arm out like a rudder, etc) until they reach their board and try and do a water start for good measure. 9 out of 10 of them get it on their first go, but it takes like 10mins or more. Patience and persistence is the key.
Have fun! You will love it once you get going for the first time. It's like sex.
Ooops.