What you seem to be missing is time on the lines. Watching someone else do it is not the same as trying it for yourself as you found out with the eagle kites - so often it is much harder than it looks... but that is where the reward is.
So what's it going to be? What kite has grabbed you enough to be your first. There's a thread somewhere on here where people reminisce about their first - you never ever forget your first REAL kite! You know lots about them in your head, but now it's time to move it down to the heart and hands. Dive in the deep end and see where it takes you. We're all addicts here so we understand completely. I don't know the US scene well enough to know if there are fliers in Joplin, but if you do make contact, I'm sure you will be able to try before you buy.
Good Luck and welcome to a new passion!