rin and john

Enter and exit USA on US passport. Enter and exit Thailand on Thai passport (can theoretically use US passport, but then only allowed to stay 30 days). Will need US passport to show to airline when departing Thailand (or any other country) to prove she will be able to enter US upon arrival.
For other countries, use whichever is easiest. When we went to Singapore, Rin used her US passport as the scrutinize Thai passport holders more (and typically give from 7-30 day stamp; US passports holders get 90 days). If you go to Brazil, Thai passport holders do not need a visa, US passport holders do, so would be better to use Thai passport.
So Rin always travels with both and uses whichever is most beneficial.

It is "adjusted gross income". On 1040 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf) you first calculate your total income (wages, interest, dividends, capital gains, etc) on lines 7-22. Then you make adjustments (education expenses, moving expenses if for a job, alimony paid, etc). Subtract adustments from total income and that is your "adjusted gross income" on line 37. Going further, lines 39-42 calculate your deductions (itemized or standard) and exemptions (based on you, your spouse, and dependents). Subtract your deductions and exemptions from "adjusted gross income" and you get "taxable income".

I wish everyone who could enter on a tourist visa or VWP would be allowed to marry and adjust no matter what their intent was at entry. Who cares? They have been cleared to travel to the USA (either through applying for a non-immigrant visa or by virtue of being born in the right country and having VWP privileges). Subsequently they have been cleared to enter by an immigration officer. Let them file AOS and stay.
Making them go back and file a fiance(e) or immigrant spouse visa does not help those without the ability to enter on either a tourist visa or VWP. It actually clogs up the system with additional petitions at USCIS (arrive VWP, get married, file AOS - 1 petition; go home, file 129F, arrive, get married, file AOS - 2 petitions).

It is "adjusted gross income". On 1040 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf) you first calculate your total income (wages, interest, dividends, capital gains, etc) on lines 7-22. Then you make adjustments (education expenses, moving expenses if for a job, alimony paid, etc). Subtract adustments from total income and that is your "adjusted gross income" on line 37. Going further, lines 39-42 calculate your deductions (itemized or standard) and exemptions (based on you, your spouse, and dependents). Subtract your deductions and exemptions from "adjusted gross income" and you get "taxable income".

Either a SSN or ITIN will be required for the children. However, greencards are not necessary to get the children's SSN, we got our children's SSN once they had their EAD (make sure to file for the children's EAD when filing AOS).

"Resident" for immigration purposes and "resident" for tax purposes are two different items. As the spouse of a USC you can elect to be treated as a "resident" for tax purposes (even if you have never set foot in the US).
And yes, you will exclude foreign income using form 2555 (or 2555EZ). Won't be a problem not being a permanent resident card holder.
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Nonresident-Spouse-Treated-as-a-Resident

Too tired to re-iterate my opinion from a previous thread. I agree with you entirely. My logic is in the link below
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/416723-there-should-be-a-vip-line-for-k1-processing/page-11#entry6008069
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/416723-there-should-be-a-vip-line-for-k1-processing/?view=findpost&p=6008554

According to their website, a SSN is not required.
http://www.dps.state.ms.us/driver-services/new-drivers-license/non-u-s-citizen-information/

Too tired to re-iterate my opinion from a previous thread. I agree with you entirely. My logic is in the link below
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/416723-there-should-be-a-vip-line-for-k1-processing/page-11#entry6008069
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/416723-there-should-be-a-vip-line-for-k1-processing/?view=findpost&p=6008554

When married as of December 31st, the options are MFJ or MFS. In certain instances, the USC can file HOH instead of MFS. With your spouse overseas and not required to file a return, the USC can use HOH if they qualify (typically through having a qualifying dependent, i.e. a child). As someone else mentioned, filing single is incorrect, but the IRS will not care or come after you as you most likely paid too much. Pages 5 thru 7 of Publication 501 explain filing status
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf
However, if your taxable income is over $73,200 for 2013 and you elect to file single instead of MFS, you have underpaid your taxes as the single tax rate is lower above this level.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040tt.pdf
For example, if you have taxable income is $30K, the tax liability is $4,058 for single, $3,611 for MFJ, $4,058 for MFS, and $3,866 for HOH. However, if your taxable income is $90K, then tax liability is $18,780 for single, $14,614 for MFJ, $19,220 for MFS, and $17,259 for HOH. In this case, by filing single instead of MFS (as is legally required) you short pay your taxes by $440. Technically, that is tax fraud.

