Connecting To Remote SQL server

[1FstZed]

Hey guys/gals

I've been doing a lot of research and cant seem to get this to work, what i want to do is connect say from work through a vb program to an sql database here at home. The code i've found and have not got working so far is

dim SqlCon as SqlConnection = New SqlConnection
SqlCon.ConnectionString = "Data Source = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx; initial catalog = Attendance; user id = sa; password = mypassword;"
SqlCon.Open()

the error i get is Sql Server does not exists or access is denied

I want to be able to test this at home as i have a wireless network setup so i should be able to hit up the ip assigned to the router to test it out. Also i have opened up the appropriate ports to allow Sql access through the router. Any help would be appreciated.

Update
When i run the program i can see the lights on my router flashingand i can see when my network icon on my laptop is active the one on my desktop is receiving information, after a few seconds i get "SQL server does not exist or access denied"
Thanks,
Josh