Here is how to enable remote SQL connections for Server 2008:

Open up SQL Server Configuration Manager

Click on SQL Server Network Configuration
--Enable Named Pipes
--Enable TCP/IP

Protocols for SQLEXPRESS (OR YOUR INSTANCE)
-Double click on TCP/IP

Find the IP addresses with your IP and IP of 127.0.0.1
--TCP Dyanmic Ports (Remove the 0 and leave empty)
--TCP Port 1433

Open up Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
-Click on Inbound Rules
--Create the following rules

SQL
1433 - TCP - Check if you want Domain, Private, and Public Access

SQL
1434 - UDP - Check if you want Domain, Private, and Public Access

Transact-SQL debugger (Used for Visual Studio)
135 - TCP - Check if you want Domain, Private, and Public Access