Nookie is a great reason for a man to get married. Money (security) is a great reason for a women to get married. Love is based on finding another individual who meets your needs. One of the best books I've read on relationships is "His Needs, Her Needs - Building an Affair Proof Marriage" by Willard Harley.
http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi6100_needstoc.html
Table of contents:
How Affair-proof Is Your Marriage? Why Your Love Bank Never Closes The First Thing She Can't Do Without - Affection The First Thing He Can't Do Without - Sexual Fulfillment She Needs Him to Talk to Her - Conversation He Needs Her to Be His Playmate - Recreational Companionship She Needs to Trust Him Totally - Honesty and Openness He Needs a Good-looking Wife - An Attractive Spouse She Needs Enough Money to Live Comfortably He needs Peace and Quite - Domestic Support She Needs Him to Be a Good Father - Family Support He Needs Her to Be Proud of Him - Admiration How to Survive an Affair From Incompatible to Irresistible Generally, A woman needs are Affection, Conversation, Honesty/Openness, Money to live Comfortably, Family Support. A man needs Sexual Fulfillment, Recreational Companionship, an Attractive Spouse, Domestic Support, and Admiration. Each individual is different and will rank these differently based on individual circumstances, but by and large I have found them to be fairly accurate in the relationships I've had and those I've witnessed. When someone's needs weren't being met were when problems began.

Nookie is a great reason for a man to get married. Money (security) is a great reason for a women to get married. Love is based on finding another individual who meets your needs. One of the best books I've read on relationships is "His Needs, Her Needs - Building an Affair Proof Marriage" by Willard Harley.
http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi6100_needstoc.html
Table of contents:
How Affair-proof Is Your Marriage? Why Your Love Bank Never Closes The First Thing She Can't Do Without - Affection The First Thing He Can't Do Without - Sexual Fulfillment She Needs Him to Talk to Her - Conversation He Needs Her to Be His Playmate - Recreational Companionship She Needs to Trust Him Totally - Honesty and Openness He Needs a Good-looking Wife - An Attractive Spouse She Needs Enough Money to Live Comfortably He needs Peace and Quite - Domestic Support She Needs Him to Be a Good Father - Family Support He Needs Her to Be Proud of Him - Admiration How to Survive an Affair From Incompatible to Irresistible Generally, A woman needs are Affection, Conversation, Honesty/Openness, Money to live Comfortably, Family Support. A man needs Sexual Fulfillment, Recreational Companionship, an Attractive Spouse, Domestic Support, and Admiration. Each individual is different and will rank these differently based on individual circumstances, but by and large I have found them to be fairly accurate in the relationships I've had and those I've witnessed. When someone's needs weren't being met were when problems began.

The intent is to meet the 39 week time test. See Figure B, note 3 in your link. If they take the moving expense deduction and subsequently fail the time test, they are supposed to file an amended return.
Further in your link,
"Time Test Not Yet Met
You can deduct your moving expenses on your 2013 tax return even though you have not met the time test by the date your 2013 return is due. You can do this if you expect to meet the 39-week test in 2014 or the 78-week test in 2014 or 2015.
If you do not deduct your moving expenses on your 2013 return, and you later meet the time test, you can file an amended return for 2013 to take the deduction. See When To Deduct Expenses later, for more details."

Typically the moving expenses are for costs related to changing jobs. However, reading thru the IRS info, you have a valid argument. I'd file it that way and if audited explain your reasoning. If the IRS disagreed with your logic, they would just charge you the tax difference as it is not willful tax fraud.
With regards to employment costs, they are deductible on Schedule A (lines 21-27). However, only the portion over 2% of AGS is deductible.

This is incorrect.
A foreign spouse of a USC can elect to be treated as a resident for tax purposes. Once they do that, they can file MFJ, but by filing MFJ worldwide income of both individuals is subject to US tax. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion would apply to any income either one of them earned overseas.

