Windows 7: Setting up home network server using windows server 2008 R2

Hello forum folks!

This is my first post here, and I wanted to get some input on how to do something I have been wanting to do for a while now.

This may come off as a silly question, so bear with me here... I want to set up either a virtual machine or a seperate box with windows server 2008 R2 to use as a a web server, e-mail server and file server so I can access files from anywhere. I want to do this just as a way to get experience with setting up the DNS, DHCP, e-mail, active directory, printer services, etc.

I am also looking to get some hands on experience with windows server to allow me to start a career in the IT field. No one is willing to hire someone as network support with just the classroom experience and the CCNA certification I have.

First off, I have to use the router that Verizon supplies me with my Fios connection. Does anyone know if I would be able to set up a server to handle everything and just use their router as the gateway? I would think I would need to use their router as the DHCP server for my network right?

Does anyone have any guidance on how I would set up a server like this, and is windows server 2008 R2 the best choice considering I do want to be able to learn how to use that?