Calipers are driving me NUTS

You only have to take off the caliper, not the bracket the pads sit in. There are two pins with e-clips on them. Take these off and the caliper lifts off exposing the pads that are held in the bracket. The pads simply slide out with the little holding clips on each side of the pad. It's really not a big job.

To get the bracket out of the way for a rotor change, remove the bracket that is held on with two bolts in back, without the pads in it.

Hint - Do only ONE side at a time. That way, you always have the other side for reference if you forget how things go back together.

When you say things keep falling out, I just cannot figure out what would be doing that.

Put the bracket back on, slide the pads in, drop the caliper on with the pins and e-clips.

The backs are a little more difficult but the fronts should be pretty easy.

Since you took apart you calipers you will need to grease the slides so the unit floats well. If not, you may get uneven where on the pads.