So much information here. Without knowing a lot more about your situation it is hard to provide proper suggestions. In general what was said is correct if you don't plan on using the HSA dollars right away. Depending upon your situation, it
may be better to sell some stock than do the IRA to HSA since you could invest the $ in you HSA if your HSA custodian allows it. Note the may. No one can estimate without full knowledge of what is going on in your life.
You note if you wife goes to full time and gets heath insurance thru the employer you would not be eligible for the HSA. This may or may not be true. Many employers offer HSA compatible insurance. It is not employer sponsored insurance but insurance compatibility to HSA requirements the that effect the ability to contribute. If your wife goes full time and gets non-compliant insurance and you did your IRA-> HSA transfer was for 2017, then you might want to check out the testing period on this
link.
I don't think your wife can do a IRA to your HSA conversion. Every thing I see is from your IRA to your HSA. But I see nothing that would stop you from covering your wife and children's medical expenses from your account.