We bought ours before the visa was issued. Picked the visa up around noon and headed to the airport for a flight the same evening. The decision is a risk/reward decision only the OP can make. If the loss of a $1000 ticket is a risk he is willing to take, so be it. I took the risk because the ticket I purchased could be changed to any date within the next year for under $100 dollars. If it had been a $3000 ticket with no refund or changes, my decision would have been different. Only the OP can decide how much risk he is willing to take.

His wife is a resident. She has the same status as him when it comes to the IRS. So her child, if qualified as a dependent can be included on their joint return. I did not use the word "usually" of my own accord. It is a direct quote from the IRS publication (therefore the quotation marks). Since his wife is a "resident" in the eyes of the IRS, her child is as well. Her child must reside with her for more than six months of the year, but exceptions exist if the child is absent. Education is one of the exceptions.
I have read through reams of info on the subject. Talked with three separate IRS advisors on their hotline. One said yes, one said no, one said maybe, try it and they will either approve or not. Nothing fraudulent about filing and claiming her as a dependent as Slowlyman said it is clear as mud. Worst case scenario is they don't allow the dependent and adjust your return. They are not going to press criminal charges.
I look at it this way. If he married her and lived in Thailand and the child lived with them he could file a joint tax return (doing so his wife would have to file as a resident of the US even though she has never been here and her income in Thailand would be subject to US tax) and claim the child as a dependent. A child does not have to be your natural child to be counted as a dependent. Stepchildren count the same as your natural born children.
Being a tax "resident" and a LPR are entirely separate issues.
My wife and I married in 2006. She first arrived in the US in April 2007 and her children in September 2007. For 2006, I filed jointly and declared her as a resident for tax purposes even though she had never set foot in the US. I filed an amended return for 2006 claiming her children who also had never set foot in the USA. Both were accepted.

" Thai Visa is a very reliable and unreliable source of information."
I love this post! It's sad that it is 100% accurate.

I think you got screwed. As long as you can prove residency in PA, yours. Should have been the same as your husband's license.
Even at the price you mention, it sounds like he sold you a three year non-resident.
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/licenses.html
I would go back. And tell him you are filing a complaint with the state game and fishing commission if does not correct the problem.
The have a license hotline on the website that can probably help you with how to file a complaint.

For USCIS, any documents submitted would have to have a translation. for the US Embassy in Bangkok, see page 5 of the instructions for immigrant visas.
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/112012_k_instruction_packet_3.pdf
However, remember you will have to deal with AOS, removing conditions, citizenship, etc once your spouse is stateside. Best to have all of those mentioned in your original post translated as you will need them sooner or later in English.
There are lots of services around Bangkok and the embassy lists several. We used One across the street from the Embassy.
http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/translators_photographers.pdf
Best of luck!

I think you got screwed. As long as you can prove residency in PA, yours. Should have been the same as your husband's license.
Even at the price you mention, it sounds like he sold you a three year non-resident.
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/licenses.html
I would go back. And tell him you are filing a complaint with the state game and fishing commission if does not correct the problem.
The have a license hotline on the website that can probably help you with how to file a complaint.

I think you got screwed. As long as you can prove residency in PA, yours. Should have been the same as your husband's license.
Even at the price you mention, it sounds like he sold you a three year non-resident.
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/licenses.html
I would go back. And tell him you are filing a complaint with the state game and fishing commission if does not correct the problem.
The have a license hotline on the website that can probably help you with how to file a complaint.

I think you got screwed. As long as you can prove residency in PA, yours. Should have been the same as your husband's license.
Even at the price you mention, it sounds like he sold you a three year non-resident.
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/licenses.html
I would go back. And tell him you are filing a complaint with the state game and fishing commission if does not correct the problem.
The have a license hotline on the website that can probably help you with how to file a complaint.

I think you got screwed. As long as you can prove residency in PA, yours. Should have been the same as your husband's license.
Even at the price you mention, it sounds like he sold you a three year non-resident.
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/licenses.html
I would go back. And tell him you are filing a complaint with the state game and fishing commission if does not correct the problem.
The have a license hotline on the website that can probably help you with how to file a complaint.

I think you got screwed. As long as you can prove residency in PA, yours. Should have been the same as your husband's license.
Even at the price you mention, it sounds like he sold you a three year non-resident.
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/licenses.html
I would go back. And tell him you are filing a complaint with the state game and fishing commission if does not correct the problem.
The have a license hotline on the website that can probably help you with how to file a complaint.